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Capital gains 'Letting Relief'� rule change from April...

Capital gains 'Letting Relief'� rule change from April...

News

Capital Gains Tax: Owners of second homes and buy-to-lets that they have previously lived in should be aware that as from April 2020 the tax relief period allowed against capital against tax (CGT) will be reduced. As it is a present,when you se

Terminating a Letting Agent's Contract

Terminating a Letting Agent's Contract

Information

Letting Agent Contracts: One common question asked by landlords is, "how do I terminate my relationship with my letting agent?"For one reason or another, landlords sometimes wish to end their relationship with their letting agent and want to know how to go about it.Requests

Labour plans would challenge buy-to-let investors and second-home owners...

Labour plans would challenge buy-to-let investors and second-home owners...

News

General Election: Part of Laboursbid to be elected on 12th December is a raft of taxraising measures aimed at buy-to-let landlords and second homeowners. Jeremy CorbynsLabour party manifesto launch last week outlined a n

Controlling moisture and condensation in homes

Controlling moisture and condensation in homes

Information

Condensation andmould : This time of year,as the temperature drops, both new homes and old homes aresusceptible to the formation of condensation and unsightly mould: newhomes because they are effectively a sealed box, and old homesbecause they often lack ef

Winter Proof Your Rental Properties

Winter Proof Your Rental Properties

Information

The colder weather is here again, its that time of year coming; you feel that cold chill in the air, the snow and ice will soon arrive, and you know its time to get out that winter coat, scarf and gloves.You also know that cold wet weather on the way will test your rental properties and tenant

Portfolio landlords now average 13 properties

Portfolio landlords now average 13 properties

News

Portfolio Landlords: Buy to let lender Paragons recent research shows that professionaland larger-scale landlords are still investing and are increasing the size oftheir portfolios through more targeted investments. With an average portfolio

Tenants can sue landlords for cold or damp homes under new laws

Tenants can sue landlords for cold or damp homes under new laws

News

New rules that came into force in March allow https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/landlords-sue-cold-damp-homes-law-tenants-renting-housing-a8776671.html" tenants to sue landlords for issues like cold and damp. A broken heating system or poor ventilation that

Don't fall foul of the authorised guarantee agreement...

Don't fall foul of the authorised guarantee agreement...

Information

Commercial Property : A recent High Court decision in Co-Operative Group Food Ltdv. A&amp;A Shah Properties Ltd (2019) relates to an authorised guaranteeagreement (AGA) dispute, in this case an agreement involving a guarantor of theoutgoing tenant. <p id

Section 21 to be banned in the UK

Section 21 to be banned in the UK

Opinion

The Government has announced its intention to scrap Section 21 notices for eviction in an effort to offer tenants more long-term security.

New service charges rules in commercial property

New service charges rules in commercial property

News

Commercial: A new set of mandatory rules introduced from 1stApril 2019 and though the document itself is titled a first edition, itsupersedes 3 previous editions published as codes of practice. The RICS (Royal Institution of Ch

Security & Locks - Buy to Let Renovation & HMO Projects

Security & Locks - Buy to Let Renovation & HMO Projects

Information

Security: Renovating a buy-to-let property can be a great way for landlords to increase the rental income

My tenant left without telling me...

My tenant left without telling me...

Information

Abandonment: When times get hard the instances of tenants leaving without notice are known to increase. Doing a runner�, skipping� moonlight flitting� walking away� or gone away� and in the words of the immortal song;

What happens if someone other than the tenant pays the deposit?

What happens if someone other than the tenant pays the deposit?

Information

Tenancy Deposits: According to TDS (Tenancy Deposit Scheme) less than 1% (0.85%) of tenancies they handle have resulted in a deposit dispute in the year to March 2018, nevertheless its important to get it right when dealing with tenants' deposits.Cleaning was the most com

The Condensation Conundrum

The Condensation Conundrum

News

Viewpoint by Tom Entwistle As winter approaches outside temperatures drop and the perennial landlords problem of winter condensation and black mould rear their ugly heads again.The question is, how do you know if this is caused by the building or the tenant, or is it a co

Tax on income from lodgers and short stay tenants

Tax on income from lodgers and short stay tenants

Information

Landlords' Tax: Internet sites, such as AirBnB, have increased the number of landlords letting to lodgers and to guests on short stays. There are specific tax benefits to this type of letting business which are expanded upon below.Furnished holiday letting</st

