6 Jun, 2025

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What are the special rules for VAT on commercial property?

What are the special rules for VAT on commercial property?

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VAT on Commercial Property is a complex topic and anyone wishing to understand these complexities in relation to their own situation should seek specialist advice. This article should give a broad brush general overview but you really should seek advice because errors can be irredeemable an

Landlord banned from letting properties in England for five years

Landlord banned from letting properties in England for five years

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A rogue portfolio landlord has been banned from letting properties for five years after she admitted multiple offences relating to fire safety issues. Naomi Knapp, a landlord with 34 properties in Bristol, was convicted of eight banning order offences and will now be added to th

'Spray foam must be regulated to stop properties becoming un-mortgageable'

'Spray foam must be regulated to stop properties becoming un-mortgageable'

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Urgent regulation of the spray foam industry is needed to prevent making thousands of homes un-mortgagable, warn leading property groups. Sprayed polyurethane expanding foams are often used in lofts, either to stabilise a failing roof covering or to provide extra insulation. But

EXCLUSIVE: Landlords battle city council over HMO council tax re-valuations

EXCLUSIVE: Landlords battle city council over HMO council tax re-valuations

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Portsmouths HMOs are in the firing line again as growing numbers are being referred to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) to have their council tax bands reassessed. Rather than paying tax on the whole property, each room can be classified as a band A at a cost of �1,200, wit

LEGAL LATEST: Can the eviction of a disabled tenant ever be fair?

LEGAL LATEST: Can the eviction of a disabled tenant ever be fair?

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A severely disabled tenant and his family have barricaded themselves into their home in a bid to prevent a controversial eviction. Quadriplegic Harvey Cowe, 62, and his wife Sheree, 55, have lived at the house in Brittany Road, Hove, for 25 years after Brighton & Hove C

'Selective licencing fees will push up rents as cost of living rises squeeze landlords too'

'Selective licencing fees will push up rents as cost of living rises squeeze landlords too'

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A leading letting agent has criticised the reasoning behind the UKs ever-growing list of selective licensing schemes. Selective licensing covers all rented property in a given area or council borough and landlords are required to pay a five-yearly fee of between �500 and �9

More HMO restrictions in Bristol as battle over fast-expanding sector hots up

More HMO restrictions in Bristol as battle over fast-expanding sector hots up

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Landlords in Bristol will soon be required to gain planning permission to convert properties into HMOs in three key areas, it has been revealed. South Gloucestershire Council is to bring in Article 4 directions in the Bristol neighbourhoods of Stoke Park and Cheswick and parts o

LATEST: London mayor urges private landlords to sell their homes to councils

LATEST: London mayor urges private landlords to sell their homes to councils

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Londons mayor Sadiq Khan has urged private landlords who are planning to exit the private rented market to sell their properties to local councils instead of other landlords. Khan made the comments within a self-congratulatory statement on his website l

PICTURES: Landlord to pay �40,000 after multiple breaches of HMO licence

PICTURES: Landlord to pay �40,000 after multiple breaches of HMO licence

News

A landlord in London must now pay �40,000 after losing his appeal against his fine for breaching Mandatory HMO licensing conditions at a bedsit property above a pub. Earlier this year Islington council brought a prosecution against Mohammed Shahid for fai

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Number of tenants being asked for a guarantor could increase due to Renters’ Rights Bill, warns Generation Rent

Number of tenants being asked for a guarantor could increase due to Renters’ Rights Bill, warns Generation Rent

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The Renters’ Rights Bill could lead to an increase in the number of tenants being asked to provide a guarantor and to further discrimination, charities and campaign groups have warned

Double whammy for landlords as costs & complexity rise, while rent increases stall

Double whammy for landlords as costs & complexity rise, while rent increases stall

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UK landlords face rising costs, regulatory complexity, and affordability challenges, with rent growth slowing despite ongoing demand.

Number of new licensing schemes lined up has surpassed last year’s total

Number of new licensing schemes lined up has surpassed last year’s total

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The number of licensing schemes lined up to launch this year has already surpassed last year’s total, as councils continue to put the financial squeeze on landlords.

Landlord avoids £29K rent repayment order after tribunal ruling

Landlord avoids £29K rent repayment order after tribunal ruling

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A landlord has avoided a £29,000 rent repayment order after a First Tier Property Tribunal ruled that he had been the victim of administrative failings by Southwark Council.

Renters' Rights Bill to be discussed by expert panel at National Landlord Investment Show

Renters' Rights Bill to be discussed by expert panel at National Landlord Investment Show

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The huge changes that the Renters' Rights Bill will introduce for private landlords will be addressed by a panel of top experts at this year’s National Landlord Investment Show.

Tenants likely to go for every target when tougher rent repayment orders take effect, warns solicitor

Tenants likely to go for every target when tougher rent repayment orders take effect, warns solicitor

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Tenants are likely to go after every plausible target when tougher rent repayment orders take effect later this year, a solicitor has warned.

Number of new tenancies agreed increases, Propertymark reveals

Number of new tenancies agreed increases, Propertymark reveals

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The average number of new tenancies agreed per lettings agent branch climbed to around eight in the first month of this year, a new report has revealed

Rogue landlords face revised penalties of up to £30,000 per offence, Haringey Council warns

Rogue landlords face revised penalties of up to £30,000 per offence, Haringey Council warns

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Haringey Council has introduced tougher fines for errant landlords in a bid to raise housing standards across the London borough.

Shrinking pool of rental homes continues to drive up rents, reports RICS

Shrinking pool of rental homes continues to drive up rents, reports RICS

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A shrinking pool of rental properties continued to drive up rents last month, despite reduced demand from tenants

Borough's HMO landlords trial new appeals portal

Borough's HMO landlords trial new appeals portal

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Landlords in Barnet who are refused permission for change of use to an HMO can challenge the decision through a new online portal.

