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KEYWORD "Housing Benefit" - 100 RESULTS
Agents Tell Politicians - Stop Arguing and Repair Private Renting

Political parties should stop bickering and instead work together to improve the private rental sector. That’s the view of the Lettings industry...

17 April 2024

From: Breaking News

Local Housing Allowance - momentum grows for annual increase

Propertymark is joining a growing chorus demanding an annual uprate of working age benefits and Local Housing Allowance. LHA rates have been...

25 March 2024

From: Breaking News

Shelter lobbies politicians with ‘rental plan to end homelessness’

Shelter is calling for the construction of 90,000 rental properties each year for a decade - and it claims this would...

27 February 2024

From: Breaking News

Labour will keep Right To Buy in England if it wins election

Labour says it will keep the controversal Right To Buy policy in England if it wins this year’s General Election. This is...

02 January 2024

From: Breaking News

Rural tenants hit hardest by rent rises caused by stock shortage

Private sector tenants in rural areas are facing the brunt of growing rents, according to new research. Whilst some measures suggest tenants...

14 December 2023

From: Breaking News

Local Housing Allowance - call for even more help for low-income renters

Low-income renters will get a boost next spring - but a pressure group wants more government help for this sector. The Chancellor’s...

12 December 2023

From: Breaking News

Homelessness surge means Chancellor must invest in rental sector - call

New figures have shown that 2,086 people were found to be sleeping on London’s streets for the first time between July...

07 November 2023

From: Breaking News

Agents demand payment changes in upcoming Autumn Statement

Propertymark is urging the government to use next month’s Autumn Statement to support low-income households in the private rented sector in...

26 October 2023

From: Breaking News

Seminar for Letting Agents ahead of major benefits shake-up

Social housing provider Caridon Property is hosting a series of free seminars to prepare letting agents for the migration of Housing...

09 October 2023

From: Breaking News

Rent Controls at heart of Shelter’s General Election manifesto

Shelter has published what it calls a General Election manifesto with rent controls at its heart. Called The Way Home: a manifesto to...

25 September 2023

From: Breaking News

Watchdog to Probe Five Issues Involving Agents and Landlords

The Competitioin and Markets Authority is to probe five activities involving letting agents and landlords and their responsibilities to private tenants. Sarah...

25 August 2023

From: Breaking News

Charity wants taxpayers money to help renters during crisis

Citizens Advice is calling on the government to provide an unspecified amount of assistance to renters during the current cost of...

31 July 2023

From: Breaking News

Charity slams government over gap between rents and benefits

Crisis, the homelessness charity, has slammed the government over the growing gap between housing benefit levels and even the lower end...

28 July 2023

From: Breaking News

‘Bad to disastrous’ - sharp fall in private rental listings

New research shows a 41 per cent reduction in the number of London properties available for private rent since the Covid-19...

06 July 2023

From: Breaking News

Chancellor’s Crisis Meeting - pleas for rental help mount

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is today charing a crisis meeting of mortgage lenders, as calls mount for him to take action to...

23 June 2023

From: Breaking News

Politicians told to do more to help tenants on benefits

Propertymark has told a group of MPs that many benefit recipients are excluded from the private rented sector due to the...

15 May 2023

From: Breaking News

Shelter angry at Hunt’s ‘nothing about housing’ Budget

Campaigning charity Shelter is angry with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt over his Budget  While most in the property industry have expressed relief that there...

16 March 2023

From: Breaking News

Campaigners claim dramatic rise in Section 21 evictions

Shelter claims government figures show 5,940 households were “threatened with homelessness” in England as a result of Section 21 evictions between April...

29 November 2022

From: Breaking News

Rents soar ahead of frozen benefits, triggering homelessness fear

The average gap between housing benefit rates and the actual cost of rents has grown by more than 40 per cent...

31 October 2022

From: Breaking News

Homelessness spike threat as private rents soar even higher - claim

London faces a possible homelessness spike this winter due to the cost-of-living crisis and increases in private rents, a group of...

