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The Latest Landlord Related Views & Info

Keeping you up to date on property law topics and guidance

Find our collection of blog posts below, covering a range of property law topics and guidance. If you cannot see the post you are looking for, be sure to use the search box. 

To see how AST Assistance can help you, contact our experienced team today on 01706 619 954, email info@ast-assistance.com, or fill in our online form to request a callback. 

25.03.26

The UK Landlord Checklist for Renting a House

Renting out a property can be a complex process with many steps to consider. From ensuring your house meets all legal requirements to finding the right tenant, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. This guide is designed to simplify the journey for UK landlords.
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09.03.26

Section 8 Landlords’ Rights

UK landlords: learn what to do if a tenant ignores a Section 21 notice. This guide covers legal prerequisites, issuing notices, and steps for eviction.
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28.01.26

HMO Planning Permission

UK landlords: learn what to do if a tenant ignores a Section 21 notice. This guide covers legal prerequisites, issuing notices, and steps for eviction.
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23.01.26

HMO Mortgage Lending Criteria

UK landlords: learn what to do if a tenant ignores a Section 21 notice. This guide covers legal prerequisites, issuing notices, and steps for eviction.
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29.09.25

How to Evict a Sublet Tenant - UK Guidance

For private landlords of residential tenancies, discovering that a tenant sublets your property without your knowledge or consent can come as an unwelcome surprise. Unauthorised subletting can create complications including breaches of the tenancy agreement, difficulties in regaining possession, and potential disputes with both the tenant and any subtenants who now live in the property.
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18.08.25

Landlord Document Checklist

At the start of a tenancy, certain documents must be provided to confirm the safety and legal status of the property, as well as to clarify the responsibilities of both landlord and tenant. These documents help establish a clear understanding from the outset and ensure compliance with current legislation.
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22.07.25

Eviction for Anti-Social Behaviour

For landlords in the private rental sector, dealing with anti-social tenants can be both stressful and time-consuming, especially when their behaviour leads to property damage, disruption to neighbours, or direct financial loss.
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17.07.25

Can I Evict a Tenant if I Want to Sell The House?

Landlords who decide to sell a residential property that is still tenanted will face challenges that would not arise if the property were vacant. Some landlords consider ending the tenancy to make the sale more straightforward, as the ability to conduct viewings without providing prior notice and keeping the property clean and presentable is often easier when no tenants remain in occupation.
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29.05.25

Our Response to Recent Online Harassment and Misinformation

It is with great regret that AST finds it necessary to make this public statement. However, due to a prolonged and distressing campaign of harassment and defamation targeting our company, our founder, and his family, we feel it is important to provide clarity and reassurance to our clients, partners, and wider community.
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12.05.25

Penalty for Not Protecting Deposit

Under UK legislation, such as the Housing Act 2004 and the Landlord and Tenant Act, landlords have a legal duty to protect any deposit paid to them by a tenant. Failure to do so can lead to financial penalties, legal action, and the loss of the right to recover possession of the property. This guide explains what landlords must do to comply with the law and the consequences of failing to meet these obligations.
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10.04.25

How to Correctly Draft an Eviction Notice

If you're a landlord facing issues with troublesome tenants, it's understandable that you may be looking to evict them to protect your property and rental income. As stressful as this process is, it's important to follow certain guidelines during an eviction that will help you remain compliant with UK housing legislation such as the Housing Act 1988 and 1996, the Deregulation Act 2015 and the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.
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06.03.25

How Long Does it Take to Get a Bailiff Warrant for Eviction?

With its intricate layers of protection for both parties involved, the UK's legal framework can often be daunting to understand and adhere to. Amongst the various stages of eviction, obtaining a bailiff warrant can be a vital step, allowing you to forcibly remove a tenant from your property with the help of the law.
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05.02.25

What Are Reference Checks? Facts for Landlords

Tenant reference checks provide landlords with an overview of a prospective tenant’s background, helping them assess their reliability and financial stability. By reviewing aspects of their current and previous financial situation, landlords can make informed decisions about who to rent to.
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03.02.25
What Is Prescribed Information? A Complete Guide for UK Landlords

What Is Prescribed Information? A Complete Guide for UK Landlords

Tenancy deposit protection is a legal requirement for landlords renting in the private rental sector in England and Wales. It is designed to protect tenants and provide landlords with a structured process for managing security deposits. However, many landlords unknowingly breach regulations, often due to misunderstandings about prescribed information and deposit protection schemes.
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28.01.25

What Is an HMO?

