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WARNING: Money lost to 'investment scams' rises to £144 million

WARNING: Money lost to 'investment scams' rises to £144 million

News

The public has been warned to be vigilant following a new report that shows the number of people relieved of their savings by ‘investment scams’ has increased by value for the first time since 2021, reaching £144 million.

'Blue-rinse' seaside resort seeks to restrict number of HMOs

'Blue-rinse' seaside resort seeks to restrict number of HMOs

News

The borough council’s planning committee will vote on whether to introduce an Article 4 direction next week.

Council secures criminal conviction for landlord over unlicensed HMO

Council secures criminal conviction for landlord over unlicensed HMO

News

A West Sussex landlord has been prevented from letting out HMOs after he admitted operating an unlicensed property.

Landlords WILL be allowed to raise rents to pay for EPC upgrades

Landlords WILL be allowed to raise rents to pay for EPC upgrades

News

Despite Energy Secretary Ed Miliband’s insistence that rents hadn’t increased when standards were raised during previous initiatives, Justice Minister Sarah Sackman has now said there are grounds for “higher market rents”.

Landlord £10,000 out of pocket as DWP rules complicated payments

Landlord £10,000 out of pocket as DWP rules complicated payments

News

A tenant has built up more than £10,000 in rent arrears after the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) refused to accept her landlord’s word that the rent had increased.

Number of planning permissions for HMOs declines across UK

Number of planning permissions for HMOs declines across UK

News

Report from digital planning portal suggests public fight-back against HMOs and higher taxes for landlords are beginning to bite.

US activist urges British tenants to withhold rents and resist 'despotic landlords'

US activist urges British tenants to withhold rents and resist 'despotic landlords'

News

Radical renting campaigners have written a new book that aims to inspire the end of UK landlords’ “despotic control” over tenants.

Famous seaside town plans enlarged £784 landlord licensing scheme

Famous seaside town plans enlarged £784 landlord licensing scheme

News

The Norfolk seaside town of Great Yarmouth has revealed plans to introduce a five-year selective licensing scheme for rented properties in three key wards.

Landlord jailed after stealing from lettings agency

Landlord jailed after stealing from lettings agency

News

A landlord who worked as an estate agent assistant has been jailed for stealing more than £167,000 from her employer, it has been reported.

Bailiffs urge frustrated landlords to take eviction survey

Bailiffs urge frustrated landlords to take eviction survey

News

Landlords have been urged to share their experiences of being hit by County Court delays when evicting tenants.

Big land owners say leasehold reform 'incompatible with their human rights'

Big land owners say leasehold reform 'incompatible with their human rights'

News

Leaseholders have failed in their attempt to stop freeholders from challenging the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act.

Landlords welcome report critical of Welsh regulator

Landlords welcome report critical of Welsh regulator

News

A critical report on the performance of Welsh landlord and agent regulator Rent Smart Wales has been welcomed after it highlighted both uneven enforcement levels and its ‘abrasive’ communication style.

Why are landlords failing to invest in buy-to-let?

Why are landlords failing to invest in buy-to-let?

News

Why aren’t buy-to-let landlords growing their portfolios when rent demand is through the roof, and while build-to-rent investors are so optimistic?

Campaigners and student landlords cross swords over rent reforms

Campaigners and student landlords cross swords over rent reforms

News

Tenants' campaigning group Generation Rent has slammed the NRLA for pushing the government to include one and two-person student shares in the new possession ground under the Renters’ Rights Bill.

Raising EPC upgrade cost cap for landlords 'inappropriate'

Raising EPC upgrade cost cap for landlords 'inappropriate'

News

Estate agents have urged the government to reduce its proposed £15,000 cost cap for landlords to make EPC upgrades to £5,000.

Industry boss slams Labour's EPC reform plans

Industry boss slams Labour's EPC reform plans

News

A retrofit firm boss has warned that ill thought-out EPC reforms risk misclassifying millions of homes, misdirecting public funds and delaying action on cold, inefficient homes.

Big Midlands town gives green light to selective licensing

Big Midlands town gives green light to selective licensing

News

Mansfield is the latest major district council to give the green light to selective licensing within its borders following a consultation last year.

Build more homes? Britain can't afford it, Rachel tells Angela

Build more homes? Britain can't afford it, Rachel tells Angela

News

Labouir's promise to build more homes including those for renters is in jeapordy as Rayner and the Chancellor battle it out over money.

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Renting to a 17 year old

Renting to a 17 year old

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What are the implications of renting to a 17 year old or someone who is under the age of 18? We have an application from a 17-year old that is keen to rent but Im not sure this would be legal?</h2> Many landlords and housing providers would be concerned and therefore refuse to let to

Rent Review

Rent Review

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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

Re-selling Energy

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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

Providing a Reference

Providing a Reference

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Providing a Reference - I have been asked to provide a reference for one of my tenants who is moving on. What is my legal position in this and am I putting myself at risk if I say he was a bad tenant?</h2> Referencing (seeking verification of a tenants past performance) is an increasi

Polystyrene Ceiling Tiles

Polystyrene Ceiling Tiles

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Polystyrene Ceiling Tiles - is it legal to have these tiles in the kitchen of a rental property?</h2> There are currently no regulations specifically banning the use of polystyrene ceiling tiles in existing rented property.However, it is unlikely that local authority fire officers and en

Misrepresentation

Misrepresentation

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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

Mail for Previous Tenants

Mail for Previous Tenants

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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

Long Term AST

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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

How long should accounts be kept

How long should accounts be kept

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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

BTL lenders reveal shock reduction in landlord mortgages

BTL lenders reveal shock reduction in landlord mortgages

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The mortgage industry says the number of new buy-to-let mortgages more than halved last year, with higher interest rates blamed for the fall.