05 September 2022

From: Breaking News

 Zoopla and charity launch campaign for higher benefits for tenants

Zoopla is warning that low-income renters across England are facing a ‘housing black hole’ due to soaring rents and the freeze...

25 August 2022

From: Breaking News

Generation Rent and Shelter demand action from Truss and Sunak

It has emerged that Generation Rent and Shelter are amongst the charities that have written to Conservative leadership contenders Liz Truss...

17 August 2022

From: Breaking News

Shocking claims about public cash for 'exempt rental accommodation'

A newspaper probe has discovered that sow-called exempt accommodation - often for the most vulnerable tenants - has received a Hugh...

04 July 2022

From: Breaking News

Rental Reform aimed mostly at north of England, government admits

The government is admitting that its rental reform agenda is aimed primarily at the north of England - which just happens...

12 May 2022

From: Breaking News

Lettings trainer wants more public cash for rental enforcement

Lettings accreditation and training service Safeagent is calling on the government to make more public cash available for councils to exercise...

19 April 2022

From: Breaking News

Agents fight back in row over quality of private rental stock and repairs

ARLA Propertymark has hit back in this week’s debate on the quality of private rental property, following sharp criticism in a...

14 April 2022

From: Breaking News

Thousands of tenants must accept “appalling conditions” - Shelter

Thousands of tenants have no choice but to accept “appalling conditions” according to the chief executive of campaigning charity Shelter. Polly Neate...

14 April 2022

From: Breaking News

Private rental property conditions and enforcement slammed by MPs

Private rental property conditions and the enforcement of regulations by councils and government have all been in the firing line from...

13 April 2022

From: Breaking News

Politicians slam private rentals as “increasingly unaffordable”

A report from the House of Lords has condemned the private rental sector as being ”increasingly unaffordable” as well as being...

11 January 2022

From: Breaking News

Councils warn that Airbnbs threaten mainstream rental supply

Landlords selling up or converting to short lets have led to a growing housing crisis, according to a trade body of...

14 December 2021

From: Breaking News

No more red tape! - Agents warn government to get reform right

ARLA Propertymark is backing a call for the government to set a clear vision for how it sees the private rental...

13 December 2021

From: Breaking News

Covid-created arrears still rising, warns trade body

The National Residential Landlords Association says average rent debt owed by tenants as a direct result of the pandemic is still...

09 December 2021

From: Breaking News

High-level enquiry into ‘exempt’ rental accommodation

A major Select Committee of MPs has launched an enquiry into so-called exempt rental sector accommodation - a niche sector that...

09 December 2021

From: Breaking News

Safeagent at odds with lettings groups over Covid arrears solution

Not-for-profit accreditation scheme safeagent wants the government to help tenants clear Covid-related arrears through an overhaul of Discretionary Housing Payments. Enhancing these...

30 September 2021

From: Breaking News

Potential ‘cliff edge’ for renters and landlords as furlough winds up

Private tenants and landlords across the country face a cliff edge as the end of furlough coincides with cuts to benefit...

21 September 2021

From: Breaking News

Propertymark steps up attack on government benefit cuts

Earlier this week Propertymark revealed it had co-signed an open letter criticising proposed government cuts to benefits.  That open letter was co-signed...

19 August 2021

From: Breaking News

Agents back charity groups over poverty threat from benefit cuts

Propertymark has joined a series of charities and a landlord body to warn about the poverty risk of expected changes to...

17 August 2021

From: Breaking News

Discrimination against tenants on benefits is fault of government - new report

A leading trade body says the rental sector must not discriminate against tenants on benefits - and has told government it...

25 June 2021

From: Breaking News

Private sector could benefit from letting to social tenants - claim

A property investment platform has taken the unusual approach of accusing the government of driving up homelessness through its policy of...

15 June 2021

From: Breaking News

'No DSS' - apology by lettings agency after advertisement blunder

A lettings agency which markets private rental properties and units operated by a housing association has apologised for its ‘No DSS’...