BTL mortgage rates fall despite interest rate hold

BTL mortgage rates fall despite interest rate hold

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The Bank of England has resisted the temptation to cut interest rates, which remain at 5%.

REPORT: Scots law fails to significantly improve PRS

REPORT: Scots law fails to significantly improve PRS

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Legislation in Scotland has done little to improve affordability in the PRS, according to new research.

Utilita Energy Helps Landlords Winterproof Properties in Fight Against Mould and Damp

Utilita Energy Helps Landlords Winterproof Properties in Fight Against Mould and Damp

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Times are hard for tenants and landlords alike and this coming winter is causing a worry for many. Almost a quarter of households are already in energy arrears and 9 out of 10 households are worried about increasing energy bills. With heating being the largest proportion of the average energy bill,

Tenant lifestyle not always to blame for damp, says legal expert

Tenant lifestyle not always to blame for damp, says legal expert

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Landlords should not be so quick to lay the blame on tenants for problems and instead use new tools to tackle issues.

Rental prices continue to climb at near-record rate

Rental prices continue to climb at near-record rate

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Average UK private rents increased by 8.4% in the 12 months to August, down from 8.6% in the 12 months to July.

Portfolio landlords buying more properties through companies

Portfolio landlords buying more properties through companies

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Landlords who use limited company structures are incorporating a much larger proportion of their portfolios to mitigate tax changes.

Generous renters dip deep to help homeless youngsters

Generous renters dip deep to help homeless youngsters

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Kind-hearted mydeposits customers have donated more than £66,000 of interest earned on their deposits to the Centrepoint charity.

NRLA calls for clarity on new PRS standards and enforcement

NRLA calls for clarity on new PRS standards and enforcement

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The Government’s Renters’ Rights Bill has been published and could be introduced as soon as spring next year. James Kent, the NRLA’s Chief Innovation Officer and founder of the digital compliance platform Safe2 explores what the Bill proposes when it comes to safety and standards in your rental home

Landlords urged to offer more tenant-friendly technology

Landlords urged to offer more tenant-friendly technology

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Nearly three-quarters of UK tenants (73%) who aren’t using digital tools in their rental properties would like to give them a try.

Edinburgh landlords win legal challenge over suspensions

Edinburgh landlords win legal challenge over suspensions

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Short-term let landlords in Edinburgh have won a third successful challenge against the council’s licensing scheme.

Think Digital: Proptech to come under the microscope at NRLA Conference

Think Digital: Proptech to come under the microscope at NRLA Conference

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With one eye on the horizon the NRLA is always looking for ways to streamline the lettings process, making it quicker and easier for landlords and tenants. Here James Kent, the NRLA’s Chief Innovation Officer, and founder of digital compliance platform Safe2, looks forward to the association’s 2024

Renters' Rights Bill due back in Commons next month

Renters' Rights Bill due back in Commons next month

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The Renters’ Rights Bill returns to the Commons for its second reading next month, as the new government fast-tracks its shake up of the PRS.

Landlord fined for failing to improve cold and mouldy home

Landlord fined for failing to improve cold and mouldy home

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A rogue landlord who persistently ignored requests to carry out improvement works on her property has been ordered to pay £2,400.

TECH: Platform delivers insights to ease property-buying process

TECH: Platform delivers insights to ease property-buying process

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Landlords are being encouraged to trial a tech tool that gives them new insights to make property buying less risky.

North-South rental gap is smallest in a decade

North-South rental gap is smallest in a decade

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The gap between rents in the North and South of England has closed to its smallest level since 2013.

Councils’ disastrous journey into commercial property investments

Councils’ disastrous journey into commercial property investments

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English councils collectively went on a near £7bn commercial property buying spree, a reel into cinemas proved to be a disaster...

Landlord left family living in fear at unlicensed home

Landlord left family living in fear at unlicensed home

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A rogue landlord who left a family of eight living in damp and dangerous conditions has been told to pay more than £3,000 by magistrates.

Calls grow for short-let licensing to rebalance PRS

Calls grow for short-let licensing to rebalance PRS

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MPs are pushing the government to introduce a licensing scheme for short-term lets in England.

Stock crisis predicted to worsen as landlords brace for bad news

Stock crisis predicted to worsen as landlords brace for bad news

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More than one in 10 homes for sale on Zoopla in July were formerly rented, prompting fears that a challenging autumn budget could further increase sales.

Expected tax grab prompts fearful landlords to quit

Expected tax grab prompts fearful landlords to quit

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An ongoing shortage of rental properties is expected to keep pushing rents higher as more landlords look to scale back their portfolios.

Suspended jail term for landlord who ignored safety checks

Suspended jail term for landlord who ignored safety checks

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A rogue landlord has been handed a suspended jail sentence after she failed to maintain gas appliances at her rental property.

Rogue exempt accommodation landlords face tough crackdown

Rogue exempt accommodation landlords face tough crackdown

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The government has vowed to take action on rogue landlords who exploit vulnerable residents in exempt accommodation.

Landlord Exodus: Tough New Rules spark mass Sell-Off

Landlord Exodus: Tough New Rules spark mass Sell-Off

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A mass sell-off is currently underway in the landlord sector, and it only looks set to increase. EPC requirements, The Renters Reform Bill, mounting financial pressures, the list of reasons goes on.

Steep house prices curb renters' home buying ambitions

Steep house prices curb renters' home buying ambitions

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A third of renters (33%) don’t plan to ever own their own home, up from a fifth (20%) in 2022.