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Big council says HMOs 'fundamentally change areas' as it clamps down

Big council says HMOs 'fundamentally change areas' as it clamps down

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Councillors in Reading are set to rubber stamp plans to extend restrictions on the number of HMO conversions. An Article 4 direction already covers parts of the town where HMOs are prevalent, in much of Park, Redlands and Katesgrove wards, as well as Jesse Terrace.

Landlords seeking to convert commercial into residential warned by trade body

Landlords seeking to convert commercial into residential warned by trade body

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Propertymark has called for a set of standards for developers and clear guidance for local councils as a way to effectively convert empty commercial properties into affordable homes - an increasingly popular path for some bigger PRS landlords. Responding to an inquiry from all-p

Is converting commercial buildings to residential use a viable proposition?

Is converting commercial buildings to residential use a viable proposition?

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Converting commercial buildings to residential use would seem an ideal solution to a housing shortage, especially with and a glut of underused commercial buildings, but how easy is it? The planning regulation changes have made it easier to convert commercial buildings to residen

BREAKING: New mandatory 'How to Rent' guide delayed for a week

BREAKING: New mandatory 'How to Rent' guide delayed for a week

News

The new How to Rent guide due to come out today (17th March) has been delayed for a week, according to industry sources. The new guide forms part of the prescribed information that landlords in England must issue at the start of any new tenancy or renewa

John Lewis build-to-rent plans stall as locals oppose huge apartment 'towers'

John Lewis build-to-rent plans stall as locals oppose huge apartment 'towers'

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John Lewiss build-to-rent strategy appears to be stalling amid local opposition to its plans for large developments in West Ealing and Bromley. The retailer has just announced pre-tax losses of �234 million as sales dipped 2% last year, making it even more vital to find new

'Disappointing' - housing chiefs slam lack of property measures in Budget

'Disappointing' - housing chiefs slam lack of property measures in Budget

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Landlords, estate agents and surveyors have all given yesterdays Budget an unqualified thumbs down after the Chancellor chose to focus on economic growth but ignore several problem threatening to engulf the housing market. All have said the budget was disappointing and a m

BUDGET: Scrapping lifetime pension fund limit 'will reduce BTL investment'

BUDGET: Scrapping lifetime pension fund limit 'will reduce BTL investment'

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Despite new research showing that one in four people plan to invest in property to generate retirement income, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's scrapping of the 'lifetime pension fund limit' could dampen demand for BTL property, says Cornerstone Tax. The impact of inflation on savings a

'A budget that does nothing to help struggling renters', says Shelter

'A budget that does nothing to help struggling renters', says Shelter

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Shelter has slammed the Chancellor for failing to raise Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates in his spring Budget. The homeless charity says Jeremy Hunt could have put an end to spiralling homelessness, but instead, he has stuck his head in the sand. Yet again we

Leading economics expert says 'enough is enough' for bruised landlords

Leading economics expert says 'enough is enough' for bruised landlords

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Sunday Times economics editor David Smith has expressed sympathy for private landlords who he believes feel bruised by increasing regulation in the sector. He says higher mortgage rates might be the straw that breaks the camels back for many, with some alrea

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Government reveals intiative to build 3,000 rented homes

Government reveals intiative to build 3,000 rented homes

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The Government is to become a significant provider of affordable private sector rental homes with plans to build some 3,000 units under a new name, Habiko.

Landlord pays a high price after forgetting to chase up licence

Landlord pays a high price after forgetting to chase up licence

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A landlord who forgot to chase up a licencing application for her rented property in London has paid a heavy price for her mistake after being ordered to return rent totalling £11,245 to her tenants.

Property licencing schemes should last for ten years, MPs are told

Property licencing schemes should last for ten years, MPs are told

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Comment has been made the Chartered Institue of Health Officers, which says such schemes should be the key tool for improving PRS home quality.

No change to CGT - but four landlords say 'we’re out!'

No change to CGT - but four landlords say 'we’re out!'

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Despite the overall good news, many landlords have remained in brace position and have reached out to exit the market and sell their buy-to-lets.

Stamp duty increase 'will reduce investment in private rented sector'

Stamp duty increase 'will reduce investment in private rented sector'

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Property auctioneers gave revealed its concerns about the Chancellor’s decision to raise Stamp Duty for those who purchase buy-to-let properties.

Prince William to 'upgrade estate' featuring mouldy rental homes

Prince William to 'upgrade estate' featuring mouldy rental homes

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Prince William has promised to upgrade the private rental properties he rents out via the Duchy of Cornwall after reports over the weekend.

