Most renters expecting a rent increase this year believe their landlords should make energy efficiency improvements to help offset the rise.
Coventry councillors are set to approve a 12-week consultation into plans to renew the city-wide additional licensing scheme.
The number of Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in England is continuing to nosedive, official statistics seen by LandlordZONE reveal.
Build-to-rent (BTR) continues its seemingly unstoppable march across UK cities, with the British Property Federation reporting that 58,000 homes had detailed planning permission in Q4 2023, the highest number on record.
Landlords rush to sell before March deadline—rising taxes and market shifts driving exits.
A landlord has evicted all his tenants from an HMO after a man forced his way into the property with a chainsaw after hearing that his stepdaughter had been bullied by fellow residents.
A landlord who allowed cannabis farms to operate in 17 of his 72 properties as part of a multi-million-pound drugs operation has been jailed for 11 years.
A 30-year-old entrepreneur specialising in buy-to-let investment and lettings has been named one of the UK’s top young business people.
Private tenants in the South West will save hundreds on their energy bills following a council’s push to identify those with failed Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).
A crisis in the making? Will commercial property owners come through the looming debt repayment crisis unscathed?
Leaseholders won’t see all the hoped-for benefits from the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill unless significant changes are made, according to a leading expert.
A rogue landlord who failed to repair serious safety hazards in his property has been ordered to pay more than £3,000.
The Government must use ‘carrot’ as well as ‘stick’ policies as it attempts to improve the energy efficiency of the private rented sector, a leading mortgage broker as claimed.
How often do a property’s electrical tests have to be completed? What’s the minimum EPC level for a property to legally rented out? What’s the difference between a large and small HMO?
A landlord who claimed unsuccessfully that he had been deceived by his tenants has been handed a £9,745 rent repayment order.
All private landlords in parts of Scarborough will have to get a selective licence from 1st June under council plans to tackle poor quality accommodation and anti-social behaviour.
Landlords in Northern Ireland are being reminded to renew their registration or face a heavy fine.
Former Lib Dems leader Tim Farron has slammed Airbnb and other holiday lets platforms for creating a ‘clearance’ of long-term rental homes from his Lakeland constituency.
Jersey’s private landlords have urged the island’s new Housing Minister to find the right balance when he revives stalled protections for landlords and tenants.
A Labour landslide could be a better outcome for buy-to-let landlords than if the party wins the next election by a small majority, according to a leading property guru.
The base interest rate used by many lenders to determine mortgage costs for landlords is to be held at 5.25% for the fourth time in a row, the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee has decided today.
Southwark Council has reassured landlords that they won’t be lose out on an early bird discount after they reported problems accessing its updated online licensing system.
A leading agent has urged the government not to rely solely on private landlords’ resilience if it wants to stop more from quitting the sector.
Labour will extend ‘Awaab’s Law’ into the private rented sector if it wins power at the next General Election, its Deputy Leader Angela Rayner has revealed.
The exact wording in leases is so very important when it comes to landlord - tenant disputes with commercial and residential property leases
The extent of the Government’s reliance on private landlords to provide housing for those on benefits after years of under-investment in affordable homes has been revealed.
A proposed shake-up of social housing would tighten allocation rules and allow landlords to get tougher on anti-social tenants.
Signs that landlords may see their tax bill reduced during the Spring Budget on March 6th have emerged from parliament following a question in the Lords.
A lack of council-organised landlord gatherings could hamper the Renters Reform Bill’s ambitions, according to Propertymark.
Problem tenants are difficult to deal with for landlords at the best of times. The government's promise to introduce a fast-track process to deal with anti-social behaviour sounds promising, but can it work in practice?
Tenants have been urged to be wary of ‘no-win, no-fee’ solicitors who deal with private rental sector cases after an almost farcical case in London.
Disability rights groups have called on the government to include information about accessibility for disabled people on its new property portal due to go live next year.
A service that alerts landlords when fraudulent tenants try to ‘steal’ their properties via title fraud has struck a deal with the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA).
Sheffield Council has boasted that up to 800 people have been protected from risky buildings thanks to its selective licensing scheme after landlords were told to spend £250,000 doing up properties.
The Renters (Reform) Bill will reduce rather than enhance housing rights for students, according to the former CEO of student housing charity Unipol.
Liverpool Council aims to source 400 private sector properties in a bid to house growing numbers of homeless people in the city.
The key tenancy breaches by tenants reported by landlords have been revealed with non-payment of rent, dirty homes and failing to report repairs and maintenance issues as the most common.
An ambitious landlord who bought his first property aged 18 now has an impressive property portfolio worth £6 million 20 years later.