27 May 2021

From: Breaking News

Activists stage DSS protest outside agency office

Activists from the Acorn renters' campaign group have held a protest outside a branch of Chancellors in Oxford. The group says the...

04 May 2021

From: Breaking News

‘No DSS’ - Agency unlawfully discriminated against tenant

Another lettings agency has been found to have unlawfully discriminated against a tenant receiving benefits. Worthing County Court declared that Michael Jones & Company unlawfully...

21 April 2021

From: Breaking News

Rent guarantees could mean more DSS tenants in private sector

Rent guarantees and upfront cash payments from local authorities are the most effective means of opening the private rented sector to...

09 April 2021

From: Breaking News

Tenant loans the only answer to growing arrears, says think tank

A think tank says large scale intervention in the rental market via loans to tenants is the only way of addressing...

16 February 2021

From: Breaking News

Eviction ban backed by loan scheme paid directly to agents in Wales

While the Westminster government has extended its version of the eviction ban in England until February 21, a longer ban -...

11 January 2021

From: Breaking News

Agents tell government: Get a grip on rental debt

Letting agents have joined forces with other players in the rental industry to demand the government finally get a grip on...

08 January 2021

From: Breaking News

Think tank wants government help for households hit by pandemic

The Resolution Foundation has added its voice to that of many charities and other think tanks demanding more government support for...

17 November 2020

From: Breaking News

Probe into rental rooms exempt from mainstream rental regulations

A local authority is launching a six month probe into rooms let out but exempt from rental sector regulation. The project is...

22 October 2020

From: Breaking News

Agency told ‘No DSS’ policy was unlawful and discriminatory

A lettings agency that told a prospective tenant it had a policy of not offering tenancies to housing benefit recipients has...

10 September 2020

From: Breaking News

Letting agents link with critics to demand public cash for renters

ARLA and the NRLA have teamed up with charities - some usually critical of letting agents and landlords - to lobby...

01 September 2020

From: Breaking News

Reminder to agents to review advertising following No DSS ruling

A property litigation expert is warning letting agents and landlords about far-reaching consequences of the recent ruling which declared a blanket...

06 August 2020

From: Breaking News

Pre-qualify tenants before a viewing and reference them with one shareable viewing link from your CRM.

Can technology bring about the lasting change needed to the property industry? The industry has felt the effect of lockdown and...

28 July 2020

From: Sponsored Content

PM presses Starmer on Labour’s “stamp duty bung” claim

The Prime Minister has stepped into the ongoing row over a Labour claim that last week’s stamp duty holiday was merely...

16 July 2020

From: Breaking News

Shelter “doubling up” its checks on letting agents for compliance

Campaigning charity Shelter says it is “doubling up” its efforts to make sure letting agents comply with anti-discrimination legislation when it...

15 July 2020

From: Breaking News

Landlords ordered to repay nearly £5,000 after council probe

Two Bristol landlords have been ordered to repay nearly £5,000 following investigations by the council’s so called rogue landlord unit. One, Lucy...

24 June 2020

From: Breaking News

Properties seized from landlord who held group of men as slaves

A buy to let investor who kept a group of men as slaves – making them work 90-hour weeks in return...

04 June 2020

From: Breaking News

Guide for letting agents produced by … Shelter

Campaigning charity Shelter, which has been outspoken in its criticism of many letting agents in recent years, has now produced a...

15 May 2020

From: Breaking News

No rent rises for a year! Anti-agent group demands a ban on increases

The Generation Rent pressure group, fiercely critical of agents and landlords in recent months, wants the government to implement a 12 month...

14 April 2020

From: Breaking News

Renters worse off than owners in virus crisis, claims think tank

Families living in private rented accommodation are more exposed to the economic shock of the Coronavirus than homeowners, which could mean...

09 April 2020

From: Breaking News

All court possession orders suspended immediately

All court possession orders are being suspended from today as part of the changes to the private rental sector to cope...