Section 21 Notices - for older tenancies in England

Section 21 Notices - for older tenancies in England

Information

Section 21: Most tenancies will never require the service of a Section 21, Housing Act 1988, (eviction) notice. However, on those occasions when it does become necessary, and you just never know, landlords (and agents) will thank their lucky starts they complied with the rul

Asbestos and Your Responsibilities as a Landlord

Asbestos and Your Responsibilities as a Landlord

Information

Asbestos:Asbestos regulations were last updated in 2012 , bringing the UK in line with EU regulations, which means the current regulations have been in place long enough for most

The importance of a Tenancy Application Form

The importance of a Tenancy Application Form

Information

The Application Form You should always use a comprehensive Tenancy Application Form when taking on a new tenant. You need a completed application for each adult tenant in the property.The Tenancy application form is a very important starting point for any residential or comm

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BTL lender reveals unusual EPC-linked mortgage deal just for expats

BTL lender reveals unusual EPC-linked mortgage deal just for expats

News
News
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Opinion
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Suffolk Building Society has launched a new mortgage aimed at expat landlords with properties that boast a high EPC rating. Its five-year fixed expat buy-to-let product for properties with an Energy Performance Certificate rating of A to C is available on

NEW: Activists urge landlords and agents to stop property 'bidding wars'

NEW: Activists urge landlords and agents to stop property 'bidding wars'

News
News
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Tenants union Acorn has pledged to continue targeting letting agents in the city until they stop encouraging 'bidding wars' to help landlords achieve higher rents. Members launched a noisy protest outside a number of branches; some agents which had started talks with Acorn ab

TAX: Raise stamp duty for landlords urges leading Tory MP

TAX: Raise stamp duty for landlords urges leading Tory MP

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News
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Leading Tory MP Anthony Browne (main pic) has urged the government to ditch stamp duty for home buyers but increase the tax rate for investors. The chair of the 1922 Backbench Treasury Committee says people buying homes to live in are over-taxed while those buying properties for

RENT RISE: Landlord pushes back against tenant's public complaint

RENT RISE: Landlord pushes back against tenant's public complaint

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News
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A landlord has spoken out to defend a substantial rent increase after its tenant complained about his eviction to the local newspaper. Richard Symonds told https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/" target="_blank" Sussex World tha

Opinion: dealing with the thorny issue of damp and mould

Opinion: dealing with the thorny issue of damp and mould

Opinion
News
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Opinion
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Damp and mould has always been a very difficult issue to deal with for landlords, but the recent case of Awaab Ishak and the rapid and direct involvement of Government has really brought matters to a head. The death of a Rochdale social housing tenants son, Awaab Ishak, has l

NEW: Shelter says landlords 'still rejecting tenants based on race'

NEW: Shelter says landlords 'still rejecting tenants based on race'

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News
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The boss of housing charity Shelter has repeated the organisations previous assertion that tenants seeking properties in the private rented sector (PRS) too often face racism from both landlords and letting agents. Polly Neates comments have been published by the BBC withi

MOULD: Minister vows to speed up 'Awaab's Law' as thousands sign petition

MOULD: Minister vows to speed up 'Awaab's Law' as thousands sign petition

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News
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The government has vowed to expedite a proposed law forcing landlords to respond quickly to complaints about damp and mould. Housing minister Felicity Buchan (pictured) told MPs that proposals were being worked through, after it announced plans last week t

Birmingham proceeds with HMO licensing expansion despite opposition

Birmingham proceeds with HMO licensing expansion despite opposition

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News
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Birmingham council has concluded its consultation into an additional licensing scheme across the city that would include 9,500 properties in all 69 wards. Following a full cabinet meeting report on the scheme's consultation which included several landlords sessions organised by

Heartless' landlord fined �175,000 over dilapidated and unlicensed HMO

Heartless' landlord fined �175,000 over dilapidated and unlicensed HMO

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News
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A rogue landlord who let out an unlicensed HMO with no working kitchen, unusable toilets, blocked drains and rats, has been fined a whopping �175,000. Adam Ali had turned the former Anchor Hotel in Cobham Road, Westcliff-on-Sea (pictured), into an HMO whe

Avoid repeat of rent restrictions, urges Scottish lawmakers

Avoid repeat of rent restrictions, urges Scottish lawmakers

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News
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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.

