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Retired Agent

Retired Proprietor

6902 Profile Views

About Me

I'm retired from the 'sharp end' of the PRS but still follow what's going on.

my expertise in the industry

Used to run a lettings agency and residential lettings training company but retired in 2014

Retired's Recent Activity

1. As previous posters have said, death of a tenant doesn't end the tenancy. 2. If people take hard drugs they know the likely consequences will end in death. Nobody forces them to do so. It's not that I'm unsympathetic, just stating facts. My cousin was a member of a famous 1980's band and managed to drown in the bath after a heroin overdose in 1983. He was just 31 and had a very young child too. 3. The poster of the letter appears not to have visited his brother for some years before his death. His children probably lived with their mother or other family members. 4. Was the agent aware of the tenant's mental health issues before a tenancy was granted? 5. The agent needs to undertake some training urgently about end-of-tenancy procedure on death of a tenant. 6. Arrears should have been managed by the deceased's representative or beneficiary, or if previously appointed, Power of Attorney, as they are still legally payable if the landlord so wishes. 7. Agents who cancel rent payments and return deposits in full have no authority to do so without referring the matter to their landlord client for instructions. 8. It's all very sad. I had a tenant in his 30s who died within three weeks of taking up the tenancy. I couldn't find out the cause of death and still don't know to this day.

From: Retired Agent 05 January 2023 17:33 PM

"Foxtons fined". Is this NEWS? I thought it was a periodic inconvenience.

From: Retired Agent 13 January 2022 20:03 PM

Just one more thing. Notice what's wrong with the picture at the top of the page? All three boards have illegal signage! Just saying.

From: Retired Agent 13 January 2022 20:01 PM

A few more LAs visiting local letting agents might just find one or two matters worth pursuing.

From: Retired Agent 13 January 2022 19:58 PM

Whoa! Sounds like a good idea for an instant party. BYOB. Oh, heck, it's Wales isn't it? They've shut down. Never mind eh?

From: Retired Agent 13 January 2022 19:56 PM

Soon this organisation might woke-up. Ooops misspelled it again!

From: Retired Agent 26 May 2021 21:30 PM

A complete waste of effort. Nothing makes environmental sense whilst China, India, the USA, Russia and a few more besides continue to ignore any attempts to go green building coal fired power stations every week. The UK produces less than 1% of the world's carbon footprint. It's like trying empty the Atlantic Ocean with a teaspoon. The Government cannot meet their own targets mark my words, as the taxpayers won't want to contribute about £100,000 each if they want to achieve this because it's they who will pay and nobody will be remotely interested in being fleeced. Watch for the Gov't U turn nearer the end of the decade.

From: Retired Agent 30 April 2021 18:04 PM

This agent is/was trading on my old patch of years ago and probably just didn't know the correct procedure, and possibly thought the tenant was not going to return. Perhaps the landlord was not getting any rent and instructed the naive agent to look for another tenant. It was common to find how many letting agents didn't know enough about eviction procedures so nothing surprises me anymore. Belvoir won't be happy and I suppose you might want to point the finger at them, but they have no say in the matter as it's the franchisee who was at fault. An abandonment notice wouldn't have altered the criminal actions of the agent and the best he could have hoped for if that was the case was mitigating circumstances.

From: Retired Agent 30 April 2021 17:52 PM

Jeremy - you can't insist on tenants taking out insurance as it would be in contravention of their lawful rights. Is this Belvoir policy because Dorian needs to remove it if it is?

From: Retired Agent 31 March 2021 16:01 PM

Unfortunately their brand name has still not reached most landlords, sellers buyers or tenants. They've tried so hard for 50 years and yet have made only minimal impact.

From: Retired Agent 18 March 2021 19:02 PM

This is unsurprising as the Government since George Osborne's interference on tax issues has made it uneconomic for many landlords to either enter or remain in the PRS so reducing the amount of tenanted property available at a stroke of his pen. Brilliant!

From: Retired Agent 15 March 2021 18:01 PM

Is anybody surprised? There are too many agents living on the edge of financial misappropriation i..e. theft!

