Section 21 and the assured shorthold tenancy finally came to an end on the 31st of July. Tom Entwistle comments
Burnley and Scarbrough councils want landlords to have their say on plans to extend selective licensing in their boroughs.
The government has pledged to reduce duplicate data entry in the PRS Database after early testing by landlords.
Landlords who can show evidence of rents actually achieved could be in a stronger position when defending rent increases at tribunal.
After the Section 21 deadline rush, attention turns to whether the new Section 8 grounds and courts can deliver timely possession.
Landlord possession claims surged 28% in July as owners raced to meet the final Section 21 court deadline before new rules took effect.
Property118 wins DOTAS appeal, but the ruling doesn't confirm its incorporation planning works for all landlords.
Ministers have revealed the detailed landlord enforcement data that councils will be expected to hand over from next year.
Overseas renters account for almost two-thirds of Foxtons' tenants, highlighting the referencing challenge facing landlords.
Buy-to-let can deliver rental income and long-term growth, but success depends on choosing the right location and planning costs.
A former letting agency boss has admitted she scammed almost £50,000 from dozens of tenants and landlords.
The build-to-rent sector saw one of the sharpest falls in the number of new starts on site during the last quarter.
Tribunals appear increasingly willing to award compensation for minor issues at unreasonable percentages, says a landlord group.
Landlords are taking advantage of Oxford’s housing shortage to rent out badly maintained HMOs, according to the city council.
Covid devastated the small enterprise section of the commercial property market. Are we at last seeing signs of recovery?
Regional rent controls could move a step closer after Labour’s Bev Craig won the Greater Manchester’s mayoral election.
Another Liverpool City Region is debating proposals to bring in a selective licensing scheme for private rented homes.
The Welsh Government is reviewing the 182-day letting threshold used to classify self-catering properties for local tax purposes.
Eviction specialist Paul Shamplina says it’s been “carnage” this week as landlords try to beat the last-minute rush to issue possession claims.
UK interest rates have been held at 3.75% for a fifth time by the Bank of England.
A group of Thurrock landlords have lost their final chance to challenge the Essex borough’s scheme and must stump up £7,500 in costs.
Tenant referencing has just got a whole lot more complicated and necessary – make sure you get it right
HMO landlords are ahead of the game when it comes to making energy efficiency improvements, according to Paragon Bank.
Landlords in Preston could soon have to pay £1,050 for a selective licence - but the council wants their views on whether to allow discounts.
mydeposits launches new Total Property platform, simpler pricing and cheaper insured deposit protection for landlords and agents.
A landlord whose tenants had to use toilets at work when repairs weren’t done at their unlicensed flat has been ordered to repay £24,480.
Landlords have been urged to conduct pest inspections and ensure tenants understand rubbish etiquette amid a rise in rat infestations.
Landlords paid £104 million in voluntary tax disclosures in the last financial year as HMRC casts its net wider.
Liverpool Council is weighing up the pros and cons of three potential selective licensing schemes which will impact city landlords next year.
Gedling Borough Council wants landlords’ views on whether it should bring in tougher rules for HMO conversions.
A landlord who ignored repeated requests to provide his tenant with hot water has been told to pay £5,600 in fines.
Tenants are now much less likely to search for pet-friendly rental properties following rental reforms, says Rightmove.
Land value tax has a high administration cost; will it ever get off the ground?
New Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has confirmed that the government is not looking to bring in rent controls in England.
St Helens Council has vowed to “tighten the screws” on HMOs after voting to bring in a borough-wide Article 4 Direction.
Landlords should decide whether they or their tenants are liable for the new High Value Council Tax Surcharge, says Propertymark.
A landlord has been ordered to repay almost £19,500 after a tribunal ruled he did not have a reasonable excuse for his unlicensed HMO.
VAT on electricity bills falls to 0% from October, offering landlords modest savings while highlighting the value of energy efficiency.
Campaigning tenant group Generation Rent has appointed Holly Williamson as its new chief executive, replacing Ben Twomey.
Professional investors have turned their attention to build-to-rent developments amid higher costs and greater tenant rights.
Tamworth Council plans to introduce additional licensing in a bid to stop HMO developers targeting the borough.
Rent repayment orders have become a favoured enforcement tool in the tenants’ arsenal, but frivolous and bogus claims can rebound on them
More property experts have urged Andy Burnham to reconsider potential rent controls in England in his bid to address the cost of living.
New data reveals continued fierce competition for rental homes as the pace of price rises is beginning to moderate.
