RLA slams rent cap calls

The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has slammed calls for the government to introduce caps on private sector rents.

Last week, National Housing Federation chief executive David Orr claimed the government would be “incomprehensibly stupid” if it did not at least consider putting a limit on private rents.

However, RLA chairman Alan Ward said he was “surprised” and “disappointed” by these comments.

Speaking ahead of last month’s Labour Party conference, he claimed the last financial year saw rents increase below inflation at just 0.8 per cent.

Mr Ward added Mr Orr’s comments were based on just a few London Boroughs where a housing shortage has caused rent rises.

“The problem David Orr highlights is one of supply, which would be critically undermined by capping rents,” he stated.

Mr Ward added that trying to improve the rental sector through rent controls is the equivalent of attempting to treat flu with a “sticking plaster”.

Source: www.rman.co.uk
Image: Pablo Hidalgo/Shutterstock

NOW LET

Now let – Brewery Cottage, New Mill

Property type: 2 bedroom semi

Location: New Mill
Rental: £350 pcm
Min term: 6 months

Complete with two bedrooms and small outside yard this property has recently undergone a full modernisation programme and should be viewed internally to fully appreciate the accommodation on offer.

**Offered at the reduced rate of £350 for the first three months, then £395pcm thereafter**

Offered on a furnished or unfurnished basis, this lovely cottage briefly comprises: Entrance vestibule, dining kitchen and lounge to the first floor. A doorway leads from the lounge to the staircase rising to the first floor with feature window to the bottom. From the first floor landing there is a house bathroom with bath and separate shower cubicle, single bedroom with built in wardrobe area and then large master bedroom (see floor plan for measurements).

The property is set in the centre of New Mill with direct access to all major bus routes and local amenities. There is a courtyard to the rear which provides the cottage with hanging space. The property is complete with gas fired central heating, double glazing and has new carpets and decoration throughout. Early inspections advised in order to avoid disappointment.

Bond – £495
Bond with pet – £695

• Large master bedroom
• Bathroom with separate shower
• Re-decorated throughout
• New carpets throughout
• Dining kitchen
• Patio/yard area to rear
• Double glazing & GFCH
• Bond – £495

To enquire about this property, please contact us on 01484 682999. To view a full list of all our available properties please click here.

Most rental properties flout law on EPC, say officials

Most rental properties do not have Energy Performance Certificates, an answer to a Freedom of Information request has revealed.The request was put by Dave Timms, acting executive director of environmental charity 10:10 to the Department for Communities and Local Government. Timms asked about levels of compliance regarding EPCs.The reply from CLG says that 26% of private domestic rental properties have EPCs, compared with 95% of properties put on the market for sale. Three-quarters (75%) of rental stock in the social housing sector has EPCs.However, the CLG reply says that the figures, which relate to 2012, were “not quality assured in the normal manner of Government statistics. We are therefore unable to confirm the accuracy of the data or if the figures are statistically sound.”

CLG says it arrived at the data for the private rented sector by looking at the central EPC register and at data from the English Housing Survey, and it is based on “an estimated turnover in the private rented sector of new tenancy agreements per year”.

The letter also notes that since January this year, it has been a requirement that property adverts should include the EPC rating. The letter says: “This should help raise public awareness of what is required.”

10:10 said that CLG was “doing little to enforce the law on EPCs. Moreover, it has only a rough idea of how many estate agents are complying, and seems complacent about the widespread flouting of the rules.”

An EPC must be available whenever a property is sold or rented, and has a shelf life of ten years. Failure to produce an EPC can result in fines.

The fixed penalty is £200, with enforcement action having to be started within six months. It is not known how many fines have been issued.

While the legal responsibility for having an EPC rests with the landlord, it is the responsibility of a letting agent to be satisfied that an EPC has been commissioned for the property before marketing it for rent.

Alongside the landlord, the letting agent must also use all reasonable efforts to secure that the EPC is obtained for the property within seven days (or inside a maximum of 28 days if necessary).

Applegate Lettings make sure that all properties marketed have EPC’s and these are displayed on the property adverts.

Source: www.rman.co.uk
Image: Pixel Europe/Shutterstock

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Now let – Grange Cottages, Marsden

Property type: 2 bedroom terrace
Location: Marsden
Rental: £545 pcm
Min term: 6 months

Recently re-furbished to a high standard, this two bedroom property is set in the highly sought after village of Marsden, not far from local amenities and rural walks along the canal.

Entered via gated, cottage garden, double doors open into the modern dining kitchen. This lovely room has recently had new kitchen, including Belfast sink, handcrafted wooden units, range style cooker, new combi boiler and stone/flagged floor with under floor heating. There is a WC to this floor also with wash hand basin and cupboard for washing machine. As mentioned double doors open out from the dining area into a patio courtyard where the current owners have made somewhat of an enclosed haven and it makes a fabulous extension onto the kitchen on a sunny day.

