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Councils Not Cracking Down on Rogue Landlords By Simon Thompson |
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Fears have been raised that good landlords are being affected by the failure of councils to crack down on rogue landlords.
According to the Citizens Advice Bureau, in the last eight years around 2,000 landlords have been prosecuted despite 740,000 families living in private rental properties that pose a serious risk to their health.
Indeed, the figures also reveal that in the last five years one in four councils have failed to prosecute any landlords whatsoever for providing unsafe accommodation.
Just half of councils are prosecuting fewer than two rogue landlords a year with North London having the most housing offence convictions.
The Residential Landlords’ Association (RLA) says that in the last eight years just 2,000 landlords have been convicted with an average fine of £1,500.
Good landlords and tenants are being let down
The RLA's head of policy, David Smith, said: “Good landlords and tenants are being let down by councils who have powers to enforce standards in rental housing and deal with criminal landlords.
“It's sad that the record for enforcement is patchy and sometimes non-existent.”
The revelation follows reports in one national newspaper that rogue landlords are paid hundreds of millions of pounds in housing benefit despite their properties being dangerous and filthy.
Critics say there is a lack of oversight which allows rogue landlords to grow rich despite having properties with unsafe electrics, unhealthy damp levels and animal infestations.
A spokeswoman for the housing charity Shelter said: “When demand for property is higher than supply, rogue landlords can thrive and tenants feel they do not have an alternative.”
New rent record reached in England and Wales
Meanwhile, a new survey has revealed that the average rent in England and Wales has now reached £816 a month, the highest level recorded.
The figures come from the Your Move and Reeds Rains buy to let index which shows that rents have increased by 1.6% between August and September, and 6.3% over the past 12 months.
A director of Reed Rains, Adrian Gill, said: “Rents are rising strongly due to the acceleration in wages and the long-term shortage of rental properties of all tenures.”
Rents are rising fastest in London
Rents are rising fastest in London, they grew by 11.6% in month to September to reach £1,300 a month.
Rents also grew in five out of the 10 regions monitored with landlords in the East of England enjoying an 8.8% increase in rents.
Mr Gill added that the cost of living has now been ‘de-coupled’ from the cost of having a place to live and there's little or no prospect of rent growth slowing.
He also called for reform of the UK's planning system and housing market to bring steady rental inflation for tenants. |
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MPs call on Government to refund student rents |
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An influential group of MPs is calling on the government to refund student
rents during the lockdown.
The call has been made by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Students,
which includes peers and MPs from all political parties.
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The most affordable universities for student rents revealed |
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The most affordable student rents in the UK for those who are attending
university have been revealed.
According to one student accommodation platform, the most affordable
student rent is in the Liverpool L7 postcode.
This area is to home |
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Landlords hit by eviction ban extension |
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Landlords have been hit by a Government decision to extend its eviction ban
for another six weeks.
The move means that the bailiff ban in England is now being extended to 21
February - at the earliest.
Robert Jenrick, the housing |
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Where property investors should head in 2021 |
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If you want to know where property investors should be heading in 2021 for
the best opportunities, then a new survey reveals all.
According to property investors SevenCapital, the best
place for investment in 2021 is Birmingham.
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Rents hit a record high outside of London |
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Strong demand from tenants has led to rents outside of London hitting a new
record high, new figures reveal.
And rental yields are also increasing in most regions monitored.
An analysis from Rightm |
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Tenant demand hits record high |
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Tenant demand hits record high
The number of tenants who have registered with letting agents for a home to
rent has reached a record high, a report reveals.
The Private Rented Sector Report for August from Arla Proper |
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Average rents rise by 2.1% in August |
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With Covid-19 restrictions now being eased, landlords around the country
saw rents rise by an average of 2.1% in August.
According to the data from HomeLet, rents have risen by 1.5% compared with
August last year.
Rents in London |
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More traffic, increased enquiries further developments |
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It has been a challenging time for the student accommodation sector since
late March. Despite this it has been positive to see the sector responding
in innovative way.
40% increase in enquiries
Here at Accommodation for S |
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