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George Osborne left several gifts for landlords before vacating the treasury. The first has already come into force which is the increase in stamp duty for the purchase of a buy to let property. The second is a reduction of tax relief that landlords can claim against mortgages. As it currently stands, say you’re rent is £10,000 a year and mortgage is £9,000 a year, you make a £1,000 profit. A basic rate tax payer would pay 20% (£200), higher rate 40% (£400) and top tier 45% (£450) to HMRC. This is going to be reduced and for 2017/18 this will 75% of your mortgage interest that is tax...
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In April this year, it came into law that tenants can request landlords carry out improvements to a property’s energy efficiency which a landlord must not unreasonably withhold. In the not too distant future, it is going to become law that properties with a low energy performance will not be legal to let. If your property is E or above in your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), there is no cause for concern, if it is F or below, it may well be worth considering improvements because as of 1st April 2018 it will be unlawful to grant a new lease of a property with a rating of E or below. ...
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Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards Landlords to Provide Tenants As part of the Energy Efficiency Ratings Regulations of 2015, from 1st April 2016 tenants may request landlords carry out improvements to a property’s energy efficiency which a landlord must not unreasonably withhold. Tenants whose homes are an F or G rated by an Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) can request the landlord bring the property up to an E rating. If you own a rental property, it is most likely you have an EPC and in it there are usually recommendations as to how your property can be improved for energy efficiency...
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Landlords to Conduct Right to Rent Checks on New Tenants As part of the Immigration Bill of 2015/2016, from February 2016, landlords must ensure all new tenants have the right to reside in the UK before letting their properties to them. Evidence must be seen, copied and held for 12 months after the tenancy has ended. Acceptable documents include: A passport or national identity card for the UK, EU countries or Switzerland A Home Office document granting indefinite leave to remain or permanent residence A certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen Passports or...
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The section 21 notice is a notice served on tenants requiring possession of your property back and gives no cause or reason as to why (such as for rent arrears or antisocial behaviour which is a section 8). A section 21 can lead to a mandatory order for possession and if served correctly cannot be successfully challenged by the tenant. As part of the Deregulation Act of 2015, there are a number of important changes as to how and when you can issue a section 21 on tenants to end the tenancy. These changes took effect as of 1st October 2015 and for all new assured shorthold tenancies the...