Skip to main content

And In Other News - December 2024

More HMRC training and support for landlords

Continue reading
  4 Hits

And In Other News - November 2024

Economy 7 and Smart Meters 

Continue reading
  39 Hits

Landlord Tip of the Month - November 2024

If your local authority says your washbasin is not big enough, get a bigger urinal....

  59 Hits

And In Other News - October 2024

PDPLA Comments on Local Authority Responsibilities Picked Up In the Press 

Tax Income Falls As Government Drives Landlords Away

New Right to Rent Guidance

Continue reading
  83 Hits

Landlord Tip of the Month - October 2024

Confused by the hundreds of articles on the Renters Right Bill? Let us summarise what is important for you, all in one place,  and keep it up to date (so bookmark it) - find it here:  UK Renters' Rights Bill - Portsmouth & District Private Landlords Association (pdpla.com)

  62 Hits

And In Other News - September 2024

Housing Review - 20 Years On

HMRC Training for Landlords

Massive Exodus of Disillusioned Landlords

Continue reading
  185 Hits

Landlord Tip Of The Month - September 2024

When you think the front door may not be big enough, call Alice!

  115 Hits

And In Other News - August 2024

- Where Next For Regulation Of The Private Sector?

- "Russian Roulette" Claims Over 2nd Homes

- Unintended Consequences of Scrapping Section 21

- Labours Renters Rights Bill vs the Tories Renter Reform Bill

- HMRC Payments Paid? So Unfair...

Continue reading
  115 Hits

Landlord Tip Of The Month - August 2024

Have a block with parking spaces for residents? You may be able to claim back 75% of the cost of installing EV charging points through the Government's EV Infrastructure Grant. The scheme offers support up to £15,000 but is directed at SME's so you can only apply if your business is registered at Companies House.

  67 Hits

And In Other News - July 2024

Landlords launch legal challenge against 'unlawful' licensing scheme

Migration Cause of Housing Crisis 

Renters Reform Bill Omits Decent Homes Standard

Continue reading
  167 Hits

Landlord Tip Of The Month - July 2024

Landlord Insurance - just in case you missed the advice in earlier issues of this newsletter, ask for an excess of at least £1,000. It will reduce your premium by around £100 compared to the normal £250 excess and admit it, anything less than £1,000 is wear and tear and you are not going to claim anyway, so why pay for the  privilege of being able to do so.

2nd tip this month: Given the rumours that Labour will rush through a removal of Section 21 without any of the necessary other elements that were in the Renters Reform Bill - if you were thinking you will need to issue one later this year. you may want to issue it now while it is still an option.

  126 Hits

And In Other News - May 2024

The end of HMO Licensing?

The Ideal Experience For A Heat Pump Customer..

eVisa Rollout

Continue reading
  177 Hits

Landlord Tip of the Month - May 2024

When a tenant moves in to an empty property and you notify the council tax team that you will no longer be liable for the tax and give them details of who to bill going forward, if there is any credit on your account they do not automatically pay it to you and you have to ask for it - one member, on realising this, was paid nearly £650 as a result. 

  143 Hits

In Other News - April 2024

Best Practice - Electrical Safety for Landlords 

You Can Challenge HHSRS Decisions

Continue reading
  129 Hits

Landlord Tip Of The Month - April 2024

If, like most small landlords, you operate as a sole trader or a partnership, don't forget that April 5th is the final day of the 2023-2024 tax year. Your self-assessment tax return doesn't have to be filed until 31st January 2025, but make sure all your record keeping is up to date so that filing is straightforward when you get around to it.

  113 Hits

And In Other News - February 2024

Disgruntled Landlords Threaten Licensing Boycott 

Be Picky With Mortgage Brokers

Landlords Checklist Goes Viral

Continue reading
  286 Hits

Landlord Tip of The Month - February 2024

If you have a Mandatory HMO in Portsmouth and the licence is coming up for renewal, save yourself time, money and hassle and register it in Southampton. Their system is cheaper than Portsmouth, the admin is much easier, the standard required is basic and you can get a surveyor to do the inspection so the council do not need to.  The law says you need a licence, as with taxis it does not state where you need to get it.


