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Tribunal slams councils for 'cash cow' licencing schemes that aren't needed

Tribunal slams councils for 'cash cow' licencing schemes that aren't needed

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A First Tier Property Tribunal has slammed Nottingham Council for covering large swathes of the city with licensing schemes rather than targeting rogue landlords, a 'temptation' it says is faced by other local authorities. Justice for Tenants brought a case on behalf of a tenant

Shrinking buy-to-let could see a buy-to-let mortgage drought

Shrinking buy-to-let could see a buy-to-let mortgage drought

News

As landlords continue to exit the buy-to-let market, to the detriment of their tenants, could this rout also lead to buy-to-let mortgage lenders following their lead? This is a question posed by Chloe Cheung writing for the FT this last weekend. Its a serious question, a deve

Letting agents back HMO council tax re-banding reform proposals

Letting agents back HMO council tax re-banding reform proposals

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Letting agents have backed the Governments decision to reform the way HMO properties are banded for council tax. Propertymark, which represents the estate agency sector, says in its submission to a consultation by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities that p

LATEST: Greens say 'immediate' rent freeze is only answer to housing crisis

LATEST: Greens say 'immediate' rent freeze is only answer to housing crisis

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Landlords wanting to back the eco movement may want to pause for thought after the Green Party today vowed to bring in an immediate rent freeze and no-fault eviction ban to tackle the housing crisis. During an election campaign visit to Suffolk, party co-leaders Carla Denyer and

Landlord jailed after ignoring court order to improve rat-infested property

Landlord jailed after ignoring court order to improve rat-infested property

News

A rogue landlord has been jailed for 10 months after he failed to comply with conditions set by a court concerning his rat-infested property. Martin Ambler admitted four counts of breaching a criminal behaviour order in May 2022 but sentencing was deferred so that he could instr

Have you been hit by the 'cost of landlording' crisis? Here's some help

Have you been hit by the 'cost of landlording' crisis? Here's some help

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There is a lot of talk at the moment about how rents are up by 11% across the UK and although I know its tough on renters, landlord costs have, in many cases, doubled. This includes mortgage premium payments following interest rates rises from 0.5% to 4% in just 12 months, an

Tory think-tank and Shelter push for three-year tenancies for PRS

Tory think-tank and Shelter push for three-year tenancies for PRS

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The government should introduce three-year tenancies to protect tenants from uncertainty and rising rents, according to a liberal conservative think tank report. The Bright Blue group has teamed up with Shelter to publish, <strong id

NEW: Coalition slams Scots Government over rent cap and evictions freeze

NEW: Coalition slams Scots Government over rent cap and evictions freeze

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Landlords have heavily criticised the Scottish governments decision to implement its evictions freeze and rent cap without a proper consultation. The measures, which were widely criticised earlier this year for being rushed through, are now being fought by a coalition of orga

Mortgage provider sets up £50 million fund to help landlords upgrade EPCs

Mortgage provider sets up £50 million fund to help landlords upgrade EPCs

News

A BTL mortgage provider has pledged to invest £50 million in a fund to help landlords enhance their property's energy efficiency.

'Letting agents must help landlords navigate looming renting reforms'

'Letting agents must help landlords navigate looming renting reforms'

News

Evictions expert Paul Shamplina warns landlords and letting agents of increased responsibilities under the Renters Reform Act.

Long‑term Airbnb lets treated like ASTs, rules judge

Long‑term Airbnb lets treated like ASTs, rules judge

News

Airbnb landlord Talha Abbasi faces £102,000 court bill after judge classifies long-term let as assured shorthold tenancy, granting tenant protections.

Labour MP tells TV show that Section 21 evictions wrong in all circumstances

Labour MP tells TV show that Section 21 evictions wrong in all circumstances

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Labour MP Diane Abbott has told TV viewers that bad landlords are those who use Section 21 to evict their tenants, whatever the reason. Despite there being genuine reasons for using the notice, such as non-paying tenants or anti-social behaviour, the London MP appeared on <a hre

DEPOSITS: Five weeks' rent 'not enough in many rent arrears and damage cases'

DEPOSITS: Five weeks' rent 'not enough in many rent arrears and damage cases'

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New research reveals that deposits of five weeks rent dont provide landlords with enough protection in more than 10% of cases. Alternative deposit firm Reposit studied 20,000 tenancy agreements dating back to 2016 and found that landlords needed to r

BREAKING: 'London landlord and agent fines on track to hit record high this year'

BREAKING: 'London landlord and agent fines on track to hit record high this year'

News

This year London is on track to see the highest level of fines levied against rogue landlords and letting agents, it has been revealed as more and more councils begin operating licencing schemes. Geospatial compliance platform Kamma says it expects to see a 50% increase in enfor

