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Richard Bowles

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my expertise in the industry

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Does anyone use Section 21 just for fun or do they have a genuine reason ? I think the latter - not helped by a lack of support and punitive regulation / taxation that does little to encourage and develop a long term stable lettings market.

From: Richard Bowles 23 December 2020 09:30 AM

Oh I dont know... I think it relevent to understand the semantics and emotional messaging of the Opposition and their position. You cant beat some good old fashioned popularist rhetoric to try and lift up public opinion polls to an effort to assert pressure on the incumbent government on policy.

From: Richard Bowles 23 December 2020 09:24 AM

No one thanked the Investment Bankers for packaging up toxic mortgages so why try doing the same with the rental market with tenants? If ANY tenant can afford the rental based on their income (benefits or otherwise) based on some common-sense checks and previous history - then all good with me. Otherwise - if you cannot afford it or look after it then you cannot have it. That is not discrimination. Affordability is always an emotive topic, but I, acting in a business capacity, am not responsible for fixing the market rate. The market rate is the symptom not the cause.

From: Richard Bowles 21 December 2020 10:46 AM

How does extending the ban help ? I know some LLs who have already taken a haircut on monthly rental rates to try and help tenants. As I've said before; dialogue and reconciliation first but then fast track eviction if no reasonable outcome can be reached.

From: Richard Bowles 11 September 2020 09:50 AM

It might have been more help if a voluntary Reconciliation Service was made more generally available: dialogue and potential compromises on both sides where appropriate (recognising that not all situations could be dealt with such a process) but if that does not work out, a fast-track eviction process.

From: Richard Bowles 04 September 2020 09:32 AM

“It is unacceptable that the chancellor tried to sneak out this huge bung to second homeowners and landlords while millions of people are desperate for support." What huge bung ? The 3% surcharge is still there as is the turnover tax. The emotive language suggests more populist band-wagoning rhetoric than anything helpful. Perhaps trying to think out original policy that might help younger folks in this challenging economic situation could be a better use of time.

From: Richard Bowles 13 July 2020 09:37 AM

I think that there is a wider question around whether students should be paying the full tuition fee or a pro-rated fee to reflect the compromised course delivery model. Back on topic, when I was a student I had to provide guarantors (my parents) before I could rent a shared student house. Presumably this is still common practice so slightly surprised that legal action has been initiated in the above case. As a landlord, I have been expecting to take a temporary haircut on monthly rentals but I count myself fortunate in that so far I've not needed to. That could change at any time of course, but I have always tried to do the right thing for my tenants where I can. Legal action against students feels premature at this time.

From: Richard Bowles 26 May 2020 10:30 AM

"Ah, you'll be wanting the Platinum Plus AST Fully Managed Service... That'll be an extra £200 per month..... Still interested in me fixing your WiFi and light bulbs?"

From: Richard Bowles 12 December 2019 10:16 AM

Welcome back to the 1970's; price fixing (rent control acts), nationalisation, high national debt and a generous helping of popularist rhetoric and nonsense... why do some folks think it will be different this time around ? Sure - interest rates are significantly lower but there is overseas interest in UK property investment driving prices in some areas as the exchange rate is also below its historic average. It will change at some point, but please stop blaming Landlords for outcomes caused by market forces!

From: Richard Bowles 26 November 2019 11:59 AM

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