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1083 articles
Letting fee ban in Wales receives royal assent
Blog

Letting fee ban in Wales receives royal assent

After it received approval from the National Assembly for Wales, Julie James, the Minister for Housing and Local Government has affirmed that the Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Bill received Royal Assent. This means that the legislation, which bans the majority of fees charged to tenants in Wales, has passed the third stage of legislative […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe July 5, 2019 3 min
Case Study – Why Allowing Tenants To Retain Keys Is Fraught With Issues
Academy

Case Study – Why Allowing Tenants To Retain Keys Is Fraught With Issues

Interesting case study shown here in Property Eye where Sandy Bastin; Head of Adjudication Services at TDS describes how a landlord allowed the tenant to return to the property after the checkout to carry out cleaning and remedial tasks. My advice is always to ensure that the tenant is fully aware of the checkout process. They need […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe July 2, 2019 2 min
How AI will transform the rental sector
Blog

How AI will transform the rental sector

From rent payment reminders to complex compatibility algorithms, technology is transforming the property rental experience. Technology such as dating apps has transformed the lives of many, and at the same time, the huge rise in property prices has pushed a generation out of home ownership. It was always going to be just a matter of […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe July 1, 2019 3 min
There is still time to prepare for the new rental laws
Blog

There is still time to prepare for the new rental laws

New legislation is set to transfer the attention of housing associations to the quality and safety of existing housing stock. This will likely cause pressure, but it is essential that property managers, letting agents and landlords prepare for this. After all, those that suffer most are always the ones most resistant to change, while those […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe June 28, 2019 3 min
Landlords Lack Understanding When It Comes To Letting Reforms
Academy

Landlords Lack Understanding When It Comes To Letting Reforms

A new and independent survey has suggested many landlords in the UK are struggling to keep pace with new legislative and regulatory reforms that have been introduced in the past year. The editorial by Propertywire states that some 30% do not understand the changes to House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licensing, which came into effect in October […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe June 26, 2019 3 min
The importance of inventories for tenants
Blog

The importance of inventories for tenants

Moving into a new property is an exciting time. However, it can often come with its own stress and issues. An inventory report is usually issued to the tenant by the managing agent, and it’s where the condition and any damage to the property is thoroughly noted and documented. Inventory reports are imperative for privately […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe June 25, 2019 3 min
Do you know your responsibilities as a landlord?
Blog

Do you know your responsibilities as a landlord?

Becoming a landlord continues to remain an attractive prospect for many. With regular income from rentals alongside future capital growth, it is easy to understand why. However, the occupation is not without its challenges. Landlords have faced a barrage of new laws and regulatory changes in the last few years, which have proved difficult to […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe June 21, 2019 3 min
Inventory guidance released by TDS to coincide with the introduction of the tenant fee ban
Blog

Inventory guidance released by TDS to coincide with the introduction of the tenant fee ban

The TDS (Tenancy Deposit Scheme) has announced new guidelines on inventory reports in an effort to support letting agents and landlords in-line with the ban on tenant fees, introduced on 1st June 2019. Also known as the Tenant Fees Act, the new law is applicable to letting agents operating in England, and will mean that […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe June 14, 2019 3 min
InventoryBase launches new cutting edge Workstreams module for managing transactions between agents and suppliers inventories and inspections
Announcements

InventoryBase launches new cutting edge Workstreams module for managing transactions between agents and suppliers inventories and inspections

Today InventoryBase announced the launch of their new InventoryBase Workstreams module, allowing InventoryBase users to capture payments and setup payment agreements for outsourced property visits. The new Workstreams module provides an easy way for InventoryBase users to get paid for invoices raised from completing property reports, such as inventories, check ins, check outs or periodic […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe June 13, 2019 2 min
What to look for in a property inspection
Blog

What to look for in a property inspection

A checklist for property inspections is extremely useful for letting agents and landlords. A checklist guides agents on what must be assessed, as each property is different, making it easy to make a mistake in an inspection. Inspections are a crucial aspect of being a property manager or letting agent. If landlords fail to ensure […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe June 11, 2019 3 min
Brexit chaos reduces number of Chinese investors
Blog

Brexit chaos reduces number of Chinese investors

The uncertainty which is currently being caused by Britain exiting the EU has had a striking effect on the numbers of Chinese investors making residential acquisitions within the UK, according to the latest statistics. The research, conducted by the largest international property portal in China, Juwai.com, shows that property buying from Chinese investors has waned […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe June 7, 2019 3 min
Right to Rent could become more complex in aftermath of Brexit
Blog

Right to Rent could become more complex in aftermath of Brexit

Mishcon de Reya, the leading legal firm, has warned that the rules and regulations around Right to Rent could evolve to become even more complex for landlords and letting agents after Brexit. This warning comes despite the recent court case at the High Court, which deemed that Right to Rent breached the human rights of […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe June 6, 2019 3 min
Key answers for letting agents
Blog

