Comprehensive Guide to Housing Law in the UK
Housing law in the UK comprises a broad set of statutes, regulations and case law that regulates the housing market, protecting stakeholder rights while ensuring safe and adequate living conditions. More than a body of law, it is the framework that influences living conditions and housing experiences throughout the country, impacting anyone with an interest in property, […]
Licence to Occupy or Lease?
A licence to occupy can provide a property owner with a quick, easy and flexible way of letting out commercial premises, or even a room in their own home, avoiding the formalities and legalities of a commercial lease or residential tenancy. However, it is important to know how licences work, legally speaking, and when these […]
Landlords’ Guide to Sitting Tenants
In this landlords’ guide, we will cover what you need to know about sitting tenants, including what the term means, their rights and obligations, and what you can do when selling or buying property with a sitting tenant. What is a sitting tenant? A sitting tenant, also known as a tenant in situ, is a […]
How to Evict a Tenant Legally
As a landlord, you hope for problem-free tenants who pay their rent on time and respect your property. However, the reality is that you may be faced with circumstances that lead to you having to evict a tenant. Tenants are protected by law in many ways, but landlords equally are afforded certain rights and protections […]
HMO & Private Rental Guide for Landlords
Your property may be deemed a ‘House in Multiple Occupation’ (HMO) if you rent it out to numerous tenants who aren’t family members and who share certain communal areas and facilities. HMO properties have become increasingly common in the private rental market as they are generally more profitable for landlords than conventional renting options. However, HMO landlords are […]
Lodger Agreement (Landlord Advice)
A lodger is someone who rents a furnished room in a landlord’s main home and shares use of certain common parts of the property such as the kitchen, bathroom and living room. A written lodger agreement, also known as a resident landlord agreement, should be drawn up to set out the agreed contractual arrangements between […]
Subletting & Landlord Rights
Subletting is more common than many landlords realise. In many cases, a landlord may not even be aware that their property, or part of it, is being sublet. What are the legal implications of subletting, and what does this mean for landlords and their rights? What is subletting? The property owner is known as the […]
Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement – Landlord FAQs
If you are a non-resident landlord looking to rent out property, the following guide looks at frequently asked questions in relation to assured shorthold tenancy agreements – from what they mean to what this type of agreement should contain. What is an assured shorthold tenancy agreement? An assured shorthold tenancy agreement is a legally binding […]
Assured Shorthold Tenancy: Guide for Landlords
In England and Wales, when renting out residential property, there are two main types of tenancy agreement: the assured tenancy and the assured shorthold tenancy. The following article examines the meaning of each type of tenancy in the context of rental options for private landlords. It also looks at how to identify what type of […]
Tenancy Agreement – Landlord Rights & Responsibilities
When renting domestic property in the private sector there are two main forms of tenancy agreement: the assured shorthold tenancy and the assured tenancy. Below we look at these different types of tenancy agreement and what they mean for landlords’ rights and responsibilities. The two main types of tenancy agreement The assured shorthold and the […]
Tenancy Agreement Form – Terms to Include
What type of tenancy agreement form will you need to use for an assured shorthold tenancy and what provisions should be within the agreement? What is an assured shorthold tenancy? An assured shorthold tenancy is the most common form of tenancy agreement for use when letting a house or flat in the private rented sector. […]
Dilapidations Claims for Residential Property Damage
When a residential property is rented out, the lease agreement should refer to the responsibilities of the tenant to maintain the property in a state of good repair. This could include requirements to carrying out standard maintenance, clean and decorate. Where the tenant fails to comply with these terms, and there is resulting damage to […]
What is an Assured Tenancy?
In response to the question “What is an assured tenancy?” the following guide provides an overview of this type of tenancy, including how assured tenancies are defined, together with the general rights and responsibilities for landlords and tenants under an assured tenancy agreement. What is an assured tenancy? Assured tenancies are a form of long-term […]
Rent Agreement (Terms to Include)
A rent agreement, also known as a tenancy agreement, is the contract between a landlord and tenant. The rent agreement should set out the conditions of the occupancy, including the rights and responsibilities on both sides. Generally, a rent agreement should be written. While a verbal rent agreement may still confer legal rights to both […]
Housing Act 1996 – An Overview
The Housing Act 1996 lays out the legal requirements for the provision of rented properties, including: social rented properties houses in multiple occupation (HMO) rights and responsibilities of both tenant and landlord the related handling of universal credit and housing benefit how local housing authorities allocate accommodation homelessness Social rented sector regulated by the Welsh […]
How to get a court order for eviction
To evict a tenant, you must follow the correct legal rules and procedures or you may find yourself facing prosecution for illegal eviction. As a first step, you must give notice to your tenant before you can evict them. Generally, this will be a Section 21 or Section 8 notice. Should your tenant refuse to […]
Do I Need a Break Clause in a Tenancy Agreement?
A break clause permits you as the landlord or your tenant to end a tenancy agreement within the arranged fixed term period, bringing the tenancy agreement to an early end. A break clause generally carries a number of conditions that must be fulfilled before the tenancy agreement can be brought to an early end, such […]