Archives for Uncategorized

HAP – Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) to guarantee payment to landlords

HAP – Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) to guarantee payment to landlords

  May 2023 Measures have been or will be put in place to ease the impact of the end of the winter emergency period, including to amend the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) to guarantee payment to landlords where the tenant defaults on payment of differential rent, effective from 1 May 2023. From 1 May 2023 when a HAP tenant defaults on their differential rent payment to the local authority they will be offered the option of a payment plan to assist them in maintaining their tenancy and allow the HAP payment to the landlord to continue. If the tenant defaults
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Categories: News and Uncategorized.
Landlord Query – Can you get a BER if there is no MPRN on the home?

Landlord Query – Can you get a BER if there is no MPRN on the home?

17th May 2023 Question 1. Can you get a BER if there is no MPRN on the home? Response 1. Yes, when there is no MPRN for an existing dwelling assessment or a new-final assessment, the BER assessor can submit this form to the BER helpdesk. Just to note, a provisional assessment does not need an MPRN. Question 2. Can you get three separate BERs for three flats with sub meters in the one building, which only has 1 MPRN. Response 2. Yes, dwellings can share an MPRN. The BER assessor records, in the BER assessment, that the MPRN is
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Categories: Landlord Query of the Week and Uncategorized.
Fire Alarm – Battery Operated?

Fire Alarm – Battery Operated?

April 2023 Question: Can I use a battery operated Fire Alarms in my rental property? Response: Frighteningly, in as little as 3 minutes a person can die of smoke inhalation. Landlords please be aware of your responsibilities in relation to fire safety and to ensure that your properties are fully compliant with the fire safety standards and regulations applicable to rental properties. Fire alarms should be either mains-wired with a battery back-up or be 10-year self-contained battery operated. With regards to fire safety, landlords must ensure: There is a suitable self-contained fire detection and alarm system in each house. There
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Categories: Landlord Query of the Week and Uncategorized.
Landlord Query : Rent Review

Landlord Query : Rent Review

April 2023 Question: I recently notified a tenant of a rent increase, gave the proper notice period and comparable properties in the area. The tenant is disputing the notice, suggesting the RTB should have been notified at the time the notice was issued. Is this this position ?   Response: Your tenant is incorrect in their understanding. You are not required to copy the RTB with the Notice of Rent Review on the same date you serve this on the tenant. However, landlords must inform the RTB of the new rent and any updated details for the tenancy register, within
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Categories: Uncategorized.
Deduction of mortgage interest for companies?

Deduction of mortgage interest for companies?

March 2023 Question: As a company can you claim a deduction on mortgage interest payments? Response: If you are paying a mortgage on your rental property, you can claim a tax deduction for mortgage interest relief. The full amount of interest accrued (from 2019) is considered an allowable deduction. Important to note: you can only claim for interest that is paid during the time the property is let. If you bought the property through a company, you cannot claim a deduction for interest payments.   Response Credit: Brendan Allen FCPA, FCCA, CTA – Chartered Tax Advisers * Take note of
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Categories: Uncategorized.
Landlord Query: Deposit Retention – Damage to property

Landlord Query: Deposit Retention – Damage to property

March 2023 Question: I have just conducted a final inspection on my rental property. The tenants have been in situ for three years. My lease agreement specifically states no smoking is permitted in the property. There is significant nicotine damage – burn marks in the sofa and carpet as well as nicotine stains on the wall. Am I within my rights to retain part of the deposit to repair these damages? Response: A property should be left clean and tidy when the tenant leaves, you cannot expect the property to be returned in the exact same condition it was presented
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Categories: Landlord Query of the Week and Uncategorized.
Do I need to give my tenant a rent book?

Do I need to give my tenant a rent book?

February 2023 Question? My tenants pay rent directly to my bank account – do I still need to provide them with a Rent Book and/or a receipt for payments? Response: As a Landlord, you are obliged to provide your tenant(s) with a ‘rent book’ at the commencement of a tenancy or another equivalent document providing the same information. A rent book is a document that records details about a tenancy and notes all rent payments that are made. The requirement to provide a rent book is set down in legislation since 1993. The rent book must contain specific particulars relating
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Categories: Landlord Query of the Week and Uncategorized.