Homematch news

Do Not Become the Victim of Property Fraud

Landlords are a common target for property fraud.

Summer property repair checklist ~ Stop small problems leading to big repair bills

General news | Investments news | Rentals news | Sales news | Jul 7th 2010

The summer months are a perfect time to schedule routine maintenance and carry out improvements to the outside of your property.

Use Classes Order (planning permission for HMO’s).

General news | Investments news | Rentals news | Jul 7th 2010

The Housing Minister, Grant Shapps, has made an announcement to undo legislation brought in under Labour that would require all new landlords of homes shared by three or more people to obtain planning permission on the property.

From October 1st 2010 councils will individually be able to choose whether to place the requirement on property owners locally. Councils will have the freedom to choose areas where landlords must submit a planning application to rent their properties to unrelated tenants. However, councils will have to consult with local stakeholders first and then have to use a piece of legislation known as Article 4 to submit their intent to Central Government to be approved. This process could take up to a year.

"The definition of a small HMO (the C4 use class) will remain and permitted development rights will be extended to allow all changes between the C4 and C3classes without the need for planning applications. In areas where there is a need to control HMO development, local authorities will be able to use an Article 4 direction to remove these permitted development rights and require planning applications for such changes of use.

These proposals mean that any change of use between dwelling houses and small HMO's will be able to happen without planning permission unless the local council believes there is a problem with such development in a particular area. In these areas they will be able to use Article 4 powers to require planning permission."

To those landlords who have already purchased properties and require planning permission our advice is not to apply for planning permission and to wait until October 1st 2010. If you have a tenancy that commences before that date and occupation is going to take place before October 1st then you may or may not have action taken against you. Please seek advice from the planning department about this.

Water Charges for landlords

General news | Investments news | Overseas news | Rentals news | Jul 7th 2010

Water Charges

New regulations will mean that all landlords (other than resident landlords) will have to notify water companies of details when tenants move in/out. If you fail to do so then you, as the landlord, will be liable (jointly with the tenant) to pay the water charges which means that if your tenant fails to pay the water company would be able to claim payment from you as a landlord. Provided you give the notification then the tenant will have to pay.

Homematch always complete this function for managed proeprties to ensure landlords are not unduly charged.

The new regulations have gone through primary legislation and will not come into effect until it has gone through secondary legislation. We have no indication yet when this is likely to be but we will keep you up to date with any developments.

The Budget ~ What does it mean for landlords?

The Chancellor, George Osborne, delivered the Coalition Government's first budget on Tuesday.

GAS HOB RULES - DID YOU KNOW?

Both gas stand alone appliances & built in appliances have certain "saftey rules" on the which make & models you can install dependant on the type of property?

NEW THREAT TO LANDLORDS - Cooper Thefts!

We have received the following information from Nottingham City Council.

We have been alerted to recent thefts of metal from vacant properties in Nottingham City. We are aware that copper piping has become an increasingly popular target for thieves due to its scrap value however more recent trends have begun to develop which show that combi boilers are also being targeted. As a result we have advised some home owners with combi boilers to apply Smart Water to them and display the stickers which Smart Water provide to deter thieves, NCH has also been alerted to the problem.

HIPS suspened

One barrier down for people putting their property on the market.

Homematch welcomes new seller and offers our whole service @ 1% fixed fee

For a free valuation call us on 0115 9939600

The Party Line for Landlords

With a General Election called for 6 May 2010, the UK political parties have published their policies and are canvassing for your vote!

The NLA has scoured the party manifestos for details of policies directly relevant to landlords:

Conservative

Amend the recent Planning Use Classes Order
Abolish Home Information Packs
Keep Energy Performance Certificates
Give every home up to £6,500 worth of energy improvement measures, with more for the hard to treat homes

Labour

Bring in written tenancy agreements
Free and impartial advice service for tenants
Set up a National Landlord Register
Reform Housing Benefit payments
Introduce minimum insulation standards

Liberal Democrats

Quality private rented housing for those who need it
Introduce a national home insulation programme
Scrap Home Information Packs
Keep Energy Performance Certificates

MASSIVE REDUCTIONS ON SPANISH PROPERTY!

Apr 15th 2010

Plot nº M2 Price Offer

551 1.015 145.000€ 115.000€

552 860 126.000€ 85.000€

553 928 127.000€ 85.000€

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Homematch news

Do Not Become the Victim of Property Fraud

Summer property repair checklist ~ Stop small problems leading to big repair bills

Use Classes Order (planning permission for HMO’s).

Water Charges for landlords

The Budget ~ What does it mean for landlords?

GAS HOB RULES - DID YOU KNOW?

NEW THREAT TO LANDLORDS - Cooper Thefts!

HIPS suspened

The Party Line for Landlords

MASSIVE REDUCTIONS ON SPANISH PROPERTY!