27 March 2020

From: Breaking News

Agents warned by Ombudsman: Don’t discriminate on DSS claimants

The Property Ombudsman is warning agents not to discriminate against tenants through a No DSS or any similar policy. Following the legal...

05 March 2020

From: Breaking News

Professor slams “record incomes for landlords” and private rental sector

The private rental sector has come under attack for its conditions and costs to tenants in a report looking into health...

26 February 2020

From: Breaking News

Council wants private landlords to allow rough sleepers in homes

A new service called Cornwall Housing Private Lets has been set up in the west country to try to lure private...

11 February 2020

From: Breaking News

Many tenants unable to afford rent despite  allowance reform

Plans to end the freeze on housing benefits will still leave many tenants unable to afford rent say landlords. Following the announcement...

15 January 2020

From: Breaking News

Labour to end Right To Rent but shift rental sector power to tenants

As the battle of political policies continues ahead of next month’s General Election, now Labour has unveiled a raft of initiatives...

22 November 2019

From: Breaking News

Rising rent is “a headwind” battering poor tenants, says think tank

Higher housing costs - including private sector rents - have reduced incomes and increased inequality as the poorest families have borne...

11 November 2019

From: Breaking News

New law to ban landlord from letting for five years is backed by solicitor firm

A new piece of legislation has been invoked to ban a landlord from any involvement in the private rental sector for...

30 October 2019

From: Breaking News

Increase housing benefit in line with rents, charities urge government

Two housing charities have called for the government to invest more in housing benefit so it rises in line with private...

10 October 2019

From: Breaking News

A fifth of rental homes would go if Section 21 is scrapped - claim

The private rented sector would shrink by 20 per cent if Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions are abolished, according to an economic...

30 September 2019

From: Breaking News

Housing Minister backs first-ever Banning Order used on rogue landlord

A Shropshire man has become the first in England to be banned from being a landlord.  In a case brought by Telford...

19 September 2019

From: Breaking News

Tenants’ arrears up because of Universal Credit - claim

Universal Credit is causing tenants to fall behind with their rent according to lettings sector trade body the Residential Landlords Association. It...

27 August 2019

From: Breaking News

Insecure tenancies and expensive rents slammed by all-party MPs group

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Housing and Care for Older People has sharply criticised the PRS as being ill-equipped to cater...

18 July 2019

From: Breaking News

Benefits tenants could be biggest losers if Section 21 is scrapped

Tenants on state benefits could be the 'biggest casualties' of the government's 'ill-thought-out' plans to scrap the Section 21 evictions process,...

05 July 2019

From: Breaking News

Let your property through us and pay no fees, says council

Private landlords are being asked to consider letting out their properties through the local council.  Slough council is looking for flats and...

13 June 2019

From: Breaking News

Daniel Gibson, director at Daniel Craig Residential

Who are you and what does it say on your business card?  My name is Daniel and I’m a director at...

30 April 2019

From: 60 Second Interview

Rightmove bans ‘No DSS’ from listings and falls in line with Zoopla

Rightmove has fallen in line with Zoopla and is banning the term ‘No DSS’ from its lettings agents’ listings from the...

16 April 2019

From: Breaking News

Revealed: councils’ feeble enforcement against rogue operators

Figures given through a Parliamentary answer have revealed just how bad councils in England are at policing and enforcement action against...

29 March 2019

From: Breaking News

Thumbs up for Zoopla's 'No DSS' listings ban

The Residential Landlords Association has given its backing to Zoopla’s ban on agents and landlords advertising properties to rent as ‘No...

18 March 2019

From: Breaking News

Zoopla bans ‘No DSS’ restrictions from all lettings listings

Zoopla says it’s introducing new measures to minimise the presence of what it calls “blanket restrictions” imposed on tenants who receive...

15 March 2019

From: Breaking News

'No DSS' - momentum building to end bias against benefit tenants

Momentum is building in the campaign to end ‘No DSS’ discrimination against private rental sector tenants in receipt of housing benefit. Late...

