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Hardship test “bombshell” for landlords

Hardship test “bombshell” for landlords

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

COURTS: Time to evict a tenant jumps 15% to 25 weeks

COURTS: Time to evict a tenant jumps 15% to 25 weeks

News

The average time from claim to landlord repossession has jumped to 25.4 weeks, up from 22.1 weeks in the same period in 2023, according to the latest government figures.

'Supply of rented property thinning out, and Labour's not helping'

'Supply of rented property thinning out, and Labour's not helping'

News

Gloomy letting agents have reported a fall-off in private rentals coming onto the market around the country.

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BTL entrepreneur named one of UK's most successful young business people

BTL entrepreneur named one of UK's most successful young business people

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News
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A 30-year-old entrepreneur specialising in buy-to-let investment and lettings has been named one of the UK’s top young business people.

Council threatens landlords with £5,000 fines over EPCs

Council threatens landlords with £5,000 fines over EPCs

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News
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Private tenants in the South West will save hundreds on their energy bills following a council’s push to identify those with failed Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).

Understanding the challenges in the commercial property market

Understanding the challenges in the commercial property market

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News
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A crisis in the making? Will commercial property owners come through the looming debt repayment crisis unscathed?

Leasehold reforms fail to solve most problems, says expert

Leasehold reforms fail to solve most problems, says expert

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News
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Leaseholders won’t see all the hoped-for benefits from the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill unless significant changes are made, according to a leading expert.

Rogue landlord fined thousands after refusing to fix broken stairs

Rogue landlord fined thousands after refusing to fix broken stairs

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News
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A rogue landlord who failed to repair serious safety hazards in his property has been ordered to pay more than £3,000.

'More carrot' for landlords to improve energy efficiency urges mortgage boss

'More carrot' for landlords to improve energy efficiency urges mortgage boss

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News
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The Government must use ‘carrot’ as well as ‘stick’ policies as it attempts to improve the energy efficiency of the private rented sector, a leading mortgage broker as claimed.

Could you win through in the ultimate landlord knowledge quiz?

Could you win through in the ultimate landlord knowledge quiz?

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News
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How often do a property’s electrical tests have to be completed? What’s the minimum EPC level for a property to legally rented out? What’s the difference between a large and small HMO?

Landlord to pay tenants £10,000 in unusual licencing case

Landlord to pay tenants £10,000 in unusual licencing case

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News
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A landlord who claimed unsuccessfully that he had been deceived by his tenants has been handed a £9,745 rent repayment order.

Council widens £695 selective licencing for landlords

Council widens £695 selective licencing for landlords

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News
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All private landlords in parts of Scarborough will have to get a selective licence from 1st June under council plans to tackle poor quality accommodation and anti-social behaviour.

Majority of landlords in city against council's HMO licensing plans

Majority of landlords in city against council's HMO licensing plans

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News
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Just 44% of landlords agree with Southampton Council’s plans to introduce additional licensing.

Bolton brings in harsher planning rules after HMO increase 'concerns'

Bolton brings in harsher planning rules after HMO increase 'concerns'

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News
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Bolton Council has agreed tough new rules to control HMO conversions – two years after first coming up with the idea.

LEGAL update: Consumer protection laws – what landlords need to know

LEGAL update: Consumer protection laws – what landlords need to know

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This Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act has important implications for private landlords when letting their properties

Will Renters' Right Bill make councils prosecute ALL bad landlords?

Will Renters' Right Bill make councils prosecute ALL bad landlords?

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News
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Lawyer David Smith looks at several clauses within the Act which appear to mandate local authorities to bring all errant landlords to book.

Landlords warn Government over EPC upgrade proposals

Landlords warn Government over EPC upgrade proposals

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News
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New EPC rules in Scotland will worsen the housing crisis and force people to spend longer in emergency homeless accommodation

Demand for green rented homes soaring, say big landlords

Demand for green rented homes soaring, say big landlords

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News
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Big landlords believe tenants are willing to pay more for green features amid a growing recognition that sustainability sells.

Shocking rogue landlord given suspended prison sentence

Shocking rogue landlord given suspended prison sentence

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News
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Shocking behaviour by a landlord has prompted withering comments from a judge and a huge fine.

