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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

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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

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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

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

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Khan eyeing more housing powers after Labour victory

Khan eyeing more housing powers after Labour victory

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London Mayor Sadiq Khan is confident he will be able to push ahead with a massive house building programme in the capital and new powers to control the housing market.

Landlord in hot water over 'no WFH' rental advert

Landlord in hot water over 'no WFH' rental advert

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A landlord has got into hot water for telling prospective tenants that they’re not allowed to work from home.

Coroner calls for landlord register following tenant death

Coroner calls for landlord register following tenant death

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A coroner has called on the government to set up a private landlord register in England after the mould-related death of a tenant.

Britain's youngest MP makes shock promise to campaign for tenants

Britain's youngest MP makes shock promise to campaign for tenants

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The UK’s youngest MP Sam Carling has revealed that he will work in parliament to improve the lot of renters following his shock victory in the General Election.

Matthew Pennycook appointed as Labour housing minister

Matthew Pennycook appointed as Labour housing minister

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Landlords may be relieved to hear that a Labour MP with experience of the private rented sector has been appointed to the Government.

TOM’s tips - Setting-up a new tenancy correctly

TOM’s tips - Setting-up a new tenancy correctly

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Experienced landlord Tom Entwistle, who has been letting property since the 1970s, gives some tips based on his experience when setting-up a new tenancy

EXCLUSIVE: Labour landslide decimates landlords' voice in parliament

EXCLUSIVE: Labour landslide decimates landlords' voice in parliament

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Landlord representation in Parliament will be hugely diminished after 50 Tory MPs with residential rental properties either lost their seat in the election or had previously stepped down.

BLOG: 'Labour must support the private rented sector - here's how'

BLOG: 'Labour must support the private rented sector - here's how'

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Labour's victory in the general election marks a significant turning point for the private rented sector (PRS). With their ambitious plans for housing reform, it is crucial that the new government addresses the pressing issues facing both landlords and tenants.

Landlords congratulate Labour but worry about eviction changes

Landlords congratulate Labour but worry about eviction changes

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Landlords have congratulated Labour on its landslide victory but warned that too much new red tape will make the housing shortage within the private rented sector even worse.

Landlord's rental properties seized in UK regulation 'first'

Landlord's rental properties seized in UK regulation 'first'

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A rogue landlord who persistently failed to license several rented properties has had them seized by Merton Council in one of the first actions of its kind in the country.

Sadiq Khan goes quiet on rent controls after Labour 'slap down'

Sadiq Khan goes quiet on rent controls after Labour 'slap down'

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London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been slapped down by Labour’s national leadership after asking to be given rent control powers, it has been reported.

Coventry to extend HMO licencing for five years

Coventry to extend HMO licencing for five years

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Coventry councillors look set to give the go-ahead to extending the city’s additional licensing scheme, raising the fee for a five-year licence from £840 to £916.

Potential buyer reports landlord to council over illegal HMO

Potential buyer reports landlord to council over illegal HMO

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A landlord renting out an unlicensed HMO was caught out when a prospective buyer reported her to the council.

REVEALED: £10k cost of getting rental properties up to Labour's new EPC minimum

REVEALED: £10k cost of getting rental properties up to Labour's new EPC minimum

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Private landlords face an average bill of £10,000 to hit government EPC C targets by 2030, according to new research.

City's selective licensing to generate £7.7 million for council

City's selective licensing to generate £7.7 million for council

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The City of Peterborough says it has received selective licencing applications for three quarters of the properties due to be included in the ten-ward scheme, with a deadline for the completion of applications due at the end of November.

Lobby group launches to fight Scotland's rent controls

Lobby group launches to fight Scotland's rent controls

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A new private rented sector lobbying group hopes to convince the Scottish government to temper its plans for permanent rent controls under the Housing (Scotland) Bill.

Landlords warned after deposits court case stops eviction

Landlords warned after deposits court case stops eviction

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An appeal judge has backed a tenant’s argument that serving prescribed information before the deposit is paid isn’t valid, meaning their eviction cannot go ahead.

