iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

The government's proposed changes to the minimum energy efficiency standards and metrics in the PRS are far-reaching. It's not a "mere" EPC C... I've just surfaced after reading the 67 page consultation document and writing this blog post to break it down. theindependentlandlord.com/new-epc-rules/

theindependentlandlord.com

The proposed new EPC / energy efficiency rules for landlords explained

The post explains the significant changes to minimum energy efficiency standards for landlords announced in 2025 for implementation from 2028

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

🎬 Wondering what the House of Lords can and can't do when it comes to a manifesto bill like the Renters' Rights Bill? In this video I explain what types of amendments the Lords might be able to get onto the Bill. I also give my take on what Baroness Taylor said www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU00...

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

The fact my blog is called The Independent Landlord kind of gives away the fact I provide homes for people to live in. I accept families, people on benefits, and pets. And I have never increased rent more than the lower of CPIH and wage inflation 🤷🏻‍♀️

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

I’ve finally left X now. A bit behind the curve, I know, but I’m hoping that Bluesky will like the good old days of Twitter when I would learn a lot and not have rubbish on my feed. How’s everyone finding it here?

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

Govt amends to Renters’ Rights Bill out. Here’s my summary. Still figuring out if landlords can take first month’s rent with deposit. Has the clause 30 “loophole” now gone? What say you @justinbates.bsky.social @nearlylegal.co.uk and @hmolawyer.bsky.social theindependentlandlord.com/rrb-latest

theindependentlandlord.com

The latest on the Renters' Rights Bill

The latest news on the Renters' Rights Bill on its journey through the House of Commons, House of Lords towards Royal Assent

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

🎬 New YouTube video out now which explains exactly what rights tenants will be getting in the Renters’ Rights Bill in 2025, from the perspective of tenants. I’ve dedicated it to my daughters who’ve had some pretty appalling landlords Part 4 in free practical training course youtu.be/LL7SDU5g5EA

youtu.be

What new rights will tenants get in Renters' Rights Bill? Part 4 of Renters' Rights Bill Explained

YouTube video by The Independent Landlord

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

With the Renters’ Rights Bill coming in 2025, I’ve created a YouTube channel to provide free, apolitical and practical training to help landlords, property businesses and renters understand what will be different. Part 1 of Renters’ Rights Bill explained out now 😊 youtu.be/tNskMxuiDd4?...

youtu.be

How the Renters' Rights Bill changes tenancies

YouTube video by The Independent Landlord

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

Yes, going down stairs took a bit of getting used to! It’s one now though 😊

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 09/09/2024

Assuming the government adopts the parts of the Renters (Reform) Bill which it supported, the new Renters' Rights Bill will end the "AST trap". This would make being a leaseholder a little less precarious for those with ground rent above £250 (£1k in London) theindependentlandlord.com/ast-trap/

theindependentlandlord.com

The end of ground rent "AST trap" evictions for leaseholders?

How the Renters' Rights Bill promises to end the AST trap for leaseholders where freeholders can evict for non-payment of ground rent

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 07/09/2024

Winter is coming! 🪵🔥Love how people in the Ardennes are ready with some very impressive wood piles!

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 06/09/2024

The Renters’ Rights Bill is rumoured to land next week. Here’s a guide on what I expect will be in it, based on what the government have said (and not speculation in certain parts of the media). theindependentlandlord.com/kings-speech/

theindependentlandlord.com

The latest on the Renters' Rights Bill

The latest on what has been confirmed for the upcoming Renters' Rights Bil, Labour's version of the Renters Reform Bill

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 01/09/2024

I would not buy an EPC D or E house as a rental without a discount that reflects the investment I’d need to make to get it to a C.

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 26/08/2024

In honour of International Day of the Dig, I’m sharing a couple of photos of my beloved dog Harry who died during lockdown. These are pictures in the Kentish North Downs. I still miss him! 🐾💕

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 26/08/2024

I'm enjoying all the photos in my feed on @bsky.app. Not the sort of "influencer" photos on their Instagram grid, but nice snaps that brighten up my day. Thank you X

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 26/08/2024

Telegram seems to be the spammers' choice in my FB group. I've set up a rule so that all posts that give a link to Telegram are declined and the spammer is automatically removed from the group

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 25/08/2024

🎧 In this week's episode of Good Landlording, we talk to Lisa Brown, former nurse, about providing quality supported living to help people with support needs. goodlandlording.com/episode-22/

goodlandlording.com

#22: Making a Success of Supported Living, with guest Lisa Brown

🎧 Summer special episode of Good Landlording with expert guest, Lisa Brown, about how landlords can make a success of supported living

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 24/08/2024

Blimey. Reminds me of when I bought a house from an owner occupier with a v dangerous wall. Next door neighbour was owner occupier too, and a builder to boot. I paid for the wall to be taken down and a fence put up, even though it was the neighbour's responsibility. I would not countenance a hazard,

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Reposted by Suzanne Smith

Dan Neidle @danneidle.bsky.social · 22/08/2024

After charging their landlord clients millions of pounds in fees for a tax scheme that HMRC are now challenging, tax avoidance promoters Property118 tell inews "we never offered advice, just recommendations". It's a bit late.