From: Retired Agent 15 March 2021 17:50 PM

I wonder how many tenants RJ has who don't pay their rent? Pray let us know. And HMG wonders why its constant bashing of the PRS might discourage private landlords to enter the market! I despair.

From: Retired Agent 14 February 2021 18:26 PM

Would you rather have "electrocuted" on the death certificate rather than "Covid"? The former might land you in prison!

From: Retired Agent 01 February 2021 18:13 PM

"We feel we can offer a high level of customer service because of our background and that we’re a small, family-run business which wants to help local people. Our goal is to do things differently." Now, how often have I heard that when new lettings agencies start up? What they possibly don't realise is that there is so much legislation out there to frighten off people becoming a cropper. I would have used that mission statement myself but got formally qualified before I did. I wish them good knowledge (rather than luck) as they will need it.

From: Retired Agent 01 February 2021 18:07 PM

Jahan. If somebody dies because the smoke alarm wasn't tested by the agent or landlord at the outset and recorded as such you can't put the onus on the tenant to do so as they have no access before they move in and it won't be the first thing on their mind.. It's called being a Professional Agent.

From: Retired Agent 25 January 2021 15:56 PM

A good insurance policy is close behind.

From: Retired Agent 31 December 2020 18:07 PM

"No DSS" has been meaningless for years and has been a lazy 'marker'. Agents were advised over a decade ago that it breached the then Disability Discrimination Act as it prevented anybody claiming any type of benefit from applying. ' No housing benefit' would have been more accurate.

From: Retired Agent 21 December 2020 18:00 PM

In over 40 years when I was involved in the PRS I have never found any Government take into account the views of landlords as a priority over those of the tenants. Crappy organisations like Shelter are only interested in demonising landlords rather than see the damage that it does most of the time by not taking a balanced view!! Governments pander to them in the vain hope that they can garner votes from tenants due to their actions (or inactions). Deaf ears indeed.

From: Retired Agent 04 December 2020 18:58 PM

And what about all those tenants who run off leaving thousands in rent arrears never to be pursued by the landlord! My next question is do they have sufficient assets to prevent an extended stay at the pleasure of HM?

From: Retired Agent 30 October 2020 20:31 PM

Now, I've been out the business for 10 years and knew David Cox vaguely as we had sat on the same NAEA/ARLA Exam Committee on the odd occasion before he took on the CEO's job. I found him to be measured and knowledgeable and not the least surprised when he was appointed CEO following on from Ian Potter. He was a good fit. I wish somebody at Propertymark would explain why he couldn't apply for the new role, but of course they never do. It will be interesting to see how the organisation will change under the new joint CEO. It's about saving money probably by one salary. I don't envy whoever takes it on. Things have changed drastically since I was in practice, but it only seems like yesterday. Mark Hayward and David Cox both going is a bit of a blow.

From: Retired Agent 24 July 2020 22:48 PM

You know it must be Diane Abbott or Priti Patel doing the maths.

From: Retired Agent 03 July 2020 20:31 PM

Been saying it for ages. Since George Osborne started the slide and pick-pocketing landlords until it is not financially viable for the hassle involved, there will be fewer and fewer property available for rent in the PRS. Another Housing Minister will no doubt be following Robert Jenrick soonish as they seldom last more than a year before he has had time to learn his portfolio, and by which time he won't really care anymore. With 10 Housing Ministers in as many years - it's just shocking.

From: Retired Agent 26 March 2020 23:03 PM

Obviously this 'lawyer' man has never been a landlord.