TAX: New rates rules for holiday rental properties go live

TAX: New rates rules for holiday rental properties go live

News

New rules on holiday lets in England and Wales have taken effect which could force many owners to pay council tax instead of business rates. Self-catering properties in England must now be available for letting commercially for short periods of 140 nights

'Sickened' landlord slams Scots eviction ban after tenants trash home

'Sickened' landlord slams Scots eviction ban after tenants trash home

News

A landlord has warned others to make more regular checks on their rental properties after falling foul of Scotlands ongoing https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/vote-rent-rises-in-scotland-to-be-capped-at-3-until-october-msps-agree/" target="_blank" eviction b

UK rents hit record high amid soaring tenant demand

UK rents hit record high amid soaring tenant demand

News

Record high rental demand sends average UK rent to £993 pcm (ex‑London) and £1,184 pcm including London, HomeLet reveals. Sources

LATEST: Ministers consider forcing landlords to rent out empty shops

LATEST: Ministers consider forcing landlords to rent out empty shops

News

Landlords are being asked for their views on plans to forcibly rent out persistently vacant commercial properties to new tenants in a bid to rejuvenate high streets.&nbsp; High Street Rental Auctions - a new power for local authorities in England - is part

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'Blame the Government, not us, for rising rents' says landlord peer

'Blame the Government, not us, for rising rents' says landlord peer

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Rising rents and lack of supply in the privately rented sector (PRS) are the result of long-term failure in government housing policy and is not landlords’ fault, peers were told during the Renters Reform Bill second reading last night.

Minister reveals latest on courts overhaul and ending Section 21

Minister reveals latest on courts overhaul and ending Section 21

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The government has provided more detail on how it plans to overhaul the courts, along with the timeline for abolishing Section 21.

'Why councils must take enforcement seriously if sector is to improve'

'Why councils must take enforcement seriously if sector is to improve'

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James Kent, the NRLA's Chief Innovation Officer and founder of property compliance platform Safe2, looks at new data on the postcode lottery of local authority enforcement.

UPDATE: Privity of Contract - the Authorised Guarantee Agreement

UPDATE: Privity of Contract - the Authorised Guarantee Agreement

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Commercial Lease: Before 1995, though many commercial tenants did not realise this, assigning the lease meant they agreed to be responsible for payment of the rent and performance of all the other covenants

Finding tenants for properties becomes 'super fast' as competition hots up

Finding tenants for properties becomes 'super fast' as competition hots up

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Competition between tenants continues to intensify as the amount of time rental property listings are up for has dramatically reduced, according to new analysis.

56% of tenants choose cashless deposits when offered choice

56% of tenants choose cashless deposits when offered choice

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News
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High rents are prompting tenants and landlords to choose alternative deposit schemes, according to one provider.

SHOPS: New powers allow councils to auction leases if left empty

SHOPS: New powers allow councils to auction leases if left empty

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New powers for councils to auction off leases on properties which have stood empty for more than a year will take effect this summer.

Encourage landlords to rent more homes urges NRLA ahead of Lords debate

Encourage landlords to rent more homes urges NRLA ahead of Lords debate

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As Peers prepare to debate the Government’s Renters (Reform) Bill today, the NRLA has warned that landlords exiting the sector are the ‘biggest threat’ to renters as supply narrows and rents continue to rise rapidly.

Scotland reveals major overhaul of how shops are rented out by landlords

Scotland reveals major overhaul of how shops are rented out by landlords

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Landlords are being asked for their views on whether the Tenancy of Shops (Scotland) Act should be repealed, replaced, or reformed.

Council moves to ban 'To Let' boards in central London

Council moves to ban 'To Let' boards in central London

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Letting agents have warned Westminster Council that its plan to ban advertising boards outside landlords' properties borough-wide could cause delays for renters.

Tenants in England now pay half their income in rent

Tenants in England now pay half their income in rent

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Rightmove says the average rent in the UK now eats up 50% of the net income of those living within the private rented sector where the monthly rent per property is now £1,526.

Housing quality in rented sector rising - but so's damp

Housing quality in rented sector rising - but so's damp

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Numbers of non-decent homes and Category 1 hazards in the PRS have fallen in recent years, although problems with damp are on the rise.

Rent controls in Scotland 'favour landlords' says Generation Rent

Rent controls in Scotland 'favour landlords' says Generation Rent

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The Scottish government’s proposed rent control formula is generous to landlords but would leave tenants vulnerable to unaffordable rent rises, says Generation Rent.

Big council urges public to report rogue HMO landlords

Big council urges public to report rogue HMO landlords

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Croydon Council is calling on local residents to report concerns about unauthorised HMOs as it ramps up action against errant landlords.