Tenant activists call for 'harsher' renting reform bill

Tenant activists call for 'harsher' renting reform bill

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A lobbying group for renters’ rights is hoping to persuade MPs to make the Government’s renting reform legislation regulated landlords even harder.

COMMENT: Autumn Budget 2024

COMMENT: Autumn Budget 2024

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Investors, business owners, landlords and pension savers were braced for a painful attack on their assets, gains and savings

Scotland to limit rent rises to official inflation rate

Scotland to limit rent rises to official inflation rate

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The Scottish Government has announced a new inflation-linked rent cap in its Housing Bill in a bid to balance supporting tenants with protecting landlords’ property rights.

Can landlords benefit from President Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs?

Can landlords benefit from President Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs?

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Landlords searching for buy-to-let mortgages could benefit from President Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs, which have sparked a drop in mortgage rates.

Number of build-to-rent homes increases 173% in five years

Number of build-to-rent homes increases 173% in five years

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The number of build-to-rent (BTR) homes in the UK has jumped by 173% in the past five years as investment in the sector hit a record high in 2024.

Rent controls will help to protect landlords’ property rights, insists Scottish Government

Rent controls will help to protect landlords’ property rights, insists Scottish Government

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The Scottish Government has insisted that rent controls will help protect landlords’ property rights and support investment while protecting tenants facing cost-of-living pressures and rising energy prices.

Almost half of landlords prefer to buy a doer-upper property

Almost half of landlords prefer to buy a doer-upper property

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Almost half of landlords prefer to buy a doer-upper property, new research has revealed.

Landlords urged to check properties regularly for cannabis farms following two deaths

Landlords urged to check properties regularly for cannabis farms following two deaths

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Landlords in Northumbria have been urged to check their properties regularly for cannabis farms following two deaths as the result of a dangerous drug lab.

Average house price drops £1,575 in March, reveals Halifax data

Average house price drops £1,575 in March, reveals Halifax data

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The average house price of a home in Britain fell 0.5%in March -a drop of £1,575 - putting the average property price at £296,699.

Tax changes stem flow of foreign BTL investors

Tax changes stem flow of foreign BTL investors

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Tax changes have stemmed the flow of overseas house hunters seeking a buy-to-let property or second home in the last five years.

LEGAL landmark case: serving notices on your tenants – get it right first time

LEGAL landmark case: serving notices on your tenants – get it right first time

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Denial of receipt of notices is a recurring theme on the landlord-tenant landscape. This landmark case clarifies matters.

Landlords react to renters’ rights bill shockwaves

Landlords react to renters’ rights bill shockwaves

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Landlords packed the National Landlord Investment Show in London, sounding the alarm over the game-changing Renters Rights Bill. With no-fault evictions on the chopping block, experts warn that the bill could cripple landlords with skyrocketing legal costs and a loss of control over their properties

Trickle vents can be one of the best ways to combat damp and mould in rental properties

Trickle vents can be one of the best ways to combat damp and mould in rental properties

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Trickle vents can be one of the best ways to combat damp and mould, according to one architect who explains why houses are getting damper, ahead of Awaab’s Law.

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 prefer speedier repairs over more regulations

Tenants prefer speedier repairs over more regulations

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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.

Rental stock stagnant for nine years, landlord types shift

Rental stock stagnant for nine years, landlord types shift

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UK rental stock stagnant at 5.5M since 2016; small landlords exit, while larger, mortgage-free investors dominate, shifting market dynamics.

Landlords need time to adjust to renters’ rights bill

Landlords need time to adjust to renters’ 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 hike restrictions lead to tenant challenges

Rent hike restrictions lead to tenant challenges

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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.

NI landlords face hefty fines over new electricity laws

NI landlords face hefty fines over 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.

Trickle vents combat damp in rental properties

Trickle vents combat damp in rental properties

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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.

London properties offered at historic discounts

London properties offered at historic discounts

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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 renters lack contents insurance, Monzo claims

Half of renters lack contents insurance, Monzo claims

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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 affordable for benefit tenants

Only 2.5% of rented homes affordable for benefit tenants

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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 £263K for unlicensed HMOs

Billionaire landlord ordered to repay £263K for 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 steady despite stamp duty changes

House price growth steady despite stamp duty changes

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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.

Third of landlords plan to sell in next year, says Landbay

Third of landlords plan to sell in next year, says Landbay

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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.