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As part of the new government housing bill, one of the items under discussion, is capping the size of a deposit to a maximum of 4 or 6 weeks rent. For many landlords, the current average deposit of 6 weeks can seem inadequate if your tenant causes significant damage in the property or has failed to pay their rent. For many tenants, the cost of moving into a new rental property can be substantial, on average around £2,000 for their first months’ rent and deposit. On top of this, if they are moving from an existing rented property, they are unlikely to receive their deposit back from their previous tenancy, before having to pay the deposit for their new tenancy. As a result, a number of schemes have started to emerge that offer tenants a deposit free option to renting a property... But this is a good thing for either the landlord or the tenant? There are a few schemes that have emerged: 1. Tenants Pay an Insurance Rather Than a Deposit In this instance, the tenan...

The National Housing Federation recently published their report “Home Truths 2017/18” which offers an interesting insight into the property market across the country. Although the data is based on figures from 2017, and is therefore 6 to 9 months in arrears, there were some interesting figures for the Basingstoke and Deane market. The report highlighted the following concerns for the Basingstoke housing market   ·          Between 2012 and 2016 there was a short fall of over 2,343 homes – the second highest in Hampshire after the New Forest. 
 ·          At over £326,000, the average home in the region now costs over 10 times the average salary. 
 ·          A family seeking to buy the average home in Basingstoke now requires an income of more than £74,000 
 to afford a mortgage, making home ownership unattainable for many. 
 ·  ...

    Failure to serve the correct information to your tenants could result in you never being able to serve notice to vacate to your tenants!   A recent court decision has highlighted the need for all letting agents and landlords to serve the correct information to their tenants, BEFORE the start of a tenancy.   Most landlords and agents will be aware that the following documentation must be provided to their tenants before the start of a tenancy:   Deposit Registration and Prescribed Information A copy of the EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) for the property The government's current How to Rent Guide  Any relevant licences required A copy of a current Gas Safety Certificate if the property ...