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As of 21st March 2016, the court fees for possession claims have increased by £75.00 as follows:
Accelerated possession claim (Section 21 only) from £280.00 tom £355.00
Standard possession claim (commOnly used for Section 8 Claims) from £280.00 to £355.00
Possession claim on-line (PCOL) (Section 8 rent arrears only) from £250.00 to £325.00
SWLA Office on 30 Dale Road, Plymouth PL4 6PD, opens between 10am and 3pm – Monday-Friday. Messages can be left on an answer phone outside these hours or by e-mail – swla12@btconnect.com.09
Landlords will no longer be immediately criminalised for failing to pick up an illegal tenant following a campaign which demanded changes to the Governments Right to Rent legislation. Changes to the Immigration Bill will provide some protection for landlords who have taken reasonable steps in an appropriate time span to teminate tenancies of those living in the country illegally. Previously, landlords would have faced immediate criminal sanctions, upon officials discovering that they failed to ensure their tenants had the right to rent their property.
With effect from 1st April 2016 tenants will be able to request consent from their landlords to carry out energy efficiency improvements to privately rented properties. The landlord will not be able to unreasonably refuse consent. It will, however, be the responsibility of tenants to ensure that the works are funded and the intention is that no upfront costs should fall on the landlord, unless the landlord agrees to contribute.
There are separate regulations requiring properties to be brought up to an E rating on an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) which are effective from 1st April 2018.