Fewer would-be tenants registered with letting agents in December, while rental stock levels also dipped during the typically quieter seasonal period.
A tenant has told of how a man – who he believes is landlord and controversial businessman Mark Fortune – threatened him over a rent row.
The Chancellor has been urged to scrap the extra Stamp Duty paid by landlords when buying properties after new research shows the extra activity within the PRS - if it was scrapped - would generate an extra £10 billion in tax revenue for the Government.
The tax net is closing in on property owners who use short-let platforms to earn rental income from their portfolios but not pay tax on it, Airbnb has warned.
Scottish landlords criticise new rent arbitration scheme, labelling it back‑door rent controls that will exacerbate housing access issues.
You’re a landlord looking to sell, but last year was a challenge. In 2024, it’s time to get your portfolios and properties sold and get you moving on to your next projects.
HMO owners in Gravesham are being given a last chance to get their house in order ahead of a crackdown on unlicensed properties.
Two in five (40%) of people who pay housing costs in England – equivalent to 12 million adults – are worried their housing pressures will get worse this year.
Landlords are being urged to fill in a survey on the state of the private rented housing market and some of the key topics likely to be affecting them in the coming months.
Money expert Martin Lewis has advised tenants in London to check if they are in line for a big pay-out when renting unlicensed properties.
Two-thirds of letting agents say more landlords are leaving the market due to ongoing reforms.
The commercial property sector has been particularly badly hit with reduced property values and rents, and increased lending costs, but it's not all doom and gloom
Landlords in Scotland will have to meet a raft of measures to keep their properties up to scratch when new rules come in on 1st March.
Landlords will be able to apply for bespoke green loans and cashback rewards to make their properties more energy efficient under a new government-backed scheme.
Mortgage brokers are bracing themselves for more landlords seeking to borrow via limited companies during 2024, it has been claimed.
The government has become an investor in PRS financing platform Shojin through the conversion of a pandemic-era loan facilitated by the Future Fund scheme.
Landlords are being urged by a London councl to take part in a consultation on plans for a new, slimmed down selective licensing scheme.
Two thirds of private renters had an issue with the quality or condition of their home during the past six months, according to new research, with plumbing problems top of the list.
Winchester City Council has set up its own housing company, Venta Living, one of a growing number of councils going down the private route to help meet the growing demand for rental properties.
A landlord in Norfolk has been fined £6,500 after a significant investigation by local housing officers.
A senior lawyer has told landlords that they cannot blame their tenants if mould appears within privately rented homes.
A fraudulent letting agent who ripped off landlords by failing to register their deposits has escaped a jail sentence.
Three tenants have pocketed £10,060 between them after winning a rent repayment order against their landlord for letting out a mouldy HMO with “lamentable” fire safety.
One of the UK’s largest private landlords has been ordered to pay £16 million towards the cost of fixing cladding-related fire safety problems at a group of five residential towers in London.
An Additional Licencing scheme covering all larger HMOs in Warwick has now gone live following approval of the scheme last year and a consultation.
Select committee report is arguing for a change in the law to force private landlords to have to fix mould within days
The government has revealed more details about how the new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman Service will work in practice.
A cross-party group of MPs says a crackdown on social landlords to tackle damp and mould should be extended to tenants in the private rented sector.
Buy-to-let intermediary Mortgages for Business is rebranding as Mortgage Finance Brokers (MFB) to reflect its more inclusive approach.
1 million extra homes will be needed in England and Wales to house singles and families – this is a continually growing market for the private rented sector.
Tory MPs have tabled a raft of amendments to the Renters Reform Bill to ensure it works for the whole private rented sector.
Property surveyors across the UK have reported a slowdown in tenant demand along with continued levels of diminishing stock.
Four tenants have lost their £309,000 claim for harassment but won a £21,160 rent repayment order for living in an unlicensed flat.
There’s good news for landlords who have postponed selling their rental properties despite falling profits and new legislation making the private rental sector less appealing to most landlords.
Landlords could have to wait slightly longer for the pressure on mortgage rates to ease after the annual rate of inflation hit 4% last month.
UK rents increased by 6.2% in the year to December 2023 - the joint highest annual percentage change since 2016.
Experts and campaigners giving evidence to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill committee have endorsed a commonhold system.
Tenants across the UK are being asked to comply with an extensive fraud checklist to confirm their eligibility for Universal Credit.
Propertymark has welcomed the Welsh government’s commitment that private landlords shouldn’t have to refer tenants at risk of homelessness.
Up to one million new rental homes will be needed to accommodate growing demand by 2031, particularly from young families, across England and Wales.
