By Admin Housing Act UK 0 Comments

What is The Housing Act 1988 and Why it is important?

The Housing Act of 1988 is a property law in the United Kingdom which covers several areas, exceptions to the rules laying it down; which can be a bit confusing. The act is important and if you are a Landlord and you want to understand this law, breaking down its purposes is important.

Encountering Housing Act 1988

Almost all Landlords will encounter the Housing Act 1988. This law is referenced several times in tenancy agreements that every Landlord signs. The law dictates the majority of the law that deals with the conflicting rights of both Landlords and Tenants.UK Housing Act 1988

Essentially, the act is a law governing the private rental industry and the parties making up that sector. It can be simply likened to a rule book that contains the statutory rights, as well as the legal responsibilities of both Landlords and Tenants.

Some people make the common mistake of confusing this law with that of a tenancy agreement. They are definitely one and the same. Tenancy agreements are the binding contract that involves two parties agreeing in certain conditions about individual tenancy. This contract is the document that specifies the amount of rent to be paid, as well as the length of time that the tenant will occupy the property. The Act or the law, on the other hand, is the rule stipulating the conditions that can and cannot be included in the tenancy agreement. So, basically, the law governs what the agreement should be all about.

The Importance of the Housing Act 1988

If you are a Landlord, then you need to know the importance of the Act. It is a necessity that you make sure that every clause in tenancy agreement is written in accordance with the Act.

Non-compliance with the law makes your tenancy agreement invalid. Keep in mind that the Act is a ruling law and it can never be overwritten. The law is particularly stringent regarding to the shorthold assured tenancy agreements, and these were introduced together with the law itself.

Purpose of Housing Act 1988

The Act was created for a purpose. It provided the solution to the previous problem of Landlords regarding property laws that were in favour of the Tenants. Prior to the creation of the Housing Act 1988, Tenants were able to stay in their rented properties indefinitely, and they were even able to pass the residency to their heirs. This kind of practice made it almost impossible for the Landlords to regain possession of their properties. The Tenants could not be forced out of the properties because they were protected by the law.

Before the Housing Act 1988, there were shortage of available rental properties because many property owners became unwilling to rent out their property. With the creation of the Act, Landlords were given equal protection with what the Tenants were getting.

The Act made changes in some of the old property law’s rulings. One significant change is that the rent regulation was significantly reduced, giving the Landlords the freedom to charge as they please.

By Admin Immersion Heater Repair UK 0 Comments

Immersion heater repairs – Finding the right company

As far as household bills go, heating your water is one of the biggest costs you will ever have to endure, which is why so many people are looking for the best possible sources of hot water in the first place. Over the last decade or so, combi boilers have become hugely popular, and were, at one point, considered the be all and end all of household water heating. Immersion heaters however, have slowly been making a comeback and nowadays, when you consider how far immersion heating technology has advanced, it’s easy to understand why.

Immersion heaters are basically large water tanks with heating elements inside of them that heat up and thereby heat up the water in the tank. They’re great as backup water supplies, and can be pre-set to heat the water during hours when energy tariffs are cheaper. Sadly, like all devices, immersion heaters are not indestructible and they will need maintaining and possibly even repairing from time to time. In order for you to get the most out of your immersion heater however, you’ll need to find the right repairman, or the right repair company, for the task at hand, and with this handy guide, you’ll be able to do just that. Here are some handy tips to help you find the right company to repair and maintain your immersion heater.London immersion heaters repair uk

Find out how experienced they are – When it comes to immersion heater repairs, as immersion heaters have been in and out of fashion for so long, finding a company/worker who has extensive experience with working with them is easier said than done. Just because a company specialises in boiler repairs, that doesn’t mean that they will necessarily have experience of working with immersion heaters. If you ask them, more often than not they’ll tell you that they’re experienced, because they’ll want your service and will want your money. Many companies sadly just try to ride their luck, and will fob the customer off with some excuse as to why they can’t repair the device, when in reality, they just generally don’t know what they’re doing. When choosing a company to work with your immersion heater, take the time to find out just how experienced they really are with immersion heaters.

Ask for recommendations – A great way of finding out whether or not a worker/company is any good or not is to basically ask for recommendations from other people. There are many specialist forums online nowadays that allow users to ask questions and receive informed answers. For example, you can ask for recommendations for companies/workers from other people who happen to have immersion heaters themselves. That way, you know the advice you’re receiving is solid, and you know that the company is indeed capable of working with immersion heaters.

Don’t just opt for the cheapest option – We all know how tight funds are these days, and we know that every penny counts, so finding great deals is an essential part of day to day life. With that being said however, there are some things that you simply can’t scrimp and scrape by on, especially where expensive pieces of household equipment are concerned. When looking for somebody to work with your immersion heater, rather than looking for the cheapest possible option, you should instead look for companies with great reputations and great reviews. If a company is cheap, you have to ask yourself why that is, and whilst they may be being competitive, they may be cheap because sadly, they just aren’t up to the job.