From: Retired Agent 30 January 2020 17:24 PM

1. The Government will take a very long time to reform court procedures for repossession as it is too wrapped up in Brexit and all the other promises. Court procedure reform is a very low priority. 2. Section 21 reform will go ahead fairly soon and make matters much worse for landlords to then regain legitimate possession putting even further pressure on the courts; landlords too will then have to use Section 8 Grounds or some S.21 replacement legislation but this will be much more expensive for landlords and court costs will inevitably continue to rise. 3. The amount of PRS accommodation available will reduce even further as landlords decide to call it quits as the reform of income tax levels especially for higher-rate taxpayers, and Stamp Duty surcharges, unless reformed in the March Budget, will make more landlords leave the market sooner rather than later. 4. Landlords have hefty hidden costs which the Government fails to recognise, and rents are not guaranteed to keep going up. A shortage of accommodation will keep rents high but there is an upper limit to tenants ability or willingness to pay, so homelessness will unfortunately increase as will B & B demand for displaced families. 5. The Governments reforms will cost it much more in the long term but doesn't manage to see it that way. 6. The stress and strain of the repossession procedure not to mention the huge loss of irrecoverable income in most cases, can easily put off landlords for ever. 7. Landlords are having to comply with ever increasing unnecessary legislation. 8. Governments tend to take much more notice of tenants problems, rather than those of landlords who are the ones providing the service after all and are thought mainly to be money grabbing pariahs. 9. Matters won't improve during or after 2020 they will only get worse. 10. I predict that nowhere near the number of "affordable" (ha! ha!) houses will be built to ease the problem, and Boris for all his good intentions is not conversant with the nitty-gritty, and will just hope the Housing Ministers who regularly come and go can get things moving (fat chance). Well that's just 10 points of view; I'm sure you could add another 100.

From: Retired Agent 17 January 2020 21:00 PM

Only half? Most letting and estate agents don't comply with board legislation that's over 20 years old, so I would say >95% break the law. Don't tell me it's that difficult to comply, because it's one of the simple ones. You see, most agents in the industry want to get one-up on their competitors, and they don't care how they do it. No wonder the public are unconvinced of their perceived "professionalism" because it ain't so.

From: Retired Agent 13 September 2019 19:01 PM

Stop panicking. It won't happen. Labour has so many crackpot "ideas" they must find them in Christmas crackers.

From: Retired Agent 03 September 2019 18:47 PM

You could put in your terms if application asking if any applicants have applied to rent other properties; if they say no, and lie, then surely you could keep their deposit?

From: Retired Agent 12 July 2019 10:26 AM

And.............have you tried getting a pot-hole filled in under about three months? Me neither!

From: Retired Agent 05 July 2019 23:15 PM

When LAs can't (won't) police the T&C Planning Regs about 'To Let' boards they ain't gonna be bothered about sub-standard property unless it's a repeat offender on a regular basis. They will tell you they don't have the man(person)power.

From: Retired Agent 05 July 2019 23:14 PM

Ooh! Jeremy Corblimey.......................

From: Retired Agent 05 July 2019 23:09 PM

It's just licensed greed.

From: Retired Agent 28 June 2019 09:40 AM

Who writes this stuff? A non-story if ever I heard one.

From: Retired Agent 28 June 2019 09:37 AM

"Nearly a third of the over-50s are in fact pensioners." Well I never would have guessed that! Countrywide on the ball again. Will they survive being from the University of the Bleeding Obvious?

From: Retired Agent 17 June 2019 20:25 PM

I know of umpteen landlords who have yet to register with the ICO concerning the DPA, and will probably get away with it as the ICO will take years to track down most of them, if there's the will to do so. No, thought not!

From: Retired Agent 17 June 2019 20:22 PM

And when the survey has been completed ..................not much will change but there will be a lot of recommendations which will mostly be ignored and forgotten about. Remember the Planning Regs about "To Let" boards which have been in force for over two decades and nobody much takes a blind bit of notice to enforce them. (Not enough resources,see!)

From: Retired Agent 17 June 2019 20:18 PM

Is Jeremy Corbyn or Shelter going to appear on the program telling us the tenants have had a bad deal? Oh! That would be a 'NO' then.

From: Retired Agent 17 June 2019 20:12 PM

Whoops! They're still quoting fees for prospective tenants! Up to date agent no doubt?

From: Retired Agent 12 June 2019 18:13 PM

Has the sale of white socks increased recently?

From: Retired Agent 12 June 2019 18:07 PM

Nobody seems to have mentioned that "No DSS" is a breach of the Equality Act 2010 (as amended) and discriminates against disabled people for example. It's supposed to indicate no Housing Benefit Claimants, (superseded by Universal Credit) but such a sweeping statement indicates one size fits all and that's not the case.

From: Retired Agent 12 June 2019 18:05 PM

It won't take long before there are some undesirable entrepreneurs who will be able to forge such documents.

