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Government is afraid EPC upgrades will be final straw for landlords, says big bank

Government is afraid EPC upgrades will be final straw for landlords, says big bank

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A leading lender believes the governments likely decision to row back on EPCs is linked to fears that it will hit an already struggling PRS. Earlier this week, Housing Secretary Michael Gove suggested a delay in bringing in energy efficiency plans for rental properties to

Property firm reports more landlords selling up as 'red tape' burden rises

Property firm reports more landlords selling up as 'red tape' burden rises

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Home buying company the Open Property Group (OPG) has reported a 56% jump in PRS property purchases during the past year, with landlords blaming red tape for their decision to sell up. It bought nearly �6 million worth of property from homeowners and landlords looking for a fas

Payday! Three tenants to share �20,000 after landlord fails to licence property

Payday! Three tenants to share �20,000 after landlord fails to licence property

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Three tenants have won a �20,160 rent repayment order from their landlord who failed to licence his HMO. A First Tier Property Tribunal found that Simon Freed let out the three-bedroom flat in Frognal Court, Camden (main picture), a

Scots Ministers avoid revealing how many landlords are seeking big rent rises

Scots Ministers avoid revealing how many landlords are seeking big rent rises

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The Scottish Government has decided not to publish details of how many landlords north of the border have applied to raise their rent above the 3% maximum allowed under the countrys Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act. This controversial legislation was first in

Landlords warned over increase in unauthorised and illegal sub-letting by tenants

Landlords warned over increase in unauthorised and illegal sub-letting by tenants

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Sub-letting is on the increase within the private rented sector as the cost of living crisis bites, it has been reported. Direct Line says nearly half of all tenants who sublet rooms within their property have not told their landlord or checked they are allowed to within their r

Council's desperate measures to stop landlords evicting tenants revealed

Council's desperate measures to stop landlords evicting tenants revealed

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Brent Council is paying a landlord to house the tenant he was trying to evict after failing to come up with any alternative accommodation. The authority paid the legal fees and took over responsibility for paying the rent as long as the landlord continued to let his tenant stay

BTR makes another leap forward with £1.26 billion invested in just three months

BTR makes another leap forward with £1.26 billion invested in just three months

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T The UKs build-to-rent (BTR) stock now stands at 88,100 completed homes, with a further 53,500 homes under construction and 111,800 in the planning pipeline. Savills research reveals that in the second quarter of the year, the sector saw a record-breaking �1.26

Landlord outcry over 'unfair' major Midlands selective licencing scheme

Landlord outcry over 'unfair' major Midlands selective licencing scheme

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Landlords in Birmingham have slammed the citys new selective licensing scheme which some claim is unfairly targeting ethnic communities. The scheme, which took effect at the beginning of June, affects all landlords in 25 of the citys wards which have more than 20% of rente

'Stop demonising landlords, it's just not helping the situation'

'Stop demonising landlords, it's just not helping the situation'

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Be careful what you wish for� is the point I would put to organisations such as Shelter, Generation Rent and other tenant groups.  In other words, stop demonising landlords - its not helping the situation especially when we have such a severe rental stock crisis.&

No need to evict! We sell buy-to-lets in 28 days to new landlords who want to keep your 'fireproof'� tenants

No need to evict! We sell buy-to-lets in 28 days to new landlords who want to keep your 'fireproof'� tenants

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Theyve been dubbed fireproof tenants� news this week reached fever pitch for landlords who rallied together in outrage to hear that multiple local councils had advised tenants not to move out of their houses� no matter what, even if the landlord was in financial difficulty

NEW: �30 billion cost for landlords to upgrade properties to EPC minimum

NEW: �30 billion cost for landlords to upgrade properties to EPC minimum

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More than half of all homes in the private rented sector need upgrading to achieve an EPC band C by 2028, with landlords facing a total estimated bill of �30 billion at a time when many are struggling to cover their costs. About 2.9 million properties are affected, with costs f

HOT MARKET: Every property put on market receiving 20 viewing requests

HOT MARKET: Every property put on market receiving 20 viewing requests

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Rental properties in the North West are each attracting an average of 30 viewing requests as competition among prospective tenants grows more intense. Data commissioned by the BBC from Rightmove shows an average of 20 requests to view each available property in Britain, up from

Charities and campaigners slam Government over 'weak' renting reforms

Charities and campaigners slam Government over 'weak' renting reforms

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In a sign that the Renters (Reform) Bill is annoying many and pleasing few, charities and pro-tenant groups have today joined forces to slam the legislation for being too weak. The https://rentersreformcoalition.co.uk/" target="_blank" Renters Ref

BREAKING: Government rows back on 2035 gas boiler ban within rented properties

BREAKING: Government rows back on 2035 gas boiler ban within rented properties

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The Government has rowed back on its commitment to phase out all gas boilers in rented homes by 2035 following comments by Michael Gove. Talking tohttps://www.thetimes.co.uk/radio/schedule" https://www.thetimes.co.uk/radio/schedule" target="_blank" i

