We look at the legal responsibilities of landlords
in TUNBRIDGE WELLS – and reveal why it pays to let the experts handle
the red tape.
How landlords in TUNBRIDGE
WELLS can escape the red tape jungle
Some people say being a landlord is easy. These
people are wrong.
Glance through the list of the 175 plus laws that
apply to landlords in the UK and you quickly realise there is a lot more to the
lettings game than most people think.
They cover everything from tenancies and evictions,
to energy ratings, pollution, and electrical safety. It’s a regulatory jungle
out there folks.
To stay on the right side of the law, landlords must
get their heads around a mountain of red tape. Failure to do so can result in
fines, bans or even jail.
We’re not
exaggerating
These days tenants know their rights and authorities
are not afraid to act. In the past month alone, several landlords have made
headlines for all the wrong reasons.
In Coventry, a landlord was ordered to repay £11,000
after renting out a property for eight months without the appropriate licence.
While in Poole a landlord was banned from letting or managing property for five
years for 12 offences relating to the management (perhaps that should be
mismanagement) of a HMO (House in Multiple Occupation).
And this is just the tip of the iceberg. As lockdown
measures continue to lift across the UK, the wheels of justice will start to
turn again at an even faster pace.
So, expect more cases like this to make the news.
Finding your way
through the maze
It’s important to note that the 175 plus laws that
we refer to don’t apply to every single landlord in the UK.
Some tax-related laws apply across the UK. Others
relate only to landlords in England and Wales. Then there are laws just for
landlords in Wales, laws just for landlords in England and, you guessed it,
laws just for landlords in Scotland.
Confused? Don’t worry because you’re not alone.
Increase in
regulations
The regulatory landscape has changed significantly
in the past decade. Many of the changes were introduced with the right
intention – to root out the small number of rogue landlords who make tenants’
lives hell.
Unfortunately, the push to clean up the sector has
placed a significant burden on all landlords, the vast majority of whom were
doing the right thing all along.
FOR ENGLAND AND
WALES ONLY, DELETE IN SCOTLAND
In England and Wales, for example, there has been a
32% increase in rules and regulations relating to the private rental sector
since 2010.
FOR SCOTLAND ONLY,
DELETE IF ENGLAND AND WALES
In Scotland, for example, new rules came into force
last year around the National Landlord Register. Previously the information
landlords had to provide when registering was relatively minimal.
Nowadays, much more detail about the standard of the
property itself is required. Failure to provide accurate information can result
in a fine of £1,000. (And don’t even think about not registering, this can
attract a £50,000 fine).
The Covid-19 effect
As if things weren’t complicated enough, the
pandemic has added a higher level of complexity, particularly around evictions
and rental arrears.
Help I’m freaking
out about all these rules!
Don’t panic. If you don’t have the time or
inclination to become an expert in lettings legislation, help is at hand.
We can take the weight off your shoulders. We deal
with these kinds of issues day in and day out and can save you time and, in the
long run, money.
Many people feel property is a safer investment than
stocks and shares right now (and we agree with them). With a good lettings’
agent, you can grow your property investment, enjoy peace of mind, and escape
the rental red tape jungle.
Here at MARTIN & CO our
experienced team is happy to help landlords meet all their legal obligations.
If you have any questions, please get in touch.
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