From: Retired Agent 31 May 2019 11:45 AM

You could ask for a guarantor for any excess over & above the deposit incurred, or you could just insure against this (probably!).

From: Retired Agent 31 May 2019 11:43 AM

it's too early to start asking NF about national issues until Brexit is resolved. They are an EU party at the moment and not until there's a general election will you be able to see if the Brexit party has enough of a mandate to govern either independently or in a coalition with probably the Conservatives! There's enough support for the Brexit Party so don't knock NF if he's reaching the parts other politicians can't reach.

From: Retired Agent 30 May 2019 09:51 AM

Supplies reduced, rents increase. Well what a surprise! This is unfortunately the trend after Government interference. They really don't know the harm they impose on the PRS.

From: Retired Agent 28 May 2019 09:26 AM

Unfortunately too many LL wait too long before they demand accountability from their agent when rent hasn't been paid. Tenants also suffer not knowing if their deposit has been ring-fenced. As for the tradesman owed money - he should have seen the warning signs a bit sooner I guess, but I'm not blaming anyone - it's just observational.

From: Retired Agent 22 May 2019 21:27 PM

Be careful what you wish for. Labour MUST be kept out of power. A Tory/Brexit coalition looks like being the order of the day after we've had a General Election (whenever that will be!). No government helps the PRS until what they legislate is proven to not work and then they have to change it - again!

From: Retired Agent 21 May 2019 19:02 PM

Under the Consumer Rights Act I always thought that "reasonable" charges were to be specified rather than agents charging fixed fees. Note to SCN Lettings. Agents can charge fees to tenants for breaches of the AST in tenancies commencing before 1st June and will be able to do so until June 2020 providing they are "fair".

From: Retired Agent 03 May 2019 18:20 PM

As the 'DSS' does not exist why can't agents update their lazy stereotyping. UCR is replacing HB. By stating no DSS it implies that NO benefit claimants are eligible, which is a criminal offence under the Equalities Act as this discriminates against persons with a disability who might claim benefit other than HB.

From: Retired Agent 25 April 2019 09:24 AM

The clear message is that the agency will probably quickly decide to cease trading so as not to have to pay a penny, and then like a Phoenix will rise again the next day calling themselves something else! Does the Council seriously think this fine will be paid?

From: Retired Agent 23 April 2019 19:32 PM

Makes most LLs feel like erm, selling up. And they will, and rents will rise due to reduced availability and then there won't be enough property in the PRS to go round. That'll learn them Councils!

From: Retired Agent 05 April 2019 16:09 PM

Surely 'must be in gainful employment' might work.

From: Retired Agent 15 March 2019 10:11 AM

Oh they do, often by the seat of their pants.

From: Retired Agent 03 July 2018 09:44 AM

The majority of letting agents need to 'pull up their socks'. Having taken training sessions with agents between 2003 and 2012 there is a distinct lack of necessary knowledge and these results do not surprise me at all. Most agents rely on the prospective tenant being in a state of ignorance as they themselves would be unable to answer any reasonably probing question. When the government eventually decides on a date for compulsory examination and qualification of letting agents, then we should see an improvement, but until them it's not going to change.

From: Retired Agent 03 July 2018 09:42 AM

Ah! The lovverly Labour Party. I can almost guarantee that if JC manages to become PM (ha! ha! ha!) watch as the PRS shrinks pretty quickly and then where will tenants find suitable property to rent? No they haven't thought of that! P.S. I like Leon Coy's 'rouge' tenants. Would that be reds under the bed?

From: Retired Agent 24 April 2018 17:46 PM

Never mind landlords not being able to cope; half the agents can't even manage their portfolio properly now because of poor knowledge, or using deliberate underhand methods.

From: Retired Agent 23 April 2018 14:25 PM

Do you think Philip Irvine supports the Labour Party? Labour thinks that social engineering is the answer to all the housing problems. Little does it know!

From: Retired Agent 23 April 2018 14:21 PM

Heaven help us if voters decide to back Labour based purely on the PRS. They will be most disappointed if they are elected, as will be the rest of us! The Conservatives have a lot to answer for but they are the lesser of two evils.

