One less visible yet critically important concern that has emerged from property being left void is the heightened risk of Legionella bacteria in underused water systems, indicating the importance of a legionella risk assessment. According to Public Health England, approximately 300 to 500 cases of Legionnaire’s Disease are reported each year among residents of England and Wales. Of these, approximately 10% of cases are fatal. For that reason alone, a legionella risk assessment is absolutely fundamental to the safety of a property’s visitors and occupants. Legionella, which is responsible for ..read more

In the UK, the home buying and selling process has long been a topic of discussion among industry professionals, the government and the public. Although we’ve seen significant advancements in recent years, there is still much to be done. Despite home buying and selling being one of the most significant financial transactions for individuals and families, the process is often described as outdated, old-fashioned and riddled with inefficiencies – a view shared by property professionals and the public alike. Recognising the pressing need for change, Propertymark, the leading membership body for p ..read more

The Propertymark Trust is the charitable arm of Propertymark, an organisation dedicated to supporting professionals in the property industry. It was initially established to extend a helping hand to its members and their families, so the trust plays quite an important role in building a support network within the property sector. At its heart, the Propertymark Trust wants to ensure that no member of Propertymark faces hardship on their own. This could be a range of challenges – a struggle with illness, financial difficulties, or the pursuit of professional development. To that end, the tr ..read more

The landscape of privately rented accommodation in the UK has evolved significantly since the introduction of the right to rent scheme on 1st December 2014, which mandates landlords and letting agents to verify that their tenants have the legal right to reside in England. As of 13th February 2024, a new version of the right to rent guidance has come into force, offering updated directives on how to carry out these crucial checks. This refreshed guidance is not just a tool to prevent unauthorised renting – it also serves as a shield for landlords and agents, giving them all the information they ..read more

With landlord repossession reaching 5,409 during the fourth quarter of 2022 (The Guardian), almost doubling from the same period in 2021, it seems that tenancy disputes continue to be on the rise. However, many tenants cannot afford to pay for legal advice and have looked to legal aid schemes, including the former Housing Possession Court Duty Schemes (HPCDS), to seek support in such matters during the past few years. However, a new Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service (HLPAS) has since been introduced and this offers a wider range of topics that qualify for tenant advice. This article is a ..read more

As a vital resource for buyers and sellers, a property information form helps both parties progress with the sale of a residential or business property. There are a handful of important property information forms in use today, including BASPI and PIQ, which we covered on our previous blog. In addition to those, the Law Society’s TA6 property information form is another widely used throughout the industry. Using property information forms is strongly recommended by conveyancers and other industry professionals as it helps to establish trust by providing important upfront information, which TA6 ..read more

Big changes are happening with Propertymark’s Property Information Questionnaires (PIQs). In March 2024, the foremost membership body for UK property professionals announced that these PIQ forms had been modified to comply with changes to the National Trading Standards’ Material Information guidance. So we can support landlords, letting agents and conveyancers, this blog will provide context on the background of property information forms and explain the recent updates to Propertymark’s PIQ. We will then look at the implications for agents, conveyancers and other affected property professional ..read more

London, 11th March 2024: Inventory Base, the UK’s leading property inspection software provider, and Street.co.uk, a pioneering estate agency software and CRM, are proud to announce an integration partnership that promises to drive operational change for property professionals and estate agency businesses across the UK. Street.co.uk has transformed how agents operate throughout the country, giving them access to innovative tools and revolutionary workflows to help them stay ahead of the competition. Now with this latest powerful integration, Street.co.uk agents can benefit from Inventory Base ..read more

Energy meters are a vital part of any household’s infrastructure, helping to generate accurate readings and bills. However, they are not always easily accessible and this can cause inconvenience or in some circumstances pose a danger to tenants’ lives. In late 2022, the sad news of elderly tenant Bernadette Faulkner passing away following her attempt to top up her energy meter highlighted issues regarding the placement of prepayment energy meters. Eighty year-old Bernadette Faulkner was an elderly tenant living in a London council flat. Her electricity meter was located approximately 8 feet up ..read more

Social housing in the United Kingdom has long been criticised for its failings by campaigners working to raise standards for social housing tenants, though some believe that the results have often fallen short of expectation. However, a new social housing law, known as the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, is set to make several positive changes to the safety standards people can expect from social housing, and the new powers it grants the Secretary of State and the Regulator of Social Housing to bring negligent landlords to task (or face unlimited fines) is being welcomed across the board ..read more