You may have read recently the story where a young man from Latvia gained entry into a 10 million pound empty property through an open bathroom window and began squatting. He then sent word to his friends in Latvia to come over and join him because according to him ‘Britain is one of the few countries where it is easy to do’. He also told a reporter ‘The law states…if there is any empty building which is not being used, you can put it to use in any way you see fit and what a shame to not get the most of this place’.
The 10 million pound property in London reportedly boasted 10 bedrooms, four bathrooms and a swimming pool in the upmarket area of Highgate, where neighbours are millionaire bankers and celebrities.
Squatting is an ancient practice, yet the last 12 years in Britain has seen a spectacular rise in the number of people who have taken over empty properties. British law states occupation of empty properties is a civil, not a criminal, matter in England and Wales, unless entry is forced. Police can act only if the squatters commit offences such as theft or criminal damage.
It is therefore vital to act quickly of you discover trespassers or squatters in your property. You should be able to remove them quite legally within a two week period, providing you go about the process correctly. Remember to never use force or threats as this could result in getting yourself a criminal record.
Friday, 21 January 2011
Thursday, 13 January 2011
HOW SAFE IS YOUR HOUSE?
Each year, we hear how tragic events happen where people end up dying in rented properties due to carbon monoxide or an electrical fault. Although these numbers are relatively low, one person dying a year is still one person too many, especially when the cause could have been avoided.
Last year we heard how a 33 year old mother who had just moved into a rented property was electrocuted by the bathroom taps with 175 volts, she died instantly. Her five year old child found her and raised the alarm.
The law states your rented property must be electrically safe, however unlike the Gas Safety Certificate which is legally required every year, the electrical certificate is not.
This makes it extremely difficult as an Agent to enforce.
That said, the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 clearly states it is the responsibility of the Landlord to ensure the property and all electrical equipment provided is safe. The only way to do this is to have a NIC EIC Certificate (and renewed every 5 years) and a PAT test (portable appliance test) on equipment, normally when a new tenant takes up occupation.
The seriousness of an injury or death as a result of an electrical fault which is then found to be due to the ignorance or neglect of the landlord, will be deemed as a criminal offence and as such the Landlord will receive not only a large fine but a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
So, my 2011 tip to all Landlords is to get the certificate to ensure your property is safe.
Last year we heard how a 33 year old mother who had just moved into a rented property was electrocuted by the bathroom taps with 175 volts, she died instantly. Her five year old child found her and raised the alarm.
The law states your rented property must be electrically safe, however unlike the Gas Safety Certificate which is legally required every year, the electrical certificate is not.
This makes it extremely difficult as an Agent to enforce.
That said, the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 clearly states it is the responsibility of the Landlord to ensure the property and all electrical equipment provided is safe. The only way to do this is to have a NIC EIC Certificate (and renewed every 5 years) and a PAT test (portable appliance test) on equipment, normally when a new tenant takes up occupation.
The seriousness of an injury or death as a result of an electrical fault which is then found to be due to the ignorance or neglect of the landlord, will be deemed as a criminal offence and as such the Landlord will receive not only a large fine but a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
So, my 2011 tip to all Landlords is to get the certificate to ensure your property is safe.
HOUSING SHORTAGE WILL INCREASE RENTS
The third quarter in 2010 saw new homes being built at its lowest in 5 years, the second lowest of the past 19 quarters and the lowest since 1923. The country has an estimated one million housing shortage and the New Housing Pipeline shows there was a steady fall in planning permission being granted.
Although property prices are predicted to fall again in 2011, London and the South are expected to remain resilient. This coupled with the housing shortage does make buying Buy To Let (BTL) properties still a positive return, current yields are still bringing in a more favourable return than savings accounts. New BTL mortgages are starting to slowly come back, Coventry recently released a 3 year deal at 4.99%.
Good news for Landlords will mean because of the housing shortage we will see a rise in rental prices, however due to the economic climate a rent guarantee insurance of some kind will be advisable. 2009 saw a 50% increase in rent arrears nationally and although this decreased slighlty in 2010, there is a concern we will see this coming back again in 2011. This makes it more vital to use a good reputable agent who can limit this with good referencing techniques.
Although property prices are predicted to fall again in 2011, London and the South are expected to remain resilient. This coupled with the housing shortage does make buying Buy To Let (BTL) properties still a positive return, current yields are still bringing in a more favourable return than savings accounts. New BTL mortgages are starting to slowly come back, Coventry recently released a 3 year deal at 4.99%.
Good news for Landlords will mean because of the housing shortage we will see a rise in rental prices, however due to the economic climate a rent guarantee insurance of some kind will be advisable. 2009 saw a 50% increase in rent arrears nationally and although this decreased slighlty in 2010, there is a concern we will see this coming back again in 2011. This makes it more vital to use a good reputable agent who can limit this with good referencing techniques.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