From the dining kitchen a staircase rises up to the lounge where there is a an open grate fire, large window allowing lots of natural light into this spacious room and doorway leading to hallway and additional front door, accessed via steps. To the top floor bedroom two is currently used as a study but double could fit if required, however we would generally class as single bedroom (please see floor plan). Across the landing is the master suite which has the added feature of roll top bath, double shower, toilet and bidet, again with under floor heating. There are additional features such as locally crafted handmade tiles inset into the floor and raised areas, wooden flooring to the bedroom area and fitted cupboard/wardrobe area. This room is a real feature and with the additional toilet downstairs should not pose issues with those wishing to use the second bedroom as bedroom.

• Master en-suite with roll top bath
• High quality throughout
• New kitchen and bathrooms
• New combination boiler
• Set over three levels
• Private, gated garden with doors to kitchen
• Must be viewed internally
• Bond – £745

To enquire about this property, please contact us on 01484 682999. To view a full list of all our available properties please click here.

NOW LET

Now let – Perseverance Place, Holmfirth

Property type: 3 bedroom terrace
Location: Holmfirth
Rental: £675 pcm
Min term: 6 months

Set over three levels, these three bedroomed homes have spacious utility room to lower level, large garage and dining kitchen with patio doors out to rear garden, making them the idea family home.

Set in an ideal location only a short walk from the centre of Holmfirth but with rural walks and footpaths nearby Applegate Lettings offer for let this modern three bedroom town house.  Briefly comprising; Entrance hallway with space for storage/office, utility room, large integral garage, good size dining kitchen with patio doors out to the rear garden and lounge. A second staircase rises to the top floor accommodation where there is a single bedroom, two doubles, one with en-suite, modern house bathroom and storage cupboard. The property has PVCu double glazing and gas fired central heating and is alarmed. There is a good sized, enclosed lawned garden to the rear and further garden area, along with driveway to the front.

• Well presented town house
• Accomodation over three floors
• Three bedrooms, 1 ensuite
• Good sized single garage
• Lawned garden
• Close to Holmfirth centre
• Sought after location
• DG & GFCH
• Strictly no pets
• Bond – £875

To enquire about this property, please contact us on 01484 682999. To view a full list of all our available properties please click here.

Responsibility for communal areas in rental homes 'must be made clear'

It is important that letting agents, landlords and tenants are all clear on who is responsible for communal areas in rental properties. This is according to ARLA, which has recently issued advice on the topic. 

Susan Fitz-Gibbon, president of the organisation, commented: "Neither tenants or landlords want the upkeep of any area within a property to 'fall between the cracks', so it is vital that all parties fully understand their responsibilities." She advised landlords to seek the advice of a letting agent when clarifying responsibility for communal areas on tenancy agreements.

Ms Fitz-Gibbon claimed assumptions can lead to problems later down the line and said every party involved benefits when obligations are laid out transparently from the start of a tenancy.

ARLA provided a number of tips on how rental property owners can ensure communal spaces are well kept. These included making sure tenants can easily contact their landlord or agent and building a relationship with neighbours if the space in question is shared with another property.

At Applegate Lettings we have very detailed tenancies and inventories which clarify when any communal areas and we even supply tenants with copies of the lease at leasehold properties so they can be assured they are abiding by it. We also do a full check in at properties and often clarify at the appointment any areas the tenant is unsure of so they know their responsibilities before getting settled in.

Source: www.rman.co.uk
Image: photobank.ch/Shutterstock

NOW LET

Now let – Waverley Terrace, Marsh

Property type: 2 bedroom terrace

Location: Marsh
Rental: £495 pcm
Min term: 6 months

A well maintained, two bedroom inner terrace property with off street parking space to rear and low maintenance gardens to front and rear.

Situated in the popular village of Marsh we offer for let furnished two bedroom home. Briefly comprising; Small entrance porch; lounge with modern settee’s, oak style coffee table and inset drawer and shelving unit, breakfast kitchen with small table, inset units to the high and low level, washing machine and fridge. A staircase leads from the kitchen to a useful keeping cellar and a doorway from the kitchen leads to the rear garden/parking area. From the kitchen and additional staircase rises to the first floor where there is a good sized double bedroom (please see floor plan) with bedroom furniture, and single bedroom which is currently home to a single bed but three quarter would fit if required. There is a modern house bathroom with large shower head style shower over bath and additional WC at the end of the landing. Complete with gas fired central heating and double glazing there is on street and off street parking and the property is ideally situated for Huddersfield town centre, M62 access and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary alike.

• Two bedrooms
• Off street parking space
• Additional on street parking
• Garden front and rear
• Modern finish
• Available furnished
• White goods included
• GFCH & DG
• Bond – £595

To enquire about this property, please contact us on 01484 682999. To view a full list of all our available properties please click here.