One member said, "We have just taken one on in Southampton and the fire panel looks like it belongs in a museum. They're not even bothered about a safety certificate for it. They have only asked for the EICR, GAS an PAT. And the emergency lighting is defunct but that is not an issue either. I can't get over how different it is."

  235 Hits

And In Other News - January 2024

Landlord to lose £643,000 leasehold flat after listing on Airbnb

Pressure grows to scrap licencing when landlord portal goes live

Gove criticises Fareham

Existential housing crisis leaves students struggling

Landlord average mortgage rises from £802 to £1,370 a month

Social Housing Fail - Worst Customer Service

Home Office Right to Rent Training

Continue reading
  307 Hits

Landlord Tip Of The Month - January 2024

Don't think house prices rising mean you are storing up value - over the past 40 years, when adjusted for inflation, house prices have doubled but if you bought in 2007 you have lost 20% of your investment since then and that is before you factor in punishing capital gains liabilities, so don't run at a loss day-to-day thinking you will make it back when you sell.

  210 Hits

And In Other News - December 2023

How Buy To Let Bled To Death 

House Prices Down 12% in Real Terms

Continue reading
  183 Hits

And In Other News - November 2023

Portsmouth's Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Buy-To-Let Goes Into The Red

New Damp & Mould Regulations

Continue reading
  164 Hits

Landlord Tip of the Month - November 2023

If you have a small HMO or a 257 in Portsmouth you need to get your Additional Licence application submitted by 30th November.   

Start now as it is an 84 page document (according to PCC staff) - you don't have to fill in all 84 pages but it will take you the best part of a day for each property even if you have everything you need ready in advance.  If you are not sure if your property is a 257 or if it is a 257 that needs a licence - you are not alone - it is immensely confusing - we suggest you phone PCC (details on their website).  

And do get along to one of our Licensing War Rooms - hopefully we can help each other.

  204 Hits

Landlord Tip of the Month - October 2023

Do you have a tenant suffering hot flushes?  Unfortunately, not uncommon at this time of year. Do check your cistern has not been cross plumbed into the central heating circuit.

  185 Hits

And In Other News - September 2023

 Portsmouth Landlords Fined Thousands

University Brings Langstone Halls Back From Dereliction

41% Less Properties To Rent in London

How To Get Repairs Done - New Gov Tool

Continue reading
  246 Hits

Landlord Tip of the Month - September 2023

If you have a 3 or 4 bed property in Portsmouth occupied by people from 2 or more separate families, it is probably an HMO and will need a licence before December - so get your accreditation details and everything else up to date before applying.

  184 Hits

And In Other News - July 2023

Home Office outbids councils for emergency accommodation

Portsmouth Water Putting Water Meters on HMOs

Continue reading
  247 Hits

And In Other News - June 2023

Portsmouth Planning 2nd Yellow Card - Is It All Over?

Where to start with Retrofit 

Continue reading
  252 Hits

Landlord Tip of the Month - June 2023

Lots of members are being asked to change borrowed lights and door glazing to 'toughened' glass when they are inspected.  If this is to reduce fire risk, then it is bad advice so please call it out. Martyn W said, "I spoke to my glazier this morning as I was buying another bit of wired Georgian...

Continue reading
  222 Hits

And In Other News - May 2023

Council slammed for 'cash cow' Licensing Schemes

Renters asked for CV's and photos to get tenancy

Governments war on landlords causing havoc in the rental markets

HMRC Training for landlords

Continue reading
  335 Hits

Landlord Tip of the Month - May 2023

Remember we live in a very strange world. We all hope for lovely tenants and try to give them a nice home - but it does not always work out like that, and if you do have to take action because the tenant has broken the contract, annoyed the neighbours, trashed the place or fallen into debt, remember the courts will assume you are the bad guy until you prove otherwise, so if you forget to share the EPC or the email with the tenancy deposit details arrived a day late, you don't have a leg to stand on.