05 March 2019

From: Breaking News

New clampdown on 'No DSS' ads by letting agents and landlords

The government says it wants “an immediate change” in the policy of some letting agents and landlords who advertise ‘No DSS’...

04 March 2019

From: Breaking News

Massive pay-out: council gives £100,000 to landlord after slander claim

Doncaster council has paid £100,000 to a private landlord who threatened to take it to court over alleged slander.  Local media outlets say...

28 February 2019

From: Breaking News

Private rents take LESS of tenants' income while social rents rocket

You may be forgiven for thinking that rent takes up an ever-greater proportion of tenants’ income - but new figures out...

14 February 2019

From: Breaking News

Government to blame for high poverty in rental sector, claims lettings body

A lettings sector trade body has put the blame firmly on government for the scale of poverty amongst those who privately...

11 February 2019

From: Breaking News

'Change it now!' - Lettings group demands more Universal Credit reform

The Residential Landlords Association says the government’s changes to Universal Credit don’t go far enough to prevent rent arrears. The RLA says...

07 February 2019

From: Breaking News

Big penalty for owners of buy to let property shut down by the police

The owner of a buy to let property already shut by police has been fined by a court in Devon.  In June...

18 December 2018

From: Breaking News

Angry agent serves rent rise on Cabinet minister in fury at deposit cap

An angry lettings agent has emailed Cabinet minister James Brokenshire to show his disgust at the government’s U-turn over deposit caps. In...

06 December 2018

From: Breaking News

Anti-letting agents group stages more direct action protests

A pressure group that in the past has protested outside letting agency branches has staged more direct action - this time against...

26 November 2018

From: Breaking News

Homelessness triggered by Housing Benefit not private rental sector

A substantial study by university academics suggests that changes to the benefit system lie behind the long-term rise in homelessness from...

21 November 2018

From: Breaking News

Labour MP demands government clarity on moves against landlords

The Labour MP who chairs the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee in the House of Commons is pressing the government...

06 November 2018

From: Breaking News

Expelled! Two agencies kicked out of TPO for failing to pay awards

Two lettings agencies have been expelled from The Property Ombudsman scheme for failing to pay awards. One is OJ Residentials Limited trading...

05 November 2018

From: Breaking News

Rent Repayment Order issued - £4,000 in rent to be handed back

A landlord had been ordered to give back almost £4,000 that was paid to him while operating without a licence. The case...

29 October 2018

From: Breaking News

Don't discriminate against benefit claimants buy to let lenders told

Urgent action is needed to tackle discrimination against benefit claimants by buy to let mortgage providers according to a leading trade...

22 October 2018

From: Breaking News

One of the first: landlord repays housing benefit following new legislation

An Essex council claims it is one of the first to be granted a rent repayment order - part of legislation...

31 August 2018

From: Breaking News

Housing Benefit Row: 'the system is at fault, not the rental sector'

The ongoing debate over some letting agents and landlords allegedly refusing to accept tenants in receipt of housing benefit has now...

24 August 2018

From: Breaking News

Shelter told ‘vilifying letting agents won't solve the housing crisis’

The National Approved Lettings Scheme has issued a sharp rebuke to Shelter and the National Housing Federation following their controversial ‘End...

23 August 2018

From: Breaking News

Not true! Agents reject claim of discriminating against benefit tenants

Lettings agents’ representatives have hit back at an accusation of discrimination made against the industry. A report by Shelter and the National...

22 August 2018

From: Breaking News

More tenant-power and rent controls demanded by key think-tank

An influential think tank is calling on government to radically reform the private rental sector because a generation of young people...

18 April 2018

From: Breaking News

Agents who say 'No DSS tenants' may be acting unlawfully

Letting agents who act on landlords’ instructions to refuse tenants claiming benefits may be breaking the law. A legal case recently found...

27 February 2018

From: Breaking News

Trade body welcomes U-turn on Universal Credit 'direct payments'

There has been a warm welcome for government changes to Universal Credit by the Residential Landlords Association.  The Department for Work and...

08 January 2018

From: Breaking News

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