Date

Library

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Landlord slapped with �40,700 fine after 'honest mistake' over HMO licence

Landlord slapped with �40,700 fine after 'honest mistake' over HMO licence

News

A lettings agency boss and landlord has been slapped with a �40,700 Rent Repayment Officer despite claiming that his failure to licence an HMO was an honest mistake. A First Tier Property Tribunal handed five former tenants the maximum award for the period from September 2019 t

Scottish government unveils controversial rent reform plans

Scottish government unveils controversial rent reform plans

News

Scotland’s Housing Bill proposes rent controls, winter eviction bans, pet rights & tougher eviction penalties in private sector overhaul.

Bristol significantly expands HMO and selective licensing schemes

Bristol significantly expands HMO and selective licensing schemes

News

Bristol has approved plans to extend landlord licensing in Brislington West, Bedminster and Horfield wards in a bid to raise PRS standards. The scheme includes additional licensing - HMOs with three or more unrelated people sharing facilities and selective licensing - privat

Durham’s new licensing scheme for 29,000 homes: What you need

Durham’s new licensing scheme for 29,000 homes: What you need

News

Durham County Council's selective licensing scheme covers 29,000 homes, requiring landlords to apply by 31 July for a £350–£500 licence fee.

Test Case: Council advising tenants to stay put after valid s21 notice served

Test Case: Council advising tenants to stay put after valid s21 notice served

News

This is a Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman case involving an unnamed landlord (LandlordX or MrX) and Brentwood Borough Council. The case revolves around a common situation where the landlord required possession of the property after serving a valid section 21 notice un

'Let’s not forget property remains the best performing investment'

'Let’s not forget property remains the best performing investment'

Opinion

I've been in the property investment business for almost 30 years and during this period opportunities have come and gone but I've yet to discover an asset class that perf

OPINION: The EPC ratings system is 'not fit for purpose'

OPINION: The EPC ratings system is 'not fit for purpose'

Opinion

Ever since I started to market one of my commercial buildings around 10 years ago now, I began to doubt the efficacy of the EPC rating system. The guy that came along to do the inspection told me himself he had just completed a 6 week course, or whatever it was, to train to be a

BREAKING: Government toughens up smoke and C0 alarm regulations

BREAKING: Government toughens up smoke and C0 alarm regulations

News

Social and private landlords are to face tougher new rules which make it mandatory to fit smoke alarms in all rented accommodation regardless of tenure, and widen the conditions under which they must be fitted. Revisions to the smoke and carbon monoxide detector regulations also

ANALYSIS: Does buy-to-let still beat the stock market?

ANALYSIS: Does buy-to-let still beat the stock market?

News

If you had �50k to invest right now, where would you put it, buy-to-let property or stocks and shares? Certainly leaving it in a traditional savings account, with interest rates as they are at rock bottom, thats out of the question. And with the threat of rising inflation ea

EXCLUSIVE: Costliest and most common landlord insurance claims

EXCLUSIVE: Costliest and most common landlord insurance claims

News

Research carried out by LandlordZONEs insurance partner, Hamilton Fraser Total Landlord Insurance, revealed that the vast majority of landlords, https://hamiltonfraser.co.uk/knowledge/good-landlord-quiz-results/?utm_source=landlordzone&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lz_november

Opinion: Should landlords dive into heat pumps?

Opinion: Should landlords dive into heat pumps?

Opinion

The move to provide home heating and hot water by this method is part of a Government strategy aimed at making deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonizing the UK's power sector by 2035. Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the scheme was designed to bring low-carbon hea

UPDATED: Bailiff evictions to be suspended over Xmas and New Year for a month

UPDATED: Bailiff evictions to be suspended over Xmas and New Year for a month

News

Tenants facing eviction in England are to be protected from losing their homes during the Christmas and New Year period, HM Courts and Tribunal has confirmed. Between 13th December and 10th January no evictions should be s

Tax changes for Airbnb landlords 'in the pipeline' to stop gaming of the rates system

Tax changes for Airbnb landlords 'in the pipeline' to stop gaming of the rates system

News

Some holiday lets owners are gaming the system to claim business rate relief, comments made by the Housing Minister Lord Greenhalgh suggest, who has promised action to clamp down on the practice. In a Lords debate on second homes, peers voiced concerns that second homeo

Asylum seeker HMO operator fined �60,000 for running house without licence

Asylum seeker HMO operator fined �60,000 for running house without licence

News

A company that houses asylum seekers has been fined more than �60,000 for HMO offences in Newport. Clearsprings Ready Homes, which has the contract for operating accommodation for asylum seekers in Wales, was found guilty of letting an HMO in Redland Street (pictured), in the B

Bill to make EPC rules mandatory early 'unlikely to become law' after stabbing

Bill to make EPC rules mandatory early 'unlikely to become law' after stabbing

News

The Minimum Energy Performance of Buildings Bill, which aimed to advance the governments energy efficiency commitments, is in doubt following the tragic death of David Amess MP. He was the presentation bills main sponsor in the Commons, launching it at the same time as Lor

Should holiday-let owners be paying council tax?

