Paul Shamplina and Kate Faulkner release latest edition of their book, The Landlord’s Friend

Today, with more than 170 pieces of landlord legislation in place, two well-known names in the world of property, Paul Shamplina and Kate Faulkner, have once again joined forces to co-write a new version of their book ‘The Landlord’s Friend’. Its aim is to help both novice and seasoned landlords navigate their way through the ever-changing Private Rented Sector (PRS) with an A-Z of legal advice and practical tips....

Abolishing Section 21 without making Section 8 fully “fit for purpose” will have dire consequences on our housing supply

Yesterday (15th April 2019), the government has outlined plans to consult on new legislation to abolish Section 21 in a bid to end so called ‘no-fault’ evictions.

Although this is not a surprise move, it is one that, if goes ahead as suggested (i.e. full abolition of Section 21), will be game-changing for the private rented sector....

Having a tenant from hell – it can make or break you as a landlord

Last month, during filming for the next series of ‘Bad Tenants, Rogue Landlords’ (due to air on Channel 5 later this year), we carried out an eviction in Cardiff.

Although Landlord Action features in a programme with the term ‘rogue landlord’ in the title, I’m a little tired of the phrase being bandied about so freely in the press that the adjective ‘rogue’ seems to permanently precede the word ‘landlord’....

More than half of landlords use Section 21 because of rent arrears…
because of Section 8 delays

The consultation into which major reforms to make to private sector tenancies, including the case for a Housing Court, longer tenancies and the future of Section 21, has now ended and the industry awaits the result. Critics are calling for Section 21 evictions to be banned, arguing that they tilt the balance of power towards landlords. However, a survey carried out by Landlord Action, has revealed some interesting facts when it comes to the reasons landlords serve Section 21 notices, suggesting without them landlords may leave the sector for fear they have no power over their own property....

‘Rumble with the Agents’ looking for ‘Wish-Heroes’

‘Rumble with the Agents’, the annual white-collar charity boxing event hosted by Landlord Action is set to return for the fifth year running. This year they are calling for participants and attendees to help them create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses through Make-A-Wish UK.

Rumble with the Agents is a unique opportunity for people with no boxing background to experience the wonderful world of boxing, in a safe and enjoyable environment. It is an opportunity to get fit, learn a new sport, meet new people and gain a real sense of achievement. Most importantly, the focus of this year’s event is to raise enough money to grant at least five critically ill children one life-changing and transformational wish each, which will be announced on the night....

Calls to scrap direct payments as Panorama reveals rent arrears double for Universal Credit claimants

On Monday 12th November, BBCs latest Panorama investigation focused on the impact of the controversial Universal Credit, and most crucially the housing element. The programme revealed the extent of the rent arrears problem as a result of changes to the benefits system. Paul Shamplina, founder of Landlord Action, together with Mick Roberts, one of the UK’s largest Housing Benefit landlords, join other industry experts in calling on the government to act now and scrap direct payments to tenants of the housing element of Universal Credit, before the situation worsens....

First Hamilton Fraser Academy Course for Letting Agents Sold Out...Second Date Added

Next month, Hamilton Fraser is launching the Hamilton Fraser Academy, a series of half and full day workshops to offer property professionals advice and education covering the full tenancy lifecycle. The first course, ‘Legal update and compliance’ is aimed at letting agents of all sizes and will be hosted by Susie Crolla of The Letting Training Centre on 22nd November. Due to high demand, this course is now full and a second workshop has been added on 13th December....

Gas safety certificates & Section 21 - be compliant or you may pay the price

by Paul Shamplina

Landlords, did you know that if you did not provide a gas safety certificate at the start of a tenancy (be it a first agreement or written renewal after 1st October 2015), before the tenant moved in, you may find that any Section 21 notice served during the term is invalid?

This is not a well-known issue, but one that is starting to gain traction following the Caridon Property Ltd v Monty Shooltz case back in February 2018. At the Central London County Court, landlord Caridon Property failed to obtain a possession order, based on their Section 21 notice, because they failed to serve a copy of a current gas safety certificate BEFORE the tenant moved in on the 13th April 2017; it was served on the 26th April 2017, after the tenant moved in....