InventoryBase Blog

How will the Fitness for Human Habitation Bill help tenants?

The Fitness for Human Habitation Bill has cross-party support from Parliament, and is backed by organisations including the National Landlord Association and Residential Landlords Association, as well as the charity, Shelter. The aim of the Bill is to improve property conditions for tenants within the private rented sector and social housing, and it will also […]

December 19, 2018

Labour plans to put an end to the housing crisis

In a speech at the Labour Party Conference held in Liverpool, John Healey MP, Labour’s Shadow Housing Secretary, criticised the Prime Minister’s statement concerning affordable housing, claiming it falls short of what is required, and he promised a collection of measures that would effectively end Britain’s housing crisis. ‘Rebuilding Britain for the many, not the […]

December 18, 2018

The impact of Google on the property market

As Google celebrates its 20th birthday this year, we reflect on the tech giant’s impact on the property market. Officially launched in September 1998, two PhD students from Stanford, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, founded the search engine which would transform the world and how we use the internet. From these humble beginnings at Stanford […]

December 17, 2018

The threat of Facebook property listings to the housing sector

When Facebook announced it was embarking on a venture into the property listing market last month, it caused shock throughout the industry. How dominant will Facebook become in the industry? Could it eventually phase out estate agents completely? And how will the social media platform affect property search portals? Of course, these questions have yet […]

December 14, 2018

Potential for rent rises and evictions due to new tenancy rules

New tenancy rules, which came into force on 1st October 2018, resulted in any shared home occupied by a minimum of five residents from at least two different families coming under mandatory licensing regulations for HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupation). Many landlords let out shared homes, and as the former three-storey rule is now void, […]

December 13, 2018

Research suggests 33 per cent of landlords are ignoring deposit schemes

New research conducted by consumer comparison site, ComparetheMarket.com, has revealed that around one third of landlords are failing to protect deposits paid by tenants in an approved DPS (Deposit Protection Scheme). They are ignoring their legal obligations to protect deposits, and it is believed this statistic would affect almost 1.5 million tenants. These tenants would […]

December 12, 2018

The potential of proptech to revolutionise the property business

Both estate agents and letting agents are reportedly concerned about the potentially disruptive impact of new property technology, or “proptech” on the sector. Their concerns centre on online delivery of property lettings and sales, with the introduction of brands such as Upad and PurpleBricks making waves and rapid advancements in the way that business is […]

December 11, 2018

Landlord in Burnley is fined £56,000

A landlord from Burnley has received a fine of £56,000 for breaching the selective licensing scheme rules set in place by Burnley Council. David Paul Vallender, the landlord, did not apply for the appropriate licenses for the four properties he owns and rents out in Bruce Street, Dickson Street, Athol Street North and Ada Street […]

December 10, 2018

Rent arrears rise due to Universal Credit

Almost two thirds of private rented sector landlords renting to housing tenants in receipt of Universal Credit have encountered rent arrears, according to the latest research conducted by the RLA (Residential Landlords Association). With responses from more than 2,200 landlords, the RLA research exchange, PEARL, has discovered that around 61 per cent of those questioned, […]

December 7, 2018

Buy-to-let still offering positive returns

Despite the increased pressure on buy-to-let landlords from additional regulation and tax changes, property investment still provides returns well above the average savings rate. The buy-to-let market is supported by continued strong demand for rental properties from residents in the UK. With another predicted downturn, accompanied by rising inflation, which will see an increase in […]

December 6, 2018

Tenants’ union launched for residents of Lincoln

Perhaps a sign of what is to come, as renting becomes ever increasingly popular, tenant’s unions look likely to spring up and establish their power, similar to the labour unions of the 1970s. Renters unions, however, are not a new idea. Tenant organisations existed as early as 1891, where a union organised a rent strike in […]

December 5, 2018

Build-to-rent could promise long-term investment

Could build-to-rent remove the worst private sector landlords and settle the housing crisis? Amro Real Estate’s co-founder, Ami Kotecha, believes it will. Many working in the industry see build-to-rent as a great opportunity for institutional, long-term investment. As societal and economic shifts change what renters want from property, it is believed that now is the […]