For landlords, managing properties often involves decisions about tenancy types and licensing. One question that commonly arises is, “What is an HMO?”. Understanding Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) can provide landlords with the insight to assess if this model is suited to their investment goals. This guide defines what an HMO is, provides the practical steps for effective management, aiming to address questions landlords may have on this subject.
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24.01.25

How to Create an HMO Tenancy Agreement

For landlords, drafting a thorough compliant HMO tenancy agreement is an essential step in managing a House in Multiple Occupation. A well-prepared agreement outlines the responsibilities of both landlord and tenants, providing clarity and helping to avoid disputes.
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08.01.25

What Is Mediation And Why Does It Matter?

Mediation, a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), is an effective method to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants. Unlike litigation, which can be confrontational and rigid, mediation provides a collaborative and flexible environment where both parties can express their concerns and work towards a mutually agreeable solution through a neutral third-party mediator.
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11.12.24

Do I Need an HMO Licence for Three Tenants?

As a landlord, understanding HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) regulations is part of managing your property and avoiding legal challenges. If you are asking the question 'Do I need an HMO licence for three tenants?', the answer depends on how your property is let and your local authority regulations. This blog will clarify when a licence might apply, what to consider, and how to stay compliant.
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11.12.24

Who Pays for Mediation Costs (UK)?

As a landlord, understanding how mediation costs are covered can help you make informed decisions when disputes arise. Mediation is increasingly viewed as a practical alternative to court proceedings in resolving disagreements with tenants. This blog outlines how mediation costs are determined, who pays for mediation costs (UK) and what landlords need to consider when choosing mediation to resolve tenancy issues.
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28.11.24

A Complete Guide to Tenant Referencing for UK Landlords

Tenant referencing is one of the most essential processes for landlords in the UK, designed to help ensure that a reliable and financially stable tenant occupies a property. Without proper tenant referencing, landlords expose themselves to the risks of non-payment, property damage or even legal issues.
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27.11.24

When Is an EPC Not Required? Know Your Legal Exemption

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are a fundamental part of renting property in the UK, but there are scenarios where landlords may not need one. Understanding these exemptions is a legal requirement and can help landlords to avoid unnecessary paperwork or expenses.
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26.11.24

Landlord Right to Rent Check: Your Legal Obligations

Right to Rent checks are a legal requirement for landlords in England, introduced under the Immigration Act 2014. The checks aim to prevent individuals without the legal right to reside in the UK from accessing private rental accommodation. For landlords, understanding and complying with these obligations is necessary to avoid fines and potential criminal liability. This article outlines your legal obligations as a landlord, Right to Rent checks steps, who must conduct them, and how to comply with the process.
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25.11.24

How to Perform a Tenant Reference Check

Tenant reference checks are a valuable step in the rental process, helping landlords make informed decisions about prospective tenants. They provide insights into a tenant’s financial reliability, rental history, and character, which can reduce the likelihood of rent arrears, property damage, or disputes.
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14.11.24

What Are Landlord Legal Requirements?

Being a landlord comes with specific obligations to keep the tenants renting the property safe. These responsibilities not only safeguard your tenants but also protect you from potential legal issues, by ensuring that your property remains a safe and secure environment in compliance with the law. Here is a closer look at what the legal requirements for landlords entail and how fulfilling these obligations contributes to your duty of care.
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14.11.24

Understanding Tenant and Landlord Perspectives in the UK: Survey Report

In recent years, the dynamics between tenants and landlords have been increasingly scrutinised, especially given recent legislative debates and changing perceptions about rental practices. AST Assistance’s recent survey of 1,606 Britons gathered responses on a range of topics, shedding light on perspectives across various demographics, regions, and experiences. The results offer insight into current attitudes and concerns around tenancy, property management, and landlord responsibilities.
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14.11.24

Is it a Legal Requirement to Have a Carbon Monoxide Detector in a Rental Property?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a hazard that can present itself without warning, posing risks that landlords must be aware of to protect their tenants. Whether it stems from a gas heater, boiler or other fuel-burning appliances, the presence of CO is an issue that landlords should take seriously. This post explores whether is it a legal requirement to have a carbon monoxide detector in a rental property and the practices that landlords can adopt to uphold safety standards.
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20.09.24

The Proposed Renter’s Rights Bill: How Will it Affect You?

The upcoming Renter’s Rights Bill, which proposes to abolish 'no fault' evictions, will likely alter how you manage your rental properties. With the abolition of Section 21 notices, England’s 2.3 million landlords will no longer have the option to evict the current 11 million tenants without having one of the reasons as outlined in the Bill.
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20.09.24

Do Landlords Need Contents Insurance?

When renting out a property, it’s easy to overlook the finer details of insurance. One of the most common questions that we are asked is whether landlords need contents insurance. While building insurance is typically required, contents insurance is not a legal requirement for landlords, yet is worth having.
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20.09.24

What Landlord Insurance Do I Need?

Renting out a property comes with responsibilities and risks, and one of the most effective ways to manage these risks is by having the right insurance. Whether it’s protection from tenant damage or covering legal liabilities, having the correct insurance ensures you comply with legal obligations and can avoid potential financial losses.
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04.09.24

What Insurance Policies Does a Landlord Need and Why?

