Welcome to our weekly Newsround, where there has been no shortage of housing news.
Tenants defeat on a rent repayment order claim
Some good news for landlords this week where we hear that a £17,000 claim for a rent repayment order was overturned before making it to a tribunal.
Justice for Tenants claimed that a landlord has failed to get the necessary selective license from Lewisham Council. However, Landlord Licensing & Defence who represented the landlord provided evidence that the landlord had indeed applied and paid for the application for a license all be it years previously but it still fully adhered to the Housing Act 2004.
Whilst the council had not issued a license the Landlord Licensing & Defence argued that the landlord was legally compliant and it was the council that was in fact at fault for not dealing with it and issuing the license.
Desmond Taylor of Landlord Licensing & Defence said
If a licence is duly applied for and the local authority sits on its hands, that’s their failure, not the landlord’s. Lewisham took the money, acknowledged the application and failed to follow through. That’s not a criminal offence – it’s a bureaucratic cock-up.
Justice for Tenants admitted defeat and withdrew their claim.
Prepare now for Government’s Making Tax Digital
Landlords are being warned to start preparing for the government’s new Making Tax Digital which is due to come into effect for landlords next April 2025 for those with incomes over £50,000 and from April 2027 for those with incomes of £30,000.
Landlords will be required to manage their records digitally, online along with submitting quarterly revenue figures and a year-end declaration. The government hope this ‘enhance efficiency and reduce omissions’.
David Crowter of Carpenter Box accountancy says
Making Tax Digital marks a significant change to the UK tax system. Although the start date is almost a year away, it’s worth getting advice now on how best to prepare for this important change in business income reporting for landlords and those who are self-employed.
Warning on disposable vapes and house fires
It has now been confirmed that disposable vapes with lithium batteries can cause serious house fires if they are not disposed of correctly. Data has confirmed that there is approximately 1 vape fire every 1.7 days. They should not be left charging unattended or overnight. There has been an incident where a tenants disposable vape battery exploded and landlords are being warned to check the small print in their landlord insurance policy that there are no exclusions where a tenant has been negligent.
These batteries should never be disposed of in household waste or recycling bins and tenants need to be advised that they have to be disposed of correctly via local authority waste sites or recycling centres. Warnings on the packets even state that disposing in household bins could invalidate your home insurance.
You can read more here, these batteries are much like bike lithium batteries and you can read Landlord Laws FAQ’s on battery bikes here.
Massive licensing scheme planned for London borough
Westminster Council has announced that it will go ahead with a new selective licensing scheme, which will encompass 15 out of its 18 boroughs. They want to deal head-on with rogue landlords, anti-social behaviour and bring all housing up to an acceptable standard. Good landlords with more energy-efficient homes will be offered fee discounts and incentives.
Matt Noble a Councillor said
We’re focused on improving living conditions, not only to protect tenants but also to support landlords who do the right thing.
Details of the start date and how landlords can apply will be published very soon. They have previously launched a ‘tenants’ rights’ charter that helps tenants in private rented accommodation understand their rights and giving them access to various support services.
Snippets
Renters’ Rights Bill will leave students worse off warns industry expert
The Guardian’s happiest places to live in Britain revealed
Generation Rent demands landlord reveal confidential information
HMRC study reveals shocking number of landlords ready to quit
Britain should adopt the Passivhaus standard to cut energy costs in new homes
Renters’ Rights Bill will leave students worse off warns industry expert
See also our Quick News Updates on Landlord Law
Newsround will be back again next week
Always appreciate the legal clarity in these Newsrounds. The update about potential rental reforms is especially timely. Thanks for keeping landlords in the loop!