Akiva worked in the charity sector and property management before joining the legal team at Landlord Action. He has helped countless landlords get back possession of their property from some of the most difficult tenants.”
Alex Nolan, Senior Training Manager at NRLA, provides expert training on HMO management, tenancy processes, and rental sector legislative updates.
Alphaletz is designed to be a simple, cost-effective solution to these problems. Their mission is to free you from the burden of spreadsheets and paperwork, so you can free up time and keep an eye on your profits.
Partner at Xeinadin. Xeinadin is a leading provider of accountancy services and business advice for small and medium-sized enterprises and individuals across the UK and Ireland.
Established in 1860 to care for abandoned animals, Battersea aims to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help. In 2023, we helped 2,529 dogs and 2,450 cats across our three centres. Our work means we see day-to-day the many animal welfare issues facing dogs, cats and the people who care for them.
Section 21 claims are likely to break records this year, despite only being legal for the first seven months, predicts Paul Shamplina.
An Upper Tribunal has ruled that a banned landlord's tenants should have been considered when making the order.
Protesting tenants in London turned up at Housing Secretary Angela Rayner’s office to hand her a cheque for £20,001.
An increasingly stressed landlord community feel they are becoming a convenient scapegoat for many of housing problems.
The First-tier Tribunal’s ruled that Property118’s incorporation planning did not need to be disclosed under HMRCs Disclosure of Tax Avoidance
The average rental void period in England has eased since the Renters’ Rights Act came in and now stands at 21 days.
Landlords in Brighton & Hove are getting cash to fund EPC improvements - if they help solve the city’s temporary accommodation shortage.
Section 21 is gone but getting your property back isn’t. Paul Shamplina outlines what landlords need to know about the new Section 8 reality.
Letting agents have started using AI to deal with increasingly sophisticated tenants’ complaints…generated by AI.
The Supreme Court is to rule on a key Section 21 gas safety dispute which could affect scores of landlords’ possession claims.
Leaseholders in England and Wales can use a new tool to find out how much time is left on their lease and to work out the cost of extending it.
Tenants need an annual salary of £74,520 to afford the average London home after monthly rents in the capital climbed to £2,484.
Landlords are being urged to gather tribunal-ready evidence to justify rent increases under the new Section 13 regime.
A tribunal has criticised a landlord who failed to license her rental property, describing her as dismissive of tenants’ concerns.
About 400,000 landlords and self-employed people have failed to register in time for today's Making Tax Digital deadline.
Norwich landlords could soon face new additional and selective licensing schemes after the council agreed to progress proposals.
Fraudsters are using AI to create entire fake tenant identities and slip past referencing checks, reports Goodlord.
Market student rentals early, get renewals in writing, and keep records to reduce voids, disputes and risks under new rental rules.
A landlord has been told to pay more than £4,500 after failing to clear piles of rubbish that attracted vermin from his three rental properties.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council is planning a major crackdown on the number and quality of HMOs across the city.
The London borough of Haringey is setting up a renters’ forum as Sadiq Khan invests £400,000 in council enforcement.
Section 21 and the assured shorthold tenancy finally came to an end on the 31st of July. Tom Entwistle comments
Burnley and Scarbrough councils want landlords to have their say on plans to extend selective licensing in their boroughs.
The government has pledged to reduce duplicate data entry in the PRS Database after early testing by landlords.
Landlords who can show evidence of rents actually achieved could be in a stronger position when defending rent increases at tribunal.
After the Section 21 deadline rush, attention turns to whether the new Section 8 grounds and courts can deliver timely possession.
Landlord possession claims surged 28% in July as owners raced to meet the final Section 21 court deadline before new rules took effect.
Property118 wins DOTAS appeal, but the ruling doesn't confirm its incorporation planning works for all landlords.
Ministers have revealed the detailed landlord enforcement data that councils will be expected to hand over from next year.
Overseas renters account for almost two-thirds of Foxtons' tenants, highlighting the referencing challenge facing landlords.
Buy-to-let can deliver rental income and long-term growth, but success depends on choosing the right location and planning costs.
A former letting agency boss has admitted she scammed almost £50,000 from dozens of tenants and landlords.
The build-to-rent sector saw one of the sharpest falls in the number of new starts on site during the last quarter.
Tribunals appear increasingly willing to award compensation for minor issues at unreasonable percentages, says a landlord group.
