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Purplebricks sold to rival for �1 after senior team throw in the towel

Purplebricks sold to rival for �1 after senior team throw in the towel

News

Purplebricks, which at one stage was used by thousands of landlords to manage their properties, has announced that its assets and business are to be sold to rival Strike for �1, pending approval by its shareholders. Any funds remaining in the firm some �5.5 million are

Gove to approve looser rules for HMO landlords housing asylum seekers

Gove to approve looser rules for HMO landlords housing asylum seekers

News

Housing Secretary Michael Gove is set to push through new rules on HMO safety for housing asylum seekers with little fanfare on the same day that the Renters Reform Bill is published. The changes outlined in the proposed https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2023/9780

BLOG: 'Reform bill will solve the problem of pet damage for landlords'

BLOG: 'Reform bill will solve the problem of pet damage for landlords'

News

The long-awaited Renters (Reform) Bill will finally be introduced in parliament after Prime Minister's Questions today. Setting out plans for 12 key reforms to the private rental sector, the 11th pledge - to give tenants the right in law to request a pet, which should not be unr

Agents who lack licencing law know-how 'putting landlords at risk'

Agents who lack licencing law know-how 'putting landlords at risk'

News

Bungling letting agents with a lack of legal understanding are putting landlords at risk of prosecution, it has been claimed. One landlord expert has advised caution when signing up with a firm in the current climate of increasing legislation and falling profits, particularly fo

Opinion: does Michael Gove know something we don't?

Opinion: does Michael Gove know something we don't?

Opinion

It would seem that successive Tory governments have waged an ongoing and progressively more vicious war on buy-to-let landlords, but this latest layer of legislation goes much further. Yes, this latest iteration, and one thats https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/1768/s

EXTRA red tape, scams and repairs drive more landlords to use agencies

EXTRA red tape, scams and repairs drive more landlords to use agencies

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Almost two thirds (63%) of private landlords who manage their own properties are tired of sorting out repairs and dealing with red tape and considering using a letting agency or property manager instead.  A Uswitch poll of 2,000 landlords found that the most common reason t

Labour to 'go further than Tories' with harsher Decent Homes Standard

Labour to 'go further than Tories' with harsher Decent Homes Standard

News

Labour has promised to ramp up the pressure on private landlords by introducing a legally binding Decent Homes Standard 2. Its latest draft policy programme a provisional blueprint likely to shape the next general election manifesto includes a proposal to take the

Starmer 'set to U-turn on rent controls' as London Mayor pleads for more powers

Starmer 'set to U-turn on rent controls' as London Mayor pleads for more powers

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Keir Starmer is set to rebuff previous calls by London mayor Sadiq Khan to bring in a rent freeze, it has been reported. Khan has been banging his rent freeze drum for months now as the cost-of-living crisis has hit many tenants personal finances, telling the BBC in Oct

'Disaster' renting reform bill to enter parliament tomorrow after PMQs

'Disaster' renting reform bill to enter parliament tomorrow after PMQs

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The much-delayed Renters Reform Bill is rumoured to be getting its first reading tomorrow after Prime Ministers Questions, although the 'full meat' of the proposals will come later. Rumoured to be renamed the Rented Homes Bill or Renters (Reform) Bill, landlords are waitin

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EXPERT: 'Now is the time to convert from commercial to residential'

EXPERT: 'Now is the time to convert from commercial to residential'

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There’s never been a better time for landlords to convert a commercial building to residential use, according to a leading architect.

'Dont be afraid of the future' Zoopla boss tells landlords

'Dont be afraid of the future' Zoopla boss tells landlords

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Zoopla boss Richard Donnell has urged landlords and investors to steer clear of misinformation about the PRS and focus on the positives.

Landlord's rental properties seized in UK regulation 'first'

Landlord's rental properties seized in UK regulation 'first'

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A rogue landlord who persistently failed to license several rented properties has had them seized by Merton Council in one of the first actions of its kind in the country.

Sadiq Khan goes quiet on rent controls after Labour 'slap down'

Sadiq Khan goes quiet on rent controls after Labour 'slap down'

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London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been slapped down by Labour’s national leadership after asking to be given rent control powers, it has been reported.

Coventry to extend HMO licencing for five years

Coventry to extend HMO licencing for five years

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Coventry councillors look set to give the go-ahead to extending the city’s additional licensing scheme, raising the fee for a five-year licence from £840 to £916.

Potential buyer reports landlord to council over illegal HMO

Potential buyer reports landlord to council over illegal HMO

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A landlord renting out an unlicensed HMO was caught out when a prospective buyer reported her to the council.

REVEALED: £10k cost of getting rental properties up to Labour's new EPC minimum

REVEALED: £10k cost of getting rental properties up to Labour's new EPC minimum

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Private landlords face an average bill of £10,000 to hit government EPC C targets by 2030, according to new research.

City's selective licensing to generate £7.7 million for council

City's selective licensing to generate £7.7 million for council

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The City of Peterborough says it has received selective licencing applications for three quarters of the properties due to be included in the ten-ward scheme, with a deadline for the completion of applications due at the end of November.

Lobby group launches to fight Scotland's rent controls

Lobby group launches to fight Scotland's rent controls

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A new private rented sector lobbying group hopes to convince the Scottish government to temper its plans for permanent rent controls under the Housing (Scotland) Bill.

Labour MP reiterates calls for a short-lets registration scheme

Labour MP reiterates calls for a short-lets registration scheme

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A Labour MP has reiterated calls in the House of Commons this week for a short-lets registration scheme.

Tenants want speedier repairs rather than more regulation, reveals new LRG survey

Tenants want speedier repairs rather than more regulation, reveals new LRG survey

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More communication and speedier repairs would improve the relationship between tenants and landlords rather than more regulation, a new industry survey has revealed.

