Issue 102

news

Landlords reminded on new laws banning tenant fees

A n apartment in Notting Hill is causing a stir after being put on the market for just £22,536! The flat in Westbourne Park Road is likely to attract huge interest because it’s also attractively decorated. The selling agent also claims it has a massive rental opportunity. Average prices in the area in the past 12 months was more than £1,108,202! But the catch is that the apartment has only five years left on the lease – and there’s no option to purchase at the end of the term. The listing on Zoopla explains: “Tenants may choose to self occupy this apartment although GPS would advise that this property is set up for and used as serviced accommodation. “The figures provided are potential returns and we offer no guarantees.” Legal advice would normally be to avoid properties with less than 80 years on the least at the very minimum. Notting Hill flat for sale for just £22K!

L andlords and letting agents have been urged to adhere to strict new laws that ban them from charging tenants fees. From 1st June, it is illegal to impose fees for services including viewings, credit checks, references and setting up a tenancy. The changes follow the introduction of the Tenant Act, which also restricts security deposits to the equivalent of five weeks’ rent for properties where rent is less than £50,000 a year. For those over the threshold, the

chefs, housekeepers, massage therapists and dive masters. Rates for Airbnb Luxe properties will average around $2,000 per night, compared to $150 for “Plus” listings, the existing name for smarter rentals. “This is that next level that was necessary so we can fulfil our ‘anyone belongs anywhere’ model,” said Nick Guezen, Airbnb’s director of portfolio strategy. Airbnb has seen a 60% increase in the past year in bookings that cost $1,000 or more a night. He added that tenants who had signed tenancies before 1st June could still face certain charges. letting agents, landlords and renters are aware of how this regulatory change will affect them. It must be highlighted that tenants will still face some upfront fees. “For instance, they still will be expected to pay the first month’s rent and a deposit and there can be charges for lost key replacements and if rent is outstanding for over 14 days.”

deposit is capped at six weeks. Meanwhile, tenants are being warned that the new laws allow letting agents to impose a penalty charge limited to 3 per cent above the Bank of England’s base rate if rent is outstanding Paul Barnes, lettings specialist and director of Loveitts, said the changes were a “seismic shift for the industry” and added that his company had spent months preparing for them. He said: “It is essential that for more than 14 days. This currently stands at 0.75%.

Airbnb launches upmarket service

O nline accommodation platform Airbnb has launched a new service that specialises in lavish places to stay. Airbnb Luxe features more than 2,000 upmarket rental properties worldwide. The portfolio includes beachfront villas in the Caribbean, French châteaux and historic Tuscan

homes, as well as grand apartments in US and European cities. The most expensive Airbnb ever listed is Nukutepipi, a private island in French Polynesia that sleeps up to 52 and comes with staff including

6m packages milestone for Concierge HV

I n July 2019 Dwellant’s Concierge HV has reached yet another milestone of six million packages processed since it’s launch! Concierge HV (HV stands for High Volume) is the most extensively used

management for front desk teams. It is fast and simple to use and makes the front desk a paperless GDPR friendly place. The lucky resident received a bottle of champagne, and the concierge team a basket of cookies!

solution for package, key and visitor

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ISSUE 102

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