LATEST: Renters' Rights Bill races towards completion in parliament

LATEST: Renters' Rights Bill races towards completion in parliament

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News
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The next stage of the Renters’ Rights Bill has been scheduled for 1st July, raising the prospect that it could become law before parliamentary summer recess.

Lloyds 'the landlord' signs another megadeal to build more rented homes

Lloyds 'the landlord' signs another megadeal to build more rented homes

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News
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Lloyds has taken the next step towards becoming one of the UK’s biggest private landlords.

Rents 'spiralling' as landlords head for exit, says RICS

Rents 'spiralling' as landlords head for exit, says RICS

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News
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The relentless decline in the volume of new landlord listings shows no signs of abating.

Scottish leader reveals new housing secretary after McLennan steps down

Scottish leader reveals new housing secretary after McLennan steps down

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News
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Scottish landlords and agents have a new housing secretary to deal with after incumbent Paul McLennan

Battle of words over 'disgusting' comments during landlord conference

Battle of words over 'disgusting' comments during landlord conference

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News
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The Eastern Landlords Association has condemned comments labelled “unprofessional and disgusting” recorded its annual conference.

Chancellor reveals £39 billion to build more affordable homes to rent

Chancellor reveals £39 billion to build more affordable homes to rent

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News
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Pressure on landlords to provide homes for those who would normally rent within the affordable and social housing sectors will lift soon following today’s Spending Review.

Irish government rows back on failed rent controls

Irish government rows back on failed rent controls

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News
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The Irish government has rowed back on its rent control rules in a bid to bring down rents and boost supply.

Landlord to pay £20,000 after converting house illegally

Landlord to pay £20,000 after converting house illegally

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News
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A Dagenham landlord has been fined more than £20,000 after repeatedly ignoring a planning enforcement notice.

Weaker tenant demand cools off rental market, says Zoopla

Weaker tenant demand cools off rental market, says Zoopla

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News
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Weaker demand and growing affordability pressures have pushed rental growth to a four-year low.

'Fixed term contracts will soon be illegal - are you ready?'

'Fixed term contracts will soon be illegal - are you ready?'

Opinion
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Landlords are facing one of the private rented sector biggest changes in years when it ends fixed-term tenancy agreements.

Rogue estate agents pay heavy price for ignoring redress scheme

Rogue estate agents pay heavy price for ignoring redress scheme

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News
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Nearly 50 estate agencies were expelled from the Property Redress scheme during a six month period last year, the organisation has revealed

Law Commission rules out major change to security of tenure rules for commercial leases

Law Commission rules out major change to security of tenure rules for commercial leases

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News
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The Law Commission has published an interim report on its initial conclusions about security of tenure for business leases

Why can't all licensing schemes cost just £230 - this NW one does

Why can't all licensing schemes cost just £230 - this NW one does

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News
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Landlords in Wirral might not welcome yet another selective licensing scheme, but a reduced £fee will make it one of the cheapest in UK.

Landlord banned by Tribunal after 'outrageous' safety failings

Landlord banned by Tribunal after 'outrageous' safety failings

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News
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A landlord in Aberdeen has been banned for failing to repair dangerous electrics in his rental property.

BIG SHIFT: Many young landlords 'don't own their own homes'

BIG SHIFT: Many young landlords 'don't own their own homes'

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News
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Growing numbers of young people in the UK now prefer to invest in rental properties than buy their own home, an estate agency has claimed.

Third of UK adults say BTL 'safest' way to build long-term wealth

Third of UK adults say BTL 'safest' way to build long-term wealth

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News
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Despite the sometimes hostile environment endured by current landlords, a third of UK adults aspire to invest in buy-to-let to build their long-term prosperity.

New independent report tracks BTR's huge growth

New independent report tracks BTR's huge growth

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News
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The first independent report into the build-to-rent (BTR) sector has tracked huge growth in urban areas and city centres where it’s taking up the slack from traditional landlords.

Scotland consults on minimum EPC band C for rented homes

Scotland consults on minimum EPC band C for rented homes

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News
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The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on its plans to introduce a minimum EPC level for rented homes.