December 4, 2018

Results of next General Election will be influenced by renters

New research conducted by insurance firm, AXA Insurance, has discovered that future elections will be greatly influenced by Britain’s growing number of private renters. A noticeable boost from previous elections, 53 per cent of private tenants voted in 2017, which would rise to a turnout of 69 per cent should a snap election be called […]

December 3, 2018

Private Members’ Bills focusing on housing lead the Commons

MPs were meeting in the House of Commons on 26th October, a rare Friday, in order to debate the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Bill, backed by Labour MP, Karen Buck, alongside other Private Members’ Bills. Karen Buck’s Homes Bill has received Government backing and cross-party support ahead of its Third Reading at the Commons […]

November 30, 2018

Housing industry disappointed by boring Budget

Agents across the country felt largely disappointed by the relatively few proposals relating to housing which were announced in this year’s Autumn Budget. Some estate agents feel that nothing is being done to improve low transaction levels, which are not only bad for the market, but which could prove even more disastrous for the wider […]

November 29, 2018

Huge fines for property firm for failures in fire safety

Two property firms which failed to act in accordance with the local council’s licensing scheme for rented housing have been fined a total of £32,000. Landlords of privately rented homes situated in Croydon must apply to the local council to obtain a licence under the licencing scheme for landlords in the borough. However, AA Homes, […]

November 28, 2018

Banks are obstructing renting property to benefit claimants

Industry leaders have called for urgent action to tackle the discrimination of benefit claimants by banks due to their refusal to approve buy-to-let mortgages. Helena McAleer, a landlord in Northern Ireland, has claimed that she has had her mortgage on her rental home revoked, due to renting the property to a benefits claimant. After speaking […]

November 27, 2018

Licensing system failures are allowing rogue landlords to continue operating

Attempts by the government to crack down on rogue landlords have so far been labelled pathetic and weak, partly because of complex and vast rules which have created a confusing environment. An investigation from ITV News and The Guardian has discovered that convicted landlords who have failed to pass “proper and fit” person tests are […]

November 26, 2018

Government announces increased protection for renters

Heather Wheeler, the Housing Minister, has announced that there will be a review of current rules by the government, concerning health and safety standards within rental properties, with the aim that tenants will be afforded increased protection. Set in a post-Grenfell world, the government is planning to fully regulate the housing industry, with measures announced […]

November 23, 2018

Top tips on how your letting agency could be more efficient

All companies must operate efficiently in order to be successful, and reviewing how you operate can help you cut costs, increase income and save time. Streamlining processes, working smarter and accelerating workflows allows letting agents to achieve more during their working hours, as well as improving profits. Across the industry, there’s immense pressure to cut […]

November 22, 2018

High Court shuts down property investment firm’s £20 million Ponzi scheme

The High Court has shut down a Ponzi scheme operated by a property investment firm, based on claims of rental income and capital appreciation. The business has been accused of misusing around £20 million of its investors’ money. ELP (Essex and London Properties Limited), a business based in Kent, claimed to purchase homes with the […]

November 21, 2018

More expenses for buy to let landlords as government tightens rules on EPC

Buy to let landlords located in Wales and England, who own period or particularly draughty or cold homes, are the target of the Government’s new rules and regulations on Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). Since April 2018, landlords who own the coldest privately rented properties are now being forced into improving their homes with energy-efficient solutions, […]

November 20, 2018

Lettings fee ban likely to have significant impact on rental market in Wales

Under a potential new law, letting agents and landlords may be banned from charging private tenants fees in Wales. Currently, tenants could be charged fees for a range of administrative actions, such as for immigration checks, credit references or agent-accompanied viewings. However, the Renting Homes (Fees) Bill in Wales, which has gained support from Assembly […]

November 19, 2018

Rent and house prices look set to rise in the next five years

International property firm, Savills, has released it’s latest forecast on the residential property market in the UK, with its major findings being: Rents will rise by an estimated 13.7 per cent during the next five years, with London experiencing an expected rise of over 15.9 per cent. Transactions will stabilise, with the number of cash and […]

November 16, 2018

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