Should holiday-let owners be paying council tax?

News

However, Carol Lewis writing for the Sunday Times newspaper thinks that holiday let owners should be paying council tax. Given that levelling up is the government's buzzword du jour, it is time to level the playing field and bring holiday-home owners in line wi

Landlords left struggling to claw back deposits owed after property firm ceases trading

Landlords left struggling to claw back deposits owed after property firm ceases trading

News

Landlords and letting agents hit by the collapse of Ash Residential Property Management Limited (ARPM) have been left struggling to claw back deposits and fees after it ceased trading last month with debts of almost �1.5m. At least 8,000 properties and their landlords are affec

HMRC warns holiday let owners about their tax obligations

HMRC warns holiday let owners about their tax obligations

News

HMRC warns that owners must accurately declare these earnings on their self assessment tax returns or face criminal charges if in default. A boom in bookings The Covid pandemic has stored up excess demand for stay at home Britains under the foreign holiday restrictio

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

MORTGAGE SHOCK: Bank of England hikes base rate by 0.5% to 4%

MORTGAGE SHOCK: Bank of England hikes base rate by 0.5% to 4%

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Bank of England has raised interest rates for the 10th consecutive time as it battles inflation - a move likely to hit thousands of investors with variable rate mortgages and those forced to renew fixed-rate deals. The base rate has gone up by half a percent to 4%, the highe

Councils' frosty reception for HMOs sees number decline in key regions

Councils' frosty reception for HMOs sees number decline in key regions

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Englands HMO market has shrunk by more than 21,000 properties in the last two years as local councils ramp up planning rules and licensing schemes. Numbers were down by -2.4% to 489,701 last year, having already seen a -1.7% drop in 2021, according to figures from Octane Capi

EXCLUSIVE: Online boss talks candidly about landlords' reluctance to 'go digital'

EXCLUSIVE: Online boss talks candidly about landlords' reluctance to 'go digital'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The boss of online lettings platform lettingaproperty.com is determined to overcome landlords inertia to switch from using high street agents. Jonathan Daines admits its a challenge as 95% of landlords still use agents, with the ingrained belief that the online process wil

MARKET: Average house price down 3.2% since August 2022

MARKET: Average house price down 3.2% since August 2022

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

House prices have fallen for the fifth month in a row, with the average property now worth �258,297, almost �4,000 less than in December, reports Nationwide. January saw a -0.6% monthly dip which left prices 3.2% lower than their August peak, while annual house price growth al

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax on hold, again!

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax on hold, again!

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

If you were due to submit a self-assessment tax return and pay your dues by yesterdays deadline and you missed it you should do so now without delay, otherwise you will face a penalty. Anyone with rental income must submit a self-assessment income tax return, completing the property inco

Looming Vic & Bob movie to portray landlords as 'obnoxious'

Looming Vic & Bob movie to portray landlords as 'obnoxious'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords are to get their latest outing on the silver screen within the first movie by comedians Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer, it has been reported. But predictably its not the image many would prefer to see the comedy pair promote. After nearly two decades of dev

Landlord to pay tenants �10,000 after losing RRO legal appeal

Landlord to pay tenants �10,000 after losing RRO legal appeal

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A London landlord has been hit with a �9,880 rent repayment order after failing to convince a tribunal that his tenants application was not legal. The landlord admitted that he had held a selective licence which limited occupation to five people from one household but hadn

Landlords are taking action as tax bills and refurb costs rise above rent yields

Landlords are taking action as tax bills and refurb costs rise above rent yields

Sponsored
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Rising number of tenants forced to leave Scottish private rental sector

Rising number of tenants forced to leave Scottish private rental sector

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The number of households becoming https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/new-minister-reveals-millions-more-to-fund-prs-support-schemes-for-homeless/" homeless from private rented tenancies in Scotland is now higher than it was pre-pandemic, according to new government data.

Warning: Are landlords being encouraged to sell too early?

Warning: Are landlords being encouraged to sell too early?

Sponsored
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

By now you’ve probably heard of Landlord Sales Agency, and our articles that suggest the market is in favour of landlords selling.

Official 'local rents' tool launched for landlords

Official 'local rents' tool launched for landlords

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Government has launched a service that enables landlords to see the rents being charged by other landlords in their area.

Number of 'home alone' renters drops by 8%, new data reveals

Number of 'home alone' renters drops by 8%, new data reveals

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The number of people renting homes by themselves has reduced significantly over the past three years as the cost-of-living crisis has hit many renters’ pockets, new research reveals.

Leaseholder-owning landlords urged to fill in form or face big bills

Leaseholder-owning landlords urged to fill in form or face big bills

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords who own leasehold apartments in tower blocks are being urged to complete an official questionnaire or face being excluded from the protections afforded by the Building Safety Act (BSA).

NE of England landlord community goes national

NE of England landlord community goes national

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A community of landlords launched in the North of England six years ago has revealed that it is now going national after being given a new name.