Claimant firms might think more carefully before pursuing speculative claims, according to a property lawyer involved in a recent case.
Two London boroughs have launched consultations into bolstering their licensing schemes.
Property sector figures have given Angela Rayner a cautious welcome as she returns to her old job as Housing Secretary.
The government is considering introducing tougher verification checks for letting agents joining official schemes.
Tenant referencing helps landlords assess risk, but a “pass” is not proof of identity. Strong checks and vigilance remain essential.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham hasn’t ruled out rent controls as part of his pledge to help people with the cost of living.
A tax expert has urged landlords it’s not too late to register for Making Tax Digital despite the first filing deadline less than three weeks away.
A landlord firm has been fined for breaching licensing conditions after tenants were found sleeping in squalor in one of its properties.
The figures show that more and more traditional buy-to-let landlords are considering a diversifying strategy of investing in commercial property
LRG is rolling out Making Tax Digital software to 73,000 landlords, expanding letting agents' role in tax compliance.
Lloyds Living has taken another step towards becoming one of the UK’s largest private landlords by buying 980 new homes.
A property tribunal has ruled that a settlement demand backed by Justice for Tenants was made to intimidate the landlord.
Research finds Making Tax Digital is increasing compliance pressures for landlords already facing wider challenges.
Slough landlords will soon have to fork out £950 for an additional licence and £750 for a selective licence under two new schemes.
If you think of squatting as a residential problem is now solved by the 2012 criminal law reforms, think again
Three landlords who left their tenants living in a home with damp, mould and no heating will be reported to the Rogue Landlord Database.
Housing crisis needs landlord-tenant partnership, not blame: both sides face pressures and must work together to fix broken system
The number of available rental homes has dropped below the previous year’s level for the first time since 2022.
Leaseholders will gain greater powers to scrutinise service charges and challenge unreasonable costs next year, the government has announced.
Councils are failing to collect fines issued to rogue and criminal landlords despite conducting more property inspections.
Long-term landlords face a growing CGT trap as rising tax liabilities make selling or holding property an increasingly difficult decision.
Tenants whose rent exceeds £100,000 face a lack of protection in the Renters’ Rights Act, according to a top property lawyer.
Landlords are increasingly refinancing and restructuring rather than selling properties, as lenders report falling mortgage arrears.
Landlords in Wales face tougher rules on evicting tenants as part of another shake-up for the country’s private rented sector.
A new government report has provided an early warning of the pitfalls private landlords should avoid when Awaab’s Law takes effect.
Landlords are struggling with rising rent arrears as they face waits of up to a year to regain possession of their properties in Scotland.
A new property management platform aims to help landlords keep on top of the growing compliance burden as rental reforms bite.
The share of homes bought by landlords exceeded the share of homes they sold last month – for the first time since 2019.
Landlords are prioritising ensuite bedrooms and green credentials when hunting out investments or making improvements to HMOs.
Avoid costly deposit protection mistakes: check Prescribed Information, protect on time, and correct errors before court.
This was the subject of a recent Upper Tribunal case, an issue which has far-reaching consequences for landlords seeking CGT relief on incorporation
Landlords should use the time before the next stage of the Renters’ Rights Act to review compliance, paperwork and tenant relationships, according to
The number of pensioner households renting privately could more than triple over the next 20 years, new research finds.
Interest rate rises and tax changes have hit landlords harder than a two-year rent freeze would have, according to a think-tank.
Ministers have expanded the Cladding Safety Scheme to include some lower-rise residential buildings with the most serious fire safety risks.
Paragon Bank has helped a landlord refinance a complex 77‑property portfolio and save £280,000 over five years.
Professionalism, compliance and business thinking are now essential for landlord success, NLIS speakers agreed.
Rental demand is gathering pace again after a relatively subdued period, according to agents around the UK.
Serial fraudster jailed for five years after fake references, forged documents and tenant scams exposed through private prosecution.
More than two-thirds of tenants are unaware of, or don’t understand the Renters’ Rights Act, a new survey finds.
UK rent growth is slowing as affordability limits rises, forcing landlords to balance higher costs with sustainable returns.
Now that Section 21 has gone, landlords and agents need to know how to streamline the process of using Section 8
Flat-share supply has fallen for the first time in three years, with the number of room adverts across the UK dropping by 3.2% in Q2 2026.
A rogue landlord used an AI-generated image to trick council inspectors into believing he had installed a smoke detector in a rental property.
Merton Council will make an Article 4 Direction permanent across 13 more wards in a bid to clamp down on the growth of HMOs.