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Reposted by Suzanne Smith

Stephanie Harris @mllesharris.bsky.social · 18/08/2024

What’s your sign?

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 20/08/2024

I agree it makes sense to change the jurisdiction of the FTT in the Renters’ Rights Bill to include the validity of the notice

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 19/08/2024

So funny about LinkedIn! The home of the humblebrag!

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 19/08/2024

Has anyone read Caledonian Road by Andrew O’Hagan? I’ve just finished listening to it on Audible. Superb!

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 19/08/2024

I did a French degree as mature student (after career as solicitor). When they reply in English, I tell them in French that it’s very kind of them to speak in English, but there’s no need as it’s easier for me to understand them if they speak in “la langue de Molière”. That normally does the trick 😊

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 19/08/2024

Have missed you from Electoral Dysfunction! But your absence is in a very good cause 😊

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 19/08/2024

I started one almost exactly 2 years ago and it has taken on a life of its own. I committed to publishing one new blog post a week, plus a weekly newsletter. All free. Sometimes I update older posts, but I’ve kept to it. I now have 5.5k subscribers and I’ve broken even with people buying me coffee

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 19/08/2024

I’ve just been up this thing to inspect the roof before authorising preventative repairs. I’m not terribly good with heights, and have a dodgy knee, but I managed it 💪🏻

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 18/08/2024

Birthday celebrations today for my twin babes 💕

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Reposted by Suzanne Smith

Katie Martin @katie0martin.ft.com · 17/08/2024

Since a few of you have asked, here's another gift link for the next 300 hits, but if i do any more, @janinegibson.bsky.social might shout at me, or - worse - look over her glasses at me in a really disapproving manner on.ft.com/4cu0FC0

on.ft.com

How to break up with your X

[FREE TO READ] Four rules for exiting the site formerly known as Twitter

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 17/08/2024

Hello Lee. It’s my second day. Welcome!

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 17/08/2024

We were fairly early adopters and have a 2019 electric car with range of c120 miles. We use it as our everyday car for journeys under 100 miles, and another car of similar age for longer journeys. Decided it’s greener to keep the old electric car rather than trade it in for new one with better range

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 17/08/2024

In this blog post I write about my experiences of retrofitting a late Victorian mid-terraced house with an EPC E, while tenants are living there, to improve energy efficiency. Plus lots of tips from energy efficiency experts theindependentlandlord.com/epc-landlords/

theindependentlandlord.com

EPCs and Labour's plans to improve energy efficiency in the PRS

Guide for landlords on Labour's Warm Homes Plan to improve energy efficiency, and how it will affect private landlords

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 17/08/2024

Very funny (on my feed as a newbie). May Zola rest in peace 😊

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 17/08/2024

Thank you. I’ve signed up 😊

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 16/08/2024

Am glad I can still see your lovely photos after your X-it 📷😊

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 16/08/2024

Awwww. That’s a good a reason as any!

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 16/08/2024

I shared this article in The Times by Melissa York on X this morning about EPCs, in which I'm quoted. And it was in the comments of my post that I found out about @bsky.app, thanks to @jamespargeter.bsky.social. It's nice to be here, enjoying the sun 😎 🙏 www.thetimes.com/article/570c...

thetimes.com

Should landlords sell up or splash the cash to meet Labour’s new eco rules?

The government wants all private rentals to be energy efficient by 2030, which will lead to difficult choices between cashing out or investing in green upgrades

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 16/08/2024

Like the Daily Mail, but with longer words

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 16/08/2024

How do their baguettes measure up?

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 16/08/2024

Can I be cheeky and put myself forward as a woman of brilliance who writes? After a career as a lawyer I set up a blog 2 years ago to try to produce reliable, independent content to help landlords be good landlords. Not an oxymoron! 😊 This is me: theindependentlandlord.com/the-independ...

theindependentlandlord.com

About Suzanne Smith, The Independent Landlord

Profile of Suzanne Smith, The Independent Landlord, lawyer turned landlord who shares practical advice for landlords in her blog and podcast

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 16/08/2024

That’s fantastic! Which college?

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Reposted by Suzanne Smith

Anna Clarke @annaclarke.bsky.social · 16/08/2024

Have just made up a list of people posting about housing - go.bsky.app/NRu8tPX

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Suzanne Smith @suzannesmith.bsky.social · 16/08/2024

Thank you Anna! Much appreciated. 😊

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