From: Retired Agent 09 April 2018 09:50 AM

I used to have my own training company for RLS agents and most although keen and willing would not pass the basic ARLA entry level exam without serious study. Formal quals will strengthen the industry enormously. P.S. - Ian Wilson: lettings is not a "game".

From: Retired Agent 06 April 2018 19:01 PM

This programme is nothing new; it happens more often than you think. It's just that only the extreme cases are exposed on TV.

From: Retired Agent 05 April 2018 15:12 PM

If an agent properly costed his work, and by inference his time spent on management, he could do worse by putting himself in the shoes of the landlord and saying, well if I have to do something I want paying otherwise you can do it yourself for nothing! If you tot it all up a 10%? monthly fee doesn't nearly cover the cost. Tenants should have to pay referencing costs, but that it all. Nothing for inventories (mainly for landlord's benefit), nor ASTs. I think most agents would be more than happy with that.

From: Retired Agent 04 April 2018 15:15 PM

It's okay; I can't afford to acquire any BTL property because the tax penalties just don't make it worthwhile anymore! A housing crisis just waiting to happen eh?

From: Retired Agent 03 April 2018 23:12 PM

The expulsion of a Letting Agent by the Property Ombudsman from their scheme does not appear to have been an unmitigated success when it was discovered it was still trading and had not paid the Complainants the award against it, and a further banning order was issued as I understand it? This type of agent will just carry on as before until they are jailed; is this what will happen to agents who don't follow the Government's diktat on qualifications, or my guess would be something far less draconian? I wish we could not use the term "Rogue Agents"; they're not even agents but probably criminals and fraudsters.

From: Retired Agent 03 April 2018 23:09 PM

Most of the letting agents I encounter now are still way, way behind when it comes to legal and management procedural knowledge. They all think they know it all, and they don't. I am a graduate in Property Management and although I only use it occasionally now for my own properties I still endeavour to gather as much knowledge as I can.

From: Retired Agent 03 April 2018 12:09 PM

Can somebody tell me why these agents are still trading? Is there no criminal element in trading unlawfully? Is the system effective? I only ask!

From: Retired Agent 26 March 2018 19:03 PM

Anybody with no tangible assets is unlikely to be pursued for fines etc. as the cost of recovery far outweighs the original penalty. Blood & Stone come to mind.

From: Retired Agent 27 February 2018 20:56 PM

Of course letting agents should not have a 'blanket' policy on this subject but state they will take their client's instructions on individual applicants, and the agent can refer the landlord to inspect the conditions of their insurance policy and mortgage deed to see if they are able to consider such applicants.

From: Retired Agent 27 February 2018 20:51 PM

Well if the agents were doing their job properly and investigating more closely then this probably wouldn't happen. Too many agents just want the income without the responsibility.

From: Retired Agent 14 February 2018 17:40 PM

From: Retired Agent 31 January 2018 13:54 PM

Please will you all close the stable door quietly.........................

From: Retired Agent 09 November 2017 16:47 PM

One day a politician will understand the Residential Lettings Sector - one day.

From: Retired Agent 15 September 2017 16:09 PM

Came across his Desborough office when looking for a tenant for my own property. Tenant 'passed' all the referencing, then not too long after he had moved in I found out that he had a criminal record with outstanding fines, and arrears owing to a previous landlord. The fines were paid but my rent wasn't, so I eventually had to repossess and lost about £1,500 in the process. I did obtain a CCJ but no money of course as he had no assets. Something strikes me as familiar.......................!

From: Retired Agent 15 September 2017 16:06 PM

If I were a landlord and my agent made an error in Serving a S.21 Notice then I would be asking serious questions about their knowledge/ability and looking for COM-PEN-SAY-SHUN.

From: Retired Agent 29 June 2017 11:39 AM

Look. It doesn't matter a damn what the Labour manifesto states. They are not going to get anywhere near Downing Street so it's just a complete waste of time listening to what they say. It's window dressing so just ignore it all and concentrate on running your businesses.

From: Retired Agent 17 May 2017 13:43 PM

I wonder how many landlords know of these extortionate costs to the applicants. I know all agents are obliged to publish their fees/costs on their website and in their offices but I bet not many landlords will be too aware of this.

