Written By Em

Em Morley

6 tips to brighten up your home from sofa specialist ScS

Published On: May 20, 2020 at 8:19 am

With the country still under lockdown, many have turned their attention to sprucing up their homes. This could also be worthwhile for any landlords with unoccupied properties.

Sofa and carpet specialist ScS has put together its top tips on how to add a splash of colour to your rooms, as well as which neutral shades to match them with:

1. Match red with light blue and brown

Red is a powerful colour and used incorrectly, can make a room look overwhelming or intimidating. However, red can also create feelings of warmth and cosiness, depending on what it is matched with.

Consider adding touches of light blue or teal, relaxing, yet vibrant colours that perfectly complement deep reds. A wooden base and monochrome accessories will also frame the bright colours perfectly.

2. Match blue with millennial pink and grey

Blue is an incredibly versatile shade that can be used to create all kinds of atmospheres in a home. This colour mainly offers a calming feel, which can be amplified by combining it with pinks and greys.

Millennial or dusty pinks add a spark of playfulness, without being garish, while grey notes offer timeless elegance.

3. Match green with burnt orange, light brown and grey

Old wives’ tales will tell you that red or blue with green should never be seen, but no-one said anything about burnt orange – the fashionable newcomer that adds a homely warmth to any room.

This shade of orange is a brilliant companion for green interiors and helps to enhance the natural, organic vibe that works so well in living rooms. Light wooden furniture and grey accessories complete the look and offer an effortless finish.

4. Match yellow with baby blue, light brown and sage

Another colour that has the power to be overbearing if misused is yellow. This bright shade brings a flash of life and energy that, if controlled, can totally transform a faded room.

Try pairing yellow with baby blue and light wood to create a beach feel and transport the mind to sandy boardwalks.

5. Match orange with yellow, brown and black

Orange doesn’t just help to bring out the best in other colours – it can also stand out on its own.

A great way to accentuate the dazzling charm that orange brings is to match it with earthy colours like brown or black. Perhaps add a yellow accessory or two to further bring out those fiery tones.

6. Match purple with light grey and white

Purple and grey is a classic pairing in interior design, and for good reason. The combination oozes class and creates a sense of effortless luxury.

Purple relaxes the room, while light shades of grey match perfectly to bring an edgy yet sophisticated style. Add splashes of white to brighten the space and highlight the other colours.

Dale Gillespie, Head of Acquisition at ScS, said: “With so many of us stuck at home during lockdown, it’s a great opportunity to tick off those DIY jobs that we’ve been meaning to get around to.

“Many will be getting their paintbrushes out to freshen up their homes, but it can be tricky to know what colours best go with your furniture. Hopefully, our tips will give Brits a little inspiration and help them achieve the look they want.”

For more advice on how to match bright colours to neutral shades, visit: https://www.scs.co.uk/colour-matching.

How will COVID-19 change the housing market? Seven predictions from property lawyers Collyer Bristow

Published On: May 18, 2020 at 8:11 am

Author: Em Morley

Categories: Property News

Tags: Collyer Bristow,Coronavirus,housing market

The housing market has been hit hard by COVID-19 and will take some time to recover. But research from Collyer Bristow published earlier this year reports homeownership remains the number one goal for 81% of 18 to 44-year olds.

Janet Armstrong-Fox, Partner and Head of Private Client Property at Collyer Bristow, has made the following predictions about how the future state of the UK housing market:

1. A renewed interest in rural properties

At the start of the coronavirus lockdown, those with second homes in the countryside were quick to quit our cities looking for the space and greater freedom the countryside has to offer.

It is likely that as restrictions lift the demand for rural boltholes will reach near fever-pitch with families, particularly those with younger children, looking to make the move from our cities to the countryside.

The demand for large country houses is likely to be strong with prices rising due to limited supply, with even more modest country homes being highly desirable. Rural properties with paddocks or a field will be particularly desirable as they can attract a mixed-use stamp duty saving.

And for those not able to move to the countryside, the demand for homes with good sized gardens will increasingly attract a premium.

2. The rise of the home office

Residential developers are an innovative bunch and quick to change their products to meet buyers’ demands.

Agile working, or working from home, has been on the increase over the past decade and has now, through necessity, proven to work well. And whilst some will be missing life in the office, we believe many people will continue to choose to work from home for at least part of the working week.

The kitchen table or spare bedroom may work as a temporary solution, but as home working increasingly becomes the norm, residential developers are likely to respond and incorporate dedicated working from home spaces in new homes with the required digital connectivity.

