Has someone finally got it right?

At first blush, yes. But in practice we fear not...

Why? Well, the actual provisions have yet to be made law. Even when the Bill gets Royal Assent it will be implemented in phases. So, at last the end of Section 21 – “no fault – evictions? Ostensibly yes; but in practice, we are still some long way off that nirvana.

Even when the decision to scrap S.21 Notices is taken, the Government has indicated that it will give 6 months notice before scrapping those orders completely. Part of the problem? A good majority of Landlords are decent, law-abiding people; who use their buy-to-let as a legitimate investment; who have seen many regulatory changes in the past, and who have adhered to all of them. We should do well to remember:- as there are Landlords who flout the laws, so there are Tenants too.

The s.21 procedure will be replaced by a new procedure. Involving service of a Section 8 Notice. This will involve a court hearing. The tenant can attend. And defend the claim. So, in fact the new system will still be time consuming. It will cost the Landlord more. And it will require far more judicial resources:- from the court system, and its Judges. And? The court system is creaking already. Reform has been promised . But there is no sign of any reform, in practice.

Since early 2022, post the pandemic and regularly since then, from start to finish – a Landlord making a claim, to getting possession – takes 8 months. The new/revised Section 8 procedure is being baptised in that climate. An under-resourced and undermanned court service, is simply not going to manage

But wait! All is not lost! We have been promised a new “digital service” to deal with possession claims. Sadly, until it arrives, decent Landlords up and down the land, are going to suffer financially when evicting a tenant even for wholly legitimate grounds. And as for the new digital age. Remind me, didn’t HMRC promise us that last year? A roll-out that is being repeatedly postponed.

As they say “May you live in interesting times"

Remember how much horror this announcement struck, into the hearts of owners of second homes?

Owners of second homes who abuse a tax loophole by claiming their often-empty properties are holiday lets will be forced to pay under tough new measures announced by the government today (14 January 2022).

The changes will target people who take advantage of the system to avoid paying their fair share towards local services in popular destinations such as Cornwall, Devon, the Lake District, Suffolk, West Sussex and the Isles of Scilly.

Currently, owners of second homes in England can avoid paying council tax and access small business rates relief by simply declaring an intention to let the property out to holidaymakers. However, concerns have been raised that many never actually let their homes and leave them empty and are therefore unfairly benefiting from the tax break.

Following consultation, the government will now bring changes to the tax system, which will mean second homeowners must pay council tax if they are not genuine holiday lets. Holiday let owners will have to provide evidence such as the website or brochure used to advertise the property, letting details and receipts.

SO....... there is hope.

Originally announced back in April 2023, second homeowners if they can prove holiday lets are actually being rented out for a minimum of 70 days a year, can access small business rates relief, where they meet the criteria.

So, if you classify your holiday etc as a small business, you will only have to pay business rates, and not the swingeing second homes premium.

Own a property with a rateable value of under £15,000? You can apply for Small Business Rate Relief on your Council Tax. Which could mean avoiding paying it altogether.

But remember, the property has to be available to be rented out for 140 days a year. If so, it qualifies for this relief. And you can claim a refund of Council Tax paid, timed to start when the property first qualified for business rates.

OK, so holiday lets, if they are attractive to the owners through this tax loophole, may mean councils losing their second homes premium income.

But think of the village? Who can say all those extra visitors, in pubs, restaurants, and visiting and using all the local attractions, won't keep local communities and local economies alive?

You might be forgiven for not remembering the "Decent Homes Standard", introduced by the Blair Government in 2000.

It is about to get a 2024 refresh, the idea being to breathe new life into the private sector. Statutory minimum criteria for heating, facilities and services will be set for social housing in England.

It is reckoned that at present, 21% of homes are considered "sub standard".

The idea is to set the standard; to give local authorities more enforcement powers; to include imposing hefty fines, rising steeply for repeat offenders; and to enable them to bring prosecutions.

There will also be an extension for Awab's Law:- named after the 2 year old who died in iRochdale, in inadequate social housing, owing directly to mould growth.
This law will enable Tenants to challenge dangerous conditions and to force Landlords to fix defects.
The current estimate is that roughly 750,000 homes meet these criteria .
See here the latest updates.