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BREAKING: Scottish Government reveals national rent freeze and evictions ban

BREAKING: Scottish Government reveals national rent freeze and evictions ban

News

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has revealed that her government is to introduce a national rent freeze and bank on evictions as part of her governments 'emergency legislation' to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, both of which will last until at least the end of March next year.

OFFICIAL: 'No concession for student landlords under tenancy reform plans'

OFFICIAL: 'No concession for student landlords under tenancy reform plans'

News

The https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-levelling-up-housing-and-communities" Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) has dismissed concerns from HMO student landlords that its plans to bring in periodic tenancies will damage

Why is it so difficult to find good tradespeople to repair and maintain properties?

Why is it so difficult to find good tradespeople to repair and maintain properties?

Information

One of the main tasks you have as a landlord is finding quality tradespeople to repair and maintain your rental properties. Whether its a big landscaping project, or a small leak its important to hire people who know what theyre doing.  Unfortunately for many landl

Landlords with leasehold properties in line for Ground Rent rip-off refunds

Landlords with leasehold properties in line for Ground Rent rip-off refunds

News

More than 5,000 leaseholders including landlords could get refunds on their ground rent after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) secured assurances from nine firms that bought freeholds from housing developer Taylor Wimpey. Those leaseholders who paid a doubled

EXPERT: Number of councils seeking to stop HMO conversions is on the rise

EXPERT: Number of councils seeking to stop HMO conversions is on the rise

News

More councils are set to introduce Article 4 directions in a bid to clamp down on HMO development, with six currently waiting for approval. There are already about 45 local authorities in England partly or entirely affected by Article 4 which means planning permission is nee

Unintended consequences of plans to ban Section 21 evictions 'already happening'

Unintended consequences of plans to ban Section 21 evictions 'already happening'

News

A new landlord survey has revealed the effects of the Government's proposals to ban Section 21 evictions already feeding into the private rented sector. Evictions specialist Landlord Action canvassed some 1,500 landlords and found that 26% of those who had evicted a tenant over

Speculation grows that Rees-Mogg will be Housing Secretary if Liz Truss wins

Speculation grows that Rees-Mogg will be Housing Secretary if Liz Truss wins

News

Its known as silly season when the media focuses on light-hearted stories, but news that Jacob Rees-Mogg (pictured) is being mooted as the new Levelling Up Secretary has been seen by some as no laughing matter. As the leadership contest draws to a close, preparations fo

Making tax digital as a landlord: What you need to know

Making tax digital as a landlord: What you need to know

Information

Making tax digital (MTD) for income tax is part of the governments long-term strategy to digitalise tax and will have implications for how landlords pay tax on their income. For those used to self-assessment, it will represent a change, but providing digital records will give businesses

What are the special rules for VAT on commercial property?

What are the special rules for VAT on commercial property?

News

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

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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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News
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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

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News
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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

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News
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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!

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News
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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

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News
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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'

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News
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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

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News
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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

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

Northern city to clamp down on 'too many' HMOs

Northern city to clamp down on 'too many' HMOs

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News
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Preston Council has proposed new powers to reject HMO applications amid fears that the city is already being over-run by shared homes.

Tenant abandonment - what is it?

Tenant abandonment - what is it?

Information
News
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What is Abandonment? Abandonment is when a tenant leaves the property (usually without notifying the landlord or agent) before the tenancy has ended.

Double council tax aims to get owners letting properties

Double council tax aims to get owners letting properties

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News
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Argyll and Bute councillors have approved a plan to charge a double council tax on second homes.

London council bids to continue clampdown on small HMOs

London council bids to continue clampdown on small HMOs

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News
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Haringey Council has urged landlords to share their views on plans for a new additional licensing scheme in the borough.

Rising UK rents forecast to break records

Rising UK rents forecast to break records

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News
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A continued imbalance between supply and demand is set to grow rents by 6% next year, before hitting an affordability ceiling that will limit growth until 2028.

Unlawful extension lands landlord with hefty fine

Unlawful extension lands landlord with hefty fine

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News
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A landlord who illegally rented out a property for years without planning permission has been ordered to pay £93,000.

Landlords warm to tougher energy rules - but need more help

Landlords warm to tougher energy rules - but need more help

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News
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Most private landlords think they should be subject to stricter energy efficiency regulations, according to new research.

Landlords urged to beware the pitfalls of non-dom licensing

Landlords urged to beware the pitfalls of non-dom licensing

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News
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A licensing expert has warned landlords living overseas about the dangers of asking UK-based friends or firms to apply for their selective licence.

Leasehold reforms herald huge shake-up for homeowners

Leasehold reforms herald huge shake-up for homeowners

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News
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The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill has taken a step towards becoming legislation after it was introduced to Parliament.