All rise! Court eviction fees paid by landlords to increase by 10%

All rise! Court eviction fees paid by landlords to increase by 10%

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords taking tenants to court to repossess properties face a significant hike in the fees they are charged by the courts to process their cases, it has been revealed.

BREAKING: New report questions role of property licencing

BREAKING: New report questions role of property licencing

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A rental property compliance service has pitched into the debate over whether the nation’s landlord licencing schemes are fair or, given the looming Renters (Reform) Bill proposals, needed.

Mortgage rates 'on their way down' claim experts

Mortgage rates 'on their way down' claim experts

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

There is a growing consensus that mortgage interest rates will soon be heading south as house sales show signs of gaining momentum.

Landlord accused of barring gay renters from viewings

Landlord accused of barring gay renters from viewings

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A would-be student tenant has accused a landlord of making homophobic rules before agreeing to a house viewing.

Newspaper claims rebel Tory MPs 'funded by landlords'

Newspaper claims rebel Tory MPs 'funded by landlords'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Rebel Tory MPs who lobbied for amendments to the Renters (Reform) Bill have received £450,000 in donations and earnings linked to landlords since the last general election, according to an investigation by the i newspaper.

Midlands landlords warned over licencing fees cliff-face

Midlands landlords warned over licencing fees cliff-face

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords in a big Midlands city have been warned that they must apply for a licence for their properties by April 9th or face an additional £200 hike in the £1,090 cost of each three-year licence.

COMMENT: New book argues 'the end of landlords' would solve the housing crisis

COMMENT: New book argues 'the end of landlords' would solve the housing crisis

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Here Tom Entwistle digests some of this argument and makes a few comments of his own - join in the argument

LATEST: Housing minister changes mind on renting reforms - in landlords' favour

LATEST: Housing minister changes mind on renting reforms - in landlords' favour

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Government has been moved to reassure Tory MPs that its Renters (Reform) Bill will not damage the private rented sector following the leaking of a letter by housing minister Jacob Young.

Prince William signs up landlords across UK to tackle homelessness

Prince William signs up landlords across UK to tackle homelessness

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Prince of Wales is working with private landlords to help prevent and reduce homelessness in the UK, it has been revealed.

Bill to make evictions harder and limit rent rises 'wrong' say landlords

Bill to make evictions harder and limit rent rises 'wrong' say landlords

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Scottish coalition Government has finally revealed its plans for the private rented sector including permanent rent controls, new rights to keep pets, decorate rented homes and stronger protection against eviction.

Landlord tells tenants: 'no old people, no overnight visitors, no drinking'

Landlord tells tenants: 'no old people, no overnight visitors, no drinking'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A man has been dubbed “the world’s strictest landlord” for telling would-be tenants that they can’t have anyone staying the night have a drink.

HMO firm to pay £30,000 after blocking fire exit with.... shipping container

HMO firm to pay £30,000 after blocking fire exit with.... shipping container

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A housing management company has been fined £30,000 after an escape route at its HMO was found to be padlocked shut and blocked by a large shipping container.

MPs launch probe into why home buying and selling is so stressful

MPs launch probe into why home buying and selling is so stressful

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The government has launched a cross-party inquiry into how the experience of buying and selling homes could be improved in England.

Birmingham landlords trial 'UK first' tech to help them comply with licencing

Birmingham landlords trial 'UK first' tech to help them comply with licencing

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A group of landlords in Birmingham are spearheading an innovative trial of new technology designed to help them comply with local licencing and other regulatory requirements.

Peers label Gove's leasehold reforms 'unambitious' and 'disappointing'

Peers label Gove's leasehold reforms 'unambitious' and 'disappointing'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Peers debating the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill were almost unanimous in their belief that it doesn’t go far enough to protect leaseholders.

Lancashire town green lights HMO planning crackdown

Lancashire town green lights HMO planning crackdown

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Burnley Council is set to get tougher on landlords converting the town’s properties into HMOs.

LandlordZONE Reveals Utilita Energy as Official Energy Partner

LandlordZONE Reveals Utilita Energy as Official Energy Partner

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Utilita Energy has stepped up to become LandlordZONEone’s official energy partner, and is on a mission to spend the next 12 months putting landlords on the energy efficiency front foot.

A major risk to life, limb and property - lies hidden in plain sight

A major risk to life, limb and property - lies hidden in plain sight

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Are you aware of the risks that commonly used devices in homes, workplaces, on our dives and garages now pose?

Tenants 'ignorant of renting reforms' says charity

Tenants 'ignorant of renting reforms' says charity

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Most private tenants doubt the Renters Reform Bill will either be implemented or bring about tangible change.

Landlord jailed after fire officers find serious risks at multiple properties

Landlord jailed after fire officers find serious risks at multiple properties

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A landlord in Lancashire has been jailed and must pay a £10,441 fine including costs after a local fire brigade prosecuted her for six breaches of fire safety regulations at her properties in the seaside town of Cleveleys.