3. Renewed and persistent calls for high-speed broadband

The Collyer Bristow Home Ownership Attitudes and Aspirations report has for the past two years shown the importance of digital connectivity with new home buyers.

The coronavirus lockdown has, however, highlighted digital ‘not spots’ across the country and we expect the calls for nationwide high-speed broadband to become louder and more persistent, with government ministers being urged to consider increasing the £5bn announced in the Budget to upgrade rural broadband.

Digital connectivity is no longer a nice to have, but an essential service. Homes that do not have good connectivity are likely to be harder to sell with owners having to accept potential price reductions.

4. New homes will drive the property market over the next six months

The sale of new homes will be the primary driver behind the housing market recovery, at least in the short term. New homes are often purchased off-plan with no need for physical viewing.

Off-plan buyers also look to completion dates many months into the future when the property is physically completed. And new homes are often released in much-anticipated phases, with buyers knowing well in advance that they want to live on a particular development.

5. Overseas buyers driving demand

Interest in new build UK property from overseas buyers, particularly from the Middle East and Asia, remains strong. And whilst overseas investors have, perhaps unfairly, been criticised in the past, their cash injection into the UK economy will now be welcomed, supporting jobs in the construction industry and providing much-needed tax revenues.

6. Opportunities for prime residential market buyers

The prime residential market has been in the doldrums for the past few years, with buyers in short supply. But now, the prime residential market in London represents good value for cash buyers. Agents report increased online viewings and there is talk of good deals to be done.

7. And finally, good news for architects

Architects are often cited as the bellwether of the property market – the first to feel the pain and the first to see recovery.

But residential architects can, we believe, expect to see high demand for their services from homeowners unwilling or unable to move looking to expand or reconfigure homes to give growing families more space and to incorporate dedicated home working spaces.

Some landlords face a year’s worth of rent arrears if eviction ban is extended, says Landlord Action

Published On: May 15, 2020 at 8:19 am

Author: Em Morley

Categories: Landlord News,Law News

Tags: Coronavirus,eviction ban,evictions,government,Landlord Action

If an extension is made to the ban on evictions, as called for by the Labour Party, this could lead to financial ruin for landlords with existing possession cases for rent arrears, says Landlord Action.

Some landlords with pre Covid-19 possession cases will find themselves trying to cover more than a year’s worth of rent if the courts are unable to resume existing cases from 25th June. Paul Shamplina, Founder of Landlord Action, says these cases must be prioritised.

According to Landlord Action, following the government’s ban on evictions in March, there is an estimated 25,000 cases stuck in the legal system, of which 10,000 are from private landlords.

With over 500 live possession claims with the courts, Shamplina says he is being contacted daily by landlords who launched eviction proceedings against tenants for non-payment of rent before the ban and are now facing financial collapse.

One landlord, David Walters, has a tenant who owes him £12,000 and her refusal to leave or pay means he cannot return to his home in the UK.

Contacting Landlord Action for advice, David said: “I live abroad and rented my one-bedroom flat in London via an agency 2.5 years ago. My tenant was good for the first year, so we renewed her tenancy for another year (this was the beginning of 2019).

“She then started paying her rent later and later, so I gave her notice to vacate last June (there was a two-month notice period in the tenancy agreement).

“She refused to move out saying she couldn’t find anywhere to live. I took court action which was raised at the beginning of October 2019 with Landlord Action. Still she did not move out. So, we then sought an order for a bailiff. This should have happened this April, but the lockdown meant no further action could be taken for 90 days, as you know.

“I’m in a desperate situation as I have no home to return to in the UK. A tenant who is refusing to move out who owes over £12,000 in unpaid rent and no idea when this situation can be resolved. Even when the central London court reopens there will be a huge backlog of cases.”

Landlord Action says that landlords like David are now stuck with tenants who have often not paid rent for months and who are now living rent-free in their properties until early September and probably beyond.

Commenting on Labour’s five-point plan which includes calls for an extension to the temporary ban on evictions from three months to six months, Paul Shamplina, founder of Landlord Action, says: “We understand and agree that it will take many months for people to recover from this crisis and adequate support to prevent homelessness is absolutely essential.

“However, I do believe that existing possession claims should be treated separately to any tenancy issues that arise as a result of Covid-19. Cases where rent arrears had already built up for months and landlords had sought action prior to the pandemic should be prioritised as these landlords will be taking the biggest financial hit.

“If the ban on evictions is extended for existing cases as well, there will be thousands of landlords who, by the time they are finally able to gain possession of their properties, will have up to years’ worth of rent arrears, maybe more. I dread to think how the court systems will cope towards the end of the year.”

