As always, we like to keep our landlords up to date with the latest legislation or changes in legislation. We have just had the following announcement from ARLA Propertymark our governing body.
“The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced that mandatory five-year electrical installation checks on private rented housing in England will be introduced in a phased approach.
Whilst the implementation date has not yet been clarified, MHCLG has stated its intention to introduce legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows, with letting agents and landlords being given at least six months to familiarise with the new legislation before it comes into force.
A transitional period will apply for two years. In year one, all new private tenancies will be affected and in year two all existing tenancies will come within scope.
Properties that already have a valid electrical installation condition report (EICR) will not need to replace it until five years have passed since it was issued.
Agents must ensure that any inspectors hired to issue an EICR hold the correct qualifications and are competent to carry out the inspection. Tough financial penalties will apply where this isn’t complied with.
Since July 2018, we have been expecting the Government to announce an implementation date for mandatory five-yearly electrical checks. Despite MHCLG’s announcement today, we are still unsure of when exactly that will be. Government needs to publish the corresponding Guidance as soon as time allows.
We welcome the requirement for inspectors to hold the correct qualification and a level of competency, as we have previously called for a competent person scheme specific to private rented sector electrical testing.
The Government must ensure that there is sufficient time for practical implementation to take place. There will be a limited number of practitioners qualified to complete the checks. The rules need to be easy to understand and comply with, for both property professionals and their tenants.”
David Cox
Chief Executive, ARLA Propertymark
Its Valentines Day and the sun is shining so despite being in the middle of February there is a smile on most faces today. While many might be turning their thoughts to the ideal partner why not turn your thoughts to the ideal house? We have a wide variety of properties available to rent or to buy from delightful estate cottages to large family houses.
Maybe apply the same principles to house hunting as to finding a perfect partner, be open to different ideas and suggestions. Don’t just fix on one type of property, or limit yourself to one area to live in. Commuting in the South of England is easy with brilliant road and rail networks, and the choice of highly regarded schools, both state and private, across the counties is vast. So do your research with excitement and optimism and let us help – there is nothing we enjoy more than successful match making!
The Country House Company – the experts you can trust.
Whilst renting out a property is still considered one of the best investments to be made as a landlord, being a tenant allows you to have a lifestyle and flexibility and not the constant worry of expense if things go wrong in the house. Apparently then a ‘win, win’ and certainly can be for the landlord and the tenant if a fully qualified professional agent is involved with the whole process.
A recent article in the Property Professional, the monthly ARLA Propertymark publication, highlighted the dangers of renting property through social media. Social media certainly has its place in the property industry and has become an unrivalled marketing tool. However, as the article states, when it comes to something as highly legislated and serious as finding your next tenant or landlord, then it really needs handing over to a professional. As we have mentioned in previous blogs, in the past 5 years there have been over 150 new regulations affecting landlords and tenants, and there are more in the pipeline, so this really is an industry where a little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing.
The interaction that social media encourages is often fun and informative but can also be misleading and frankly wrong. This combined with many feeling they can simply educate themselves via a Google search can be disastrous if it goes wrong, leading to huge fines, criminal records or even prison sentences. Why then take the risk?
So, to reiterate a point we have often made; landlords, use the services of an accredited, experienced agent, look at their history and reviews and take their advice. Let them take control of the whole transaction; after all, if it goes wrong your professional agent becomes invaluable and you are paying for their advice and expertise to guide you through. Tenants, consider your landlords carefully, are they really likely to have the same knowledge as a professional letting agent, and who will you go to if things go wrong? There is more security if there is a professional involved.
As the article in Property Professional concluded ‘if you think it is expensive to hire a professional then just you wait till you use an amateur’.
The Country House Company – the experts you can trust.
After a lovely mild winter, some snow is forecast for the region and we did get a flurry last night! It really is worth noting that during the winter months contractors in general, and particularly boiler engineers, plumbers and electricians, are very booked up. Therefore, landlords and tenants, please take the time to read the following to ensure the chances of a breakdown, water leak or other problems are minimised.
1 Ensure that there is plenty of oil, gas and/or other fuels needed.
2 Check that boilers have been serviced and are in good working order.
3 Chimneys/flues including Aga and Rayburn flues should be swept annually.
4 Ensure that septic tanks have been emptied.
5 Check that white goods are in good working order.
6 Check that pipes are insulated with lagging where sensible.
7 Pay particular attention to outside taps and it may be worth turning off the water supply all together to outside taps or at least ensuring they are insulated.
8 Check that you are aware of the location of the stopcock and that it works.
9 Check the guttering to ensure it is free from blockages and leaves as this reduces the risks of leaks and blockages.
10 If there is a persistent cold spell it is advisable to keep the heating on low constantly to prevent pipes freezing.
11 Bleed radiators; keeping the heating system healthy is important as low pressure can cause a problem.
12 Maintain good ventilation in the property otherwise damp and mould will develop.
13 If you are going away remember to leave the heating on to prevent pipes freezing.
14 If you are going away it is wise to inform somebody who could check on the property for you. Also, please do remember tell us or your landlord if you are leaving the property for a long period of time.
