What is a Rent Repayment Order? A rent repayment order (“RRO”) is an order made by a Tribunal requiring the landlord or agent to repay rent (including housing benefit or housing element of universal credit) where the landlord or agent has committed a particular offence, which are listed below. It is not necessary that the landlord […]
Along with other unprecedented measures to protect the public, there were ongoing changes to the notice period required to be given when serving a section 21 (“s.21”) notice under the Housing Act 1988. Although the notice periods for section 8 and 21 notices are now back to the pre-covid notice periods, there are still notices […]
When a tenant dies, the assured shorthold tenancy agreement does not automatically end. The tenancy is transferred temporarily to the Public Trustee if a tenant dies: without a will with a will but without an executor If the deceased tenant has left a will, the tenancy will vest in his executors. If he has died intestate, […]
What is a no DSS policy? A ‘no DSS’ policy is when an agent refuses to rent to anyone who gets universal credit or housing benefit. This could include when agents: refuse to let you view an affordable property won’t consider you for a tenancy because you get benefits advertise properties as ‘no DSS’, ‘no […]
What is a Tenancy Deposit Scheme? Despite having been in force since April 2007, many landlords are still unaware of what a tenancy deposit scheme is. This article covers the basic must knows of what a tenancy deposit is. Overview The Government website is not up to date with its guidance for landlords in relation […]
The police have a legal obligation under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (known as “PACE”) code of Practice B, paragraph 6.13(e) to secure property where forced entry has been made and where the property owner or occupier is not on scene. Police may also hold a duty of care to secure property where […]
Tenancy Deposit Scheme Breaches – Can There Be Multiple Breaches? Payment of a deposit by an assured shorthold tenant as security for performance of the obligations of the tenancy is the norm. The Housing Act 2004 (“the Act”) brought in the tenancy deposit scheme which required landlord to essentially protect deposits paid by tenants in […]
To Serve or Not to Serve – EPC’s and Gas Safety Certificates In a judgment handed down by the Court of Appeal in the case of Minister v Hathaway [2021] EWCA Civ 936, it was ruled that the landlords of an assured shorthold tenancy (that commenced prior to 01 October 2015) could serve a Section 21 […]
Unfortunately, over the last few years, and following the coronavirus pandemic many companies have floundered in the face of the economic downturn. In the worst cases, this resulted in them being removed from the companies register following insolvency. Companies can also be struck off the register for failure to comply with registration requirements, such as […]
Evictions in Wales The use of the current 6-month minimum notice period for serving (most) possession notices in Wales is being extended until 30 September 2021. This extends the temporary legislation enacted arising out of the coronavirus pandemic and affects evictions in Wales. The notice periods have been lengthened temporarily during the current pandemic to […]