Almost 2,000 letting agent branches shut up shop last year which meant 2023 ended with 659 fewer branches on the high street.
Nearly a fifth of landlords believe the government should prioritise better access to finance so they can carry out retrofitting plans.
A record 50,004 limited BTL companies were set up last year, driven by landlords looking to shelter themselves from higher interest rates.
Michael Gove says that under Awaab’s Law, social housing landlords must deal with condensation issues without delay.
Get ready for an intriguing year ahead in 2024, particularly if you're a hands-on landlord, as several forthcoming announcements are poised to reshape the landscape of property management.
The importance of keeping commercial lease clauses up-to-date with changes in new legislation, in particular there's one clause that should be inserted into every commercial lease to take account of the new energy efficiency rules. Under the Landlord
A landlord who was unable to conduct an electrical safety check due to his hoarding tenant has had a £3,500 fine quashed.
The government has confirmed that commercial landlords won’t have to meet a proposed 2025 deadline to raise their properties to an EPC band C.
CreditLadder has teamed up with Digital ID Connect so app users can report rental payments into credit reference agencies.
Monthly rental costs fell by 0.9% across the UK during December and by 2.2% in Greater London - one of the biggest drops seen in 2023.
The government has rejected calls for private landlords to be given similar deadlines to the social housing sector for dealing with damp and mould.
The NRLA has made two top-level appointments to bolster its service at the start of a crucial year.
The Property Franchise Group (TPFG) and Belvoir Group have agreed to a merger to create a wide-reaching property franchise business.
An organised crime group which used a student letting firm as a front for their multi-million-pound empire have been guilty of drug offences.
All short-term lets in Wales will soon have to be registered and licensed under plans announced by the Welsh government.
Mortgage market drama should subside this year, thanks to stable property prices, strong rental demand, rising rents and softening mortgage interest rates.
A new adjudication process for rent controls in Scotland could add further layers of bureaucracy without benefitting landlords or tenants.
A Rent Repayment Order (RRO) is an order that allows a tenant or local authority to reclaim rent or housing benefit where a landlord rents out an unlicensed property such as a house in multiple occupation (HMO). Rent Repayment Orders are obtained through a residential property t
More landlords are being forced to reduce advertised rents in the cost-of-living crisis.
A council plans to buy 65 private rental properties through its housing company in a bid to address the shortage of homes.
Landlords in Middlesbrough have vowed to fight plans to expand selective licensing and a fee hike.
A landlord who failed to remove dangerous mould from a children’s bedroom has been handed a £10,451 fine.
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 news articles and content focused on the private renter sector. She delivers clear, well-researched, and engaging stories that connect with a wide audience, working alongside editor Nigel Lewis.
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.
Ryan Shaban is a skilled paralegal at Landlord Action with a strong background in civil litigation and property law. He has successfully navigated contentious disputes, including possession claims and debt recovery. Along with experience in the property licensing sector, he has developed a sharp understanding of property regulations and legislation. Currently en route to qualifying as a solicitor, Ryan offers insightful perspectives on the evolving landscape of property law.
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.
The Good Landlord Handbook: Succeed as a landlord under the Renters’ Rights Act
Sweeping reforms are about to reshape the private rented sector, how will holiday let businesses fare?
April Fools? Landlords, 1 May brings major rental reforms - from rent rules to pets, possessions, and new tenant rights.
Landlord Mick Roberts has hit out at Nottingham Council officers for failing to understand housing law and deterring others from helping tenants.
County Durham plans to extend Article 4 rules across the entire borough to control the spread of HMOs.
A quarter of landlords (24%) are actively selling or looking to sell some, or all of their portfolio, new research finds.
The government’s newly established National Housing Bank will help to fund 3,300 build-to-rent homes in a link-up with Homes England and Aviva.
Landlords and agents have been warned to get ready for upcoming rental reforms or face costly fines.
Landlord exits shrink UK rental supply; staying landlords must adapt, professionalise, and navigate new regulations.
Rents have increased for the first time in five months but remain 2.5% lower than October’s peak.
Just 30 days until the Renters’ Rights Act - landlords are selling fast to beat new rules and secure top prices in under 28 days.
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.
Prime-area landlords are selling fast using the RRR formula right property, price and location, unlocking stronger offers despite market challenges.
North West landlords: sell freehold homes quickly and profitably, even with tenants, using expert strategies.
.avif)
.avif)
%20(1).jpg)
%20(1).png)
.avif)
.avif)
.avif)
%20(1).avif)
%20(800%20x%20450%20px).jpg)
.avif)
.avif)
.avif)