From: Retired Agent 10 May 2017 19:26 PM

David O'Connor. Tenants contents insurance is not work done on behalf of a tenant; that's the responsibility of the tenant to look after, but if you are selling it are you registered under the FCA as you should be? Also the tenancy agreement is mainly for the benefit of the landlord. The only requirement as far as I can see it on behalf of the tenant is the protection of the deposit, but that's a landlord's obligation too!

From: Retired Agent 21 April 2017 19:24 PM

Croydon Agent - Eats Shoots & Leaves by Lynn Truss - read it! It's FEES not FEE'S - it's plural not possessive, if you understand? Poor English rears its ugly head again.

From: Retired Agent 23 November 2016 16:52 PM

On another point it is going to extend any interview with prospective tenants to make sure they are going to pass the referencing process, and agents should diligently be looking at payslips, bank statements and a few other documents moreso than they perhaps have in the past.

From: Retired Agent 23 November 2016 11:36 AM

A charge for referencing a tenant at cost means the agent is making no charge at all. What the govt want to do is stop admin charges to tenants that do not reflect a reasonable cost as there is no control over this. I don't think passing on actual costs to a reference agency is going to be as contentious as predicted. Agents don't actually levy "fees" as by definition a fee is earned for providing some sort of service, and no service is being provided to a tenant, so they are costs (actually incurred) or charges (additional amounts to cover administration). No doubt some legal bod will be able to come up with something acceptable.

From: Retired Agent 23 November 2016 11:33 AM

The point being that Local Authorities can't cope now so it's going to get so bad that the Government have made a rod for their own back - courtesy of that forgotten man George Osborne. It clearly doesn't have much understanding of the PRM.

From: Retired Agent 15 November 2016 19:34 PM

An increasing amount of sh*t will hit the fan as time progresses with 2019 being just bout the worst it can get. Then higher rate taxpayers will make nothing if their property has any decent amount of loan charge against it, and landlords aren't in the market to make a loss.

From: Retired Agent 31 October 2016 14:27 PM

And another thing! How many agents have actually studied the new TPO amendments to the Code of Practice and incorporated them into their Terms of Business from 1st October. Er........................yes, you in the corner wake up! Looks like there is plenty of money to be earned in Swansea and Dorset anytime soon by Trading Standards.

From: Retired Agent 25 October 2016 12:32 PM

The private lettings sector will be in turmoil by 2020 as this rate, as the amount by which landlords will have to increase rents might not be attainable. The consequences will be that the amount of available property to rent will be much reduced. As soon as George Osborne introduced this swingeing tax I knew we were in trouble.

From: Retired Agent 07 October 2016 09:45 AM

Crime pays so carry on everyone, it's open house for nicking dosh belonging to tenants with a slap on the wrist if you get caught. Mmmm..........nice!

From: Retired Agent 06 October 2016 11:19 AM

The Government is creating its own housing crisis unless it repeals George Osborne's draconian tax increases on the letting industry pretty quickly. BTL Investors just won't be taking the plunge investing in unprofitable ventures.

From: Retired Agent 04 October 2016 11:14 AM

TPO is dead right! Standards in letting agents is much worse than you think.

From: Retired Agent 04 October 2016 11:11 AM

As I keep saying, agents do not undertake enough training to ensure their staff know what to do. Even though I retired from the industry over two years ago I have several examples of crass incompetence by agents.

From: Retired Agent 14 September 2016 08:28 AM

The main problem with letting agents is that they don't train their staff to an adequate level and that's where the problem lies. I could walk into most letting agents offices and ask staff three questions that they should be able to answer and I doubt if many would correctly answer even one.

From: Retired Agent 02 September 2016 09:34 AM

Applicants are pretty ignorant as most of them could obtain a return of most of the upfront charges as an agent is unlikely to be able to show any breakdown calculation. An application the the local County Court a year or two ago by an applicant who was told that upfront charges (not fees because there is no client earning event) were non-refundable obtained 100% refund after the court decided the agent couldn't justify having a flat charge when the judge asked how they were calculated, and the agent said they were their "standard" charges and was unable to provide a breakdown. Trouble is applicants just go away to the next agent with a reduced bank balance and a poor experience. No wonder the up front charges are a mess!