15 Immediately report or attend to any leaks you may have detected however small, it may seem insignificant but a small drip will often lead to a larger problem.
16 Ensure you have torches with full batteries to hand.
There can be a lot of pressure in January to make extensive plans, set lots of aims for the year and expectation that this year will be the year of change. Whatever the year may bring time spent in preparation is never time wasted. If you are even simply exploring the possibility of selling then it is wise to start making small changes and alterations that can potentially add value to a house and at the very least increase the chances of a quicker sale.
1. First impressions count
Most buyers form their first impressions within seconds of walking through the front door. If you have a front garden, spend a little time sprucing it up. A few plant pots and a clear pathway can make the front of your house more appealing and don’t forget to clean your front door, it can make a huge difference. The first impression is also the last impression so make it a good one!
2. Tidy hallways and entrance rooms
Hallways and other circulating spaces should be tidy and free of excessive furniture. The length and width of each room should be immediately apparent in order to give a good indication of size and space.
3. Clear worktops and de-clutter
Dirty or cluttered rooms can be an immediate turn off for some buyers, so take some time to clean each room from top to bottom paying special attention to high impact rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom. You should also think about having a spring clean; if there’s too much furniture, and things like children’s toys and unused gym equipment lying around, it can make the property feel smaller. After a deep clean your home will smell fresh and be much more appealing to potential buyers.
4. Add a lick of paint
Neutral colours are appealing to buyers; a fresh coat of paint will brighten up your home and will allow would-be buyers to envisage themselves living in the space.
5. Crack out the toolbox
Straightforward DIY jobs such as filling holes in walls and checking for clogs in the guttering are easy to do and is one less thing your buyer needs to think about doing once they’ve moved in. Getting any problems fixed before putting the house on the market is a smart idea.
6. Pay attention to the garden
Often houses in the country are bought for the outside lifestyle. Focus strongly on the garden, particularly if a family house as the children’s lifestyle outdoors will be a significant factor. Now is the time to, mow, trim, plant, check fences and jet wash paths!
7. Clean windows
For better light but also because buyers always look out of them in each room to understand the aspect and orientation.
‘The Little-known loophole to save on stamp duty’ was the headline for Ruth Bloomfield’s article in Saturday’s Daily Telegraph; ‘buying a country home that has multiple-use land attached can drastically cut the tax you’ll pay’. The article goes on to explain that properties that have either a commercial or agricultural side line are classified as “mixed use”. Mixed use buyers pay no stamp duty on the first £150,000, 2% on the next £100,000 (up to £250,000) and then 5% on the remainder.
Sounds good and certainly worth exploring but take care, HMRC’s guidance on what qualifies as mixed use is unclear; there must be a historic or current commercial use, such as grazing agreement, and not simply the potential to do so in the future. Guy Hurst, a solicitor at Paris Smith, pointed out that ‘If you can show that part of the property is non-residential, then the whole of the property will be classed as mixed use’.
It should be clear but every property is different and there is no official definition. So as always, the advice has to be to deal with professionals you can trust! Call us now for advice on all matters concerning property sales and rental.
With so many articles encouraging us to detox and reduce our stress levels for 2019 we thought we would help! Winter can be demanding and challenging for both tenants and landlords. Whilst your tenants may be very competent, it could be reassuring during these months to have the professional team at The Country House Company on hand to filter calls, react to urgent situations and recommend contractors. Our Managed Services allow landlords and tenants access to our dedicated management phone which is monitored by a member of the management team during out of work hours. Our management services can be adapted to suit your requirements. From Full Management through to Response Management or even an annual property management visit and access to our legal expertise throughout the year, we are able to tailor the service to match your requirements. So, to reduce the stress this winter, call us now to find the level of service best suited to your budget and property.
In the past 5 years there have been over 150 new regulations affecting landlords and there are more in the pipeline for 2019. Whilst it is good that the industry is being more tightly regulated and there is a greater focus on safety measures, it does highlight the importance of using a professional letting agent. A key target for the government for 2019 is to rid the industry of rogue agents and landlords, and a new government working group has already been set up to look at ways to improve standards for home buyers, vendors, tenants, landlords and leaseholders. We are members of ARLA Propertymark and our team attend training courses and industry updates. We regularly update our landlords on changes in legislation, so make one of your key targets for 2019 to use The Country House Company as your professional letting agent.
The first quarter of 2019 is likely to be dominated by the rumblings of Brexit. We can express our opinions, but the outcome and consequences of Brexit are largely out of our control. Decisions you make regarding your property are within your control and whilst politics can affect the market we can actively influence the reaction to it. At the Country House Company our team are able to offer a specialist service which enables us to actively promote our clients properties to the widest most effective audience whatever the state of the market. So if you want to make the move in 2019, ignore the uncertainty about the economy and let us focus on your property with you to take control and influence the outcome.