Landlord Law Newsround brings you all the weekly housing news updates and a bit more.
Civil penalty challenges to come with upfront costs
Now that the Renters’ Right act is in force the government has now announced a new tiered fee framework for property tribunals which will see landlords that want to challenge a civil penalty paying an upfront application fee of £114 plus a hearing fee of £227 before even paying any legal costs.
Tenants will only have to pay £47 with no hearing fee when challenging a rent proposal.
Propertymark says agents should warn landlords to expect alot more tribunal challenges and most significantly around rent increases and local authority enforcement.
Tenants still in the dark over Renters’ Right Act
A new survey out this week from Propoly claims that 36% of tenants are still ignorant to the Renters Right Act and nearly 88% of them have not discussed it with their landlord regarding how the changes will affect them.
Those who have availed themselves to the new Act 21% of them raised questions around the new rent increase rules and how issues of damp and mould should now be dealt with. 17% of tenants were concerned that it would now mean more stringent property inspections and more intrusiveness. 60% of tenants felt that they had a good understanding of the new Act and how that will affect their tenancy.
You can read more here.
Heavy fines given to rogue landlords
Rogue landlords have been fined £3000 and £2000 respectively for failing to carry out repairs from an improvement notice and letting out a property without a valid EPC. Tandridge Council found that serious hazards were not addressed such as poor electrics, lack of fire precautions, and a non working kitchen.
Rotherham Council also also fined Zaffar Hussain another rogue landlord for similar faults and also a rodent infestation. He was fined £4000 with an additional £1600 victims surcharge and £500 compensation.
A spokesperson for the councils said
This case shows what can happen when landlords repeatedly ignore their legal responsibilities and fail to act, even after being formally required to do so.
Snippets
Think tank urges government to introduce rent controls
Creaky Tribunal system won’t cope with a rise in contested rent increases
Guidance clarifies council powers to enter premises and seize documents
Public back Renters Rights Act but don’t know what it means
The king’s speech: what is the government’s legislative agenda for the next 12 months?
Number of struggling property firms rises amid total collapse warning
See also our Quick News Updates on Landlord Law
Newsround will be back again next week
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