Boris backs letting agent regulations…..

The Mayor of London has backed calls for the introduction of new regulations for letting agents.

This represents a change of direction for Boris Johnson, who has previously been against adding more legislation to the private rental sector, the Financial Times reports.

Next week, the government will vote on an amendment to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill, which would make it compulsory for letting agents to sign up to a redress scheme.

The House of Lords has already voted in favour of the proposals.

Richard Blakeway, the deputy mayor for housing, said there are currently too many rogue agents in London.

“This is why the mayor is working towards a new, voluntary, London Rental Standard and supports the campaign to ensure letting agents join an ombudsman, something which is already a legal requirement for estate agents,” he commented.

Mr Blakeway said the regulations would create a more competitive market and give peace of mind to renters in the capital.

Article taken from www.rman.co.uk
Image: Spiro/Shutterstock

Empty homes cost owners £1.1bn

Letting agents and landlords paid £1.1 billion in business rates on empty buildings in 2012, figures from the Taxpayers' Alliance (TPA) have revealed.

This represents a growth of 19 per cent on the amount collected in the previous tax year.

Property owners in the City of Westminster were hit hardest, paying a total of £100.7 million.

Tower Hamlets was the second most affected London borough, with a total cost of £18.3 million.

Other areas where homeowners paid high empty property rates include Northampton, Liverpool and Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Matthew Sinclair, chief executive of the TPA, commented: "It is extremely unfair that property owners are being hit with enormous business rates on properties which are empty, with no rent coming in that they can use to pay the bill."

He claimed the tax is "ruining" elderly people who invested in rental property to try to fund their retirement and said the threat of empty building rates is deterring people from entering the industry.

Article taken from www.rman.co.uk
Image: Mopic/Shutterstock

NOW LET

* Another property let by Applegate Lettings *

NOW LET – Holmfirth Road, Meltham

Property type: 1 bedroom terrace
Location: Meltham, Holmfirth
Rental: £346 pcm
Min term: 6 months

Good quality one bedroom terrace property situated in the centre of Meltham village, with all local amenities and bus stops within walking distance.

This lovely home has modern white kitchen appliances and briefly comprises; entrance lobby, lounge with gas fire and doorway leading to spacious cellar and separate kitchen with new units and appliances. A staircase rises from the entrance hallway to the first floor where there is a good size double bedroom and new house bathroom with shower over bath. The property is complete with double glazing and has a communal lawned area to the front and designated parking space.

• Good sized double bedroom
• Kitchen with modern appliances
• New house bathroom with shower
• Double glazing
• Communal garden area
• Allocated parking space
• Close to village centre
• Bond: £500

REDUCED

House to let – Oxleys Square, Mount

Property type: 2 bed terrace
Location: Mount, Huddersfield
Rental: £425 pcm
Min term: 6 months

A modern, two bedroom terrace property with off street parking, garden and useful storage cellar.

This well presented home briefly comprises; entrance lobby, lounge, galley kitchen with doorway leading down to cellar which is ideal for storage of various types. A staircase rises from the entrance lobby to the first floor landing where the house bathroom with modern three-piece white suite is situated along with two bedrooms; one a good sized double, and the other being a single. The property has gas fired central heating, double glazing, off street parking and lawned garden across from the property.

• Modern terraced property
• 2 bedrooms (1 good sized double, 1 single)
• Useful cellar store
• Off street parking
• Garden opposite
• DG + GFCH
• Close to local transport links
• Available now
• Bond: £425

To enquire about this property, please contact us on 01484 682999, or for further images and floor plan please click here. 

Please note the administration fees involved in applying for any property with Applegate Lettings are as below;

First applicant application fee – £100 + VAT
Additional applicants including guarantors – £65 + VAT
Fees will not be taken until we are in receipt of completed application forms
Check in fee (payable only once tenancy approved) – £55 + VAT

REDUCED

House to let – Nabcroft Lane, Crosland Moor

Property type: 3 bedroom semi
Location: Crosland Moor, Huddersfield
Rental: £525 pcm
Min term: 6 months

A conveniently located three bedroomed property close to Huddersfield centre with fitted dining kitchen, good sized lounge, useful lower ground utility store areas, large single garage, driveway and gardens.

With gas fired central heating, double glazing and alarm system, the property briefly comprises: entrance porch, dining kitchen with modern fitted units and appliances including cooker, hob, fridge, freezer, washing machine and tumble dryer, good sized lounge with gas fire, two double bedrooms, bedroom 3/study, modern house bathroom with shower over bath, and good sized lower ground floor rooms including shower room, store, and utility area which gives internal access through to the good sized garage. Externally the property has a driveway and car port providing ample parking, and good sized front and rear gardens.

• Semi-detached property
• 2 double bedrooms + bed 3/study
• Modern fitted kitchen with appliances
• Good sized lounge with gas fire
• Large single garage and driveway
• Front and rear gardens
• Useful lower ground utility store areas
• Close to Huddersfield centre
• Unfurnished
• Bond: £525
• Available now

To enquire about this property, please contact us on 01484 682999, or for further images and floor plan please click here. 

Please note the administration fees involved in applying for any property with Applegate Lettings are as below;

First applicant application fee – £100 + VAT
Additional applicants including guarantors – £65 + VAT
Fees will not be taken until we are in receipt of completed application forms
Check in fee (payable only once tenancy approved) – £55 + VAT

REDUCED

House to let – Stanley Street, Holmbridge

Property type: 2 bed terrace house
Location: Hinchliffe Mill, Holmfirth
Rental: £450 pcm
Min term: 6 months

A very pretty 2 bedroom cottage with two double bedrooms, lovely views and available fully furnished.

This super property must be viewed to appreciate the neatly arranged accommodation on offer. Briefly comprising; Kitchen with integrated appliances including washer, good size lounge with additional storage cupboard and views over the valley and house bathroom with shower over bath. A staircase then rises to the first floor where there are two bedrooms both currently used as doubles, the master bedroom also has stunning views across the valley of Hinchliffe Mill. Previously used as holiday cottage the property is clean, neat and tidy with modern appliances and bathroom and completed with neutral decoration throughout. There is a cottage garden area and additional external store, double glazing and gas fired central heating.

• 2 bedrooms
• Lovely views
• Modern bathroom and kitchen
• Available furnished with appliances
• Cottage garden
• Additional outside store
• Highly sought after area
• Bond: £650

To enquire about this property, please contact us on 01484 682999, or for further images and floor plan please click here. 

Please note the administration fees involved in applying for any property with Applegate Lettings are as below;

First applicant application fee – £100 + VAT
Additional applicants including guarantors – £65 + VAT
Fees will not be taken until we are in receipt of completed application forms
Check in fee (payable only once tenancy approved) – £55 + VAT

New Letting Agent Regulations Receive Positive Response

Amendments to the Enterprise Bill that will include the statutory regulation of letting agents have been welcomed by leading rental industry figures.

The changes, which have been approved by the House of Lords, will give tenants more power to redress in the event of poor practice and aim to raise standards throughout the private rental sector.

Peter Bolton King, residential director at RICS, said: “RICS has long called for the regulation of the lettings industry, given that ultimately, this is about the provision of shelter, a basic human requirement. This decision is one step nearer to this vital change becoming law.”

Christopher Hamer, the Property Ombudsman, also welcomed the news. He claimed the legislation could see 40 per cent of letting agents not registered with the property ombudsman or affiliated to a professional body brought within a framework of standards.

The amendments to the Enterprise Bill now require final approval from the House of Commons before becoming law.

Article courtesy of www.rman.co.uk/