Avoid all of those problems using our 'Landlords Checklist' - find it here.

  264 Hits

And In Other News - April 2023

Council Slammed After Breaking Same Rules As Landlord 

Overcrowded Licensed Property Fatality

Continue reading
  332 Hits

And In Other News - March 2023

Landlord Accreditation Scheme Scrapped

Landlords Selling In Droves

Havant Pays For Water In Portsmouth

Portsmouth Planning Could Be Stripped Of Powers

Continue reading
  334 Hits

Landlord Tip of the Month - March 2023

Cold Fitted Wardrobes? A thing of the past.... 

Continue reading
  313 Hits

And In Other News - February 2020

Brighton Ends Additional Licensing 

Petition to reverse S24 tax changes

Damp And Mould - Whose Fault?

Continue reading
  318 Hits

Landlord Tip Of The Month - February 2023

Don't put your home landline number when advertising property - having had 6 calls on Christmas day and one at 3.30am on the 2nd January from international students desperate for accommodation in January, we will not make that mistake again. 

  318 Hits

And In Other News - January 2023

Million-pound funding invests in local residents and businesses

Portsmouth Gas Engineer Jailed

Rent It Right is right out of here

Various Useful Tips From Alan Boswell

Continue reading
  340 Hits

Landlord Tip of the Month - January 2023

A tip from Warren this month, he says, "It is sensible for all landlords during the winter season to check all water stop cocks are working properly as I have one that is passing and Portsmouth Water cannot get there for a week, so in an emergency (with all this cold weather), it could be an issue with burst pipes"

  233 Hits

And In Other News - December 2022

Biometric Residence Permits

Mould Leaflet for tenants

Continue reading
  251 Hits

Landlord Tip Of The Month - November 2022

 When letting short term - don't let the tenants decorate...

  320 Hits

And In Other News - October 2022

Birmingham To Introduce Licensing For All Properties

Right To Rent Updated

Rents Rise Slowly Compared to Wages and Inflation

Students Without Flats Told to Quit University

Housing Associations Under Fire (at last!)

Portsmouth Disaggregation Policy Gets National Coverage

Continue reading
  434 Hits

Landlord Tip of the Month - October 2022

If you are a student landlord who worries that you need to start worrying about signing people up for next year about now - you do not need to. The University has agreed with local agents and halls providers that no one should try and sign up students for the following year during the Autumn term - so you can leave it until Jan/Feb (which is much more sensible as they always change their mind over Christmas) without worrying about others signing them up 1st. 

  272 Hits

And In Other News - September 2022

City backed firm heading for an expensive shock

HMO's and Council Tax - Landlord Zone

Not HMOs, they are Co-Living Schemes

Alan Boswell - News From World of Landlord Insurance

The Real Reason Why Britain Has A Broken Housing Market

Continue reading
  354 Hits

Landlord Tip Of The Month - September 2022

Come to one of our meetings this month - we may not fill your head with dreams of fortunes to be made and we may not be as exuberant as some other property groups, but at a typical breakfast we will have up to 400 years landlording experience around the table - that is hard to beat.

  325 Hits

Landlord Tip Of The Month - August

Don't forget that from October (1st) rules for carbon monoxide detectors change - so make sure you have one in any room with a boiler, not just those with solid fuel burning devices.

"Because carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air and also because it may be found with warm, rising air, detectors should be placed on a wall about 5 feet above the floor. The detector may be placed on the ceiling. Do not place the detector right next to or over a fireplace or flame-producing appliance."

  295 Hits

And In Other News - July 2022

Why are landlords so unpopular?

Is Buy To Let A Good Investment?

Renters Reform Bill - A Good Summary

Continue reading
  380 Hits

Landlord Tip Of The Month - July 2022

Many of us choose paving over lawns as it is easier to stop weeds than it is to control them. The same is true of regulation - once we have them they are a pain to live with, so better to stop the unnecessary ones before they establish - respond to consultations, talk to your councillors and your MP. Better 20 minutes of your time now than hours spent on an ongoing basis.

  259 Hits