Section 21 deadline panic grows as landlords flood the courts. Accuracy is critical before 31 July.
A rogue landlord and his property management firm have been fined for renting out a damp HMO with mushrooms on the walls.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed has taken a swipe at buy-to-let landlords in a speech about funding new homes.
Leasehold campaigners have warned that plans to introduce exemptions could lead to disputes and cause some leaseholders to lose out.
Brighton & Hove is widening the reach of its selective licensing scheme to take in a further two areas of the city.
The UK build-to-rent sector attracted £2.2 billion of investment in Q2 2026, marking the strongest second quarter on record.
Smaller property investment firms are finding it tougher to get finance as lenders often rate them as higher risk, according to new research.
Why are Andy Burnham's CGT rumours already reshaping the property market? Investors are rushing to sell assets
New rules for landlords on digital Right to Rent checks are being launched this autumn.
MPs have piled the pressure on ministers to regulate property managing agents as the government seeks to reform the leasehold sector.
MPs have urged the government to make it easier for councils to bring in selective licensing schemes to help improve standards.
Akiva worked in the charity sector and property management before joining the legal team at Landlord Action. He has helped countless landlords get back possession of their property from some of the most difficult tenants.”
Alex Nolan, Senior Training Manager at NRLA, provides expert training on HMO management, tenancy processes, and rental sector legislative updates.
Alphaletz is designed to be a simple, cost-effective solution to these problems. Their mission is to free you from the burden of spreadsheets and paperwork, so you can free up time and keep an eye on your profits.
Partner at Xeinadin. Xeinadin is a leading provider of accountancy services and business advice for small and medium-sized enterprises and individuals across the UK and Ireland.
Established in 1860 to care for abandoned animals, Battersea aims to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help. In 2023, we helped 2,529 dogs and 2,450 cats across our three centres. Our work means we see day-to-day the many animal welfare issues facing dogs, cats and the people who care for them.
With over 170 locally-managed offices of letting and estate agents nationwide, Belvoir can provide you with the best service and advice to suit your needs
Ben is the Chief Executive of the NRLA. Prior to taking up his position at the NRLA, Ben was the operations director at Touchstone, part of the Places for People housing group, and was also the managing director of a leading deposit scheme in Northern Ireland. Ben is also a landlord.
David Coughlin is a Cambridge University graduate with more than 20 years’ experience trading property across the UK. Known for maximising and reinvesting capital gains, he has built a substantial property portfolio and is widely regarded as a leading figure in the UK property sector. He has been recognised by the press as one of the UK’s most successful businesspeople and entrepreneurs, noted for both the scale of his property interests and his long-term, strategic approach to the market. David played a key role in raising standards within the quick house sales sector. He was a founding member of the National Association of Property Buyers, working in consultation with The Property Ombudsman to help establish best-practice guidelines for the industry. His stated aim is to challenge traditional approaches and reshape how property is bought and sold in the UK, with a focus on transparency, professionalism, and better outcomes for all parties involved.
CEO of Hamilton Fraser
Helen has been writing about property for many years and as well as writing for LandlordZONE and other property industry titles, has worked for Trinity Mirror’s local newspapers, and started her career at the Brighton Argus.
The HFIS group started as a niche insurance broker focused on the private rented and aesthetic sectors in 1996. Now an established company of over 11 brands and services to the industry, the HFIS group includes Total Landlord, six time award winner of ‘Best Landlord Insurance Provider’ and Hamilton Fraser, ‘Best Specialist Insurance Provider 2023’. Over the years, they have grown to include government authorised schemes such as mydeposits and targeted acquisitions, extending our roots through partnerships with trade bodies and regulatory organisations.
Kim has a strong background in the lettings industry, having worked in Property Management since 1999. Starting out as a Property Manager, she then worked her way through the ranks, spending several years at Countrywide Plc, before receiving her promotion to Director of Property Management and joining Romans in 2018. Now as Group Director of Property Management for LRG, Kim oversees the running of a large, national team who serve circa 60,000 tenancies across the UK, whilst developing the division’s range of services for new and existing customers.
The Landlord Sales Agency retains unrivalled experience in the landlord property sales industry having purchased over 300 buy to let properties over the last 15 years. Their expert knowledge provides them with a unique understanding of the challenges you face, both in running your properties and selling a property portfolio.
