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Stephen Arnold

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With Reply to Jo, I have the same problem 69 Points on one house , My options are Dig Up the floor cost £6000 or External Clad the solid brick wall cost up to £18000 . The pay back time in alleged energy savings is over 200 years

From: Stephen Arnold 16 May 2022 09:44 AM

The Governments ` Levelling Up` seems to be working rather well in the North West 78% Fall in rental stock . A 66% Reduction in Rental Property Stock from since Covid levels. This disaster is entirely the Fault of a Conservative Government. Listening to Lobbying Groups instead of talking to actual Private Landlords , and Normal Tenants.

From: Stephen Arnold 16 May 2022 09:36 AM

Lets break the Statement down 700,000 faced un wanted move during Pandemic, During the Lock down there was a ban on evictions. As many as 695 000 Given Notice to leave , Where does this figure come from ? Let`s assume this is figure Is correct So why are Landlord Giving notice , Mainly in the Areas I have Properties is because they are selling up. They are fed up with being over taxed and over regulated. If it was not for Capital Tax Thousands more Landlords would be selling. The Private Rental Sector is no longer such an attractive investment. There is also the looming Problem of un-obtainable EPC requirements on much of the Housing Stock.

From: Stephen Arnold 09 May 2022 08:59 AM

Is there any body who has signed this letter to the PM actually House anyone ? What they are actually asking the Prime Minister to do is make it even more difficult and costly for us to evict rent dodging, Property Damaging , Anti-social Tenants . Landlords do not Evict Tenants for no reason.

From: Stephen Arnold 09 May 2022 08:36 AM

I agree with Grumpy Dog, Arears that used to be full of affordable properties to rent prior to 2016. Now have virtually nothing available. This situation has been caused by the Government and Councils.

From: Stephen Arnold 08 May 2022 09:03 AM

It was all working quite well till Osborne started the attack on the Private rental sector . Knowing full well that it would cause an housing shortage and increase in rents . Because it had been tried and failed in Ireland. Then allowing councils to issue eye watering fines against Landlords without having to go to court , where the council is Judge Jury Executioner and beneficiary . As for selective Licenses what morons in the Secretary of states office are allowing blanket selective license to areas. Do they really believe , the councils who claim that whole of their areas have low housing demand occupied by nothing but anti-social Private renters. If this is the case in in any area should the Councillors not all resign ?

From: Stephen Arnold 14 April 2022 20:16 PM

The Government and Councils are to blame for the current situation . They have successfully forced many private Landlords out . By excessive Taxation and over Regulation . Landlords that are left have to be especially careful before they house anyone. I certainly am. The next round of Anti-Landlord Regulation EPC , and banning of section 21 will make things far worse.

From: Stephen Arnold 14 April 2022 08:07 AM

This is a soup of the Government and Council making . They know (or they should know ) That punitive Taxes (section 24) and constant unnecessary over regulation, and now inflation will cause rent to rise. Everything has to be paid out of the rent

From: Stephen Arnold 30 March 2022 09:18 AM

Great Work by the Scottish Government . The New Deal for Tenants. One report states that there were 222570 fewer rental properties in Scotland, between 2016 and 2019. Also According to a City Lets report 3 Feb 2022. Rental stock has reduced by 32% s1nce 2018 . To an all time low. Rents have also reached to an all time high . A 3 Bed in Edinburgh average price £1531 PCM . So it`s all going quite well really. So unless your wedged up. The new deal for Tenants will probably be no deal.

From: Stephen Arnold 21 March 2022 15:31 PM

I agree ripping floors up for a possible 1 or 2 point is ridiculous If you have to rip up the Solid Floors to put insulation underneath the savings will be minute. The pay back time will be 100`s of years. Tricia is correct try checking EPC in your streets the reports are not consistent with the work done.

From: Stephen Arnold 04 March 2022 08:55 AM

It is probably only a small number of Cases taken to Court , because it is a small number of incidents. What will happen in reality is any Tenant facing eviction for any reason will give it a go , receive Legal Aid so they have no skin in the game, hence nothing to Loose. and a Jackpot if they win . As for significant financial risks for Landlords I agree. Scottish Landlords will be facing a significant financial risk even renting a property in Scotland. Is it now worth the risk and aggro of being a Scottish Landlord ?

