I am a...
Here we share news and views on both the local letting market in & around Oxfordshire and all planned and recent legislation.
Category Archives: Govt policy & legislation
Oxford Landlord Licensing Approved
As of 1st September all private rented homes in Oxford City will need a licence. The Government has approved Oxford City Council’s selective licensing scheme which is aimed at addressing poor conditions in privately rented property making up nearly half …
Read the rest of this entry
Rental Reform White Paper not published until 2022
The eagerly awaited Rental Reform White Paper will now not be published until 2022, The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has said. The Queen’s speech in May this year included a commitment by the Government’s for rental form …
Read the rest of this entry
‘Enhancing the rights of those who rent’ – what could it mean for landlords?
The Queen’s Speech on 11th May included a commitment by the Government to “enhance the rights of those who rent.” Although not specifically mentioned, it is reasonable to assume that this refers to the Renters Reform Bill first introduced in …
Read the rest of this entry
If you can’t beat them, don’t join the queue
The stamp duty holiday, introduced last year and currently due to end at the end of March, undoubtedly helped to fuel the sales market over the last seven months or so. However, as the deadline approaches and with the current …
Read the rest of this entry
The Tenant Fees Act – transition period ending
The Tenant Fees Act came into effect in England on 1st June 2019. The law bans letting agents and landlords from charging tenants any letting fees other than rent, tenancy deposits, holding deposits and explicitly stated default charges. At the …
Read the rest of this entry
Countdown to MEES: Will your property be lettable in April 2018?
The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) were introduced in March 2015 with the aim of improving the energy efficiency of privately rented properties. From 1st April 2018 all buildings in England or Wales will need to have a rating of …
Read the rest of this entry
Autumn Budget Stamp Duty Changes: Published 22nd Nov 2017
On 22nd November it was announced that Stamp Duty is to be abolished for for all first-time buyers purchasing property of a value of £300,000 or less. If you are a first-time buyer, this guest post from Countrywide will help to clarify …
Read the rest of this entry