REVEALED: Where landlords wait longest and shortest to find tenants

REVEALED: Where landlords wait longest and shortest to find tenants

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Gloucester was the fastest moving rental market last month where the average property was let within 14 days of being advertised.

NRLA warns rent controls would 'not benefit tenants' in long run

NRLA warns rent controls would 'not benefit tenants' in long run

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Trade association the NRLA has warned that rent controls would prompt a third of landlords to sell up if they were introduced in England.

Big build-to-rent firm in trouble over 'misleading consumers'

Big build-to-rent firm in trouble over 'misleading consumers'

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Build-to-rent developer Quintain Living has had its knuckles rapped for wrongly suggesting tenants could make big energy bill savings, get free WiFi and work from home areas.

Big building society follows other BTL lenders and cuts rates

Big building society follows other BTL lenders and cuts rates

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Leeds Building Society cuts BTL mortgage rates after BoE’s base rate falls from 5.25% to 5%, offering landlords more competitive deals.

Tory policies blamed for rise in costly student housing

Tory policies blamed for rise in costly student housing

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Exiting student landlords have paved the way for PBSA developers charging higher rents, according to The FT.

Panic selling as landlords fear capital gains tax raid

Panic selling as landlords fear capital gains tax raid

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Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves refusing to rule out a swinging increase in capital gains tax (CGT) for landlords

Report shows 11% of tenants paying 60% of their income as rent

Report shows 11% of tenants paying 60% of their income as rent

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A new report based on data from 46,000 renters reveals shocking data on how much they are spending on their rent.

Big boiler manufacturer promises not to repeat 'greenwashing' claims

Big boiler manufacturer promises not to repeat 'greenwashing' claims

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One of the UK’s biggest gas boiler manufacturers used by millions of landlords has promised not to ‘greenwash’ its part-hydrogen fuelled boilers.

How many laws must landlords adhere to, asks legal expert

How many laws must landlords adhere to, asks legal expert

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Law-savvy landlords are being asked to help compile a definitive list of legislation impacting the PRS.

No.10 cat 'backs' mandatory pet damage insurance campaign

No.10 cat 'backs' mandatory pet damage insurance campaign

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Larry the Number 10 cat has backed a charity’s campaign to change the law allowing tenants to keep pets.

Hardship test “bombshell” for landlords

Hardship test “bombshell” for landlords

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Labour’s housing minister Matthew Pennycook is said to be planning a “hardship test”

New minister says transfer from housing benefit to Universal Credit 'smooth' but expert disagrees

New minister says transfer from housing benefit to Universal Credit 'smooth' but expert disagrees

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Claims by the new Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) minister of state Stephen Timms that the transfer of remaining housing benefit claimants to Universal Credit is being done ‘as smoothly as possible’ have been questioned by a leading expert.

Landlord fined £10,000 over failure to do £169 safety check

Landlord fined £10,000 over failure to do £169 safety check

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Booking in a five-yearly Electrical Safety Installation Certificate (ESIC) check for your rented property often seems like one of the plethora of minor tasks on the ‘to do’ list.

Higher BTL repossessions making rental shortage worse says Law Society

Higher BTL repossessions making rental shortage worse says Law Society

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An increase in buy-to-let repossessions is exacerbating the rental supply shortage and leaving evicted families without legal aid needed to fight their case.

'We're seeing mostly older landlords selling up' says agency boss

'We're seeing mostly older landlords selling up' says agency boss

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An exodus of older landlords is paving the way for build-to-rent investors and younger landlords looking to capitalise on higher yield properties, according to a big estate agency boss.

Landlord property repossessions continue upward trajectory

Landlord property repossessions continue upward trajectory

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At least 710 buy-to-let mortgaged properties were repossessed in the second quarter of the year, 13% up on the previous quarter and 51% up year-on-year.

OpenRent and Rightmove's 'war of words' ends with new deal

OpenRent and Rightmove's 'war of words' ends with new deal

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Online lettings firm OpenRent and Rightmove have signed a new property listings deal after several weeks of corporate brinkmanship over fees.