As a landlord, securing the right insurance policies is important to protect your investment and ensure smooth property management. Being a landlord involves numerous responsibilities, including maintaining the property, ensuring tenant satisfaction, and safeguarding the investment. One aspect of property management is selecting a comprehensive landlord insurance policy to protect against potential risks and financial losses.
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04.09.24

Who is Responsible for Insurance on a Rental Property?

When it comes to renting out a property, understanding who is responsible for insurance can be confusing for both landlords and tenants. Insurance is a necessary component of property management for a myriad of reasons, but principally because it offers financial protection against various risks.
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04.09.24

Is it a Legal Requirement to Have Landlord Insurance?

As a landlord in the UK, managing a rental property involves numerous responsibilities, from safeguarding your tenants to maintaining the property itself continually. One common question that arises is whether it is a legal requirement to have landlord insurance.
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11.07.24

How to Build Healthy Landlord-Tenant Communication

As a landlord, you should communicate clearly with your tenants from the get-go to help create a smooth rental experience. This guide provides several communication methods you can use to keep tenants updated and resolve issues efficiently. By adopting these practices, you can create a better living environment and a stronger relationship with your tenants.
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09.07.24

What Does a Labour Government Mean for Landlords?

With the Labour Party securing a decisive victory in the recent general election, the UK's rental market is set to undergo notable changes. Housing has long been a crucial issue, with various governments pledging reforms but often delaying implementation. Now, with Labour at the helm, landlords can anticipate a series of new policies aimed at reshaping the rental landscape.
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16.05.24

How Long Does a Landlord Have to Return Deposits?

The security deposit is a financial safety net for landlords but also offers tenants an incentive to maintain the property's condition throughout their tenancy - it's an element of the rental agreement that bridges trust between tenant and landlord. However, the end of a tenancy often raises the question: how long does a landlord have to return this deposit?
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30.04.24

How to Get Rent Arrears from a Tenant

Dealing with rent arrears is a challenge many landlords face, impacting not only financial stability but also landlord-tenant relationships. This blog gives practical steps to recover overdue rent effectively, so you can understand the escalation steps available to you as the landlord.
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30.04.24

Tenants' Rights When a Landlord Sells Property

A property sale can be daunting for tenants. The sale of a tenanted property doesn't just involve the landlord and the buyer; it impacts the tenant's rights and living situation. This guide explains how landlords can maintain a positive relationship with tenants and adhere to legal obligations when looking to sell.
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18.04.24

How to Communicate With a Difficult Tenant

A challenging landlord-tenant relationship can often feel like walking a tightrope. Whether it's adhering to legal requirements, such as notifying tenants before entering the property, or simply maintaining a harmonious relationship, effective communication is key.
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18.04.24

Electrical Safety Checks for Landlords

Electrical safety in rental properties is governed by the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. These standards aim to ensure rental properties are safe for tenants by requiring regular checks and maintenance of electrical installations.
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18.04.24

A Landlord’s Guide to Pets

Whether or not to allow pets in a rental property is a common dilemma for landlords. While pets can make a rental feel more like home for tenants, they also bring potential for damage, disturbances, and other challenges. As a landlord in the UK, understanding how to approach situations where tenants keep pets, either openly or in secret, helps to maintain a harmonious relationship with your tenants and protect your property.
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18.04.24

Health and Safety Tips for Landlords

As a landlord in the UK, safeguarding your tenants' safety is a fundamental part of your responsibilities. This commitment directly affects tenant satisfaction and the reputation of your rental venture. Properly understanding and implementing health and safety regulations creates a safe housing environment and meets legal standards.
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29.02.24

How to Become a Landlord - Your Checklist Guide

Becoming a landlord can be a rewarding venture and offer financial benefits in the form of a steady income stream. However, it's not without its challenges. This guide provides you with the knowledge you need and the steps you should take to begin your journey as a landlord, covering everything from legal obligations to property preparation. Whether you've just purchased your first rental property or are considering managing a rental portfolio, this guide is for you.
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29.02.24

What Documents Do I Need to Evict a Tenant? (UK)

Evicting tenants is often a complex process. In the UK, the procedures and legal requirements are stringent and designed to protect both tenant and landlord rights. Landlords operating under Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) agreements should have a clear roadmap of the eviction process. In the following guide, we explain this and the documentation involved, ensuring you are prepared and informed at every step of the process.
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29.02.24

Can You Evict a Tenant Without a Solicitor?

Evicting a tenant can seem complex and daunting, but do you need a solicitor to navigate through it? At AST Assistance, we understand the challenges landlords face and our experts offer guidance to simplify the process while ensuring adherence to the law. In this guide, we explain how landlords can confidently manage evictions with our expert support, particularly focusing on Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs), the most common form of tenancy agreement in the UK.
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29.02.24

How Much Does it Cost to Evict a Tenant?

