25 May, 2025

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Younger people targeted in tenant fraud

Younger people targeted in tenant fraud

News

Almost three quarters of rental fraud involves young people, official data has revealed.

Book Review: Carl Bayley’s book, Shelter your Family from the Taxman: How to Save Inheritance Tax

Book Review: Carl Bayley’s book, Shelter your Family from the Taxman: How to Save Inheritance Tax

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Carl Bayley is the author of more than twenty ‘Plain English’ TaxCafe published tax guides designed for the layperson and the non-specialist

Expert sounds alarm over rent arrears court decision

Expert sounds alarm over rent arrears court decision

News

An expert has warned that a court's decision to allow tenants to challenge landlord-requested rental arrears deductions from their UC payments will see more landlords shun tenants in receipt of benefits.

Big East of England town rushes in anti-HMO rules

Big East of England town rushes in anti-HMO rules

News

Fenland Council has introduced an immediate Article 4 Direction before its consultation in a bid to clamp down on burgeoning HMOs in Wisbech.

Northern council heralds landlord fines of £1.38 million... so far!

Northern council heralds landlord fines of £1.38 million... so far!

News

Landlords in County Durham have had to fork out fines totalling £1.38 million in the three years since selective licensing was introduced.

Dozens of new amendments proposed for Renters' Right Bill

Dozens of new amendments proposed for Renters' Right Bill

News

Peers have tabled amendments to the Renters’ Rights Bill which, if approved, would shape the legislation into a version of the previous Renters’ Reform Bill.

'Chancellor must boost rental homes supply or risk economy'

'Chancellor must boost rental homes supply or risk economy'

News

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been warned that unless more rental properties are built her recent promise to ‘attract the best talent to the UK’ and boost economic growth will fall flat.

Build-to-rent giant celebrates as landlords exit student sector

Build-to-rent giant celebrates as landlords exit student sector

News

Private HMO landlords leaving the sector have created a shortage of student housing, according to Unite Students, which boasts that it can help fill the gap with purpose-built student accommodation.

Labour rejects new calls for rent controls

Labour rejects new calls for rent controls

News

The government has repeated its rejection of “heavy handed” rent controls despite pressure from peers in the House of Lords.

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TAX: New rates rules for holiday rental properties go live

TAX: New rates rules for holiday rental properties go live

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New rules on holiday lets in England and Wales have taken effect which could force many owners to pay council tax instead of business rates. Self-catering properties in England must now be available for letting commercially for short periods of 140 nights

'Sickened' landlord slams Scots eviction ban after tenants trash home

'Sickened' landlord slams Scots eviction ban after tenants trash home

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A landlord has warned others to make more regular checks on their rental properties after falling foul of Scotlands ongoing https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/vote-rent-rises-in-scotland-to-be-capped-at-3-until-october-msps-agree/" target="_blank" eviction b

UK rents hit record high amid soaring tenant demand

UK rents hit record high amid soaring tenant demand

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Demand for rental properties reached exceptional high levels last month pushing asking rents for new tenancies to new highs, it has been revealed. Referencing and rent guarantee firm Homelet , which processes approximately a million tenancy applicatio

LATEST: Ministers consider forcing landlords to rent out empty shops

LATEST: Ministers consider forcing landlords to rent out empty shops

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Landlords are being asked for their views on plans to forcibly rent out persistently vacant commercial properties to new tenants in a bid to rejuvenate high streets.  High Street Rental Auctions - a new power for local authorities in England - is part

Landlord faces jail if he abuses tenant - his MOTHER - again!

Landlord faces jail if he abuses tenant - his MOTHER - again!

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The landlord of a retirement flat faces jail if he contravenes a court order not to visit the property or engage in abusive, insulting and intimidating behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress�. During a hearing at Sheffield Crown Court, Judge Sadiq told land

Northern Ireland unveils radical affordable PRS scheme for landlords

Northern Ireland unveils radical affordable PRS scheme for landlords

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Northern Ireland has unveiled a radical new type of private rented housing that aims to provide more high quality, affordable homes in the region. Intermediate rent is not social housing but will offer rents set at a level below the open private rented market, while renters will

Lenders blame LHA freeze on 1000s of landlords falling into mortgage arrears

Lenders blame LHA freeze on 1000s of landlords falling into mortgage arrears

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UK Finance has called on the government to review the local housing allowance (LHA) to prevent more private landlords falling behind on their mortgage repayments and potentially having to evict their tenants. The trade association for the UK banking and financial services sector

Comment: will landlords really evict anti-social tenants in two weeks?

