|
 |
 |
|
|
HMOs switched to family lets to avoid licensing By Simon Thompson |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Around a third of landlords have changed one or more of their properties into a family home after new shared house licensing laws were introduced.
Oxford City Council questioned 30 landlords and found that nine have reduced the number of houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) that they offer.
A change of law in the city meant that all small HMOs must have a license.
A small HMO is for three to five unrelated sharers – larger HMOs for six or more sharers or houses of three storeys or more already required a mandatory licence.
Oxford is the first local authority to bring in a city-wide licensing rule for small HMOs.
The council argues the new regulations have not led to landlords leaving the rental market, while pointing out complaints about noise and rubbish have fallen nearly 50% following the change in the rules.
Under the new rules, anyone renting a property as a small has to apply for a licence, undergo inspections on a regular basis, and pay a fee of around £362 before the house is let.
Councillors are due to meet to discuss a progress report on small HMO licensing, A report says: “Of the 30 landlords surveyed, 17 owned five or less properties, six owned six to 10 properties and seven owned more than 20.”
Of the landlords questioned, 72% had felt some impact from the new rules, and half said they expect the rules to affect their future plans for how they buy or use their properties.
Furthermore, two-thirds revealed that they have put up their rents since January 2011, with nearly seven in 10 saying that the HMO licence fees were a factor in their decision.
Oxford City Council has issued more than 3,000 HMO licenses since the new rules came into effect.
Councillor Ed Turner, executive member for finance, reckons feedback from residents group is that the new law has been a success.
“Clearly some landlords will be unhappy with the scheme, but our view is we need to raise standards of properties and management and we see no evidence of a mass exodus of landlords,” he said.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Landlords warned - prepare for more regulation |
|
Landlords in England are being warned that they should prepare for more regulation after the government published a consultation.
The warning comes from Tim Miles who is a partner at law firm Clarke Willmott.
He says that the Government is cons |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Research reveals that 2017’s rents fell in real terms |
|
The rents being paid to landlords in all parts of the UK fell in real terms during 2017, research suggests.
The findings from HomeLet reveal that rents in November rose by 0.7%.
That's the 11th straight month that rent increases have fallen beh |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Rents for the UK’s rental properties rise by 2.1% |
|
The average rent for a buy to let property grew by 2.1% in the year to September, an index has revealed.
The figures from HomeLet show that the average rent now being paid is £927 every month.
For landlords in London, rents rose by 1.9% o |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Landlords start exiting the buy to let sector |
|
One leading firm of letting agents is warning that buy to let investors are beginning to exit the sector.
The warning comes from Belvoir who say that while the numbers of landlords leaving is not huge, there is a trend appearing.
The firm's chi |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Landlord confidence takes a knock |
|
Despite the prospect of high yields and profitability, a survey has revealed the landlord confidence around the UK has fallen.
The findings from BM Solutions looked at all the key indicators for the second quarter of 2017.
They say that the lev |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Landlords 'don't know what tenants want' |
|
Landlords in the private rental sector are out of touch with their tenant’s wants and needs, according to new research.
The findings from an online letting agent revealed that tenants are clear most often about what they want and t |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
View more
|
|
Are you an existing landlord?
Click here to log into your account
|
Are you new to AFS, click here to find out more information
|
|
|  |
|