From: Retired Agent 12 July 2016 19:18 PM

It would have been nice to see where these people are located and in which town/city, as their names alone are rather meaningless except to the persons themselves. Otherwise well done!

From: Retired Agent 18 May 2016 08:52 AM

So what are the chances of these fines & costs being collected then?

From: Retired Agent 30 March 2016 11:36 AM

I'm sorry but this type of agent shouldn't be trading.

From: Retired Agent 16 February 2016 09:55 AM

Most agents ignore the Town& Country Planning Act concerning the wording on boards so it's up to the Local Authorities to use their powers and prosecute. The following (amongst others) all fail to comply with the requirements of the Act:- Let By/Sold By Another one Let/Sold Sale/Let Agreed It's gone! etc., etc. As a reminder the permitted wordings are:- For Sale/To Let Sold/Let subject to contract and that's it! Mind you the agent's wording did make me giggle.

From: Retired Agent 28 January 2016 15:08 PM

I for one was considering adding another BTL to my portfolio but have now abandoned the idea as a direct result of Government policy. Multiply this several times with serious portfolio investors who might now sell some of their properties, and it begins to look like Messrs. Cameron & Osborn have made a really bad decision. Back of a fag packet policies are just not thought through enough. As for the PM not wanting to listen to reason does not surprise me at all. This is definitely one out of the Labour Manifesto book; they haven't said a word!

From: Retired Agent 25 January 2016 09:21 AM

An excellent letter from David Cox. Whether Michael Gove takes on board this sensible approach remains to be seen. As the likelihood that the number of rental properties coming to the market in the next four years will diminish somewhat with the extra stamp duty and new tax regime putting off potential landlords, one can only guess the parlous state that the rental housing market might become by 2020 unless this Government alters its approach to landlord bashing. I was under the distinct impression that the Tory Party was supportive of enterprising landlords, but it appears not. Then again, the Tory party is no longer the Conservative Party either, and more like to liberal regime of Tony Blair. Governments past and present seem to have to interfere with the lettings industry far too much rather than let it get on with what it does best - provide housing for those who cannot afford, or do not wish, to buy.

From: Retired Agent 22 January 2016 11:10 AM

Just a view from beyond the Capital. Rents are not going to provide landlords with the necessary returns at the new rates of stamp duty even though property prices are much lower. There is a finite amount at which a property will let. Any tenant relying upon Housing benefit will also potentially suffer as supply of rental property coming to the market will inevitable be much reduced next year. There are other detrimental factors which could come into play, so I can see the Government finding out the hard way that this poor policy on the hoof. Is George Osborne thinking this will appease the proles, as it's very much a Labour type of policy? I'm surprised Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell haven't congratulated the Chancellor on such a retrograde step, as this is just like being something that would be heartily approved by the Guardianistas.

From: Retired Agent 26 November 2015 18:44 PM

What does it matter what charge an agent makes; the question is - are they any good? I've just used an online letting agent to let a flat I have, and it cost me under £100 to find a decent tenant.

From: Retired Agent 24 November 2015 09:43 AM

A good agent will be able to protect their clients through training and knowledge, something I find lacking within the industry to an alarming amount. Although retired, I just drop in now and again to letting agents and ask them questions as a potential or actual landlord (which happens to be true) and only come away disappointed. I try to keep up with everything via the internet (where everything is there to see) , but there's no end to it and more will come in due course. All the legislation appears to be aimed at poor landlords, and they only account for a small percentage. How sad.

From: Retired Agent 07 October 2015 19:18 PM

Yep! I can see that this could be a real problem. Government Depts. don't necessarily see the wider picture and too much lobbying from pressure groups results in one party or other suffering. We'll just have to wait and see how it pans out.

From: Retired Agent 02 October 2015 14:10 PM

There has always been attempts to "clean-up" the lettings industry but most fail because there aren't enough people to use the legislation to go after those who just disregard it. Take the Consumer Rights Act 2015, whereby agents are obliged to "prominently display" their list of charges to landlords and tenants in their offices and on their website. Most of those I have come across haven't done this and some are not even aware of its existence.

From: Retired Agent 24 July 2015 11:53 AM

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