The effects of the credit crunch are impacting the rental market in the UK with an increase in the number of house for rent due to the inability for many people to secure a mortgage or deciding to rent until the housing market condition changes.

From April 7th Housing Benefit will no longer be paid directly to landlords in respect of new claims coming through the benefits system. The Rent Management Service from Hutcheon Solicitors has developed rent payment cards to help ensure that rent payments are made by tenants in receipt of Housing Benefit payments under the new regulations.

With the OFT taking Foxtons to court over unfair tenancy renewal fees and other unfair contractual charges, the debate about the 'lawfulness' of renewal fees is set to escalate.

As the global Credit Crunch continues to affect the buy to let market and daily living costs continue to rise, why are private landlords still paying the inflated letting agent fees that seriously erode their profit margins?

The way in which Housing Benefit is to be paid to tenants is shortly about to change dramatically. Changes to the Housing Benefit system will cause big problems for private landlords used to receiving tenant rent payments direct from the local authority as this direct rent payment system is about to be removed.