Comment: will landlords really evict anti-social tenants in two weeks?

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Renters at risk under plans to let landlords evict tenants with two weeks notice,� says one headline. Yes, it kind of implies that tenants will be summarily evicted, I thought so when I first read it. As the recent press reports would have us believe, but this is not going

Ringleaders of shocking illegal HMO property gang fined �434,000

Ringleaders of shocking illegal HMO property gang fined �434,000

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The activities of a huge HMO renting scam gang has been uncovered following a four-year investigation, with the five key individuals and three companies involved fined a total of �434,000. Following an investigation by West Northamptonshire Councils Private Sector Housing Te

Looming EPC rules to cause mayhem in the rental market, warns senior figure

Looming EPC rules to cause mayhem in the rental market, warns senior figure

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A staggering one-third of landlords plan to quit the sector or do nothing to address energy efficiency failings if and when new EPC regulations kick in. Research carried out on behalf of Paragon Bank reveals that 21% of landlords would not carry out any necessary works to bring

'Landlords NOT worried over proposals to give tenants more pet rights' says NRLA

'Landlords NOT worried over proposals to give tenants more pet rights' says NRLA

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The NRLA has played down landlords fears about new Government proposals to give tenants the right to request a pet. Speaking on the Radio 4 You and Yours programme, director of policy Chris Norris said many landlords werent too worried about the government

OPINION: Why do landlords get the blame for rejecting tenants on Universal Credit?

OPINION: Why do landlords get the blame for rejecting tenants on Universal Credit?

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An official briefing document for MPs has underlined the contradictory position the government has manoeuvred itself into over landlords and letting agents who advertise properties as No DSS. The House of Commons Library document makes for interesting reading because, base

Well-known landlord jailed after defrauding HMRC out of £500,000

Well-known landlord jailed after defrauding HMRC out of £500,000

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A landlord who defrauded HMRC out of almost �500,000 by keeping deductions from his employees wages has been jailed for three years. Michael Stainer, 74, (inset, main picture) was found guilty of two counts of cheating the public revenue and one of fraud by false representat

Many UK buildings are in danger of becoming unusable in heatwaves

Many UK buildings are in danger of becoming unusable in heatwaves

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As temperatures in England and Wales soar this week, many office buildings will become unusable says real estate sustainability expert Chris Bennett of consultancy https://evoraglobal.com/" target="_blank" Evora Global - it should act as a powerful warning for real estate

'War on landlords' latest - 46,000 rental properties to disappear this year

'War on landlords' latest - 46,000 rental properties to disappear this year

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An estate agency has claimed that the governments war on landlords will cost the private rented market some 46,000 this year, or some 3,800 every month. Hamptons , which has branches all over the UK, says its research confirms that, as LandlordZONE

The cost of living crisis affects landlords as well as tenants

The cost of living crisis affects landlords as well as tenants

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With the cost of living crisis being the political issue of the day, and a political leadership contest underway, theres something of a hiatus in the way its being dealt with. But the situation is now quite urgent. Financial distress is now higher than during the pandemic.

Frustrated landlord quits after 20 years in the sector

Frustrated landlord quits after 20 years in the sector

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Fed-up landlord Sue is quitting the sector and taking a hit on her pension plan after being ground down by anti-landlord rhetoric and red tape. <figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type- " data-rt-type="" data-rt-align=""><div><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63bef2f3c

Minister defends decision to exempt PBSA from periodic tenancy proposals

Minister defends decision to exempt PBSA from periodic tenancy proposals

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Housing minister Eddie Hughes has attempted to justify why institutional landlords who run Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) are to be exempted from the Governments proposal to move all tenancies in the PRS to periodic ones. <figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type- " data

EXCLUSIVE: Can landlords still access councils' empty homes funding?

EXCLUSIVE: Can landlords still access councils' empty homes funding?

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Landlords with empty properties are being urged to take advantage of council cash to help fight the housing shortage. About 300 councils currently offer a scheme mainly loans to carry out repairs - although some provide grants, usually ranging from �5,000 to more than �25,

What landlords letting abroad need to know about Making Tax Digital

What landlords letting abroad need to know about Making Tax Digital

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Letting out property abroad can be a great way of generating extra income. The property might have been bought primarily as an investment but for others or it could be second or holiday home let out when not in use. There are plenty of things to think about, though.

