SCN Lettings

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Will the AIIC stop "flogging the dead horse" on this in a blatant attempt to protect it's own interests. Inventories have been and will continue to be done by agents and landlords on software which is equal to that of the AIIC. Adding in another additional expense to the PRS when it is being hammered on all sides is not helpful and is counter- productive. The AIIC is worried that the fee ban will force agents to bring inventories back in house and thus it's members lose work. So it's trying to mandate it.

From: SCN Lettings 27 July 2018 08:15 AM

You idiot Craw. Do you not realise that such policies are deterring landlord investment and leading to rent increases?

From: SCN Lettings 16 July 2018 08:01 AM

It's all about votes folks. This is really what the idiots in Westminster are saying: "Look at us touchy-feely Tory Government looking after the interests of the poor oppressed tenants. Those nasty landlords and agents - we'll beat them up for you and get you a better deal. We can match the Corbyn offer and go even further. Vote for us!!" According to the Homelet Survey there are 2 million landlords and 4 million tenants.And tenants are on the increase. Do the maths. Landlords are less of a vote winner than tenants. Very soon our hands as agents ( on fees) and landlords ( on rents and tax increases) will be tied so tight you either go out of business, adapt and survive, or sell up and walk away. Less agents ( reduced competition) Less Landlords ( less rental stock) = higher rents. And the political feeding frenzy for votes starts again in a vicious spiral to the bottom where even the most efficient agent, and cost effective landlord cannot turn a profit. And then the PRS is no more. And who will house 4 million tenants. Be careful what you wish for Theresa...

From: SCN Lettings 02 July 2018 08:03 AM

"The campaign is also backed by PAT testing company Hawkesworth Appliance Testing" Go on the NLAs PAT testing course.£100. Get the kit to do it. £100. Charge the landlord for it- £100 per property. Landlord puts it on the rent- £10 a month. Cost to tenant £120 over 12 months. And that's a conservative estimate. Or don't put portable appliances in properties.

From: SCN Lettings 06 June 2018 09:06 AM

And wait until landlords unaware of the tax changes do their accounts for 2017-2018 and find they are having to pay more on the same income. This can only get worse.

From: SCN Lettings 01 June 2018 08:42 AM

"The landlord, who lets four properties in South London" A wealth of experience then. Be interesting to check her tenancy paperwork against a legal compliance checklist.

From: SCN Lettings 30 May 2018 08:42 AM

Landlords are selling because of several reasons. Yes increased regulation is one. But the main reason is Section 24 of the Finance Act which takes away the ability of landlords to deduct the legitimate expense of mortgage interest and replaced it with a tax credit. This in cases of landlords who are in the 40% tax bracket means them paying double what they are paying now. And agents ARE selling landlords property management services but if a property is actually losing them money in terms of cashflow then they will cut their losses and go. Rental stock is plummeting and rents are rising due in the most part to Section 24. See https://www.facebook.com/clause24/

From: SCN Lettings 16 May 2018 08:43 AM

Unfortunately landlords and agents are the "in vogue" whipping boys ( and girls) at the moment. As politicians chase Generation Rent's vote, so the press chases it's readership for sales.

From: SCN Lettings 27 April 2018 08:05 AM

It's like watching an episode of Batman. "Biff" "Bosh" "Kapow" . Do these idiots not realise that by constantly beating landlords up then the ones who are will quit, and the ones who want to be, won't. More regulatory burden on agents. Increasing demand, reducing supply and choice for landlords and tenants. Well done HM Government, Shelter, and the other left wing leaning pressure groups. You will and are reaping what you sow.

From: SCN Lettings 19 April 2018 08:11 AM

Rather than banging on about "independent inventories" the new Chair may get more of a response if he worked with letting agents rather than disrespecting any inventories done by them as not being as good as those done by his membership.

From: SCN Lettings 13 April 2018 07:57 AM

“It’s a systemic problem, and the real issue is the shortage of good properties in the rented sector.” The real issue is because of Shelters campaigning against landlords and agents resulting in Section 24, SDLT increases, fee bans etc then investment in the sector has fallen when demand is increasing leading to less properties and higher rents. Well done Shelter for achieving exactly the opposite of what you were set up to do.

From: SCN Lettings 09 April 2018 08:12 AM

And therein lies the problem. Some agents have been charging £400 to £500 in fees when £200 is probably about right. So the rest of us are being punished for the actions of the minority. Ultimately the tenant will pay through a higher rent. And who will pay for all the letters and phone calls chasing the late payers? Oh that's right-the agent will as they cannot charge a fee.

From: SCN Lettings 04 April 2018 08:33 AM

Will we have to pick up a burning brazier with our forearms and sear "UKLA" or "ARLA" into them to prove we are "worthy"? ( Courtesy of David Carradine for those that remember it)

From: SCN Lettings 03 April 2018 09:27 AM

Simon don't hold your breath. Whilst the proposals are sensible then knowing this government's penchant to beat up agents and landlords at every turn then I fear it will.

From: SCN Lettings 01 April 2018 09:12 AM

The key phrase here is "may be". This case is not a legal precedent. All that will happen is agents will phrase adverts differently.

From: SCN Lettings 27 February 2018 08:11 AM

A blatant attempt at protectionism by the AIIC which is destined to fail. All this will do is alienate it against letting agents and landlords who will be less likely to use oursourced inventory providers and bring it in house due to the impending tenant fee ban. That's what it's all about. So the AIIC have dressed it up as " independent" inventory compilation. There is a ckear inference that agents are not competent and cannot be trusted. So let's make the whole letting process " independent" then. An "independent" agent who lists the property; one who does the let for the landlord; another who deals with the tenant. That would work really well. I don't think.

From: SCN Lettings 09 February 2018 08:08 AM

Agreed. Whilst there are landlords who can let and manage their own properties, there are are those that choose not to for reasons of time and / or the burden of compliance with increasing legislation. Not many working landlords want to spend the average 16 hours it takes for a let from start to finish. Plus the fact that many landlords do not want the 4am emergency call ( or the one on the beach !) saying there is a leak or other maintenance issue.

From: SCN Lettings 30 November 2017 07:54 AM

Stats from the Elmhurst EPC provider site state: "There are 11% of domestic properties that reach an energy efficiency rating (SAP rating) of A or B, 65% C or D and still 24% of England and Wales properties are languishing with ratings of E,F or G" So councils that exclude E F and G will effectively reduce rental stock by almost a quarter. At a time when landlords are exiting the sector due to section 24 Finance Act, stamp duty, and general landlord bashing by the government. So increased demand and less properties. What do we think that will do to affordable rents? Well done indeed Walsall Council.

From: SCN Lettings 16 November 2017 11:07 AM

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