Landlord Law Newsround brings you the latest housing news and more, let’s see what has been in the headlines this week.
Court delays increase for landlords wanting possession
The Ministry of Justice has issued new figures out this week stating that the average wait time for landlords to be granted possession by the courts now sits at 33.8 weeks (almost 8 months) compared to 32.5 weeks in the previous quarter.
There is huge concern that despite the government saying that the courts are ready for when the Renters Rights Bill comes into force these statistics show that that is far from the case.
Ben Beadles , chief Executive of the NRLA said
This isn’t about an increase in landlords wanting to evict tenants, it’s about landlords with legitimate reasons to take back their rental homes being able to do so in a timely manner.
The government must commit to a fully funded, detailed and deliverable plan to ensure the courts are fit for purpose ahead of time.
You can read more here.
Tenants still in the dark on Renters Reform Bill
A new survey out by Housing Hands, a guarantee service, claims that out of the 1,700 tenants that they surveyed a surprising 69% were still unaware of the impending Renters Rights Bill, with 75% of them still not sure how the bill will affect them. Interestingly older renters who deal directly with their landlord were most informed and students renting were least informed, some knowing nothing of the changes.
For those tenants who are aware of the new Bill, having a pet and the end of the fixed term tenancies were the changes that they were aware of the most. Most tenants were worried that the increase in costs to landlords due to the Bill would be passed onto tenants via rent increases.
The survey also highlighted the fact that 65% of tenants were very unsure of how the deposit system works and 40% did not know how the ‘end of tenancy check out’ process worked.
Council uses landmark powers over landlord
Merton Council has taken unprecedented action over a landlord by taking over long term control of 18 rental properties via a Final Management Order because the landlord consistently failed to license them and deal with repairs. They originally took over the management of the properties a year ago under an Interim Management Order and will now manage them for a further five years.
The council was made aware of the condition of the properties from complaints from the tenants, the landlord ignored orders to license the properties following inspections. The council will continue to manage all the properties and use the rental income to bring the houses up to the standard that is expected, the landlord remains responsible for paying the mortgages. Merton Council spokesperson said
This sends a clear message to rogue landlords: we’re committed to raising the standard of living for everyone, and we will clamp down on landlords who are not meeting their legal obligations to their tenants.
Snippets
Lodgers Limits – taking in a lodger – is there any limit to the number of rooms?
Plan for landlords to pay NI on rental income revealed
‘Our hot homes are making our children sick’
Love to Rent Week returns this September
The Guardian view on build-to-rent: hardly a solution to the housing crisis
National Insurance blunder – landlords earn less than Labour think
See also our Quick News Updates on Landlord Law
Newsround will be back again next week
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