Number of rental homes stuck at same level for nine years - but the type of landlord has changed

Number of rental homes stuck at same level for nine years - but the type of landlord has changed

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Number of rental homes stuck at same level for nine years - but the type of landlord has changed

Landlords must be given time to adjust to Renter’s Rights Bill

Landlords must be given time to adjust to Renter’s Rights Bill

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The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has predicted “confusion and chaos” unless the Government gives landlords sufficient time to adjust to new reforms.

Rent increase restrictions lead to sharp rise in tenants challenging rent hikes

Rent increase restrictions lead to sharp rise in tenants challenging rent hikes

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Temporary restrictions on rent increases in the Scottish private rented sector have led to a more than eightfold increase in renters challenging rent hikes.

Landlords in Northern Ireland face huge fines if they fail to comply with new electricity laws

Landlords in Northern Ireland face huge fines if they fail to comply with new electricity laws

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Landlords in Northern Ireland face large fines if they don’t comply with electrical safety rules introduced this week.

COMMENT: Spring Statement 2025 – how will it affect the property sector?

COMMENT: Spring Statement 2025 – how will it affect the property sector?

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Tom Entwistle reflects on the Spring Statement which he says was not so much an emergency budget, more an update on the state of the economy with a few tweaks.

Boost in BTL data reflects activity of larger wealthier landlords

Boost in BTL data reflects activity of larger wealthier landlords

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Financial experts have greeted resurgent buy-to-let market data with caution, suggesting that larger wealthier landlords are simply taking a bigger share of the sector.

Average rents in England rise for the third month in a row to £1,213 in March

Average rents in England rise for the third month in a row to £1,213 in March

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The average price of a rental property in England rose for the third month in a row to £1,213 in March, it has been revealed.

Desirable London properties at historic discounts, suggests Savills

Desirable London properties at historic discounts, suggests Savills

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Investors can snap up prime central London properties at historic discounts equivalent to those seen in the early 1990s, according to new research by Savills.

Half of private renters don’t have contents insurance or don’t know what it is, claims Monzo

Half of private renters don’t have contents insurance or don’t know what it is, claims Monzo

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Half of private renters either don’t have contents insurance or don’t know what it is, leaving them financially vulnerable to theft, damage, or loss.

Only 2.5% of rented homes in England are affordable for those on housing benefit, Crisis reveals

Only 2.5% of rented homes in England are affordable for those on housing benefit, Crisis reveals

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Only 2.5% of private rented properties listed in England were affordable for people on housing benefit between April and October last year according to Crisis, down from 12% in 2021 to 22.

Billionaire landlord ordered to repay tenants £263,555 for operating two buildings as unlicensed HMOs

Billionaire landlord ordered to repay tenants £263,555 for operating two buildings as unlicensed HMOs

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A billionaire landlord has been ordered to repay tenants £263,555 for operating two East London buildings as unlicensed HMOs.

House price growth remains steady, but is expected to soften as stamp duty rates change today

House price growth remains steady, but is expected to soften as stamp duty rates change today

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House price growth remained steady last month, but is expected to soften in the coming months as the stamp duty holiday comes to an end.

More than a third of landlords to offload properties, Landbay survey suggests

More than a third of landlords to offload properties, Landbay survey suggests

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More than a third of landlords plan to offload some of their rental properties in the next 12 months, according to a new survey.

Scottish lawmakers urged not to repeat the mistake of restricting rents

Scottish lawmakers urged not to repeat the mistake of restricting rents

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Letting agents have urged Scottish lawmakers not to repeat the mistake of restricting rents that has ultimately increased costs for tenants.

Almost £13M a week raised in property tax for Scottish Government

Almost £13M a week raised in property tax for Scottish Government

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Almost £13million a week was raised in property taxes for the Scottish Government, new analysis has revealed.

Student rents could surge due to Renters’ Rights Bill, landlords warn

Student rents could surge due to Renters’ Rights Bill, landlords warn

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Student rents could surge following the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Bill, say landlords, who have warned that it also discriminates against foreign students.

Landlords could face CGT hike if economy dips, IFS warns

Landlords could face CGT hike if economy dips, IFS warns

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Landlords could face a hike in Capital Gains Tax (CGT) if the economy dips before the Autumn Budget, the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned.

The Making Tax Digital net is closing on landlords

The Making Tax Digital net is closing on landlords

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Plans to Revolutionise the UK's Tax System will take a step forward from April 2028 when MTD will be expanded to include those earning more than £20,000 per year

With the RRB on the horizon, is it better to manage your rental yourself or hire an agent?

With the RRB on the horizon, is it better to manage your rental yourself or hire an agent?

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A letting agent ensures compliance with the Renters' Rights Bill and simplifies property management.

Choice of BTL mortgage deals hits record high

Choice of BTL mortgage deals hits record high

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Landlords searching for a new deal will find the choice of buy-to-let mortgages has hit a record high, with 3,860 products available.

Spring Statement did “nothing” to tackle the rental crisis, says NRLA

Spring Statement did “nothing” to tackle the rental crisis, says NRLA

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The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has labelled the Spring Statement a missed opportunity to improve the chronic supply crisis in the private rented sector.

Landlords see profits soar from downsizing “loophole”

Landlords see profits soar from downsizing “loophole”

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Landlords are profiting by selling before the Renters' Rights Bill, then reinvesting in post-Bill bargains.

Landlords are being brought "into line” - but more needs to be done to tackle PRS pressures, suggests Labour MP

Landlords are being brought "into line” - but more needs to be done to tackle PRS pressures, suggests Labour MP

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The Government has started to “bring landlords into line”, but more needs to be done to tackle the pressures in the private rented sector, a Labour MP has suggested.