Another big council looks at forcing selective licencing on private landlords

Another big council looks at forcing selective licencing on private landlords

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A big South East counciil hopes to introduce a big selective licencing scheme for private landlords which would cover all PRS homes. Medway, which is a unitary authority covering a large swathe of Kent including Rochester and Gillingham, has seen those renting in the private ren

Official report backs binning leasehold but some owners 'still worried'

Official report backs binning leasehold but some owners 'still worried'

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Ditching leaseholds is 'entirely possible' although some flat owners still arent convinced about moving across to commonhold, a government report has concluded. It explains that while reaching a point at which most existing flats are owned without a third-party landlord or ar

Landlords given five months to join enlarged �800 London licencing scheme

Landlords given five months to join enlarged �800 London licencing scheme

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More than 5,400 homes in Islington now need a licence under Islington Councils new selective licensing scheme.  Landlords in Finsbury Park, Tollington and Hillrise wards are affected, where properties are blighted with poor conditions, according to council enforcement of

Gove consults landlords on looser rules for commercial to residential conversions

Gove consults landlords on looser rules for commercial to residential conversions

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Landlords are being encouraged to share their thoughts on government plans to make it easier to convert larger department stores, space above shops and offices.  As part of Housing Secretary Michael Goves announcement on https://www.landlo

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London council plans triple whammy of landlord licensing and regulation

London council plans triple whammy of landlord licensing and regulation

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Merton Council, which includes the famous Wimbledon lawn tennis centre, is embarking on a big push to license all rented properties and HMOs in the borough as well as limiting the growth of small HMOs. It wants landlords to take part in its new consultation on plans for <strong

PROBE: Landlords complain about rent-to-rent firm as deals go sour

PROBE: Landlords complain about rent-to-rent firm as deals go sour

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Complaints from landlords and letting agents have been passed to LandlordZONE about a rent-to-rent provider whose founder is lauded online for raking in up to �12,000 a month. <figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type- " data-rt-type="" data-rt-align=""><div><img src="https://uploads-

Autumn Statement latest: Chancellor reveals tax rises for landlords

Autumn Statement latest: Chancellor reveals tax rises for landlords

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Landlords face higher bills from next year after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt slashed the annual threshold for Capital Gains Tax from �12,300 to �6,000 next year and �3,000 from April 2024. Although a rise in CGT didnt materialise, he followed the Office of Tax Simplification

LATEST: Government has 'broken the PRS' during its war on landlords

LATEST: Government has 'broken the PRS' during its war on landlords

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Landlords have accused the Government of "breaking the private rented sector" with its relentless regulatory and tax policies. The comments have been made by the NRLA, which says that while demand for rented homes is rising as home ownership becomes less affordable, the number o

NEW: Brighton squeezes HMO sector even harder with new policies and guidance

NEW: Brighton squeezes HMO sector even harder with new policies and guidance

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Brighton &amp; Hove Council is squeezing its HMO sector even harder by introducing a tough new set of policies designed to reduce their impact on local communities. Its City Plan Part 2 includes new guidance for those applying for planning permission as well as rules covering bu

Welsh landlords &amp; agents have serious misgivings about longer notice periods

Welsh landlords &amp; agents have serious misgivings about longer notice periods

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The way that private rented sector (PRS) landlords operate their properties in Wales is going through one of the biggest changes in decades as the Welsh Government, under its devolved powers, pass and implement the https://www.legislation.gov.uk/anaw/2016/1/contents" target="_blank

Leicester to widen HMO planning restrictions covering 'thousands' of houses

Leicester to widen HMO planning restrictions covering 'thousands' of houses

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Leicester city council councillors are to vote next week on plans to significantly widen local planning laws to clamp down on the spread of HMOs. The measures are to be brought in following a public consultation that finished in January this year. Leicester has had a

Japanese knotweed is a well known menace but bamboo can be worse...

Japanese knotweed is a well known menace but bamboo can be worse...

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The mention of Japanses knoweed has the effect of putting the fear of God in property owners, but the bamboo plant, which is lesser known, can be even more devastating. Homeowners have been planting bamboo for years in Britain to create an exotic oriental ornamental feature or a

Are you ready for the switch to digital tax submissions?

Are you ready for the switch to digital tax submissions?

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The Making Tax Digital initiative (MTD) is a HMRC scheme that aims to modernise income tax accounting and reporting, making the process fully digital. The idea is to improve HMRCs efficiency and reduce costs to the taxpayer by processing business, property and individual tax affairs on-l

SW city to clampdown on HMO conversions with harsher rules

SW city to clampdown on HMO conversions with harsher rules

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Exeter is considering extending its Article 4 direction to help manage the impact of the citys student population. The current Article 4 restricting landlords rights to convert properties into HMOs is in an area close to the University of Exeters Streatham and S

Reform bill will push more landlords into the short-lets market, say experts

Reform bill will push more landlords into the short-lets market, say experts

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Leading figures on both sides of the private rented sector have agreed that the Renters Reform Bill, along with the Governments other changes including tax relief, are driving landlords into the short lets market. The comments were made during a debate chaired by former North

OFFICIAL: Latest evictions surge 'due to reforms pushing out landlords'

OFFICIAL: Latest evictions surge 'due to reforms pushing out landlords'

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The Minsitry of Justice has blamed a 23% jump in the number of private landlord possession during the first three months of the year on the Welsh PRS reforms, although volumes are still below pre-Covid levels. Quarterly figures from the Ministry of Justice show that claims&nbsp;

Renters’ Rights Bill: Expert insights on key changes

Renters’ Rights Bill: Expert insights on key changes

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Experts Sean Hooker and Kate Faulkner discuss the Renters (Reform) Bill and its impact on landlords and tenants in the private rented sector.