From: Stephen Arnold 03 March 2022 08:49 AM

On one of my properties the recommendation was external cladding cost between £12000 and £18000 , I the payback time from the alleged savings of over 200 years .

From: Stephen Arnold 26 February 2022 15:16 PM

This article lacks clarity , has the Tenant dumped the waste ? or has the landlord dumped the ex tenants waste after the tenant have vacated ?

From: Stephen Arnold 25 February 2022 09:51 AM

I think many Landlords feel they are being driven out by the Government and Councils.

From: Stephen Arnold 22 February 2022 10:38 AM

WELL DONE WAKEFIELD , This is how it should be working with Landlords, Not trying to fine and penalise them and using Private Landlords as Cash cows to be milked at every opportunity. Hopefully this will help to attract Private Landlords into the area knowing that they have at least a chance of a fairer system. With regards to Council inspections, Tenants facing eviction will always be advised by Citizens Advice , The Council , and Legal Aid advisers to have the Council Inspect your property for HSSR compliance in order to frustrate the process increasing costs and time. It appears to make no difference if the Tenant has done the damage you will have to put everything in order.

From: Stephen Arnold 22 February 2022 10:25 AM

The Councils and Government have a rental crisis because of their Policies of over Taxation and regulation at every opportunity. When the impose extra punitive costs on Private Landlords the costs like any business have to be passed on. If there is a 58 % reduction in rental stock in the Last 3 years. ( Which I tend to believe because in some of the streets I have properties in most of the private Landlords have sold up). This is before the looming EPC disaster.

From: Stephen Arnold 21 February 2022 08:45 AM

Mr Bourne is Correct, Landlords can no longer afford to take on less than Perfect Tenants with Guarantors. I do not think any Landlord will have the appetite to rent a £100 to 200k value Property to anyone if they cannot get the Property Back . The Government should stop listening to Left Wing Pressure Groups and activist . And encourage Private Landlords to help solve the housing crises .

From: Stephen Arnold 10 February 2022 08:03 AM

Tenants will also be a facing higher rents. If the Government and Councils carry on as they are Tenants will not have to worry about Gas and Electricity bills . They will not have a rental home to keep warm

From: Stephen Arnold 09 February 2022 08:22 AM

It is not Rocket Science, More regulation, Costs and Taxation of Landlords, = Higher Rents and More homelessness. The council waiting lists, and Rents have never been higher.

From: Stephen Arnold 09 February 2022 08:17 AM

I have just checked on The Government EPC Website in the whole Street where I have a rented Terraced Property. In the street of approximately 100 Houses there is not one registered at a C grade. You would have thought if you had the same insulation ,Boilers Glazing etc you would get the same rating . But you don`t they are all different . The cost of the External Wall insulation is between £ 12 and £18000 pounds. For the benefit of only a few points. Or taking your floor up for £4000 to get one point. I am not against Insulation that is cost effective. A few years ago the street, and area was full of rented properties , Many of the tenants had lived there for years, Now there are very few. And the ones left are now very selective ,Universal Credit Tenants are finding it almost Impossible to find anything to rent. In the words of one local estate agent, Landlords are selling up because it is all pay out. The Government need to start listening to private Landlords, and the Councils need to stop regarding Private Landlords as cash Cows.

From: Stephen Arnold 07 February 2022 10:31 AM

It would be nice if the article clarify whose rubbish it actually was. So we could have a balanced opinion. The Councillor is correct it does bring an area and it would need to be moved. But who should do the moving.

From: Stephen Arnold 31 January 2022 19:27 PM

In the real World people need somewhere to live and private sector landlords who house 20% of the Housing needs of the Country have on the whole done a very good job. Tenants who pay the rent on time , and look after the property are not usually evicted. I have used section 21 to evict Tenants in every Case there was Considerable rent arrears. And often property damage. I did not use Section 8 because it is not fit for purpose and can involve the Landlord in substantial Costs. Government Policy concerning Section 24 Tax , and un realistic, expensive EPC requirements , and constant legislation will force many Landlords to have increase rents or seek possession in order to exit the Market .

From: Stephen Arnold 18 January 2022 09:12 AM

I agree Jo, I also have tenants who have not had a rent increase for over 5 years . I also try to keep the rents affordable especially for Pensioners , and Families. I will have to increase the rents this year because my cost have increase considerably due to Section 24 Taxation, Selective Licence Fees. and very soon many Landlords will all be faced with crippling costs to comply with EPC regulations.