Get several quotes – Although you shouldn’t just focus on the cost, of course you’ll want to get the best value for money, so take the time to find companies that potentially sound like they can provide you with the services that you’re looking for, and then go ahead and get a quote. Again, repeat the same process with a different company and see if they can match or beat your previous quote. Get at least three quotes, compare them, and then use these to help you to narrow down your search for your immersion heater repairs specialist.

Do your own research – Finally, the last thing you should do when it comes to choosing an immersion heater repairs specialist is to find a company you’re interested in and to then do your own research on them. Google the name of the company and see what comes up. If they’ve been involved in any especially scandalous activities, articles from newspapers and tabloids may appear. More often than not however, you’ll find links to websites and review sites, so read these reviews, take a look at their site and potential social media pages, and see what you can find out. If you like what you see, then great, you could very well have found your immersion heater repairs specialist.

By Admin Landlord 0 Comments

My Tenant won’t allow me to enter the Property for viewings?

Landlords and Tenants may have a good relationship, but there will come a time when a misunderstanding will ensue. This usually happens when the contract is about to expire and the Tenant is about to leave the property. Sometimes, Landlords want potential new tenants to be able to view the property while the current Tenant is still in residence. Some Tenants may be fine with that, but there are those Tenants that would rather not have strangers going to and from the property. This kind of attitude from Tenants is quite understandable.

Tenant’s Refusal for Landlord EntryTenant won’t allow me

So, the question is this: Can the Tenant refuse the Landlord entry for viewing? The answer is, yes. It is the Tenant’s given right to deny their Landlord access to the property for viewings – or even for general maintenance or inspections, for that matter. The Tenants are currently the ones holding the right to possession and lawful enjoyment and use of the premises, also bearing in mind that while the Tenant resides in the property, their belongings are in there. This may not seem reasonable to the Landlords, but that is just the way it is.

The law protects the Tenants. So, it does not really matter if the Landlord or the letting agent think otherwise. Until the tenancy agreement is terminated legally, the Tenant has the right to enjoy the premises, and they can easily deny anyone from entering the property. The landlord or the agent can only gain access after gaining permission from the Tenant. Therefore, if the Tenant refused, no one can enter the property.

The Case from the Landlord’s Perspective

Tenants have protection from the law. That means that the landlord cannot harass the Tenant to allow them entry into the premises for whatever reason.

If the Landlord can get the Tenant to agree to give them access for viewing, only then can they show the property to new potential Tenants. The need to have the property inspected by new people is important for Landlords. They are simply eager to make sure that the property will not be vacant for a long time after the current Tenant leaves.

The Best Solution

The truth is that most Tenants do not usually have any problem letting the Landlord gain entry for viewings. The trick here is to be properly co-ordinated, all the Landlord needs to do is to discuss the matter with the Tenant. The Tenant should be able to set a few rules. For instance, the viewing should only be scheduled at a time that they are home and available to accept the guests.

Also, the Landlord should assure the Tenant that the whole viewing process is not going to take longer than what is necessary. Tenants are naturally protective of their belongings, and while they are in residence, the property is legally among their belongings.

So, if you are a Landlord and you want to be allowed entry into the rented property, your best option is to co-ordinate viewing times with your Tenant. Discuss everything and assure your Tenant that you – and whoever it is who will enter the premises – are going to respect the privacy of the current occupants.

By Admin Extractor Fan Installation Services London 0 Comments

Extractor Fan Installation Benefits

When it comes to keeping our homes fresh, efficient, hygienic, and just generally nice places to live in, there are many appliances that we can purchase and install, all of which have been designed to serve a very real and very useful purpose. When it comes to common examples of these appliances however, many of us don’t realise the importance of an extractor fan. Extractor fans come in all shapes and sizes, and can be installed in any room in the home.

Despite this, the two most common locations in which you are likely to find an extractor fan, are: the kitchen, and, the bathroom. Like all household products and appliances, some extractor fans are far more efficient than others, and some, sadly, are a complete waste of money, which is why it’s so important that you find the best possible extractor fan for your budget. There are many extractor fan installation benefits that homeowners can expect to enjoy as a result of these products, which is why we’ll be taking a look at some of the more prominent examples right now.Extractor fan installation london

Removal of smoke – Let’s face it, no matter how great we are in the kitchen, there will have been times when we’ve managed to burn the dinner, or have simply had the heat of the pan too high and have subsequently managed to fill the entire kitchen, and the surrounding rooms, with smoke. None of us want to have to sit in a smoky house, especially if the smoke contains greasy food particles that cling to the walls, clothing, and furniture, making you and your home smell like a fast food restaurant. The great thing about having an extractor fan in your kitchen, is the fact that once the device is switched on, it will quickly remove any excess smoke from the air, clearing the kitchen and the surrounding rooms in a manner of minutes. Usually, when you burn something and fill the kitchen with smoke, you have to open doors and windows, which lets hot air out and allows cold air to flood in, which is hardly energy efficient. With extractor fans, you switch the fan on, sit back, and let it work its magic.

