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Em Morley

Are you Hungry to know what Renters want when moving to a New Area? Check out Zoopla’s Data…

Published On: April 25, 2019 at 8:06 am

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Categories: Landlord News

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What do you look for, when considering moving to a new area? Is it what’s on the inside that counts, or do you pay attention to the amenities in the surrounding area?

UK property portal Zoopla has revealed the results of its latest survey, which show what renters want in a new home…

You would expect to see factors such as low crime rate, good public transport and the accessibility of top schools in the area. However, 79% of those who took part in the survey responded that decent food delivery options are high on their list of priorities when choosing a new home. 

With the multitude of food delivery apps now available, it has now become part of the property viewing routine for Millennials to open up their app of choice and check that their favourite restaurants will deliver to that address. Almost 75% of those aged 16-29 admitted that they regret not doing so when previously viewing a property. 55% of the respondents said that they will definitely do so next time they move.

In relation to this takeaway trend, 35% of Brits now believe that kitchens will reduce in size because of the increase in options for food delivery.

Laura Howard, Zoopla Spokesperson, commented: “It’s only natural that home design evolves to reflect our changing needs. In recent years, for example, open-plan kitchen/living areas have taken the place of dining rooms as lifestyles have become more informal.

“With the rapid growth in food delivery apps, it could be the case that meal preparation space becomes a less integral element of the kitchen/living area with increased room for families and friends to relax and socialise together. It all remains to be seen.”

The average amount spent on takeaways each month by those living in the UK is £46. This goes up to £50 for 16-29 year-olds. Birmingham alone has an average of £51, which is twice the amount spent by those in Belfast, the lowest spending city at £25.

Joe Groves, Head of Consumer Communications at Deliveroo, said: “A good takeaway goes hand-in-hand with move-in day, we know our customers depend on Deliveroo for that first meal using packaging boxes as table, we weren’t shocked to hear that food delivery is becoming increasingly important for British house hunters.”

End Property Shortage in Scotland: Developers Call for Partnership with Councils

Published On: April 24, 2019 at 9:26 am

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With the aim of solving property shortage issues in Scotland, developers have called for local councils to work more closely with them.

Springfield Properties and Tulloch Homes spoke at a recent event that discussed the future of build to rent.

Springfield Properties chairman Sandy Adam had said: “There is a need for more housing, as demand in Inverness and Moray continues to outstrip supply. Springfield Properties supports the use of technology to make the planning process more transparent, which, in turn, should make it more efficient.

“However, this needs to be part of a wider, more joined up approach to delivering more homes in The Highlands and Moray. We need closer collaboration between developers and local authorities that can help unlock challenging sites, such as those close to existing services and schools.”

As is currently stands, there are around 8000 people on the Highland Housing Register for people looking to find council social housing.

In 2016 a pledge was made by the Scottish Government to deliver 50,000 affordable homes by 2021.

Tulloch Homes chief executive George Fraser said: “The vibrant Highland economy has been created by the actions of both the public and private sector – and should be celebrated. 

“Tulloch Homes looks forward to playing its part in satisfying this demand, working closely with the Highland Council’s Planning Department.

“The Scottish Government has quite correctly stated everyone should have access to high quality, energy efficient homes and if the introduction of modern technology can play its part in making the planning process more efficient then this should be embraced by all stakeholders.”

Kevin Stewart, Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning attended the event. He commented: “Making sure everyone has a safe, warm and affordable home is central to this Government’s drive for a fairer and more prosperous Scotland.

“Our target of 50,000 homes in this parliamentary term is backed by more than £3 billion – the single biggest investment in, and delivery of, affordable housing since devolution.

“We have already begun consultation in our work to create a sustainable approach to housing beyond 2021. We are preparing for further engagement later in 2019, which will be another valuable opportunity for the housebuilding sector to share their views with the Scottish Government.”