Landlords are taking advantage of Oxford’s housing shortage to rent out badly maintained HMOs, according to the city council.
Covid devastated the small enterprise section of the commercial property market. Are we at last seeing signs of recovery?
Regional rent controls could move a step closer after Labour’s Bev Craig won the Greater Manchester’s mayoral election.
Another Liverpool City Region is debating proposals to bring in a selective licensing scheme for private rented homes.
The Welsh Government is reviewing the 182-day letting threshold used to classify self-catering properties for local tax purposes.
Eviction specialist Paul Shamplina says it’s been “carnage” this week as landlords try to beat the last-minute rush to issue possession claims.
UK interest rates have been held at 3.75% for a fifth time by the Bank of England.
A group of Thurrock landlords have lost their final chance to challenge the Essex borough’s scheme and must stump up £7,500 in costs.
Tenant referencing has just got a whole lot more complicated and necessary – make sure you get it right
HMO landlords are ahead of the game when it comes to making energy efficiency improvements, according to Paragon Bank.
Landlords in Preston could soon have to pay £1,050 for a selective licence - but the council wants their views on whether to allow discounts.
mydeposits launches new Total Property platform, simpler pricing and cheaper insured deposit protection for landlords and agents.
A landlord whose tenants had to use toilets at work when repairs weren’t done at their unlicensed flat has been ordered to repay £24,480.
Landlords have been urged to conduct pest inspections and ensure tenants understand rubbish etiquette amid a rise in rat infestations.
Landlords paid £104 million in voluntary tax disclosures in the last financial year as HMRC casts its net wider.
Liverpool Council is weighing up the pros and cons of three potential selective licensing schemes which will impact city landlords next year.
Gedling Borough Council wants landlords’ views on whether it should bring in tougher rules for HMO conversions.
A landlord who ignored repeated requests to provide his tenant with hot water has been told to pay £5,600 in fines.
Tenants are now much less likely to search for pet-friendly rental properties following rental reforms, says Rightmove.
Land value tax has a high administration cost; will it ever get off the ground?
New Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has confirmed that the government is not looking to bring in rent controls in England.
St Helens Council has vowed to “tighten the screws” on HMOs after voting to bring in a borough-wide Article 4 Direction.
Landlords should decide whether they or their tenants are liable for the new High Value Council Tax Surcharge, says Propertymark.
A landlord has been ordered to repay almost £19,500 after a tribunal ruled he did not have a reasonable excuse for his unlicensed HMO.
VAT on electricity bills falls to 0% from October, offering landlords modest savings while highlighting the value of energy efficiency.
Campaigning tenant group Generation Rent has appointed Holly Williamson as its new chief executive, replacing Ben Twomey.
Professional investors have turned their attention to build-to-rent developments amid higher costs and greater tenant rights.
Tamworth Council plans to introduce additional licensing in a bid to stop HMO developers targeting the borough.
Rent repayment orders have become a favoured enforcement tool in the tenants’ arsenal, but frivolous and bogus claims can rebound on them
More property experts have urged Andy Burnham to reconsider potential rent controls in England in his bid to address the cost of living.
New data reveals continued fierce competition for rental homes as the pace of price rises is beginning to moderate.
Claimant firms might think more carefully before pursuing speculative claims, according to a property lawyer involved in a recent case.
Two London boroughs have launched consultations into bolstering their licensing schemes.
Property sector figures have given Angela Rayner a cautious welcome as she returns to her old job as Housing Secretary.
The government is considering introducing tougher verification checks for letting agents joining official schemes.
Tenant referencing helps landlords assess risk, but a “pass” is not proof of identity. Strong checks and vigilance remain essential.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham hasn’t ruled out rent controls as part of his pledge to help people with the cost of living.
A tax expert has urged landlords it’s not too late to register for Making Tax Digital despite the first filing deadline less than three weeks away.
A landlord firm has been fined for breaching licensing conditions after tenants were found sleeping in squalor in one of its properties.
The figures show that more and more traditional buy-to-let landlords are considering a diversifying strategy of investing in commercial property
LRG is rolling out Making Tax Digital software to 73,000 landlords, expanding letting agents' role in tax compliance.
Lloyds Living has taken another step towards becoming one of the UK’s largest private landlords by buying 980 new homes.
