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Costs landlords can offset against their tax

Costs landlords can offset against their tax

Landlords are able deduct the costs of running and maintaining their property, ultimately lowering their tax bill.

Common deductible expenses include any repair or maintenance tasks, covering everything from minor repairs to any like-for-like replacement, i.e. the new item must be similar or identical in terms of function, type and quality.

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The EICR Rules for Landlords in England

The EICR Rules for Landlords in England

Conducting an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a mandatory step before renting your property in England.
 
The EICR involves a thorough examination of the electrical wiring, sockets, consumer units (also known as fuse boards), and any other fixed electrical fittings within your property. As ever, it’s essential for this work to be done by a sufficiently qualified professional.

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How to increase rent using the notice procedure?

How to increase rent using the notice procedure?

This procedure is stated in Section 13 of the Housing Act 1988 and is only available for periodic assured and assured shorthold tenancies.  It can’t be used for common law tenancies or during a fixed term.

You need to use the proper form of notice which is a prescribed form.  These are freely available online from a reputable website. This Notice must be completed in full (see the notes with the form to help) and then served on a tenant.

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Our Top Tips To Attract (and Keep) Tenants

Our Top Tips To Attract (and Keep) Tenants

The buy-to-let sector is highly competitive and, not surprisingly, the landlords who are most successful are the ones who appreciate the importance of making their properties attractive to their desired tenant market.

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What are Landlords Obligations for Legionnaires Disease?

What are Landlords Obligations for Legionnaires Disease?

Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia caused by inhaling small droplets of water containing Legionella bacteria. It can be contracted in various settings, including domestic premises.

Landlords have specific obligations to ensure the safety and well-being of their tenants. In this blog, we will explore the responsibilities of landlords concerning Legionnaires’ disease and how it impacts on them providing a safe living environment for their tenants.

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Your tenants e-bike batteries could cause serious Fires!

Your tenants e-bike batteries could cause serious Fires!

E-bikes and e-scooters have been associated with more than a hundred fires already this year, some of which have been fatal.

The Guardian reported in May 2023 that there had been 102 fires associated with e-bikes and scooters so far, with at least 190 injured and eight people killed.

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Charging Tenants For Cleaning At The End Of Their Tenancy

Charging Tenants For Cleaning At The End Of Their Tenancy

You cannot charge tenants for cleaning in all situations – as this would be a fee and would be in breach of the Tenants Fees legislation.

However, the tenant fees legislation does not prevent you from claiming damages for losses suffered by you due to tenants’ breach of the terms of their tenancy agreement. 

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Are Flats or Houses the Smarter Investment Choice?

Are Flats or Houses the Smarter Investment Choice?

Investing in property has long been regarded as a solid strategy for generating passive income and building long-term wealth.
One of the fundamental decisions an aspiring property investor faces though, is whether to buy an apartment or a house as a rental property.

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Pests in Rented Property: Who Takes Charge?

Pests in Rented Property: Who Takes Charge?

It’s a fact of life that pests and vermin can sometimes invade your living space – whether this be annoying insects, rodents scurrying around, or other unwanted creatures.  But who bears the responsibility for tackling these unwelcome guests in a rented property? 

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What To Do If A Tenant Leaves Behind Belongings

What To Do If A Tenant Leaves Behind Belongings

When renting out a property you will need a Tenancy Agreement which is, essentially, a document setting out rules and responsibilities that provides both the landlord and the tenant with security and peace of mind for the duration of the tenancy.

An Agreement will give specific rights to both parties, which can include the rights of the tenant to live in a property and for the landlord to receive a regular payment of rent in exchange.

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Different Types  Of Tenancy Explained

Different Types Of Tenancy Explained

When renting out a property you will need a Tenancy Agreement which is, essentially, a document setting out rules and responsibilities that provides both the landlord and the tenant with security and peace of mind for the duration of the tenancy.

An Agreement will give specific rights to both parties, which can include the rights of the tenant to live in a property and for the landlord to receive a regular payment of rent in exchange.

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All About Boiler Pressure

All About Boiler Pressure

Our guide runs through everything you need to know about boiler pressure, plus our recommendations for diagnosing and fixing low or high pressure

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How To Save Money On Your  Energy Bills

How To Save Money On Your Energy Bills

Follow our tips and advice for straightforward ways to save energy, lower your bills and reduce your carbon footprint.  It is a topic at the forefront of everyone’s mind right now and we at the Horizon Lets office have already started following these tips in our own homes:

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Condensation and How To Beat It

Condensation and How To Beat It

‘Condensation dampness’ is a condition that affects millions of homes in the UK. Whether you are a Landlord or a Tenant this guide should help you control and prevent condensation and mould within your property.

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Get Prepared For Making Tax Digital

Get Prepared For Making Tax Digital

Some major changes are being made to the way HMRC collects information about income from UK property from 2024 with the implementation of Making Tax Digital. This will have a huge impact on landlords – read our guide to start getting prepared.

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Rent Reductions During Covid-19

Rent Reductions During Covid-19

Are rent reductions an option?

Many tenants are struggling with financial problems during the Covid-19 crisis and therefore, they are asking their landlords for a rent reduction.

Every case is different – some landlords are better placed than others to be generous, and while some tenants have lost most of their income, others will have felt little if any financial impact.

Suspending or reducing the rent will be a matter for negotiation, but when landlords have decided they are going to offer financial help to their tenants there are some traps they should avoid such as:

Breaching the Tenant Fees Act 2019 or permanently reducing the rent

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Lawful and Unlawful Discrimination – Tenants & Landlords

Lawful and Unlawful Discrimination – Tenants & Landlords

The discrimination laws apply when choosing and dealing with tenants moving in properties, so this is something which is important to know about. However, it is only unlawful discrimination which is forbidden. Some types of discrimination are acceptable and are actually advisable in certain circumstances.

This article gives a quick overview of what is and what is not unlawful… make sure you don’t fall into any of these pitfalls!

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The Importance Of Building A Good Relationship With Your Tenants

The Importance Of Building A Good Relationship With Your Tenants

In this post, we are going to discuss the benefits of building a good relationship with your tenant.

It is a well-known fact that Landlords and Agents are not on the list of highly liked people. Most of the time people think that all landlords are simply wanting to rent out rubbish properties at high prices, simply to make profit and line their pockets – hopefully once you have read this you will realise that this is not the correct assumption.

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Data Protection – Our Guidance for Landlords

Data Protection – Our Guidance for Landlords

Data protection is something that is becoming more important as the years go on. We all know the dangers of data theft and how someone with your personal details can use this fraudulently.

The Data Protection Legislation is designed to protect data by requiring everyone who holds personal information to look after it properly.

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Repairs: A Guide for Landlord & Tenants

Repairs: A Guide for Landlord & Tenants

This article is designed to tell Landlords and Tenants about the responsibilities for repairs under shorthold tenancy agreements in residential properties. Shorthold tenancy agreements are for any lease under seven years long and can include periodic tenancies where the tenant has not got a fixed term agreement and occupies the property from month to month or week to week.

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The Horizon Group