Further pressure for rental regulation...this time, from RICS

CLAPTON

Callie22 wrote: »

The absolute worst LLs I've ever rented from have been accidental ones. They don't want to rent their houses out so resent a tenant's presence from day one. They umm and ahh about putting the house on the market so every meeting is peppered with vague threats of eviction because they 'might want to sell soon'. They won't let tenants do anything to the property because they 'might want to sell soon'. They won't maintain the property because they 'might want to sell soon' ...

then walk away

IveSeenTheLight

CLAPTON wrote: »

I'm not how sure this relates to England;
in scotland are you charged infrastructure levies and 'affordable housing' levy?

We'll Scotland historically have been innovative and England follows Scotland's lead
Hence post 18
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=57534909&postcount=18

I am not charged an infrastructure levy for building 1 property.
This is reserved for developer and required to ensure that when a developer builds a number of properties, that the funds are set aside (or included in development plans) to ensure that the infrstructure is in place.

Neither am I funding affordable housing (although it's debateable as this propert is affordable because it is cheaper than exisitng housing stock of similar characteristics )

Out,_Vile_Jelly

Callie22 wrote: »

The absolute worst LLs I've ever rented from have been accidental ones. They don't want to rent their houses out so resent a tenant's presence from day one. They umm and ahh about putting the house on the market so every meeting is peppered with vague threats of eviction because they 'might want to sell soon'. They won't let tenants do anything to the property because they 'might want to sell soon'. They won't maintain the property because they 'might want to sell soon' ...

I've said on this forum several times that the best LL I have encountered was a company that owned and managed several properties. 24 hour helpline, central furniture depot, proper paperwork, professional demeanour.....far preferable to the DIY amateurs who've watched a few episodes of Homes Under The Hammer and fancy themselves as property hotshots.

IveSeenTheLight

Out,_Vile_Jelly wrote: »

I've said on this forum several times that the best LL I have encountered was a company that owned and managed several properties. 24 hour helpline, central furniture depot, proper paperwork, professional demeanour.....far preferable to the DIY amateurs who've watched a few episodes of Homes Under The Hammer and fancy themselves as property hotshots.

I'm sure there are good and bad examples from both camps.

I could be classed as an amateur investor. I have three rental properties but I also have a day job.

Thing is, I prefer to ensure the properties are well maintained and immediately respond to any tenant concerns.

I'm also renting today from a letting agent and am amazed their response rate and condition of the property (mainly electrical issues) that hey were prepared to let the house out under.

It's a good job that as an "amateur" landlord I'm aware of the regulations to pull up the letting agent to resolve.

I would like to think I give a better service than I am receiving.

Shakethedisease

IveSeenTheLight wrote: »

We'll Scotland historically have been innovative and England follows Scotland's lead
Hence post 18
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...9&postcount=18

I am not charged an infrastructure levy for building 1 property.
This is reserved for developer and required to ensure that when a developer builds a number of properties, that the funds are set aside (or included in development plans) to ensure that the infrstructure is in place.

Neither am I funding affordable housing (although it's debateable as this propert is affordable because it is cheaper than exisitng housing stock of similar characteristics )

I think they've just done away with illegal charges as well..all those credit checks/reference charges etc etc..

The Scottish Parliament has voted to approve secondary legislation so that all tenant charges, other than rent and a refundable deposit, will not be permitted.

From November 30, the law will now also allow any charges in relation to the UK Government’s Green Deal that may be attached to a privately rented property.
The current legislation, the Rent (Scotland Act) 1984, has not been explicit enough about additional charges such as reference checks, credit checks and inventory fees.

The move follows a consultation launched earlier this year on how to deal with unfair and illegal premiums.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2012/11/illegal-charges-on-tenants22112012

Hope the rest of the UK catches up soon, I'm always astounded that some lettings agencies get away with charging £200 pp for credit checking that costs 20 quid or so to do.:(

N1AK

I think it is a big mistake to try and use anecdotal evidence to judge the best type of landlords or letting agents. We rented from 3 different letting agents before buying and all of them were fine, the closest we had to trouble was in the third where the owner wanted to get involved in any kind of work on the property.

The rental market at the moment is dysfunctional to both sides. The worst renters can be a very expensive nightmare to owners and the worst agents/owners can make life hard for well behaved renters. Personally I would prefer that more information about landlords, renters etc was shared with an industry body to facilitate it rather than yet more regulation.

IveSeenTheLight

Graham_Devon wrote: »

How long can it go on ignored? As stated before, the more people that turn to renting, the more pressure there will be to properly regulate the whole sector.

Not totally scientific, but in the below link to subject the population want the government to srt out, rental regulation is not in the top 10

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/travel/2012/12/oi-david-cameron-sort-out-petrol-prices

The 'Oi, Cameron, sort it out' poll Issues% who want it sorted

Petrol prices – too high - 68%

Gas and electricity bills – unaffordable for many - 60%

Savings rates – dismally low - 38%
Train fares – too expensive and complex - 20%
Financial education – put it on the curriculum - 18%
Payday loans – need strong regulation - 18%
Mortgages – too difficult to get - 16%
Childcare – high costs and lack of availability - 12%
Car insurance – unaffordable for young drivers - 12%
Spam texts – need to be stopped - 7%

*13,400 people voted. They could pick up to three issues each.