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'Zero-rate VAT for property upgrades if you want to hit EPC targets' say big landlords

'Zero-rate VAT for property upgrades if you want to hit EPC targets' say big landlords

News

The British Property Federation (BPF) has called on the government to zero rate VAT on building repair and maintenance to incentivise essential upgrades across the residential sector or risk missing its 2050 net zero target. In the run-up to next weeks Budget, it says the

Politician warns big landlord fines by councils 'can be seen as hypocritical'

Politician warns big landlord fines by councils 'can be seen as hypocritical'

News

A Suffolk councillor has spoken out against targeting private landlords with tougher regulations when authorities face similar problems with their own housing stock. Both Babergh and Mid Suffolk councils have agreed that civil penalties of up to �30,000 should be used to deter

NRLA chief Ben Beadle cleared of misleading MPs on rent supply

NRLA chief Ben Beadle cleared of misleading MPs on rent supply

News

NRLA boss Ben Beadle clears his name, confirming he did not mislead MPs about private rental supply shortages.

A year in review for agents: The PRS annual report 2022

A year in review for agents: The PRS annual report 2022

Information

The Property Redress Scheme annual report 2022 has just been released and reflects on

Retro-fitting buildings for energy efficiency - is it worth it?

Retro-fitting buildings for energy efficiency - is it worth it?

Information

Refurbishing, or in the jargon - retrofitting - older commercial and residential buildings, according to the Government, is desirable and necessary, given that energy efficiency standards that will need to be met under the Governments legal commitment to net zero by 2050. But

Property firm boss banned for 12 years after falsely claiming �45,000 Covid loan

Property firm boss banned for 12 years after falsely claiming �45,000 Covid loan

News

A property investor who falsely claimed a �45,000 Bounce Back Loan before dissolving his firm has been banned by the Insolvency Service. Simon Gorgin, 63, from Kings Langley, was sole director of P3 Estates Ltd until it was dissolved in December 2021. In May 2020,

Major council launches mould and damp crackdown in PRS including fines

Major council launches mould and damp crackdown in PRS including fines

News

Hackney Council has launched a major enforcement drive against private landlords who ignore complaints about serious damp and mould, signalling an unofficial application of 'https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/opinion-should-awaabs-law-to-be-applied-in-the-private-rented-sector/" i

HMO landlords urged to share views on controversial council tax re-banding consultation

HMO landlords urged to share views on controversial council tax re-banding consultation

News

Leaders of a campaign seeking to change the law on unfair HMO property council tax re-banding are urging landlords to input into the ongoing Government consultation on the matter due to end on the 31st March. As https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/exclu

Cowboy HMO landlord given �8,000 fine over 'horror house' HMO conversion

Cowboy HMO landlord given �8,000 fine over 'horror house' HMO conversion

News

The landlord of a property dubbed a house of horrors� has been ordered to pay more than �8,000 by the courts. Barking and Dagenham Council enforcement officers discovered water leaks, broken windows and doors, a lack of fire protection, exposed electrical wiring, and rat a

Top Cities for Property Investment in Asia

Top Cities for Property Investment in Asia

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Explore Asia’s prime property hotspots—from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to Tokyo—for strategic, international investment opportunities.

BTL mortgage options widen as lender confidence revives

BTL mortgage options widen as lender confidence revives

News

BTL mortgage options broaden as lender confidence returns—more competitive deals appearing for landlords.

Landlords warned over Section 13 rent rises after Court of Appeal decision

Landlords warned over Section 13 rent rises after Court of Appeal decision

News

The Court of Appeal has dismissed the case of a landlord who tried to evict a tenant in arrears after getting the date wrong on a Section 13 notice. Tenant Victoria Whiteland had lived in her cottage in Llanbydder, Carmarthenshire, since May 1991 but although the rent was due ev

'Landlords must be offered interest-free loans or grants for EPC upgrades'

'Landlords must be offered interest-free loans or grants for EPC upgrades'

News

Estate agents have told politicians that Government-backed interest-free loans or grants to cover the cost of looming EPC upgrades are the only way many landlords will be able to fund the work. The comments have been made by industry association Propertymark

Council slammed after being found to break same safety rules as landlord it fined

Council slammed after being found to break same safety rules as landlord it fined

News

Haringey Council has been hauled up for not completing fire and electrical checks at thousands of its properties, despite handing a private landlord �2,500 for the same failing. The https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/london-borough-of-haringey/regulatory-notice

Reverse tax rises and delay EPC changes to avoid 'crisis' Government told

Reverse tax rises and delay EPC changes to avoid 'crisis' Government told

News

The government should restore tax relief for mortgage interest and extend the deadline for proposed EPC energy improvements if it is to avert a looming rental property crisis. Buy-to-let sales platform Vesta Property has already seen a surge in properties for sale as many privat

Research finds that UK leaseholders are still nervous about safety in their homes

Research finds that UK leaseholders are still nervous about safety in their homes

News

Property and construction industry software and data company Zutec aims to improve the quality of buildings data so that people can make better decisions and work more productively. The company provides a full suite of digital solutions, including construction management software for archit