Property Industry Professionals to Give Evidence on ‘No DSS’ Policies

Published On: April 24, 2019 at 8:10 am

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Categories: Lettings News

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Two of the UK’s biggest property portals are making changes to listings rules by the end of this month (April 2019).

Rightmove and Zoopla are no longer going to allow lettings listings that discriminate against tenants in receipt of housing benefit. This decision is part of a wider campaign to stamp out the ‘No DSS’ policy used by some landlords and letting agents.

This change was announced last month, and will include the amendment of Zoopla’s terms and conditions, so that they prohibit the inclusion of the ‘No DSS’ term on its website. This will also apply to listings uploaded onto its website and the search fields in its cloud based software products.

Charlie Bryant, managing director of Zoopla, has commented: “All tenants who are looking to rent a property deserve the chance to be fully assessed for their suitability and matched to a home that suits both their and the landlord’s circumstances.

“We proactively sought the views of our largest lettings focused agents to ensure the measures were undertaken on a collaborative basis and received significant support in respect of our proposed additional measures.”

Chris Town, vice chair of the Residential Landlords Association, has welcomed the move. He said: “Landlords should not refuse someone solely because they are on benefits, and should consider prospective tenants on a case by case basis.”

The Work and Pensions Committee has written to mortgage lenders, property insurers, agents and ad sites in order to ask about the policies they have in place. They wanted clarification on how such policies have ended up discriminating against those trying to rent a home whilst in receipt of benefit.

Today (24th April) the committee will hear evidence in Parliament from these groups, which include: Natwest and Co-op Banks, Kensington Mortgages, Nationwide building society, Shepherd’s Bush Housing Group, Hunters and Your Move estate agents, and the OpenRent ad platform. A panel of benefit claimants and private landlords are also to give evidence.

Lead Enforcement Authority Assigned to Oversee Letting Agency Regulation in England

Published On: April 23, 2019 at 9:57 am

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Categories: Lettings News,Tenant Fees Ban

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A new enforcement team has been appointed to provide better protection for tenants against letting agents charging illegal fees.

Following on from the decision to implement a ban on tenant fees (beginning 1st June 2019), this team will be led by National Trading Standards. It will be responsible for the regulation of the private rental sector (PRS), ensuring the compliance of letting agents. 

Funding will come from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The National Trading Standards Estate & Letting Agency Team will take the roll of Lead Enforcement Authority for the purposes of the Estate Agents Act 1979 and the Tenant Fees Act 2019.

Bristol City Council will lead letting agency regulation within England and Powys County Council will continue to drive estate agent enforcement throughout the UK.

David Cox, Chief Executive of ARLA Propertymark, has commented on the news that Bristol Trading Standards will be the Lead Enforcement Authority for the PRS: “We welcome today’s announcement of the Lead Enforcement Authority, and hope this is a major step forward in improving enforcement in the private rented sector. At the moment, there is a severe lack of prosecution in the industry, allowing rogue agents to operate and thrive. We look forward to building a constructive working relationship with the Lead Enforcement Authority to eliminate these agents from the sector once and for all.”

James Munro, Head of National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team, said: “Bringing the two functions – lead enforcement authority for estate agency work and lead enforcement authority for lettings agency work – under one team will mean there is a single point of contact for enforcement work in this area. This single team approach will help us uphold consumers’ rights and enforce the law.”

Housing Minister Heather Wheeler MP said: “We are determined to make the private rented sector a fairer, more accessible market that works for all and I am delighted that local authorities will now be able to access the best advice and information from this new team. There is no place for unfair fees – now, with this new enforcement authority, we will be able to stamp them out.”

Cllr Steve Pearce, Bristol City Council cabinet member with responsibility for regulatory services, said: “We are delighted to be hosting this new function and playing our part in delivering a solution that combines both regulatory functions into a joint team that will provide a single coherent regulatory voice and help secure regulatory compliance for consumers.

“This places us at the heart of influencing the government policy to help enhance consumer protection. This is a hugely challenging area of regulation and we look forward to playing a leading role assisting enforcement authorities in the course of their duties.”