Government introduces new regulations to kick-start housing market

Published On: May 14, 2020 at 8:18 am

Author: Em Morley

Categories: Law News,Lettings News

Tags: ARLA Propertymark,Coronavirus,Generation Rent,government,Great Marlborough Estates,housing market,Mortgages for Business,NAEA Propertymark,NRLA,Ringley,Zoopla

New regulations have been introduced by the government to allow buyers and renters to view properties and move homes.

Estate agents can now open, viewings can be carried out, and removal firms and conveyancers can restart operations.

David Cox, Chief Executive of ARLA Propertymark and Mark Hayward, Chief Executive of NAEA Propertymark comment: “It’s great news for consumers and the industry that the housing market is being opened up and people can let, rent, buy and sell properties again. The new regulations provide clarity to agents and will allow them to deal with pent up demand from consumers.

“It’s also a step to reinvigorating the housing market and will be a boost to the economy. Safety, of course, will be paramount, and we would encourage everyone to ensure that they follow Government guidelines closely to protect others and themselves.”

Andy Marshall, Chief Commercial Officer, Zoopla, said: “We’re delighted that the Government has recognised the need to restart the property market, permitting estate agents to operate – within the parameters of common sense social distancing. Now is the time to get the market moving and to restore it to full health.

“With 373,000 transactions held up in the pipeline, amounting to £82bn in property value and £1bn of agent revenue, the Government’s move is set to be a catalyst for the broader economy. The multiplier effect of estate agency will stimulate cashflow for a network of industries, from removal firms to decorators to solicitors, benefiting the economy at both a local and national level.

Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), said: “Tenants will now be able to look for a new home and move into it whilst those landlords who have unexpectedly faced empty properties will be able to put them back on the market.

“It is vital though that all viewings and house moves take place safely and in line with the Government’s guidance. We will continue to work with the Government, landlords and others to ensure that the risks of spreading coronavirus are minimised.”

Government introduces new regulations to kick-start housing market

Steve Olejnik, managing director of Mortgages for Business, said: “We can’t know exactly what’s going to happen to the market, but we expect a temporary, short-term fall across London and the southeast in the region of about 15%.

“But there’s no question that if you invest in bricks and mortar now, with a bit of haggling during the process, you are going to see a lot of long-term capital growth.

“I think values will be back at February 2020 levels by the spring or summer of next year. Landlords who have not asked for a repayment holiday will be well set to snap-up some bargains with the help of lenders who have demonstrated a willingness to lend since the third or fourth week of the pandemic.

“Yields from the various types of property remained pretty steady throughout 2019 and suggest property will offer a better return than many other investments in the future – especially to smart, professional landlords looking outside the box at HMO investments.”

Grant Lipton, co-founder of London-focused developer Great Marlborough Estates, has commented: “The housing market re-starting is obviously positive news, but it will need more than a press release to give buyers and sellers confidence and so the government needs to look at a range of measures to kick-start activity including a Stamp Duty holiday.”

Mary-Anne Bowring, managing director at Ringley Group, comments: “There’s no reason buyers or renters shouldn’t be able to move home if they are able to do so safely in accordance with social distancing guidelines so today’s announcement is welcome news.

“However, we shouldn’t pretend this means the housing market has returned to its pre-coronavirus state. Lockdown is set to continue in some form for an unknown amount of time, the resulting economic disruption will likely weigh down on activity in the for sale market.

“A Stamp Duty holiday proposed by RICS and others would likely see a stampede in transactions while an extended Help to Buy will support some sales and in turn housebuilding.

“Yet the government should think long term and introduce policies to reflect Britain’s changing housing needs. Private renters are a fast-growing part of the housing market and need catering to.

“Yet politicians seem intent in squeezing buy to let landlords out of the rental market and the build to rent sector – a positive emergence – simply isn’t big enough yet to absorb all rental demand.

“If the government cut Stamp Duty surcharge for landlords it could help stimulate the market by encouraging BTL investors to snap up homes to then rent out. Many landlords also help support housebuilding through off plan sales.

“The housing market as whole will also have to get ready for a digital-first approach to transactions as more tasks and jobs are done remotely.”

Dan Wilson Craw, Director of Generation Rent, said: “Lifting restrictions on the lettings market is welcome for thousands of renters who have been stuck in unsuitable homes. But a reopened housing market cannot be an excuse to lift the evictions ban which is in force until late June.

“Despite the furlough and increased housing benefit, 2.6 million private renters are at risk of arrears with no way of paying them off once the economy recovers. Just a third of landlords have offered flexibility on rent payments, so most of these renters will face eviction as soon as the ban is lifted.