A property tribunal has ruled that a settlement demand backed by Justice for Tenants was made to intimidate the landlord.
Research finds Making Tax Digital is increasing compliance pressures for landlords already facing wider challenges.
Slough landlords will soon have to fork out £950 for an additional licence and £750 for a selective licence under two new schemes.
If you think of squatting as a residential problem is now solved by the 2012 criminal law reforms, think again
Three landlords who left their tenants living in a home with damp, mould and no heating will be reported to the Rogue Landlord Database.
Housing crisis needs landlord-tenant partnership, not blame: both sides face pressures and must work together to fix broken system
The number of available rental homes has dropped below the previous year’s level for the first time since 2022.
Leaseholders will gain greater powers to scrutinise service charges and challenge unreasonable costs next year, the government has announced.
Councils are failing to collect fines issued to rogue and criminal landlords despite conducting more property inspections.
Long-term landlords face a growing CGT trap as rising tax liabilities make selling or holding property an increasingly difficult decision.
Tenants whose rent exceeds £100,000 face a lack of protection in the Renters’ Rights Act, according to a top property lawyer.
Landlords are increasingly refinancing and restructuring rather than selling properties, as lenders report falling mortgage arrears.
Landlords in Wales face tougher rules on evicting tenants as part of another shake-up for the country’s private rented sector.
A new government report has provided an early warning of the pitfalls private landlords should avoid when Awaab’s Law takes effect.
Landlords are struggling with rising rent arrears as they face waits of up to a year to regain possession of their properties in Scotland.
A new property management platform aims to help landlords keep on top of the growing compliance burden as rental reforms bite.
The share of homes bought by landlords exceeded the share of homes they sold last month – for the first time since 2019.
Landlords are prioritising ensuite bedrooms and green credentials when hunting out investments or making improvements to HMOs.
Avoid costly deposit protection mistakes: check Prescribed Information, protect on time, and correct errors before court.
This was the subject of a recent Upper Tribunal case, an issue which has far-reaching consequences for landlords seeking CGT relief on incorporation
Landlords should use the time before the next stage of the Renters’ Rights Act to review compliance, paperwork and tenant relationships, according to
The number of pensioner households renting privately could more than triple over the next 20 years, new research finds.
Interest rate rises and tax changes have hit landlords harder than a two-year rent freeze would have, according to a think-tank.
Ministers have expanded the Cladding Safety Scheme to include some lower-rise residential buildings with the most serious fire safety risks.
A portfolio landlord group has urged the government to voice support for the sector and work with it on finding a solution to the country’s housing crisis.
Hoarding is an issue for an estimated six per cent of the population so at some point, many landlords will house a tenant that is affected.
Waltham Forest has been slammed for failing to adequately publicise details of its new additional licensing scheme.
Landlord groups are hoping Scotland’s First Minister has softened his hard-line stance on impending rent controls amid promises to boost the PRS.
The Welsh government looks set to follow England’s lead by launching a consultation into how HMOs are valued and banded for council tax purposes.
Rightmove reports 18% of homes for sale were previously rentals, up from 8% in 2010, as landlords exit amid rising taxes and costs.
Architect Matthew Robinson argues that there’s never been a better time to convert commercial buildings to residential use...
A new app aims to help prospective tenants decide whether a rental property ticks all the right boxes.
A councillor has called for more local authorities to follow Merton’s lead and strip rogue landlords of their properties.
As most Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST) are by definition, short, there is usually no need for landlords to get involved in processing a rent increase.However, some ASTs run for long periods after the fixed term has ended, i.e., when the tenancy becomes a statutory periodic tenancy, hence there
The ideal for any landlord is for the tenant to have a guarantor and provide a rent deposit. But which is better when the landlord has to choose?The starting point is the status of the tenant. With a tenant that is one person (an individual) the likelihood of that person being of independent fina
When you rent out a property two vital stages in the process are when you check-in your tenants at the start of the tenancy and check-out at the end.Preparation is the key to a trouble free let. When you prepare properly you are carrying out management processes so that nothing is left to chance
Strategic guide to Section 25 and 26 notices for landlords.Business tenancy renewals under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 involve complex procedures
Contrary to popular belief, 'upward-only' rent review does not mean the rent must increase.An 'upward-only' review means that the rent payable after the review to open market rental is agreed or ascertained would not be less than the rent payable before the rent review, even if the open market re
There are dangers with using the Section 8 possession claims process under the Housing Act 1988 which are not always apparent to landlords and agents.There is always a temptation to use section 8 because the shorter notice period (usually 2 weeks) is much quicker to court than the alternative - s
Section 48 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 states that landlords of residential tenancies in E&W must provide tenants with an addres
Should landlord insist on renewing fixed term tenancies or allow them to lapse into periodic tenancies?In essence a tenancy is the right to possess and occupy land belonging to another. A tenancy gives the occupier a legal interest in the land for a defined period of time.A relationship of landlo
A section 213 notice is a prescribed form notice which must be served on your tenant, or another person, if they provided a deposit for a rental.
