London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been urged to clamp down on rogue exempt accommodation providers who exploit the housing benefit system and put vulnerable tenants at risk. An investigation by the London Assembly Housing Committee found some rogue providers wer
The Isle of Wight Council has vowed to charge owners of second homes and empty properties more council tax as soon as it gets the go-ahead from the government. Its ruling Alliance Administration had suggested putting a 100% tax premium on second homes and empty properties, howev
A senior figure from the banking world has claimed that institutional investment is the golden ticket to solve the UKs supply and quality problems within the private rented sector (PRS). Cedric Bucher (main image), who heads up Hearthstone Investments </st
Another First Tier Property Tribunal has confirmed that a superior landlord cannot be held responsible for a Rent Repayment Order (RRO), following the landmark Rakusen case. Tenant Riaz Moola had tried to argue that landlord Khalil Mbarek was responsible for the property in t
The Government must stop its ongoing and irresponsible attempts to curry favour with tenants via its looming reform of the private rented sector, a buy-to-let lender has said. Mortgages for Business boss Gavin Richardson (main
A landlord couple have been convicted of a �1 million benefit fraud stretching over 20 years. Emmanuel Bay , 68, and Nancy Bay , 67, of Sudbourne Road, Brixton (pictured), were found guilty of 21 offences between 1999 and 2018 under t
Home Reit, an investment trust landlord, was set-up to house Britains homeless. But the company has found itself running into increasing difficulties, with tenants' complaints and failed rent payments, a negative short-seller's report, a financial squeeze with falling stock prices and al
A boost in court resources as well as measures to fast-track the most serious possession cases related to anti-social behaviour and rent arrears will be vital post-Section 21, says NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle . Without reform, a rise in cases will add t
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.
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
First time buyers remain better off owning than renting an equivalent home, Lloyds Bank says, but the gap is narrowing. Its latest Owning vs Renting Review reveals that owning a first home now costs �971 a month, four percent less than renting at �1,013.
North East Landlords has rebranded as GB Landlords as it expands its reach into the capital ahead of its first London event.
I received 84 private messages in 24 hours to one advert for my property in the northeast - it's a stark indication of how demand is outstripping supply.
A young landlord from London has won the first heat of Paul Shamplina’s Mastermind-style competition at the National Landlord Investment show.
Owning a furnished holiday let (FHL) or second home in the country has long been the dream for many people - has the Government just ended that dream?.
North Lincolnshire Council plans to introduce a selective licensing scheme in Scunthorpe to improve housing standards and protect communities from rogue landlords and anti-social tenants.
Landlords in Gloucester face a council crackdown if they fail to properly look after their properties.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has promised to pay the previous top rate of capital gains tax (CGT) when he sells his seven rental properties.
The majority of tenants in England and Wales get most or all of their deposit back when they move out, new data shows.
Prafula Kopp, who lives in the same development where Rushanara Ali owns an HMO, says the real story has not been told.
Deposits should be lodged with a single, not-for-profit organisation, the campaigning group has claimed.
Surveying trade organisation says its estate agent members have reported weakest supply of rented homes since 2020.
Landlord pain, tenant gain scenario where a High Court ruling has allowed River Island to impose a restructuring plan
Tom Darling says landlords should not be able to evict tenants to sell a property under any circumstance.
MPs have been urged to help get landlords involved in a campaign to raise awareness about damp and mould.
A new poll of landlords has found that 87% make a profit on their properties despite spending a fifth of their gross rental income on property repairs
A thinktank director has said Labour's renting reforms will put many landlords off investing in the private rented sector.
Senior Tory figure David Gauke says Government should be concentrating on building more homes to rent, and ignore calls for rent controls.
Criminals presenting as landlords are conning would-be tenants across London out of thousands of pounds a day.
A pet damage insurance policy has launched for landlords offering a unique dual coverage.
Landlords have been urged to sign a petition calling for the government to play fair when raising energy efficiency standards in the PRS.
Campaign mounted to reverse Labour's strange pet damage insurance omission.
A landlord couple in Nottinghamshire have been given one of this year’s largest fines for operating unsafe rental properties.
With costs increasing, landlords are being forced to contemplate rent increases. If you go down this road you need to be aware and follow the rules.
What does Rushanara Ali’s tale tell us about the current state of landlording, about buy-to-let ethics, evictions and the Renters’ Rights Bill?
Owners of holiday lets in North Wales have been handed huge council tax demands after failing to realise the country’s new occupancy targets were retr
Larger, professional landlords are best placed to take the private rented sector says Sam Humphreys.
More than one in five private rented homes in England would be illegal to rent once proposed changes to the Decent Homes Standard take effect.
After a barrage of criticism over the way she evicted tenants from her property, Rushanar Ali has stepped down.
TV star Paul Shamplina has pointed out the difficult position homeless minister Rushanara Ali has put herself into.
Rogue operator Shamsua Huda has been handed a whopping £33,698 fine for ignoring orders to license his HMO.
Some residential landlords quitting the PRS appear to have moved their investments into the commercial sector, particularly offices.
