It is that time of year again, when thoughts of peace, goodwill and optimism help temper the revolting weather and endless repetitions of ‘So here it is, Merry Christmas’ by Slade in every shop and supermarket. For those of you with daughters, there is good news. Just when you completed therapy for ‘Let it Go’ […]
Read moreThe law of unintended consequences has long been familiar to economists and is rapidly becoming a fixture here in the private rental sector. Well meaning legislation where the intent is wholly good, but somebody really hasn’t thought it through. The most obvious example was the scrapping of letting agency fees, greeted with glee by tenants […]
Read moreAnother month picking my way carefully through the forest of legislation that has sprung up around the rental property sector. The latest wheeze from the Powers that Be was to introduce new legislation that effects all our contracts and many of our systems, then to release prescribed documents at one minute to midnight the day […]
Read moreAnyone following the property letting sector will be well aware that the first half of this year was pretty dreadful. Well-meaning but flawed legislation and a raft of new red tape means one in four landlords plans to sell up this year and letting agencies are also faring badly. Many large agencies are closing branches […]
Read moreHalf way through 2019 and it seems every month I rail against tenant protection legislation that turns out badly when put into practice. Cynics in the lettings sector suggest this is a cunning plot to free up rental properties for the hard-pressed first-time buyer. But a three-storey mid terrace in Heaton is beyond the means […]
Read more