This is a handy check list for use to help you ensure you are serving a valid section 21 notice. Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 (as amended 1996 & 2004) provides a means of re-gaining possession of a residential property in England & Wales. Other UK jurisdictions are similar but there
How can a tenant end a residential tenancy and stay within the law - usually with a Tenant's Notice to Quit?In practice most residential tenancies in England and Wales end (over 90 per cent of them) with tenants giving their landlord notice. These guidelines are based on English law and are not a
Farm and Land Tenancies Approximately one-third of all agricultural land in England and Wales is covered by agricultural tenancies. Tenancies allow people to farm without being landowners. As agricultural land is expensive, and the acreage now needed to make a viable operati
Landlords sometimes face a dilemma when they want to sell a rental property, or even a portfolio of their rental properties. Sometimes landlords have no choice but to sell as they are being forced to sell for financial reasons.Residential properties, unlike their commercial counterparts, always s
Assignment is when an existing and ongoing tenancy is transferred from one tenant to another. The person who transfers the tenancy is the assignor� and the person who the tenancy is transferred to is the assignee�.The outgoing tenant transfers his rights and obligations under the tenanc
Latest Research Suggests Basement Flats Are Safe As HousesBasement flats in West London have been found to be as secure from intruders as other types of apartments, according to research carried by Basement Flats, a newly-launched London publication.The magazine, which features news and informati
My Commercial Lease Agreement is coming to an end soon and my tenant has served on me a Section 26 Notice What is this and what should I do?
Question: Tenant Blacklists. I've had a very bad experience with a tenant and would like to put him on a black list so that other landlords don't have the same experience that I've had. How do I go about this?Answer: We often get asked this question.Although there have been several attempts by di
Sub-letting leasehold - I want to rent out my leasehold flat but the managing agent says the freeholder wont allow it. I know that other flats in the block are rented out, so what can I do? Landlords usually prohibit sub-letting to safeguard the interest.Landlords usually prohibit sub-letting
Question - Rent Review - my landlord is asking for far more rent than I expected on review. Am I obliged to pay this?Answer - Commercial leases are contractual - the parties agree to and are bound by its clauses and that includes rent review provisions.The rent review process is a way of periodic
Re-selling Energy - As a landlord am I able to make a profit by re-selling electricity or gas?</h2>Resale of Gas and ElectricityThe maximum amount that Residential Landlords or resellers� are permitted to charge for gas or electricity is the amount they
Misrepresentation - We recently rented out our rural cottage to a couple. As they wanted to use their computers I said it was possible to get high-speed broad-band. I thought this would be possible but it seems it is not at this time. The couple are now claiming that I misled them and that
I'm receiving mail for previous tenants and some of them are from debt collectors. Will this get my property black listed and cause problems for my current tenants and myself in the future?</h2> It's fairly common to have mail arriving for months and even years after residents have left,
Long Term AST - My prospective tenant has asked for a tenancy term of 6 years. Can I use the usual Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement for this?</h2> The Assured Shorthold Tenancy is the default tenancy for residential lettings and since October 2010 this applies to rents up to �100,000
Question: How long should accounts be kept to satisfy the authorities, things like accounting files, invoices and tax records, as a property landlord?Answer: You must keep your records for 6 years after the tax year to which they apply, whether or not you complete a tax return.It's a good idea, a
Expiry of Section 21 Notice - I have served a Section 21 (s21) Notice on my tenant but don't wish to start proceedings immediately. Can I wait without the notice expiring?Once a Section 21 notice has been served correctly it continues indefinitely, until such time as the tenancy is ended, either