subject: Residential landlords will be required to sign up to national register [print this page] Author: Paul Buchanan Author: Paul Buchanan
The latest stage in proposed legislation concerning letting agents and landlords was announced by Margaret Beckett in summer 2009. Under that proposal anyone letting residential property in England and Wales must appear on a national register. Such legislation already exists in Scotland, but the proposal for England and Wales has attracted some controversy. Standards in renting property have certainly changed for the better since the times of notorious slum landlord Peter Rachman in the 1950s and 1960s. When managing his rented properties his methods were so appalling and discredited that the phrase Rachmanism became so synonymous with high rents, poor quality housing and intimidation of tenants that it is now included in English dictionaries. Indeed, his activities were so notorious that they directly led to the passing of the 1965 Rent Act that afforded more protection to tenants, gave them rights that previously were not enshrined in law and restored a level of protection that had been relaxed by the previous Tory administration. Since the 1960s more legislation has been passed primarily to protect the interests of tenants and so it is with the latest proposal. As well as compelling landlords to register on a national register in addition to with their local authority, the new legislation will also ensure that tenants receive a minimum of two months' notice if the property in which they live is to be repossessed. This is to protect tenants that have been given less than two weeks notice to vacate a property following the failure of their landlord to pay the mortgage. In terms of protection offered to those renting out properties, landlords insurance policies ensure that they are covered should anything untoward happen to their building, such as fire, flood and other disasters meaning that their asset is protected. However, non-payment of rent by a tenant is usually the biggest problem faced by landlords and although insurance can be offered against that possibility not all policies have it included as standard. Landlords can be prudent in ensuring that tenants are financially sound when they apply to live in their property, but should there subsequently be a change in a tenants financial circumstances landlords can be significantly affected. If such circumstances arise then landlords who have protection afforded by an assured shorthold tenancy agreement can charge reasonable interest on late payments or apply for eviction depending upon how long the tenant is in arrears.About the Author:
Paul Buchanan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
