Stef Cooke
Author's posts
Apr 06
Right to Rent Changes
Landlords and Agents: did you know that a new Home Office directive comes into force today? As of today the new Codes of Practice changes what you need to do to carry out a Right to Rent check. As part of the introduction of a digitial identity service some documents, e.g. hard copies of biometric …
Jan 25
New Housing Complaints Resolution Service revealed
Yesterday the government announced a new redress system that will cover the whole market, from new builds to private landlords. “Establishing a single housing complaints service for all residents – no matter whether they rent or own their home – will prevent people from battling with their landlord or builder to resolve issues on their …
Jul 27
The AIIC call for mandatory independent inventories
After another truly busy student season, and July isn’t quite over yet, I thought I’d add a blog post. As I was wondering what fascinating aspect of the job I could write about I received this in my email. Food for thought! https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2018/7/aiic-continue-to-push-for-mandatory-independent-inventories I am biased, I chose to be a member of The AIIC …
Feb 11
How To Rent update
The government updated the How To Rent booklet in January this year. Link to government website here I was asked if this means that all tenants should be given a copy of this, after all page 2 does include the sentence “Your landlord must provide you with a copy of this booklet, so use the …
Jan 26
Let’s Talk About Lights
The Problem of Light Bulbs Somehow the simple light bulb causes a lot of issues for tenant and landlord alike. I often get asked “Who is responsible for making sure that the light bulbs in a rented property are working?” The answer is as simple as: Between tenancies the landlord should make sure that all …
Sep 09
Crikey! What a busy time that was!
I know, I should have expected it, but July and August, and even the first week of September, have been really, truly busy. All of my clients have had so much work, from student lets to the largest of houses, it feels as though all of them have been vacated, spruced up and re-let in …
Apr 30
One of those things!
Just a quick post. What is this? Can you tell? And if you can, can you tell me why?? Hint: In a ceiling… but I had no idea why. Fortunately the landlord did 🙂
Apr 21
Property Scam Awareness Week
April 24th to 28th Anthony Gold Solicitors and website Property Tribes are running a property fraud awareness week. The aim is to promote public awareness of how to avoid being a victim of property-related fraud. They will highlight scams including the ‘sellers’ who do not own the property; agents taking deposits for non-existent …
Apr 03
MyDeposits warns about deposit scheme scam!
Mydeposits says it is aware of a new scam being used by a fraudulent company imitating mydeposits and targeting landlords and letting agent members of the mydeposits Custodial scheme in England & Wales. Read more about it here: mydeposits Issues Deposit Scam Warning
Mar 09
Checking Out: From The Top
What Happens During a Check Out? Leaving a rented property can be an exciting time, moving on to new possibilities. It can also be sad, leaving behind the scene of all those good times. But it is always an anxious time, for landlord and tenant alike. Will the property be as it was at the …