From: Stephen Arnold 18 January 2022 08:43 AM

It is clearly time for Private Landlords in Hackney to sell up. It is not worth the Risk.

From: Stephen Arnold 18 December 2021 08:28 AM

Rents are soaring , because of Government and local authority policies. Section 24, Selective License, Eye watering fines for landlords without proper legal redress. Both the Government ,and Local Authorities view private Landlords as cash Cows. The Government were well aware when it introduced Section 24 that it would cause rent increases, and housing shortages . Because it had been tried and failed in Ireland. With regards to Selective Licenses, When it was introduced I believe its aim was to Pin Point areas that had high crime rates. Low housing demands. Not envelop 30k-40000 + private tenants. 85% of which were happy with their Private Landlord.

From: Stephen Arnold 14 December 2021 09:02 AM

I am sure everyone reading this article will be surprised the Law Society is in favour of of an increase in clients, providing of course Legal Aid fees are increased.

From: Stephen Arnold 30 November 2021 07:44 AM

The AST was introduced in the Housing Act of 1988. An enlightened piece of legislation the aim was to make renting property fair Landlords and Tenants. On the whole it has worked extremely successfully providing affordable Homes to millions of Families. Section 21 is a vital part of Landlords having the confidence that they can invest/risk their own money, Not Tax Payers , in a rental property. And actually get the property back if they need or want to at the end of the tenancy term by giving the correct notice. Without having to spend a fortune in Legal Fees, and hours trying to comply with over complicated and unnecessary rules and regulations, causing delays. Where the non rent paying /Anti social Tenant will have no expenses sparred free access to all of the Government, Legal Profession , and Local Authorities resources they can muster to stop you getting your property back . The effects of recent Government and Council policies, Whilst helping the few have had the effect of increasing homelessness , and rents. for the many.

From: Stephen Arnold 03 November 2021 09:53 AM

The private rental sector was virtually no existent until the introduction of the AST in the 80s . Section 8 and section 21 , were crucial in attracting private investors. By 2007 there were 2.8 Million households in the private sector , By 2017 this had increased to 4.5 Million Households . Collectively we house an higher proportion of tenants than all the social housing providers combined . With 85% of our tenants perfectly happy with their homes. But the Government is not listening to us, it prefers to listen to self serving organisation who house no-one, and will not be the ones facing being homeless , as Landlords sell up. or sky high rents as we are forced like any business to cover our costs.

From: Stephen Arnold 28 October 2021 19:35 PM

When they announce these policies do they actually think things through ? From the information in the above report it appears Landlords will have to seek Possession of any properties currently let to single parents, and probably any one on less than £2000 per month. Before the regulation comes in to force. And either sell up , or find tenants on better incomes. Other wise they may be faced substantial losses. And who is going to house Low income tenants. Have they got enough Council houses to house them.

From: Stephen Arnold 01 September 2021 07:50 AM

Well written Dr Ross , If the Government continue this war on Landlords we will all have to find a way to sell up, or risk one bad tenant bankrupting you. I did write something very similar to My MP Last week. No reply yet.

From: Stephen Arnold 09 February 2021 10:57 AM

I agree with Andrew, As soon as you mention Tenantanted house the phone is put down . The work you have to do on the first list in order have something of the second list, in many instances are ridiculous and will never be cost effective. And your quotes will be eye watering. Saving you NOWT It may be suitable for some owner occupiers who are not price conscious . But with regards to rented properties there is nothing for tenants.

From: Stephen Arnold 19 November 2020 09:29 AM

What has happened to our once great nation. We used to be a nation of innovation and Grafters. Now your probably better off sitting on your back side waiting for your benefits. Covid will have to be paid for and the best way is to encourage people to take responsibility for themselves. Create jobs and get people off benefits. By driving out the small landlord in favour of the big Landlord he is creating more problems. Small mum and pop landlords are more likely to keep rents low. The do not usually factor in the time cost of being a landlord. Also the small landlord is more likely to be employing local tradesmen to do maintenance. hence creating Jobs and tax revenue. It also solves the housing shortage. The PRS is being taxed and Regulated to extinction.

From: Stephen Arnold 13 November 2020 11:50 AM

With regards to Bucklands letter Do Rent Arrears Count as an exception ?