Key answers for letting agents

Here we discuss how letting agents can offer value for money, impress prospective clients and overcome price objectives. How can letting agents demonstrate value for money to vendors? The best way for letting agents to demonstrate true value is to illustrate what sets them apart from the first moment they take a phone call from […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe June 5, 2019 3 min
Press

InventoryBase launches new Network to access third-party suppliers for property inventories and inspections

Today InventoryBase has announced their new Inventory Supplier Network for accessing professional, experienced and vetted inventory clerks and property inspectors around the UK in a click of a button. InventoryBase Workstreams allows InventoryBase users to collaborate with each other to schedule and complete property reports such as inventories, check ins, check outs and periodic inspections. […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe June 4, 2019 2 min
Response To TDS Guide On Inventories
Academy

Response To TDS Guide On Inventories

In response to the joint publication by TDS – guidance on the check-in and check-out process for tenants; Siān Hemming-Metcalfe; Head of Training & Development for InventoryBase Academy commented; ‘It’s pleasing to finally see Inventories being highlighted and discussed so openly rather than just within the forums and groups I belong to’. Siān says that the […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe June 4, 2019 2 min
Inventory Clerks – Are You A Subject Matter Expert?
Academy

Inventory Clerks – Are You A Subject Matter Expert?

It’s a weird phrase isn’t it; subject matter expert? It’s a phrase I see regularly on social media, in emails and on LinkedIn but what are they exactly? According to Christopher Pappas; founder of eLearning Industry’s Network a Subject Matter Expert has the potential to become a valued member of your team and will have the most in-depth knowledge […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe June 2, 2019 6 min
Property market in Barcelona bounces back during first months of 2019
Blog

Property market in Barcelona bounces back during first months of 2019

Confidence appears to have returned to the property market in Barcelona following a period of hesitation in the aftermath of the 2017 independence push on 1st October. This is according to the first quarter results of 2019 from Lucas Fox, the Spanish property experts. The property firm reported that house sales had more than tripled […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe May 31, 2019 3 min
Could landlords be rated online by tenants?
Blog

Could landlords be rated online by tenants?

Some bad landlords who are guilty of terrible misdemeanours are able to avoid justice due to weaknesses within legislation in the UK, which often allows the worst landlords to continue operating. But one person is aiming to redress this power balance, by creating a scheme which allows tenants to give their landlord a rating online. […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe May 29, 2019 3 min
Announcements

InventoryBase launches new Payments module to collect payments for property visits and reports

Today InventoryBase announces their new Transactions module for providing a simple way to collect payments when sending out invoices through InventoryBase’s built-in Pricelists module. The newly featured ‘transactions module’ within InventoryBase allows vendors to pay for their reports securely online using their debit or credit card, or setup billing agreements to automatically collect outstanding payments […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe May 27, 2019 2 min
How proptech can add value to the lettings sector
Blog

How proptech can add value to the lettings sector

Proptech is becoming increasingly important in the lettings sector, thanks in part to the changing 24 hour a day nature of consumer demand. This is being primarily driven by the millennial generation, who currently take up a large section of the lettings market, as well as a growing portion of the sales market. However, proptech […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe May 27, 2019 3 min
A look back on Theresa May’s impact on the property sector
Blog

A look back on Theresa May’s impact on the property sector

With the saga of the UK leaving the European Union dragging on, it’s likely that the event could signal the downfall of current Prime Minister, Theresa May. Rather than another speculative piece on Brexit, here we discuss her record on the UK’s housing issues. Ms May’s speech at Downing Street on 13th July 2016, just […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe May 24, 2019 4 min
Buy-to-let landlords continue to enjoy stable yields across Wales and England
Blog

Buy-to-let landlords continue to enjoy stable yields across Wales and England

The average rental price in Wales and England has risen over the past 12 months at a rate of 0.4 per cent per month. This now means that the average rent pcm (per calendar month) rose in February 2019 to £861, the latest research from Your Move has shown. The study from the UK estate […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe May 23, 2019 3 min
Tenant Fee Ban – Can We Charge For Missed Appointments?
Academy

Tenant Fee Ban – Can We Charge For Missed Appointments?

The background to this blog was a conversation I had with another inventory company owner where we looked at whether, as inventory providers, we can charge for missed appointments now that the tenant fee ban is imminent (1st June 2019). Historically; we have charged a fee for appointments when the clerk has attended either the […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe May 20, 2019 5 min
How letting agents can cover their costs after tenant fees ban
Blog

How letting agents can cover their costs after tenant fees ban

The tenant fees ban, which prohibits letting agents and landlords from charging fees to tenants in England, will come into force, finally, on 1st June. First introduced in November 2016, when the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, revealed the plans for the new rules in his Autumn Statement, the Tenant Fees Bill is widely regarded within the […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe May 15, 2019 3 min
Compliance & legislation

Compliance and legislation updates

Follow practical updates and explainers on legislation, housing standards and compliance-related inspection workflows.

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