Weekly news and a bit more with our Newsround this week.
Hard evidence required for tribunal challenges
Landlords require hard evidence if they are to succeed in rent challenges by tenants who take it to a tribunal. Propertymark has carried out some research and found that tribunals in different regions are challenging accommodation floor areas, room sizes and usable living space differently.
Landlords need to clearly evidence how they reach their assessment, which comparisons they used, and whether they have outstanding repairs.
In a recent case in Manchester, the tribunal actually set the rent below what was already being charged. Any decision made by a tribunal is not binding on other tribunals, with each claim relying solely on its own hard evidence. You can read more here.
Here at Landlord Law we have The Landlord Law Market Rent and Tribunal Kit, a comprehensive and practical guide for members for assessing market rents and dealing with tenant challenges.
Accessible homes are on the rise
There is a rise in the need for accessible properties or properties that welcome requests to adapt a home to be more accessible should the need arise. 38% of tenants worry about asking landlords to accommodate changes to a property if needed; this can cause hardship and additional stress if it is turned down. Both in the private and social sector.
Lack of accessible homes is becoming a widespread issue, as it also adds financial costs for hospitals and care homes (£3.9bn), where discharging a patient can be delayed if their home is no longer suitable and requires adaptation.
46% of renters see the cost of adaptations as a top concern, along with 36% who doubted if their rental property could even accommodate the adaptations needed. A further 28% worried how the work would be funded and if further adaptations would be required further down the line.
Habinteg who carried out the survey, is also calling on councils to have a single point of contact to provide support, advice and explain how funding works before situations develop into an emergency.
Many landlords unaware of the landlords database
It appears that only 23% of landlords are aware of the impending PRS database, which is due to start a staggered launch in December. Landlords who do not register will face civil penalties of £7000 to £40,000 and a criminal prosecution. They will not be allowed to advertise a property without being registered.
August, a property management company, also found that only 46% of landlords understood the Renters’ Rights Act, and 35% whilst they understood the act had done nothing to change the way they manage their properties. 12% knew about the act but did not understand the details, and 7% were totally unaware of the act. Interestingly, the highest percentage, 59% knew about the a tenants’ right to request a pet.
Chief Executive Richard Samuel said
What has not landed is that the database and the ombudsman are not optional extras for problem landlords; every landlord in England will have to register and sign up.
The new ombudsman will bring in similar penalties, which landlords also need to be aware of.
Snippets
Tribunal turns landlord’s £50 rent rise into a £200 cut
Older renters struggling as Local Housing Allowance rates remain frozen
Agency boss fined £12,500 after tenants trapped in fire
Landlord told to repay £9,671 after trying to avoid HMO licence
Newsround will be back again next week. In the meantime, check out our free Daily Tips service.
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