Handle the heatwave with PFK Property Management

Here’s a brief glimpse into some of the changes that have taken place since May 31 2019

With immediate effect, all letting agents and landlords must ensure they are issuing the updated version of the ‘How to Rent: the checklist for renting in England’ when tenancies start or are renewed.

Landlords cannot use the Section 21 (no fault) eviction procedure unless an up to date version of this guide has been provided to the tenant.

Since October 2018, all landlords and letting agents that wish to serve their tenants with a Section 21, or ‘no fault’ eviction, must:

Ensure that they have issued a ‘How to rent: the checklist for renting in England’ guide, either digitally or as a hard copy

Provide tenants with an up to date Gas Safety Certificate

Issue the property’s Energy Performance Certificate. Give tenants the Prescribed Information relating to the protection of their deposit (which must be protected)

Where the property is licensed, provide a copy of the license to all of the property’s tenants.

All of these documents need to be the most up-to-date versions for the eviction notice to stand. A new version of Form 6a has been published in order to stipulate that a landlord cannot serve a Section 21 notice if they have taken a Prohibited Payment from a tenant and that payment has not been refunded in full.

The legislation is becoming more onerous by the day and some landlords may wish to look at a fully managed service, whereby an agent may take care of all the updates on your behalf.

If you wish to find out more, please call your local PFK office.

Our sponsored dog, Gus, has now found his forever home in West Cumbria and we couldn’t be more pleased. He is a very special boy and we’re thrilled to have helped him on his way to happiness.

PFK are now looking to sponsor another cute canine at Eden Animal Rescue whilst they look for a new home – we’ll keep you updated!

Summer Inspiration

Summer is a great time to be looking at the outside of your properties and giving the garden a makeover, checking gutters and flashing on the house etc. Whether you prefer pots or bedding plants, a splash of colour is always cheery and adds kerb appeal.

Alternatively, look at some of the high-quality artificial lawn if you prefer low maintenance. If anyone needs advice, PFK have a list of gardeners, all fully insured, on their books.

Don’t listen to the constant scaremongering; most landlords are good and most tenants are good. Like anything, planning and preparation prevents poor performance. If A landlord keeps their property in good order then generally they attract a good tenant. The landlords need to be proactive - do not let your property unless you can, for instance, afford a new boiler. This is a practicality; landlords should try and keep back at least three months’ rent in order to pay for the things that might go wrong.

Tenants “buy” the right to the property and should be able to live it in as their home, so courtesy is required on both sides.