The UK's �1bn self-storage business boosted by the shortage of rentals

The UK's �1bn self-storage business boosted by the shortage of rentals

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Running a storage rentals business, supplying and letting space for inanimate objects, as opposed to people, is potentially far more lucrative and a lot less troublesome than operating as a residential landlord. The UK self-storage industry has grown steadily over the last twent

More landlords lose properties as interest rates and rising prices hit home

More landlords lose properties as interest rates and rising prices hit home

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At least 410 buy-to-let mortgaged properties were repossessed in the first quarter of 2023, 28% higher than in the previous quarter - the highest level since the start of the pandemic. https://www.ukfinance.org.uk/" UK Finance reports that 970 buy-to-let mortg

Illegal HMO conversion lands landlord with hefty fine

Illegal HMO conversion lands landlord with hefty fine

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A https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/court-fines-unlucky-but-rogue-landlord-12000-over-unlicensed-hmo/" rogue landlord who illegally subdivided his property into seven separate flats has been ordered to pay back more than �110,000 through the Proceeds of Crime Act.<br><

Green mortgage aims to make an impact on BTL investors

Green mortgage aims to make an impact on BTL investors

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Buy-to-let landlords could add the cost of making properties more https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/landlords-rush-to-offload-their-energy-poor-properties/" energy efficient onto their mortgage in an initiative to make more UK homes greener. https:/

Renters’ reform bill promises major housing changes

Renters’ reform bill promises major housing changes

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In the second in a series of blogs for&nbsp;LandlordZONE&nbsp; on rental reform,&nbsp;Sean Hooker , Head of Redress at the&nbsp;https://www.theprs.co.uk/" <e

Reform Bill: Landlords brace for 'challenging' notice periods

Reform Bill: Landlords brace for 'challenging' notice periods

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Tenants could effectively move in and give notice the same day under proposals in the https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/renters-reform-bill-we-take-a-first-look-at-the-radical-new-legislation/" Renters (Reform) Bill . The draft legislation scraps assured shor

Landlords rushing to sell as mortgage costs soar above tenants' rent

Landlords rushing to sell as mortgage costs soar above tenants' rent

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Private landlords across the UK have found themselves in hot water, and its no surprise that many are rushing to sell their property portfolios. A recent article by the BBC reported that private landlords had expressed critical concerns that their rents wont cover the cost

Reform Bill: 'Justice at stake if eviction changes not backed by extra funding'

Reform Bill: 'Justice at stake if eviction changes not backed by extra funding'

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Court reforms and extra funding are needed if the governments overhaul of the evictions process is to succeed, warn landlord groups and eviction specialists. It has promised to abolish section 21 no fault evictions&nbsp;as part of the https://www.landlordzone.c

Reform Bill: Landlord database to be enforced with court orders

Reform Bill: Landlord database to be enforced with court orders

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A new ombudsman known as the landlord redress scheme - and property portal would be compulsory for all private sector landlords.

First look: Renters’ Rights Bill promises sweeping changes

First look: Renters’ Rights Bill promises sweeping changes

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First look at the Renters (Reform) Bill: groundbreaking tenant protections, streamlined landlord redress & flexible ‘pets-in-lets’ rules.

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

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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's plan to ease HMO rules for asylum accommodation

Gove's plan to ease HMO rules for asylum accommodation

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Michael Gove approves relaxed HMO rules for asylum seeker housing, exempting safety standards and licensing; critics warn of potential exploitation.

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

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

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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'

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Agents lacking landlord licensing know‑how put landlords at risk — vital compliance gaps exposed.

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

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

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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.&nbsp; A Uswitch poll of 2,000 landlords found that the most common reason t

Labour targets landlords with new housing reforms

Labour targets landlords with new housing reforms

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Labour pledges stricter Decent Homes Standard 2 for private landlords, raising property quality and accountability ahead of next general election.

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

BREAKING: Renters (Reform) Bill to get first airing after PMQs today

BREAKING: Renters (Reform) Bill to get first airing after PMQs today

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The Government is to finally introduce its long-delayed renting reforms into parliament later today following Prime Ministers Questions (PMQs) in the Commons. The Bill, which is to be called the Renters (Reform) Bill, will get its first reading just aft

Third of tenants turning to credit to fund tenancy deposits - claim

Third of tenants turning to credit to fund tenancy deposits - claim

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A tenancy deposit affordacility crisis is looming as new data reveals that nearly a third of renters are borrowing money to pay for them, new research shows. The poll of 1,000 tenants reveals how they are using credit cards, personal loans, overdrafts and family loans to scrape