The legalities and the costs for an eviction can seem daunting, but understanding them can help landlords to manage their properties effectively and sustain their investments. At AST Assistance, we understand the challenges landlords face. Here, we provide a detailed breakdown of the costs associated with eviction, offering clarity so you can make informed decisions and plan for the future.
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29.02.24

Can I Evict a Tenant Without a Tenancy Agreement?

A tenancy agreement outlines the rights and responsibilities of each party to a rental property, ensuring that both sides are protected and aware of their obligations. If you made a verbal agreement, lost the document, or your property is inherited property with sitting tenants, you may find various aspects of your obligations and rights confusing, particularly when it comes to eviction.
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29.02.24

What Are the Fire Safety Regulations for Landlords?

As a landlord in the UK, understanding and implementing fire safety measures in your rental properties is about complying with the law and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of your tenants. This guide provides landlords with a straightforward overview of their obligations under UK fire safety regulations. We'll walk you through the essential steps and requirements to help you make your properties safe and compliant.
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19.01.24

How Do I Get My Tenant to Move Out?

If a landlord wants their tenant to move out, they need to follow legal procedures and handle the situation with a clear understanding of the tenant’s rights. This is a straightforward guide on the legal and ethical ways for landlords to approach this process.
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09.12.23

Can Landlords Charge for Wear and Tear?

This article explores the topic of wear and tear in rental properties: a common area of discussion for landlords and tenants. We also define what constitutes wear and tear, differentiate it from damage, and examine its implications in the context of rental agreements.
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12.10.23

What Damage Is a Tenant Liable For?

A common concern for landlords letting out rental properties is understanding the distinction between fair wear and tear and damage for which the tenant is liable. The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 sets out the respective obligations, clarifying a landlord’s responsibility to maintain the property and its fixtures in proper working order and to carry out repairs when necessary to preserve this standard.
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12.10.23

How to Recover Rent Arrears

If you’re a landlord, you must know how to recover rent arrears by using you rights to your advantage. Learn about the best approach with our guide here.
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05.09.23

5 Property Portfolio Management Tips for Landlords

Landlords are increasingly on the lookout for ways of improving their portfolio management while saving money and protecting profits. In this article, Jon Pryse-Jones from THP – the Accountants for Landlords – shares his top 5 tips for improving your property portfolio management.
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18.04.23

What is an Abandonment Notice?

If you wish to serve an abandonment notice, you must know your legal obligations as landlord and how to regain control of your property swiftly. See how here.
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03.04.23

What is a Regulated Tenancy?

If you manage properties and are wondering “What is a regulated tenancy”, read the expert guide here to know your legal obligations as a landlord.
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20.03.23

Eviction Letter Template and Guide

An eviction notice is a document presented to the tenant to inform them of the intention to begin the eviction process, and typically marks the beginning of the process. For a successful and legal eviction, the landlord must follow the necessary steps.
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13.03.23

What Are The Rules For Evicting a Tenant?

Here we, the property law experts at AST Assistance answer the question: ‘What are the rules for evicting a tenant?; explain the rules for evicting a tenant, the appropriate circumstances for eviction, and how to avoid costly or time-consuming mistakes in the process of evicting a tenant.
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23.02.23

What is Selective Licensing?

If you lease property in a selective licensing area and are wondering “What is selective licensing”, read the expert guide here to know your legal obligations as landlord.
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25.01.23

Tenant Background and Credit Checks

For landlords, dealing with difficult tenants and those who do not pay rent can cause undue stress and money. Not to mention, the process to rectify such problems can be lengthy and add further costs.
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25.11.22

What Does Property Maintenance Include?

If you own and privately rent a residential property, it must be maintained consistently and kept to acceptable living standards for the tenants residing there. Landlords are required to comply with their obligations concerning property maintenance to meet these standards and reduce the risk of being held liable.
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15.11.22

How Long Does an Eviction Process Take?

If you are a landlord considering eviction, you should know how long it typically takes to regain possession of your property. The process of evicting tenants must be followed precisely in accordance with the Housing Act 1988 and other applicable legislation. Failure to comply with the correct procedures can lead to legal claims, financial penalties and delays in recovering your property.
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13.10.22

Tenants Are Not Paying Rent - What Can I Do?

One of the biggest worries for landlords in the UK is tenants who don't pay their rent. At best, dealing with rent nonpayment may be time-consuming and upsetting. At worst, it may determine whether a landlord is able to make their monthly mortgage or fall into arrears.
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06.10.22

Tenants' Rights: Property for Sale

Landlords looking to sell their property must know their tenants’ rights; property for sale requires both parties’ rights to be respected. Learn how to do this here.
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