City lauds highly unusual approach to 'non-compliant' landlords

City lauds highly unusual approach to 'non-compliant' landlords

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Liverpool Council has teamed up with the emergency services and HMRC to share intelligence and weed out 'non-compliant' landlords.

Mayor launches poster campaign urging tenants to report landlords

Mayor launches poster campaign urging tenants to report landlords

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A new poster campaign on the London Underground is urging travellers to report dodgy landlords.

REVEALED: Real reason why rental supply is dwindling

REVEALED: Real reason why rental supply is dwindling

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The number of buy-to-let properties bought by landlords as a percentage of all homes sales across the nation has sunk to its lowest level since records began.

South Coast councillors approve plan to crack down on HMOs

South Coast councillors approve plan to crack down on HMOs

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The South Coast seaside resort ofEastbourne is to crack down on the town’s growing number of HMOs andcouncillors are soon to make a decision on what to do.

COMMENT: Labour’s rental reforms, have they been watered down?

COMMENT: Labour’s rental reforms, have they been watered down?

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Labour’s rental reforms, has Labour's Rental Charter have they been watered down in the King's speech?

Enfield HMO landlords face licence fee hike

Enfield HMO landlords face licence fee hike

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Landlords in the London borough face paying an extra £174 for an additional HMO licence if plans get the green light.

Welsh tax grab plans could hammer PRS investment

Welsh tax grab plans could hammer PRS investment

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The Welsh government has been warned it risks reducing the supply of student accommodation if changes to tax reliefs are introduced.

Higher costs curb new student home building

Higher costs curb new student home building

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Fewer than 17,500 purpose-built student beds are expected to be added in the coming academic year, representing only 0.6% growth.

Labour’s Renters' Rights Bill to abolish section 21 in 2025

Labour’s Renters' Rights Bill to abolish section 21 in 2025

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The new Labour government won’t wait to improve the court system before abolishing Section 21, predicts a top property lawyer.

SHOCK: Official survey reveals 19% of tenant deposits not protected

SHOCK: Official survey reveals 19% of tenant deposits not protected

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Nearly 200,000 private renters haven’t had their deposits protected under an authorised scheme, according to new government data.

Banning leasehold flat sales 'will cause problems' warn experts

Banning leasehold flat sales 'will cause problems' warn experts

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Property experts have warned that Labour’s promise to finish the job of ending the “feudal” leasehold system could complicate leaseholders’ situation.

Big lender changes mortgage T&Cs to allow Airbnb lets during void periods

Big lender changes mortgage T&Cs to allow Airbnb lets during void periods

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A major high street lender has changed the terms and conditions of its mortgages to enable landlords to rent their properties out on short-term and holiday let sites such as Airbnb and Booking.com during void periods.

Council plan: Move students from HMOs to PBSA

Council plan: Move students from HMOs to PBSA

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A Midlands council is on an unusual mission to get more students living in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) instead of traditional HMOs.

LATEST: King's Speech reveals Labour's new Renters' Rights Bill

LATEST: King's Speech reveals Labour's new Renters' Rights Bill

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This morning’s King’s Speech to a packed House of Lords has revealed Labour’s radical plans for landlords, letting agents and tenants.

Landlords 'getting younger' latest research reveals

Landlords 'getting younger' latest research reveals

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Keen thirty-something investors have helped to lower the average age of private landlords by four years over the last decade.

EXODUS: 18% of homes for sale are former rentals

EXODUS: 18% of homes for sale are former rentals

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The number of former rental properties currently for sale has risen dramatically as more landlords exit the market or downsize.

BREAKING: Inflation under control but property costs still soaring

BREAKING: Inflation under control but property costs still soaring

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News
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Official figures show inflation has held steady at 2% over the past 12 months but the detailed briefing from the Office of National Statistics also reveals that property costs remain at historically high levels.

What can landlords expect from this new Labour government?

What can landlords expect from this new Labour government?

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Tom Entwistle looks at the likely changes ahead of this week’s King’s speech - this should reveal a bit more detail and the general direction of travel by Labour

City council pushes for powers to regulate holiday lets

City council pushes for powers to regulate holiday lets

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Brighton & Hove Council is to ask the government if it can start licensing short-term lets in a bid to combat their impact on local communities.

Campaigners urge Labour to make pet damage insurance mandatory

Campaigners urge Labour to make pet damage insurance mandatory

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A charity is looking to reboot its campaign urging the public and MPs to support reforms around keeping pets in rental properties.

Build to rent growing at fastest rate on record

Build to rent growing at fastest rate on record

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Exceptional growth in the build-to-rent (BTR) sector has pushed completions to a record high during the past 12 months.

Council offers landlords UK's 'best ever renting package'

Council offers landlords UK's 'best ever renting package'

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Local councils across the UK have been offering private landlords sweet deals for some time now to help solve the housing crisis, but one borough council is offering one that goes the extra mile.

Mayor asks for landlord views on controversial renting charter

Mayor asks for landlord views on controversial renting charter

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Landlords in Greater Manchester are being asked to help mould the city region’s new Good Landlord Charter, designed to improve renting.

Lloyds makes next step towards becoming 'UK's largest landlord'

Lloyds makes next step towards becoming 'UK's largest landlord'

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Lloyds Banking Group is making another foray into the housing sector by turning its former office buildings into affordable homes.