Landlords 'bewildered and frustrated' by Scotland's latest rent controls

Landlords 'bewildered and frustrated' by Scotland's latest rent controls

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News
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There is still widespread frustration and bewilderment among landlords and agent that rent controls are the only policy intervention to help tackle affordability in Scotland

CLAIM: Investors 'moving out of residential into commercial'

CLAIM: Investors 'moving out of residential into commercial'

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News
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Investors have started buying up shops and offices in London rather than houses in order to turn a profit.

Midlands landlord to pay £20,000 after ignoring improvement notice

Midlands landlord to pay £20,000 after ignoring improvement notice

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A landlord in Telford is to pay a huge fine after his local council took him to court over a substandard property he rented out within the town.

Landlords caught up in latest cladding remediation problems

Landlords caught up in latest cladding remediation problems

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A Lib Dem MP has highlighted what he describes as an unfolding EWS1 form scandal after a fire safety consultant was sanctioned for unprofessional conduct.

How will landlords handle risky tenants when 'rent in advance' is banned?

How will landlords handle risky tenants when 'rent in advance' is banned?

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News
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One of the seismic changes for landlords and letting agents this year will be when the Renters’ Rights Bill bans taking rent in advance.

Big London borough to renew HMO licensing and raise fees

Big London borough to renew HMO licensing and raise fees

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Camden Council wants to renew its additional licensing scheme with a potential £82 hike in fees.

NE town reveals plans to start selective licensing for landlords

NE town reveals plans to start selective licensing for landlords

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Landlords in Grimbsy are being asked for their views on a new selective licensing scheme for parts of the East Marsh ward.

NEW: Research reveals key reason for political action on 'unfair' PRS

NEW: Research reveals key reason for political action on 'unfair' PRS

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Over two thirds of private renters in the UK believe it is ‘too easy’ for landlords to take advantage of tenants, much higher than the global average of 59%.

Uswitch has produced the latest ‘Mouldy Nation Report’

Uswitch has produced the latest ‘Mouldy Nation Report’

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The energy specialist, comparison website operator Uswitch, has released its latest “Mouldy Nation Report”

TV presenter warns landlords over Ofgem's eletricity meter 'cliff face'

TV presenter warns landlords over Ofgem's eletricity meter 'cliff face'

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Landlords have been warned to swap their Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters at rental properties by 30th June or face possible legal action.

Is Scotland getting ready for its own EPC minimum for landlords?

Is Scotland getting ready for its own EPC minimum for landlords?

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The Scottish Government is to upgrade its Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) system.

Government raises legal aid fees for tenants' eviction solicitors

Government raises legal aid fees for tenants' eviction solicitors

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A new consultation has been launched into how tenants at risk of unfair eviction could benefit from a £20 million a year boost in legal aid.

Rogue tenant prosecuted after running barking business from filthy home

Rogue tenant prosecuted after running barking business from filthy home

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A rogue tenant has been prosecuted for running an illegal dog breeding service inside her filthy rented property.

Falling rates trend brings surge in demand for commercial property investment

Falling rates trend brings surge in demand for commercial property investment

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Commercial property portal Rightmove sees a 28% increase across all sectors

Government kicks dozens of eco installers off schemes used by landlords

Government kicks dozens of eco installers off schemes used by landlords

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The Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) and Great British Insulation Scheme - used by landlords to insulate homes - have been hauled up for fitting substandard solid wall insulation.

High Court: DWP must consult UC tenants before rent deductions

High Court: DWP must consult UC tenants before rent deductions

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High Court rules DWP must consult Universal Credit tenants before deducting rent arrears — a significant shift for landlords.

MPs grill Angela Rayner over Local Housing Allowance freeze

MPs grill Angela Rayner over Local Housing Allowance freeze

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MPs are continuing to press Housing Secretary Angela Rayner about the impact of freezing Local Housing Allowance rates on families in the PRS.

New HMO yields report reveals best regions for yields

New HMO yields report reveals best regions for yields

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The North East offers BTL investors the best HMO rental yields in the UK, with the highest rental income to be found in the South East.

INTERVIEW: Larger portfolio landlords are 'future of the private rented sector'

INTERVIEW: Larger portfolio landlords are 'future of the private rented sector'

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LandlordZONE caught up with Marcus Selmon, Chair of portfolio landlord group PLAN to discuss the state of the private rented sector and the soon-to-be enacted Renters’ Rights Bill from the perspective of his members.

Book Review: How to Become a Successful Property Investor

Book Review: How to Become a Successful Property Investor

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This is a book I wish I’d had available when I first started out on my own property investing career