Since 1999, LandlordZONE® has been the UK’s leading landlord website, providing property news, advice, legal information and insight for the rental property industry. With over 60,000 members worldwide, LandlordZONE brings an online community of landlords and agents together and provides them with a forum for public discussion on the latest property news. Supporting the journey of a landlord is at the heart of what we do – the website provides free access to comprehensive, educational and reliable information that landlords can utilise throughout their landlord journey. We are dedicated to the publication of unbiased and factual news reporting, working with various property professionals to create a trustworthy, professional and respected community for anyone interested in property.
Leaders is one of the UK's premier estate and letting agents, with more than 100 branches across the country offering a host of property services.
Maria is a journalist who oversees the operations of LandlordZONE behind the scenes, producing clear, well-researched, and engaging content focused on the private rented sector. Alongside her editorial work, she manages advertising partnerships, working closely with clients to develop effective campaigns that align with their goals and resonate with LandlordZONE’s broad audience. Her role bridges editorial and commercial strategy, ensuring a consistent and high-quality experience for readers and advertisers alike.
MFB is an award-winning mortgage broker covering all areas of property finance, including buy to let, commercial, and homebuyer mortgages, as well as development and short-term finance. With over 33 years of experience, our team’s knowledge and expertise are unrivalled, making us the broker you can trust. We pride ourselves on our 4.9-star Trustpilot rating and strive to deliver excellence for every single client. When you work with MFB, we take the stress out of your mortgage application process. As a whole-of-market mortgage broker, we’ll find you the best rate for your needs, giving you confidence in your property finance decisions. We proudly recommend MFB as LandlordZONE's official Mortgage Broker Partner, recognising its expertise in the field.
Michael Lever is a commercial property specialist with a career spanning more than five decades, with particular expertise in rent reviews, lease renewals, business tenancies, and shop property. Educated at the City of London School, he began his professional career in 1967 at Montagu Evans in London before joining his late father’s firm, Fineman Lever & Company, chartered surveyors, in 1971. In 1975, Michael established his own practice, pioneering a specialist focus on rent review and lease renewal work. Originally based in Harrow, North West London, he later relocated his office to Ledbury, Herefordshire, while continuing to advise on properties primarily across London, the South East, and North West England. Alongside client work, Michael has made a longstanding contribution to professional practice and market understanding through extensive writing on rent reviews, business tenancies, and commercial property. Since the late 1970s, he has published a series of influential pamphlets and booklets on rent review methodology, negotiation psychology, auctions, and retail investment, many of which have been widely cited and adopted across the profession. His work has been referenced in legal texts and academic commentary, reflecting its impact on industry thinking. Michael’s writing and commentary have appeared in leading property, legal, and business publications, including the Financial Times, Estates Gazette, Property Week, Retail Week, Investor’s Chronicle, and professional journals serving solicitors, surveyors, and arbitrators. In 1995, he was awarded a prize for an essay on the future of town centres and retailing in a competition sponsored by Marks & Spencer, and in 1996 he received a Certificate of Academic Standing from the The Law Society. He has also served as a guest editor and contributor across a range of professional platforms and newsletters, and since 2022 has written regularly for the LandlordZONE monthly newsletter and contributed to its commercial property forum. Michael is known for a tailored, analytical approach to rent reviews, combining technical expertise with commercial insight. His services are frequently recommended by chartered surveyors, solicitors, accountants, and business advisers, and many clients have worked with him on a long-term basis.
mydeposits was founded in 2007, giving landlords, agents and tenants an alternative to the other two deposit protection schemes. Now, over a decade later, mydeposits are proud to still giving you a choice by offering all two types of deposit protection, insured and custodial.
The National Landlord Investment Show is the UK’s Number One landlord & property investment exhibition. Our shows connect thousands of landlords, investors & property professionals and are a beacon for anyone with an interest in buy-to-let or the private rented sector. We have everything you could conceivably need as a landlord or potential investor, including Legal Advice, Finance Suppliers, Investment Opportunities, Tax Experts, Property Management, Education & Mentoring, Proptech, Furnishings / Decor and myriad other helpful services.
CEO of the UK's largest franchised property inventory management and property compliance reporting company - No Letting Go and CEO of Kaptur Software, mobile data collecting software for the property industry. A passionate supporter of the property industry. Previously developed the largest and most successful RE/MAX estate and letting agency in Kent and co-founded Search24 a specialist conveyancing search reports business.