Luton landlord to pay thousands after 'hindering' property safety probe

Luton landlord to pay thousands after 'hindering' property safety probe

News

A Luton landlord has been fined for the unusual offence of failing to provide documents relating to safety issues at his property. Sarfraz Yousaf , of New Bedford Road, the director of Poplar Homes Ltd (pictured), was prosecuted by Luton Council after it re

Landlord fined after tenants spend Xmas and NY without water or decent heating

Landlord fined after tenants spend Xmas and NY without water or decent heating

News

An experienced landlord who left a family with a baby without water or adequate heating in their rented property over Christmas and New Year has been fined. Anthony Wardrop , 79, of The Parade, Hartlepool, had denied a charge of failing to comply with an Im

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OPINION: Has the Prime Minister's landlord bashing gone too far this time?

OPINION: Has the Prime Minister's landlord bashing gone too far this time?

Opinion
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It may have gone unnoticed by many landlords that Boris Johnson made one of the most extraordinary attacks on the sector in living memory last week. And it is fair to say, one of the most unfair. Most landlords have become accustomed to the government's frosty rhetoric over the

EXCLUSIVE: New guidance to make EPCs more accurate after 10-year wait

EXCLUSIVE: New guidance to make EPCs more accurate after 10-year wait

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News
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The government has finally updated the guidance it provides to property assessors on how to calculate EPCs for new homes and, in six months time, for existing homes too. This is the first time the methodologies of calculation have been updated for almost ten years for t

Landlord wins legal battle over �3,300 gas safety paperwork fine

Landlord wins legal battle over �3,300 gas safety paperwork fine

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News
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A professional landlord has scored a partial win against his council fines for charges relating to gas safety inspections. Mahendra Maharaj , who owns 78 properties in Liverpool, had been fined �9,000 by the city council a decision confirmed by a First

Re-launched Right to Buy to take 'money from pockets of buy-to-let landlords'

Re-launched Right to Buy to take 'money from pockets of buy-to-let landlords'

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News
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Boris Johnsons pledge to reform the housing market will see the government launching a dusted-off version of David Camerons right to buy scheme for social housing in order to turn the tables on private landlords, his housing secretary Michael Gove has suggested. During a s

HMRC is clawing back overpaid and fraudulent Covid support payments

HMRC is clawing back overpaid and fraudulent Covid support payments

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News
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The self-employed who took advantage of the multi-billion pound self-employed income support scheme (SEIS), claiming grants they were not entitled to, when they were either not trading at all, or their profits did not fall within the specified limits, are now being asked to pay the money ba

Experts discuss impact of Section 21 eviction ban

Experts discuss impact of Section 21 eviction ban

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News
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Experts discuss the implications of abolishing Section 21 evictions, including potential delays, increased court burdens, and impacts on tenant mobili

Comment: fears over the future of private rental market in the regions mount

Comment: fears over the future of private rental market in the regions mount

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News
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While in England the housing minister Eddie Hughes has just https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/breaking-minister-confirms-government-will-not-consider-rent-controls-in-england/" target="_blank" ruled out rent controls , in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Irish R

Legal case '� can there be a reasonable excuse for not licensing an HMO?

Legal case '� can there be a reasonable excuse for not licensing an HMO?

News
News
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Weve all heard the expression, ignorance of the law is no excuse� and this applies without question in all areas of the law. But in some rare instances it seems the courts and tribunals are open to accepting a defence of what is termed reasonable excuse even when the regulatio

Landlord says protecting tenants during portfolio sale will cost him �500,000

Landlord says protecting tenants during portfolio sale will cost him �500,000

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News
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Nottingham benefits landlord Mick Roberts (main picture) has made another bid to sell 40 of his properties by offering to cut the sale price by a tenth if a landlord buyer keeps his existing tenants on. The regular LandlordZONE contributor has previously suggested https

NE city reveals plans for unusual licencing scheme

NE city reveals plans for unusual licencing scheme

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Newcastle Council has revealed plans for an unusual selective licensing scheme that includes building-specific zones.

Tom's landlord guide to winning deposit disputes

Tom's landlord guide to winning deposit disputes

Information
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It's frustrating when the landlord-tenant relationship has to end with a dispute over damages in the property, with a need for deep cleaning, or rent owing, but the deposit is there for these reasons.

Rent-to-rent sector 'must be cleaned up', warn agents

Rent-to-rent sector 'must be cleaned up', warn agents

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Rent-to-rent operators will try to avoid the changes set out in the Renters (Reform) Bill by not using ASTs, a leading property industry body has warned.

OFFICIAL: Rent increases hit record high of 9.2% year-on-year

OFFICIAL: Rent increases hit record high of 9.2% year-on-year

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News
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The rate at which rents have been rising has increased across the UK to record levels, official figures reveal today.

Letting agents call for radical action to solve rental housing crisis

Letting agents call for radical action to solve rental housing crisis

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News
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A group representing letting agents has slammed the chaotic growth of the private rented sector in recent years, calling for radical changes to solve the rental housing crisis this has created.