Scotland raises £13M/week in property tax revenue

Scotland raises £13M/week in property tax revenue

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

Student rents may surge due to renters’ rights bill

Student rents may surge due to renters’ rights bill

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News
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Landlords warn that the Renters' Rights Bill could drive student rents higher.

Landlords could face CGT hike if economy dips, IFS warns

Landlords could face CGT hike if economy dips, IFS warns

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News
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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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News
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Making Tax Digital rules expand—what landlords need to know before mandatory compliance arrives.

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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News
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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

News
News
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Opinion
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Information

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 fails to address rental crisis, NRLA says

Spring statement fails to address rental crisis, NRLA says

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News
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NRLA says Spring Statement failed to address the escalating UK rental crisis.

Landlords see profits soar from downsizing “loophole”

Landlords see profits soar from downsizing “loophole”

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News
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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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News
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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.

One in five tenants borrow money for their deposit

One in five tenants borrow money for their deposit

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News
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One in five renters has borrowed money that needs to be paid back for their five-week cash deposit, putting them in a precarious financial position before moving in.

Landlords struggling with “needlessly complex” HMO licence renewal applications are selling up

Landlords struggling with “needlessly complex” HMO licence renewal applications are selling up

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News
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Landlords struggling with “needlessly complex” HMO licence renewal applications are fed up and selling up, according to Portsmouth & District Landlords Association (PDPLA).

Search for Landlord of the Year begins

Search for Landlord of the Year begins

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News
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The search is on for Landlord of the Year as part of this year’s LIS (Landlord Investment Show) Awards.

Landlords must use new digital tax software, the Chancellor confirms

Landlords must use new digital tax software, the Chancellor confirms

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News
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Landlords will have to use the new Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self-Assessment system, the Chancellor has confirmed.

Spring statement misses opportunity for landlords

Spring statement misses opportunity for landlords

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News
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The Spring Statement proved a missed opportunity for landlords and stamp duty, it has been suggested.

Tenants warned to know their rights after Chancellor announces more new homes

Tenants warned to know their rights after Chancellor announces more new homes

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News
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Tenants have been warned to know their rights following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ announcement of a £2billion investment in 18,000 new social and affordable homes.

Scottish landlords weigh rent hikes against void risks

Scottish landlords weigh rent hikes against void risks

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News
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Scottish landlords advised to balance rent increases with potential void periods post-cap removal; market conditions and tenant challenges considered.

Concerns raised about whether new planning reforms go far enough to address housing shortage

Concerns raised about whether new planning reforms go far enough to address housing shortage

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News
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Concerns about whether new planning reforms go far enough to address the country’s housing shortage have been raised by estate agents.

Labour pressured to remove guarantor rights for landlords

Labour pressured to remove guarantor rights for landlords

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News
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Homelessness charities are requesting amendments to the Renters’ Rights Bill that would severely limit landlords’ right to use guarantor agreements

Inflation dips to 2.8%, boosting hopes of interest rate cuts

Inflation dips to 2.8%, boosting hopes of interest rate cuts

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News
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Inflation has dipped, boosting mortgage borrowers’ hopes of more interest rate cuts.

Average asking rents have risen to £557 a week, new Foxton figures have revealed.

Average asking rents have risen to £557 a week, new Foxton figures have revealed.

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Average asking rents have risen to £557 a week, new Foxton figures have revealed.

Flat sales stall amid lack of meaningful progress on unsafe cladding repairs, estate agents warn

Flat sales stall amid lack of meaningful progress on unsafe cladding repairs, estate agents warn

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News
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Many flat sales are stalling due to a lack of meaningful progress on unsafe cladding repairs, estate agents have warned.

Landlords invited to boost business at training day

Landlords invited to boost business at training day

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News
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Landlords are being invited to a “five-star training day” to help them navigate the biggest changes in the rental market for 30 years.

Single-Family Housing market attracts attention amid surge in demand

Single-Family Housing market attracts attention amid surge in demand

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News
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Investors are targeting the Single-Family Housing (SFH) market as the booming sector aims to help fill the PRS shortfall.

Landlord fails in bid to increase tenant’s rent, tribunal rules

Landlord fails in bid to increase tenant’s rent, tribunal rules

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News
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A landlord company has failed in its bid to increase a tenant’s rent by 25% after a First Tier Property Tribunal heard that poor standards would lower the market rent.