Nigel Lewis is a property journalist and editor with more than 25 years’ experience across national newspapers, magazines and online media. He has worked on a variety of titles, including the Daily Mail, and has edited Channel 4’s A Place in the Sun and Location, Location, Location magazines. From December 2019 to January 2026, Nigel led content at LandlordZONE. His previous senior roles include head of content positions at PrimeLocation and Zoopla, and he has appeared on TV and radio including the BBC, LBC and Radio 5 Live. He writes and edits property content for a range of platforms, with a focus on the private rented sector.
Paul Shamplina is the founder of Landlord Action.
We are a consumer redress scheme, authorised by the Government since 2014, to provide an impartial service that considers consumer complaints about a variety of property related issues. All property agents who carry out estate, lettings and property management work, have a legal responsibility to belong to a redress scheme and, if at any point, the consumer feels the service one of our members has provided falls short of what is expected, they may be able to raise a complaint. We also provide redress for other property professionals which includes landlords, and we offer dedicated tenancy mediation helping to resolve tenancy issues and prevent cases needing to go to court. Please note the Property Redress Scheme is not a regulator or an enforcement agency.
RWInvest is an award-winning property investment company with over 17 years of industry experience and an extensive track record of successfully completed housing projects.
Sean Hooker is the Head of Redress at Property Redress. He is a Qualified Adjudicator (ACIArb), CEDR Accredited Mediator and has a Professional Award in Ombudsman and Complaints Handling Practice (Queen Margaret University and Ombudsman Association).
In-depth knowledge of tenancy deposit schemes, end of tenancy deposit resolution and complaint handling. With over 11 years in the industry and an understanding of some of the challenges faced by landlords, agents and tenants my training focuses on best practice evidence for negotiation, early resolution and adjudication.
I have been a qualified solicitor since 2010 and have worked with HFIS since 2012. With nearly two decades of experience in the lettings industry, I oversee the day-to-day operations of several key schemes at HFIS, including the mydeposits tenancy deposit protection scheme, Property Redress - the government-authorised consumer redress scheme for sales, lettings, and property management agents, and Client Money Protect, the largest client money protection scheme for independent property agents. Throughout my career, I have worked at the forefront of the significant regulatory and industry changes that have shaped the lettings sector over the past decade.
Having built up a small portfolio of these properties he managed them alongside his full-time career in further and higher education. Tom subsequently founded the first landlord website in the UK back in 1999 – LandlordZONE – and is also a recognised writer on the subject of residential and commercial property. Tom has been a regular contributor to real estate journals, blogs, and a speaker at property events for nearly 20 years and now spends his time researching and writing articles for LandlordZONE. He is also regularly quoted in articles.
Starting as an insurance broker in 1996 specialising in property and medical indemnity insurance, these two sectors remain at the heart of everything Total Landlord does. With over 25 years’ experience, Total Landlord continues to raise industry standards, deliver outstanding customer service, and find innovative and practical solutions for their customers’ unique needs. Total Landlord have always been there to help to support the things that matter most and provide a lifetime partnership with our customers.
Recognised as an industry expert within the private rented sector, Victoria speaks, trains and advises landlords and agents helping them navigate the changing landscape under the Renters Rights Act. Victoria has been a portfolio landlord in the north east for 19 years. She operates two property businesses in the North East and owned her own estate agency from 2014 until 2022, before selling the business and becoming a professional advisor to landlords and agents alike across the country. She is a regular speaker with the National Residential Landlord Association (NRLA) across England and a panellist for the National Landlord Investment Show. Victoria runs workshops and speaks regularly for Newcastle and Northumberland Councils, providing invaluable advice and support to thousands of landlords navigating challenging compliance and legislation under the Renters Rights Act. She is a Mediator for the Property Redress Scheme and works alongside the legal team at Landlord Action advising on evictions and debt recovery. Victoria was awarded the Best Real Estate Agency MD in 2022 and SME Managing Director of the Year in 2022.
Paul Sowerbutts and Sonia Rai discuss disability discrimination risks in possession claims and Equality Act defences landlords must consider.
Selling a rental after section 21 is abolished? This podcast explains the new Ground 1A under the Renters’ Rights Act.
On the latest episode of the LandlordZONE podcast, barrister Sonia Rai joins us for an in-depth discussion on pets in rented accommodation.
Nigel Lewis talks with The Mortgage Work’s Dan Clinton and Nationwide’s Andrew Harvey on PRS trends, regulation and lender support.
On the latest episode of the LandlordZONE podcast, barrister Sonia Rai joins us for an in-depth discussion on rent review clauses.
Leasehold reforms make extending leases, buying freeholds and improving property management easier, with further changes planned.
Renters' Rights Act: The key changes to be aware of and the steps every landlord need to take.
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