Conveyancing | The Contracts.
Whilst most people hate the paperwork side of things it is important to go through the contract with your conveyancing solicitor...link
Letting fee changes.
Landlords are charging tenants hundreds of pounds via agencies to cover so called administration costs are to be offered relief by the chancellor who aims to ban letting fees.
Following a parliamentary consultation the ban looks set to come into force.
Letting is highly profitable for agencies with tenants being charged exorbitant rates for credit checks, renewal fees, along with many other services for miscellaneous administration work.
Since 2012 letting fees have been banned in Scotland, the tenant now pays just the rent and deposit, all other fees are met by the landlord. The argument put forward by the letting association is that rent will need to rise to cover the fees, and therefore the tenants will not benefit and could be worse off.
The evidence seems to contradict this stance in Scotland the research, undertaken by shelter, shows that landlords acted in a very similar way to those in the rest of the UK. Landlords were largely positive about the change and only 1% - 2% of rent rises were said to be caused by the outlaw of fees, and shelter concluded that letting fees should be banned elsewhere.
Despite the findings by shelter the Scottish landlords association are against the ban and believe the ban on letting fees has been transferred into higher rents.
So we can only conclude that the findings are inconclusive.
There is an argument that the Scottish model shows transparency of costs, and when you are living on a hand to mouth existence a fee of £300+ can be financially devastating.
The ban will be a 'u-turn' for the Conservative Party who, only six months ago, resisted calls from the Labour Party saying that the measure will lead to higher rents, the most likely scenario for the fees is that the agencies will push the costs back onto the landlords, who are already being hit by the changes in tax law on their business costs.
Being a landlord is a business and any restrictions on profit may force a change in a landlord's business model - this could be higher fees, finding savings elsewhere or diversification. We need a rental option in the housing market and with the cost of property so high and interest rates likely to rise over the coming years, it will be harder for buyers to find a property of their own.
Yes, we need to ensure agencies and landlords are not taking advantage of the market but at the same time the business of being a landlord needs to be profitable, when you factor in property price rises and low interest rates for most landlords it is profitable, however when interest rates rise and the market stagnates it may not be the same story.
related news
Agricultural Law.
link
Aviation Law Solicitors.
This is a highly specialised area of the Law and covers both aircraft and their facilities as well as many other areas detailed here.
link
Charity Law Solicitors.
As a charity it is important to understand your legal obligations and rights, a Charity Law solicitor swill be able to help with this, find Charity Law Solicitors from Solicitors.com
link
Civil Liberties and Human Rights | Solicitors.com
Solicitors.com - if you are looking to take action under the Human Rights Act, understand your rights and how a solicitor can assist you.
link
Construction and Civil Engineering Law | Solicitors.com
link
Consumer Law, Consumer problems.
We have produced a few guides to help you but would recommend that you speak to a solicitor as all situations are different.
link
Education solicitors | Solicitors.com
link
Property Abroad.
If you are looking to buy a property abroad you will need expert legal advice, this section details services provided, and offers guidance on how to find a solicitor for your needs.
linkrecent articles
Flying Freehold
What is a Flying Freehold and should it matter?..
linkLeasehold v Freehold.
The biggest difference is whether you own your home or you have a landlord, on a freehold property you own your home, with a leasehold property you will have a ..link
What can and can`t Bailiffs do
What can and can't Bailiffs do? Guide to stricter rules..link
Tenancy terms reviewed.
Minimum rental terms of three years could be introduced under new..
linkTenancy terms reviewed.
Minimum rental terms of three years could be introduced under new government plans.
..link
Appointing a Solicitor
Guide to some of the factors people use when appointing a Solicitor...link
Enfranchisement and Lease extensions | Solicitors
Enfranchisement and Lease Solicitors | If you are the owner of a leasehold flat or house there is legislation giving you rights which, if exercised, will add va..link
Tenant safety – A landlords responsibility.
It is a legal requirement that your landlord ensures your propert..
linkGuide to Restrictive Covenants.
Restrictive Covenants.
Restrictive Covenants on a property will affect what you can do with your property, and can be applied to private or commercial property..link
Property Surveys.
Understand the different Survey options available to you if you are buying a property...link
Possession orders | Tenant Eviction
Process for obtaining an eviction.
Eviction of tenants from rental properties is at an all time high with almost 40,000 Evictions in the last year; rising rent..link
Is there anything wrong with this page? - any amendments will receive accreditation - email us link
Solicitors.com are not a firm of solicitors, and any content on the site should not be used in substitute for obtaining Legal advice from a solicitor regulated in the UK, Solicitors.com recommends that you contact a firm of solicitors to discuss your individual legal requirement. Whilst we strive to bring you accurate up to date content, all content on this site is not legal advice and is not guaranteed to be correct. Use of this site does not create a client relationship.
Information by area of law
Conveyancing Solicitors.
Step by step guide to help you understand the process of Conveyancing and moving.
link.jpg)
Criminal Solicitors.
We have put together a few guidance notes for your help with Criminal law matters, if you require a solicitors please use the search facility or ask a question.
link
Commercial law.
If you are looking for a commercial solicitor understand your options by contacting one of the 100s of commercial law firms on solicitors.com
link
Clinical or Medical Negligence Solicitors
If you are considering making a claim for Medical Negligence understand your rights and the process, find a medial compensation solicitor via solicitors.com.
link
Personal Injury Claims.
If you have suffered an injury and are looking to make an accident claim for compensation, understand how a personal injury Solicitors can help make you injury claim for you.
link
Debt Collection Solicitors.
The amount of money owing may dictate the route you take to reclaim your money, we recommend that you discuss your situation with a solicitor, or you can call the CAB on 08454 04 05 06.
link
Dental Negligence Solicitors
To undertake a dental negligence claim you must have sustained an injury or damage, as a result of the dental treatment understand the options available to you.
link
Family Law Solicitors.
Family Law Solicitors can help you resolve the problems which may arise in the break-up of relationships, including financial issues and matters concerning any children.
link
Motoring Offences Solicitors.
Will be able to assist on all areas of Motoring Law for Example Drink Driving, Dangerous Driving, Careless Driving, Totting Up, Speeding, Driving Without Insurance motor offences.
link
Will & Probate
Find a solicitor that can assist with wills, probate and estate planning in your area.
link