Labour to stop landlords evicting if deposit has not been protected

Labour to stop landlords evicting if deposit has not been protected

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News
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Labour MPs have tabled 26 amendments to the Renters Reform Bill that demand much tougher financial penalties for errant landlords and stricter rules around deposits.

New national lobbying group for landlords revealed

New national lobbying group for landlords revealed

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News
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PRS organisations, forums and landlord groups have joined forces to launch the Housing Coalition, which aims to give the sector a voice and improve private rental housing standards.

Could it happen here? Ireland to give PRS tenants 'right to buy'

Could it happen here? Ireland to give PRS tenants 'right to buy'

News
News
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Tenants in Ireland could get first refusal on a property when a landlord puts it up for sale if new legislation gets the go-ahead.

Investors rush to snap up buy-to-let portfolios for cash before the year ends

Investors rush to snap up buy-to-let portfolios for cash before the year ends

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News
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Opinion
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With just one month to go until the year ends, investors are continuing to snap up properties at an accelerated rate. With next year bringing uncertainty, and a potential change in government, the trend for new investors who have entered the market to step in and take whole portfolios...

OFFICIAL: Smaller landlords will NOT need to use digital tax system

OFFICIAL: Smaller landlords will NOT need to use digital tax system

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News
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Landlords earning less than £30,000 will not have to use HMRC’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) software, the government has confirmed.

Britain's biggest landlord warns Government over tenancy law change

Britain's biggest landlord warns Government over tenancy law change

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News
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Two-month notice periods for tenants under periodic tenancies will negatively impact the build-to-rent sector and encourage sub-letting homes as party flats, the boss of big BTR firm Grainger has told MPs.

'Rescue service' launches to help struggling landlords

'Rescue service' launches to help struggling landlords

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News
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A rent to buy scheme for first-time buyers who can’t afford a deposit is extending its offer to struggling landlords.

Chancellor unfreezes Local Housing Allowance for benefits tenants

Chancellor unfreezes Local Housing Allowance for benefits tenants

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News
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The Chancellor has revealed that the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) will be unfrozen and increased to the lower 30% of rents nationwide from April 2024 onwards.

Fewer landlords to complete green upgrades now EPC rules scrapped

Fewer landlords to complete green upgrades now EPC rules scrapped

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News
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Fewer landlords plan to make energy efficiency improvements since the government’s U-turn on raising EPC targets.

Housing benefit direct payments STILL leaving landords 'out of pocket'

Housing benefit direct payments STILL leaving landords 'out of pocket'

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News
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A benefits expert has urged the DWP’s working group to sort out problems with the Alternative Payment Arrangements (APA) process that leaves landlords in the dark and out of pocket.

Are you? Landlords report 'feeling more upbeat' as yields rise

Are you? Landlords report 'feeling more upbeat' as yields rise

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News
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Landlords are feeling much more optimistic than they were a year ago, thanks to a more stable market and economic conditions, according to new research from Paragon Bank.

UPDATED - Ending an Assured Shorthold Tenancy

UPDATED - Ending an Assured Shorthold Tenancy

Information
News
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Information

How to handle the eviction process The Government is planning to replace the Assured Shorthold Tenancy, and Section 21 evictions will no longer be possible when new legislation under the Renters (Reform) Bill comes in. But this will take some time yet. In the meant

Tenant's complaint leads to £10,000 fine for HMO landlord

Tenant's complaint leads to £10,000 fine for HMO landlord

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News
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A criminal landlord has been hit with an £11,800 fine for operating a dirty, unlicensed HMO - one of a growing number of large, sometimes overcrowded and dangerous, bedsits around the country.

LandlordZONE and Shamplina on TV today to analyse Autumn Statement

LandlordZONE and Shamplina on TV today to analyse Autumn Statement

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News
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Landlords looking for some in-depth analysis of tomorrow’s Autumn Statement and its likely good – and bad – news for landlords should tune into TalkTV at 3.30pm tomorrow, 22nd November.

Ignoring HMO licencing scheme costs landlord £9,600

Ignoring HMO licencing scheme costs landlord £9,600

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News
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The costs of running unlicenced rental properties have been highlighted once more after three tenants won a £9,600 Rent Repayment Order from their HMO landlord.

Tenant bidding wars for rental properties hot up - claim

Tenant bidding wars for rental properties hot up - claim

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News
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One in five tenants has lost out in a property bidding war during the last two years, with those in London, Southampton and Brighton facing the toughest competition.

INTERVIEW: The pioneering private landlord with a social purpose

INTERVIEW: The pioneering private landlord with a social purpose

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News
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Private landlords are often portrayed unfairly by some housing campaigners as greedy, concerned only with raising rents and increasing profits.