Free Model Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement Review
As recently reported, the DCLG has produced a model assured shorthold tenancy agreement which is freely available for all to download...
Coronavirus Rescue Pay Packages Omit Directors Paid Dividends
Property company directors who top up their salaries with dividends do not qualify for government coronavirus financial support packages. HM Revenue & Customs chief Jim Barra has confirmed dividends are excluded from calculating income under the Job Retention...
Government Says No to Rent Holiday for Private Tenants
Following our article about rent holidays and rent strikes yesterday, private tenants are not due a rent holiday during the coronavirus crisis, according to a government peer. Independent Lord Taylor of Warwick asked a written question in the Lords about a rent break...
New Accelerated Possession Claim Form and Statement Rules
From 6 April 2020, there is a new accelerated possession claim form N5B used in England. Given all possession claims are currently suspended for 90 days since 27 March 2020, it’s not going to have any great effect right now. It also gives us time to update the website...
Coronavirus: Rent Payment Holidays and New Template
We had previously reported about groups gathering proposing a rent strike and suggesting not paying rent for 3 months. This seems to have now become into rumours spreading (around those who want to listen and believe it) that tenants shouldn’t pay rent for three...
Coronavirus: Homes for Sale or Rent Still Need an EPC
After the news just now that our Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has been taken into intensive care, we want to wish him all the very best and a speedy recovery. Landlords must still carry out energy efficiency inspections when selling or renting out a home regardless...
Coronavirus Financial Uncertainty Ramps Up for Landlords
Landlords facing an uncertain financial future if their tenants cannot pay the rent will start feeling the pinch over the coming weeks. Although the country has been self-isolating or in lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus for nearly two weeks, many tenants...
Coronavirus: Time to Take a Breath and Reflection
Wow, what a couple of weeks! From just before the lockdown and then up until about yesterday, we’ve never been busier in anytime that we can remember. Guidance was being issued left, right and centre, multiple times a day. As it mounted up, we needed to consolidate...
Time for Banks to Repay Debt to Taxpayers, Warns Business Secretary
Business secretary Alok Sharma has warned the banks that they need to do more to help small businesses desperate for financial aid. In the daily coronavirus briefing from 10 Downing Street, he pointedly warned the banks that it was time for them to repay to favour the...
Updated Possession Notice Wizard for Coronavirus
We have now completed our Coronavirus Act changes to the possession notice wizard which is now live again and can be used. We decided to make changes to the section 8 and section 21 notices in line with the Coronavirus Act 2020 even though some commentators don’t...
Coronavirus: Landlords to Go Online for Right to Rent Checks
Right to Rent for landlords and letting agents has been tweaked to make checks easier to carry out in the coronavirus crisis. The government wants landlords and tenants to rely on technology rather than face-to-face checks. What’s not changed is the need to carry out...
Don’t Blame Housing Uncertainty on Lenders, Says Finance Chief
Don’t blame banks and building societies for uncertainty in the housing market, says financial firm trade body UK Finance. In an open letter, chief executive Stephen Jones writes that banks have not pressured the government to freeze the housing market due to the...
Coronavirus: Comprehensive Guidance for Renters and Landlords Published
Today (28 March 2020), MHCLG has published some comprehensive and consolidating guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities. The guidance covers various topics including: rent mortgage payments possession proceedings court action property access health and...
Coronavirus Stay at Home Legislation Now Live
The stay at home guidance that was previously issued now has its accompanying legislation in the form of The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020. The legislation includes the businesses which must close, restrictions on gatherings...
Guidance on Moving Home During Coronavirus Pandemic Published
The government has now issued guidance on moving into a new home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the guidance is titled for buyers and sellers, it equally applies to renting. This is welcomed because guidance was unclear up to this point. Parties are urged to...
Chancellor Reveals Financial Support Package for Self-Employed
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has delivered his financial support package for the self-employed, but t may not meet the expectations of everyone. Self-employed landlords whose earnings are impacted by the coronavirus outbreak can claim a taxable grant of up to 80% of their...
Coronavirus Guidance Published for Tradespeople Working in People’s Homes
The government has now published guidance in respect of work being done in people’s homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is particularly important for landlords and agents because we are a unique industry during the COVID-19 pandemic because we can’t just shut...
Coronavirus: No Business Rates for Letting Agents
The government has announced that letting agents will not have to pay business rates for the 2020 - 2021 year. The new measure was announced alongside estate agents and bingo halls also not having to pay business rates. This has come about because the government has...
Financial Support for Self-Employed Promised by Boris Johnson
Financial support for the 4.5 million self-employed, including landlords is on the way, promises Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He has pledged a package to replace lost income will be announced shortly - possibly today (Thursday 26 March 2020) but within a couple of...
Coronavirus Act 2020 Is Now Law – New Notice Lengths
We have previously reported on the Coronavirus Bill. This has now received Royal Assent and so as of today, 26 March 2020, it has become law and is now the Coronavirus Act 2020. For the purposes of our readers, schedule 29 is the main schedule and parts of the Housing...
Coronavirus Guidance
Landlords Building Insurance
Guild subscribers can get preferential rates for landlords buildings insurance especially designed for landlords