“The worry and stress of the pandemic is giving renters sleepless nights. Many have difficult decisions to make right now. If Robert Jenrick is developing a plan that will reassure them, we need to know what it is urgently.”

There is widespread support from landlords, says NRLA

Published On: May 13, 2020 at 8:16 am

Author: Em Morley

Categories: Tenant News

Tags: Coronavirus,Generation Rent,NRLA

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has responded to Generation Rent’s findings that the majority of landlords are failing to support tenants needing help during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A yet to be published survey by the NRLA of over 4,500 landlords has found that 90% of landlords who had received a request for support from a tenant responded positively. The help given was in the form of a rent reduction or deferral, a rent-free period, early release from a tenancy or a refund on service charges included in rents for homes of multiple occupation (HMOs).

Of the landlords surveyed, 44% had been asked for help by at least one tenant. Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the NRLA, said: “Whilst many tenants have been able to continue paying their rents in full and on time, in accordance with Government advice, we recognise the strain that many others are under at this difficult time.

“That is why it is good news that, as our research shows, nearly all the landlords approached for help by their tenants are responding positively

“With no direct support aside from a mortgage deferment, landlords are playing their part to avoid unnecessary anxiety for tenants and our figures show that the vast majority of tenants and landlords have a good relationship with each other.”

The figures are supported by a large number of case studies the NRLA has received from landlords seeking to support their tenants.

Andy has successfully applied for a three month mortgage payment deferral and passed on the benefits to his tenants in the form of a rent payment deferral. He and his tenants have agreed on a repayment plan that works for them all.

Sian, a landlord in Manchester, has established a Whatapp group so her tenants can easily keep in touch with her and has sent them care packages with food.

Ben, a landlord in Twickenham, pro-actively contacted his tenants before the lockdown encouraging them to get in touch if they needed support. For some tenants he has agreed to a proportion of rents and, or, arrears to be deferred.

Other landlords have offered accommodation free or at a reduced rent to those working in the NHS whilst others are supporting vulnerable tenants. One landlord has tweeted that: “My staff [are] compiling a list of elderly and vulnerable tenants, we have a lot, it’s what we do. Time to mobilise to help them in any way we can.”

Generation Rent calls for government to help struggling renters

Published On: May 13, 2020 at 8:15 am

Author: Em Morley

Categories: Tenant News

Tags: Coronavirus,evictions,Generation Rent,government,Section 21

A new survey of renters undertaken by Generation Rent looks into the number of landlords willing to help tenants struggling to pay rent.

The results show that the number of landlords reducing rent for struggling tenants are outnumbered 8 to 1. Only 7% of those who asked their landlord to lower rent prices and 56% were asked to pay in full.

Generation Rent has stated: “The findings suggest that most landlords with tenants whose incomes have been hit by the lockdown are ignoring the government’s appeal to their compassion. As a result, millions of renters will get into rent arrears, with limited protection from eviction once restrictions are lifted, and little prospect of clearing their debts.”

In a survey of 1,542 renters conducted by Generation Rent, 868 respondents (56%) said they had lost income since the lockdown started. Of renters who had lost income, 38% had asked their landlord for a lower rent. A further quarter (25%) were considering an approach to their landlord, while more than a third (37%) said they probably would not.

Of those who had asked, in just 7% of cases the landlord had offered a lower rent that was not repayable. One in four landlords (25%) offered a deferral of rent, but in more than half of cases (56%), the respondent said the landlord had demanded the full rent. The remaining 12% were waiting to hear back.

Generation Rent is calling for:

Suspension of Section 21 “no fault” evictions
The removal of rent arrears built up during the pandemic as a ground for eviction
Removal of caps on benefits and increasing local housing allowance to cover median rent
Mortgage lenders to require buy-to-let customers with a mortgage holiday to pass it on to their tenants
A freeze on rent increases for 12 months

Dan Wilson Craw, Director of Generation Rent, said: “Some landlords are doing the right thing by reducing rents for tenants who have had their incomes slashed.

“But most tenants who have approached their landlord for help are getting nothing – except more dread that they’ll be evicted. Relying on landlords’ compassion isn’t working.

“If the government lifts restrictions without providing new protections, millions of renters will face losing their home and we will compound a public health crisis with a homelessness crisis.

“The government and landlords must realise that renters on reduced incomes will have no hope of paying off arrears at current levels of rent.”

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) disagrees with these findings. They have responded that Generation Rent is wrong to claim that the majority of landlords are failing to support tenants needing help during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more here.