Jersey launches island-wide selective licencing scheme

Jersey launches island-wide selective licencing scheme

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All Jersey’s landlords will need a licence from the beginning of next month after the Island’s government launched a scheme to improve standards in the PRS.

Average rent arrears jump 27% to £1,800 in a year

Average rent arrears jump 27% to £1,800 in a year

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News
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Average rent arrears owed by tenants to landlords have climbed by 27% so far this year, new data reveals.

Minister slams gas boiler suppliers over price rises

Minister slams gas boiler suppliers over price rises

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The government has urged the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to review the boiler supply market amid fears that a lack of competition is leading to higher prices.

Evictions expert calls for national 'rogue tenant' database

Evictions expert calls for national 'rogue tenant' database

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News
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Evictions expert Paul Shamplina has called for a rogue tenant database to be established, pointing out that bad letting agents and landlords face being named and shamed via official schemes, but tenants do not.

Protestors slam 'landlord lobby' outside Gove's London home

Protestors slam 'landlord lobby' outside Gove's London home

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News
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Rental reform campaigners have staged a protest outside Michael Gove’s official residence in central London, calling on the housing secretary to implement his promised Section 21 evictions ban.

Campaigners blame Section 21 evictions for homelessness rise

Campaigners blame Section 21 evictions for homelessness rise

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More than 84,000 households have been put at risk of homelessness due to no-fault evictions since 2019, renting campaigners have claimed.

Landlords: we’ll sell your buy-to-let properties, fast, for the best price

Landlords: we’ll sell your buy-to-let properties, fast, for the best price

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As we enter April it’s been a mixed bag for landlords, with many “nervous" landlords looking to sell amidst a growing apprehension of market conditions and general elections.

Tycoon urges ALL rental homes to be inspected regularly

Tycoon urges ALL rental homes to be inspected regularly

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A leading businessman has entered the political fray with a book in which he lays out his ideas on how to solve the housing crisis including planning and rental market reform.

HMO landlord to pay £26,000 after adding storey to house

HMO landlord to pay £26,000 after adding storey to house

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An HMO landlord who added another storey on his property to squeeze in more tenants has been ordered to pay £26,535 for breaching numerous safety rules.

More landlords turn to 'safer' HMOs as economy remains tough

More landlords turn to 'safer' HMOs as economy remains tough

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HMOs are becoming more popular among landlords as many turn to them as a ‘surer bet’ than other types of rental property in a time of economic uncertainty, it has been claimed.

Housing crisis tops voters' list of key issues to solve

Housing crisis tops voters' list of key issues to solve

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Voters say the ongoing housing crisis tops the list of key priorities that need to be addressed by the current and incoming government, according to renters in a SpareRoom poll.

Property portal: Can tech free up cash to tackle criminal landlords?

Property portal: Can tech free up cash to tackle criminal landlords?

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Property portal could cut red tape and free up funds to tackle rogue landlords by replacing expensive licensing requirements.

Half of landlords thinks pets and eviction reforms 'bad idea'

Half of landlords thinks pets and eviction reforms 'bad idea'

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New research among landlords reveals that although a majority are adopting a ‘wait and see’ approach to the Government’s looming renting reforms, it’s the changes to pets rules and evictions that are troubling them the most.

NRLA backs platform that helps landlords move to limited company status

NRLA backs platform that helps landlords move to limited company status

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Private landlords considering a move to limited company ownership of their rented properties are being urged by the NRLA to use its latest partner service.

Landlord fined £8,471 over hazardous HMO wiring

Landlord fined £8,471 over hazardous HMO wiring

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Landlord fined £8,471 for renting unsafe HMO with dangerous wiring, no fire safety, and serious structural issues.

Fake tenancies at heart of Bulgarian's gang's £53m scam

Fake tenancies at heart of Bulgarian's gang's £53m scam

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Five fraudsters who stole £53.9 million in a huge benefits scam used false tenancy agreements to help them make claims.

Councils lobby Ministers not to scrap selective licencing schemes

Councils lobby Ministers not to scrap selective licencing schemes

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The Local Government Association (LGA) has urged Minister to ignore rebel MPs’ calls for selective licencing to be replaced by the looming Landlord Portal.

TWO new reports reveal weakening supply of rented property

TWO new reports reveal weakening supply of rented property

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The number of landlords instructing agents to rent properties has declined for a second quarter in a row, fuelling ongoing worries that the Government’s ‘anti-buy-to-let’ mood music is disrupting the market.

'Ignorance of law no excuse' as landlord repays tenants £10,500

'Ignorance of law no excuse' as landlord repays tenants £10,500

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A landlord who blamed her agent and tenants for not telling her about a selective licensing scheme has been hit with a £10,572 rent repayment order.

Tax shock for furnished holiday let owners – how to react while there’s still time

Tax shock for furnished holiday let owners – how to react while there’s still time

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If you are involved with Furnished Holiday Lets you are probably be aware by now that there are far reaching tax changes coming - what to do about them?