LATEST: Leicester ploughs on with selective licensing despite landlord criticism

LATEST: Leicester ploughs on with selective licensing despite landlord criticism

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Leicester is going ahead with its selective licensing extension in three areas of the city, charging landlords �1,090 per property - the highest fee in the Midlands. The council is introducing the scheme in parts of Westcotes, Fosse, Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields wards, whi

Landlords told to 'brace themselves' for inspections at 29,000 properties

Landlords told to 'brace themselves' for inspections at 29,000 properties

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Durham Council has warned landlords covered by its new selective licensing scheme to brace themselves for inspections next month. At least 29,000 properties, 42% of the countys PRS, are covered by the scheme which launched in April after winning government approval. <p id

LATEST: 18% of rented homes will need �10,000 spent on them to achieve EPC band C

LATEST: 18% of rented homes will need �10,000 spent on them to achieve EPC band C

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Nearly one-fifth of private rented homes would need work costing more than �10,000 to bring them up to an EPC Band C, according to the latest PRS figures. The English Housing Survey Private Rented Sector report for 2020-21 found that these were more likely to need larger sums o

London rents have seen record rises in a very hot spring market

London rents have seen record rises in a very hot spring market

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The latest figures available from Rightmove show that London rents jumped by around 14 per cent in the last year, with some property experts calling it the most competitive market on record Matt Hutchinson, a director at SpareRoom, the flat sharing website, has said: <p

What's the outlook for UK commercial property, post pandemic & Brexit?

What's the outlook for UK commercial property, post pandemic & Brexit?

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The pandemic has had a devastating impact on commercial property, with lockdowns, social distancing, working from home (WFH), all accelerating the move to online and home deliveries. The likes of Tesco, Ocado and the other big supermarket deliveries were the saviour of the public during the

LATEST: Rent controls take another step towards reality in Wales

LATEST: Rent controls take another step towards reality in Wales

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Welsh politicians have reaffirmed their desire to consider rent controls in the PRS while announcing plans to crack down on the holiday let sector. Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price (main pic, right) suggested rent controls could be on the table when the long-awaited but now <a href

Michael Gove sacked after joining his housing ministers in calls for Boris to resign

Michael Gove sacked after joining his housing ministers in calls for Boris to resign

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Michael Gove, arguable the best housing secretary for some years, has been sacked from his job after joining a chorus of Tory cabinet ministers calling on the PM to resign. During a fast-moving day in politics which has seen over 40 MPs quit the government or withdraw their supp

Wales to licence 'commercial holiday lets' landlords to help solve renting crisis

Wales to licence 'commercial holiday lets' landlords to help solve renting crisis

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Welsh government leaders have revealed radical plans to licence holiday lets in a bid to get tough on the causes of long-term rental shortages. The region is to introduce a cap on the number of second and holiday homes while bringing in measures to put more homes into common own

Put your EICR date in the diary now to avoid a shocking bill

Put your EICR date in the diary now to avoid a shocking bill

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HMO landlords face paying thousands of pounds for https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/safety-peer-asks-why-private-landlords-must-do-electrical-checks-when-social-ones-are-exempt/" electrical equipment when new regulations kick in later this year. An amendment

LATEST: Manchester reveals more details of its selective licensing expansion

LATEST: Manchester reveals more details of its selective licensing expansion

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Manchester aims to double the size of its selective licensing scheme by adding another 1,884 properties in eight areas. The council has given it the go-ahead to the https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/manchester-mayor-vows-to-launch-1-5m-landlord-licensing-across-city/"

Clamp down on letting second homes planned

Clamp down on letting second homes planned

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Owners of second homes in many coastal and holiday locations could face a ban on renting using lettings websites like Airbnb. Tourist hotspots such as coastal towns in Cornwall and Devon are particularly affected. Communities being eroded In many of these towns, loca

BREAKING: Brighton reveals plans to limit Airbnbs as Gove prepares national restrictions

BREAKING: Brighton reveals plans to limit Airbnbs as Gove prepares national restrictions

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Brighton and Hove has its sights set on being the first city to slap a ban on second homes and holiday lets. The Green-controlled council is looking to clamp down on landlords profiting from the staycation boom amid fears that the rapid growth has impacted on the availability of

ADVICE: Are you ready for the Leasehold Reform Act going live on 30th June?

ADVICE: Are you ready for the Leasehold Reform Act going live on 30th June?

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In its latest plans, the Government is hoping to make the leasehold system fairer for leaseholders through a brand new Reform Act. There are several things for landlords to consider when the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 comes into force including where it

OPINION: What abolishing Section 21 evictions will mean for landlords

OPINION: What abolishing Section 21 evictions will mean for landlords

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The long-awaited Government White Paper, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1083378/A_fairer_private_rented_sector_web_accessible.pdf" target="_blank" A Fairer Private Rented Sector ,