From: Stephen Arnold 10 November 2020 10:51 AM

Shelter and Generation Free Rent, are lobbying groups who need to keep creating problems, to get funding and to follow their own Political Agenda which appears to be free accommodation for all. I imagine most of their clients are the small proportion of tenants who are rent dodgers. No Tenant should expect to be able to live for free. The government and local authorities have the power and resources to help Genuine tenants, by way of furlough payments, Universal Credits, and discretionary Housing benefit payments. If the tenant chooses to keep these payments then they should be out. With a quick and cheap process. It`s not rocket science to establish if someone is eight weeks in arrears. Telling tenants they cannot be evicted for years is madness. According to the Trust for London webb site (one of the sponsors of generation Rent) The Courts are putting of hearings for months some till 2023. In a bid to control the number of evictions. By that time most Landlords will be bankrupt.

From: Stephen Arnold 10 November 2020 10:37 AM

I too want tenants who pay the rent and look after the property and I certainly evict tenants who don`t pay. I have no intention of housing any rent dodger, Or anyone else for free. Rent Dodgers make it difficult for Genuine People because now it is too risky to take a chance.

From: Stephen Arnold 09 November 2020 16:06 PM

Of Course Landlords care about homelessness. The majority of Private Tenants are very happy both their Landlord and their PRS Homes. And the Landlords happy with their Tenants. I have never felt in competition with fraudulent Landlords whoever they are I don`t think I have ever met one. I disagree with having to jump through hoops, why tenants run up arrears, laughing at you and spending a fortune to remove non paying tenants , and tenants that damage the property.

From: Stephen Arnold 09 November 2020 08:46 AM

There were virtually No Private renters prior to the de-regulation of Private under the housing Act 1988. by 2010 there were 2.8 Million private renters. This had grown to 4.5 million by 2018.(a) The number has grown for a reason because the system was working . How many of the 4.5 million have been housed by Shelter for the £15 million they have received in public funding. (b) NOT ONE. All they do in reality is keep none paying Tenants in the property longer , denying a paying tenant a home. If the Government wants to read reports they should be Reading Joseph Rountry Reports . (Who provide Homes.) There are a few of them . But basically the more you regulate the worse it is for the tenants. How much has Osborn`s section 24, and Selective Licenses cost Tenants. Not just in increase rents. But actually having somewhere to live. (a) Governments report into housing 2018. (b) Tax Payers Alliance.

From: Stephen Arnold 08 November 2020 19:21 PM

There is no Government support for Landlords, It is pay out, pay out, pay out. That is the Government and Council Policy. And this will remain their Policy. And it is a £30000 fine for you for almost anything. Most of the non paying tenants who match the criteria for possession under the twelve month rule are not Covid Casualties. They are not paying because they do not have to. Is this Letter from Buckland something New , are Bailiffs finally going to enforce court possession orders?

From: Stephen Arnold 06 November 2020 10:01 AM

I had to read it twice, good News. Well Done one Leicester. They may not be able to help in every case but if they can help in a few this has to be good. Taking this a bit further would it work on a national level ?

From: Stephen Arnold 02 November 2020 20:45 PM

Any Cases being processed by the Courts at the Moment are at least 12 Months behind with their rental payments. The Government has developed a `Fast Track System to Process them. So the Bailiffs should also be going out within seven days of them ignoring the 14 day possession notice. There is plenty of people looking for Jobs so if there are not enough Court Bailiffs employ More. If there are no children involved and they have been evicted after keeping the Housing benefits the Council should be under obligation to house them.

From: Stephen Arnold 30 October 2020 10:40 AM

One of the most important things with a New Boiler is realibility . In schemes before across the country you could have a free boiler if you were on Benefits etc. But you only got a 2year guarantee. If however you bought the exact same boiler yourself and had it fitted you coule get a 5 year or even a 7 year Guarantee. I did phone boiler makers and scheme operators about why the difference ?. Lets hope a proper guarantee is supplied at least 5 years.

From: Stephen Arnold 08 April 2019 10:32 AM

Private Landlords are going to be in a terrible predicament when the new rules come in , Thanks Paragon for taking the time to carefully consider the situation hopefully other lenders such as TMW, and Birmingham Midshires will also offer support. Private Landlords are about to become an endangered species, A good article if you want to see how bad it going to be is found by searching Barclay`s Landlord Taxes. (hope this helps)

From: Stephen Arnold 16 March 2016 11:03 AM

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