Not a big week for news, but here are a few things I picked up on.

The Tenant Fee ban is inevitable

This is the message from David Cox at a webinar he gave recently (reported here) – which is also what he told Landlord Law Members recently when he gave our September training webinar (which logged in Landlord Law members will find here).

David told agents at the Goodlord webinar

There’s no dissent at all. I cannot overturn the will of 650 MPs with no support in Parliament.

So, agents – you must start preparing for this now.  If you charge fees to tenants, these are going to have to go and you will have to either raise your prices or replace the income elsewhere or change the service you provide.

The Tenant Fee bill is less of a problem for Landlord Law members though, most of whom are landlords who self-manage their properties with the help of the Landlord Law service.

Reconsidering Right to Rent

The government is reconvening its Private Rented Sector (PRS) stakeholder panel on Right to Rent and will be re-considering the controversial scheme.

For example, the RLA research division PEARL found last year that  42% of landlords are now less likely to rent to someone without a British passport due to fears of being hit by expensive penalties.

The RLA is also supporting the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants who won the right to launch a High Court case challenging the right to rent scheme and this will be heard before the High Court on 18th and 19th December.

David Smith, RLA policy director said:

It appears the government is reforming the Prs Stakeholder Panel – which has been defunct for some time now.

While we welcome the news the Home Office is keen to re-engage with the sector, we want to see them take bold action.

Would-be tenants who are legally entitled to live in the UK, but struggle to prove it, are being denied homes and we believe the time has come to suspend this unfair scheme.

Let us hope so.

Shorthold long leases

An interesting article from Giles Peaker of Nearly Legal on long leases where he points out that they are probably also assured shortholds if

a) the ground rent is over £250 per year (or £1000 per year in London); and
b) the property is the only or principal residence of the leaseholder

as there is no maximum term for an AST.

This could affect possession proceedings as forfeiture (where the tenant has the right to relief) would not apply, instead, the landlord should use ground 8.  Which is a mandatory ground.

There are other important implications – but go and read the post – and the erratum here.

Lib Deb proposals for the PRS

A report indicates that the Lib Dems are calling for

• Six month notice periods under ASTs
• First refusal for tenants when a landlord sells; and
• Rent rises to be linked to inflation and/or tenants’ wages

No doubt we will hear other plans from the other conferences.

Section 24 taxes

A post on Property Tribes reports that

Landlords face an eye-watering effective tax rate of 66 per cent on rental profits when mortgage interest relief changes come into full effect, figures calculated for This is Money and MailOnline Property reveal.

The post indicates that many landlords are contemplating selling up as a result.  But, even with the tax increase, will they be able to get a better return on their money elsewhere?

Snippets

• An interesting case in the Valuation Tribunal on non-domestic rates for properties with property guardians.
• TPO has expelled four members
• The Law Commission has launched a consultation on leasehold home ownership
• Solicitors reveal the real reasons for conveyancing delays

Newsround will be back next week.