Removal of odours – Another great benefit associated with extractor fans, is the fact that they’re also very effective for when it comes to odour control. When you fry foods on your hob, obviously you don’t want your home to smell like a restaurant, but perhaps more importantly, when you perform, certain, shall we say, bodily functions in the bathroom, the odours produced aren’t too pleasant, so obviously we want them out of there as quickly as possible, which is why bathroom extractor fans can be so beneficial.

Humidity control – Another key extractor fan installation benefit is the fact that these fans are fantastic for controlling humidity in the home. When you steam or boil foods in the kitchen, if you don’t have your extractor fan switched on, you’ll notice your windows steaming up and condensation dripping down your walls, which could damage the paintwork and window seals. In bathrooms, with hot showers and baths, steam from the water could again strip off the paintwork and could cause damp and mould patches, which would then pose serious risks to your health and well-being. Extractor fans suck away steam and humidity from the air, so you don’t have to worry about the damages and effects caused by mould and damp.

Temperature control – Another commonly overlooked benefit of extractor fan installation, is that not only are they great for removing humidity, odours, and smoke, but they’re also great for helping to regulate the temperature by removing excess hot air. During the winter, warm air is welcome in your home, but during the summer, hot air can make life pretty unbearable for many of us, which is why extractor fans are so great. You see, these fans can help to suck away excess hot air, leaving you with a much cooler and much more comfortable room in the process. Heat rises and can often accumulate around the ceiling, but what an extractor fan does, is actually remove the hot air and helps to regulate the temperature.

Maintains wall and ceiling condition – As mentioned, hot air, humidity, and grease, are all not nice things to have in the home, and, overtime, if left unaddressed, they can actually damage your walls and ceilings, which, if you’re lucky, will simply mean you have to re=paint them, yet if you’re not lucky, it can cause cracks, chips, mould, damp, mildew, condensation, staining, and much more. Having to paint your walls and ceilings is bad enough, but having to have them re-plastered and resealed can be expensive and stressful, and can easily be avoided by simply switching on your extractor fan. If you want to save money and keep your home in great condition, extractor fan installation could be the answer to all of your troubles.

By Admin Tenancy Agreement 0 Comments

Can My Tenant End A Tenancy Agreement Early?

Tenancy Agreements are drafted for a particular reason, to protect both Landlords and Tenants. The terms and conditions included in this kind of agreement are important and should be complied with at all times – as much as possible.

Of course, there are times and instances when one of the signed parties may have the need to go against the agreement. For example, what if the tenant decides to vacate the property before the indicated end of the contract? For a landlord like yourself, you could be wondering about what you should do and what your rights are.End a Tenancy Agreement Early

Leaving During Tenancy

To answer the question above, the answer is yes. Your tenant can end the tenancy agreement early, but only if you agree. If there is a clear agreement between you and your tenant to terminate the contract earlier than the agreed date, then everything is legal and binding. This is what is called Surrendering Tenancy.

Your tenant can surrender their tenancy in two ways. The first one is by giving up their property occupation and by you accepting this. The tenant then hands over the keys to the property to you after you accepted that the tenancy is over and you once again have possession of the property.

The second means of surrendering tenancy is the legal way of declaring surrender. This happens when your tenant signs a written document called the Surrender of Tenancy Letter. This document proves that your tenant has voluntarily given up their possession of your property back to you.

It is important that you understand that your tenant cannot terminate the agreement unless you agree to it. If your tenant refuses to stay in the property and pushes with the termination of the agreement, you have every right to expect them to pay you for the rent that they should pay for the whole length of the contract. It is your tenant’s obligation to fulfil what is agreed on the fixed term agreement.

As a landlord, here are some of your options:

  • You can continue enforcing payments from your tenant since they are liable until such a time that the tenancy gets terminated legally
  • Your tenant can provide you with a new tenant, but you do not have to accept the new tenant if you do not deem them to be acceptable
  • You may allow the termination of the tenancy based on financial settlement – like if your tenant offers an acceptable compensation fee
  • You can also oblige your tenant to pay for the costs that would incur for finding new tenants – agency fees, advertising, and such

Or,

  • you can simply let the tenant terminate the agreement

In case your tenant informs you that they want to end their tenancy before the and date of the agreement, it is your right to demand an explanation. Then you and your tenant should discuss the possible settlements. Everything will be legally settled if you and your tenant can come to a mutual agreement that will benefit you both.