Writings for Landlords
Local housing allowance (LHA) is used to calculate housing benefit for tenants who rent their home from a private landlord. The amount of benefit paid to the tenant is based on the location of the property, whether it’s shared accommodation and the number of bedrooms each claimant is allowed.
Some private landlords really enjoy the day-to-day running of their business. They want to be involved with everything. Finding tenants, arranging viewings and scheduling repairs. Not to mention collecting rent and making sure their legal compliances are up to date.
A tenancy agreement is the most important document a landlord will sign with their tenants and at MakeUrMove we regularly see landlords who don’t comprehend the full implications of what the agreements they are signing. The basics are almost always covered – the amount of rent, the start date, payment schedule and the tenancy length – but so much can be left to chance if you don’t cover all the bass.
When you are a new landlord or have just prepared a new property to let managing viewings is straightforward. The property is empty and you know it’s in the best condition it can be. It’s clean, tidy and ready for a new tenant. And arranging viewings is easy as well. You just schedule them according to your own timetable.
There are few worse words a landlord or private landlord can hear about their property than the fact that an infestation is in the house – but in the reality of modern-day home ownership, the infestation of any number of animals and insects can be a serious concern; though they aren’t always caused by what you might think.
When you are a private landlord looking to let your property you have a choice of using a traditional high street agent or an online letting agent. Of course, you could always do everything yourself from advertising your property to finding a tenant to managing the tenancy and property. But let’s assume you don’t have the time, the experience, the knowledge or the inclination to take all that work on. You’ll need a letting agent.
Most private landlords will let their property on an assured shorthold tenancy or AST. But there are other options including an assured tenancy. The main difference between assured and shorthold tenancies is the security of the tenant. With an AST the landlord has right of possession after serving notice on the tenant.
Housing benefit is so complicated and the system so convoluted there is little wonder many private landlords shy away from letting their property to tenants on benefits
Having a tenant that has recently been made redundant is certainly not a situation you’d like to be in. However, it is, of course, a common reality. If you do find yourself in that situation right now, don’t start panicking just yet. There are a number of different options available to you, and there are always ways to work around the situation. Here’s a look at some ways you could proceed.
The Government’s current housing policies are just tinkering around the edges of the issue. We need to deal with the cause of the problem, not the symptoms.