The main duties of the Lead Enforcement Authority team will include: 

  • Overseeing the operation of relevant estate and letting agency legislation
  • Issuing prohibition and formal warning order to any who are found unfit to engage in estate agency work in the UK
  • Approving & overseeing the UK’s consumer redress schemes, Ombudsmen, and Alternative Dispute Resolution entities in the estate agency sector
  • Issuing guidance and advice for the public, businesses and enforcement authorities on estate agency work in the UK and relevant letting agency work in England

UK Lettings Market: March Regional Property Hotspots

Published On: April 23, 2019 at 9:31 am

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Agency Express has released its latest Property Activity Index. The data from this index has revealed an increase in activity, following on from a slow month across the UK property market in February. 

  • National month on month figures for new listings ‘To Let’ were at 12.6%
  • National month on month figures for properties ‘Let’ sat at 8.3%

Agency Express has highlighted that, looking back over the index’s historical record, the ‘To Let’ figures have remained largely on trend when compared to those from 12 months previous. However, ‘Let By’ figures have increased.

Sitting at the top of the leader board this month is Scotland. Figures for new listings were on trend at 37.2% and properties ‘Let’ sat at a robust 34.7%. The month on month increase in activity marked a record best March for the region.

A similar trend can be seen in the records for the West Midlands, with new listings at 20.1%. As was the case with Scotland, the increase marked a record best month for the region.

Other regional hotspots in this month’s index included:

Properties ‘To Let’

  • Wales 35.6% 
  • South West 21% 
  • West Midlands 20.1% 
  • Central England 19.4% 
  • North West 14.2% 

Properties ‘Let By’

  • Central England 21.2% 
  • West Midlands 19.4% 
  • East Midlands 17.4% 
  • North West 13.1% 

Commenting on the latest index, Stephen Watson, Managing Director of Agency Express said: “This month’s Property Activity Index has remained by and large true to trend. A few regional pockets have reported record bests, but on a whole demand continues to be greater than supply. 

“As we now move in to April and the Easter holidays we would expect a to see a seasonal dip.”

The largest month on month decline in February’s index was in the North East. It recorded figures for new listings ‘To Let’ falling to -7.1%. This has set another record for the index, this time for the greatest drop in these figures for the month since 2015.

Future of the Rental Sector – Landlords, Have Your Say!

Published On: April 23, 2019 at 8:09 am

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Landlords, do you want to have your say on the scrapping of Section 21?

A major new survey was launched last week, providing UK landlords with the opportunity to shape their rights to repossess properties.

On Monday 15thApril 2019 it was announced by the Government that Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 will be abolished. Its commitment to consulting on the end of Section 21 repossessions has caused a stir in the private rental sector (PRS). 

The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) strongly believes that landlords need to feel confident that they can swiftly and easily regain possession of a property for legitimate reasons. For example, when dealing with issues such as tenant rent arrears, anti-social behaviour and wanting to sell the property, landlords should have more support.

Ahead of the Government consultation, the RLA is providing those within the landlord community with the opportunity to have their say. If you want to share your input regarding the future direction of the sector as it faces some of the biggest changes witnessed in decades, then this survey will be of interest. It aims to give landlords the chance to share their experiences and frustrations with the current system. On top of this, they will be able to state what they need, in order to strengthen their confidence in the sector, at a time when the demand for rented housing is outstripping supply.

The survey also looks at the measures that might be required to mitigate any difficulties likely to be caused by the Government’s plans, as well as the problems landlords face when repossessing a property through the courts.

David Smith, Policy Director for the Residential Landlords Association has commented: “The system needs to be fair to both landlords and tenants. The majority of landlords do a good job and it is vital that they have the confidence to provide the homes to rent we desperately need.

“This survey provides an important opportunity for landlords to shape the future of the sector and ensure that it works for them every bit as much as it does for tenants.”