01/02/2012

Available for over a year

Vincent Duggleby and guests take your calls on renting and Letting Rents are continuing to rise, as demand outstrips supply. The shortage of housing is partly caused by would-be buyers forced to rent because they can't raise a deposit or get a mortgage. And, as the economy continues to stagnate, and unemployment rises, the number of tenants struggling to pay their rent has also increased. And, from this month, more people needing help with their rent will be affected by big changes in local housing allowance that came into force last April. If you're one of them, can you still afford the same property or do you have to move to a cheaper place? Will you get any extra help to cover the costs? If you're looking to rent, how can you be sure you're not paying too much? Perhaps you're planning to rent out your property because you can't sell it. One of the so-called 'reluctant landlords'. So what must you do before you putting it on the rental market? When a deposit is paid at the start of a let, how will new rules affect both tenants and landlords? And who's responsible for burst pipes or a faulty boiler? Vincent Duggleby is joined by: John Gallagher, principal solicitor at Shelter David Salusbury, Chairman, National Landlords Association Marveen Smith, Partner of Solicitors Pain Smith The number to ring. Lines open at 1pm. The number to ring - 03 700 100 444.