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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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Room for optimism in rental market despite agents' gloomy forecast

Room for optimism in rental market despite agents' gloomy forecast

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The majority of letting agents expect to see more landlords leave the market in 2023, against a backdrop of rising arrears and falling https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/december-dip-makes-small-dent-in-rising-house-prices/" house prices . Goodlord reveals tha

Government urged to ban sale of gas boilers within a decade

Government urged to ban sale of gas boilers within a decade

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News
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New and replacement gas boilers should be banned by 2033, two years earlier than current plans, according to the governments net zero tsar. Conservative MP Chris Skidmore believes it should make the decision to decarbonise homes by next year to help the country meet its clima

Alarm as Scottish ministers look to extend rent controls

Alarm as Scottish ministers look to extend rent controls

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The Scottish government has admitted it is considering long-term proposals for rent control after the https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/leading-letting-agent-slams-chaotic-rent-freeze-announcement-in-scotland/" Cost of Living Act has expired. Minister for Te

Secretive landlord ordered to pay �37,000 for exploiting tenants

Secretive landlord ordered to pay �37,000 for exploiting tenants

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A rogue landlord who created false identities and fake letting agencies as part of an elaborate web of misinformation designed to exploit his tenants has been fined �12,000 and ordered to pay �25,000 costs.   Thomas Flight, who owns flats on Portland Square in ht

Landlord deals to come under close scrutiny as cost-of-living rises bite

Landlord deals to come under close scrutiny as cost-of-living rises bite

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Tougher checks on lending to buy-to-let https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/office-blocks-and-high-streets-provide-hope-for-canny-investors/" investors are on the cards after the Bank of England warned it would scrutinise risky areas more heavily due to rising interest ra

Will the last landlord to leave Scotland please turn out lights?

Will the last landlord to leave Scotland please turn out lights?

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News
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Scottish landlords exit amid stringent regulations and taxation; experts warn of worsening housing shortages and increased homelessness risk.

Experts join forces to share knowledge and raise redress standards

Experts join forces to share knowledge and raise redress standards

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The Property Redress Scheme's (PRS) advisory panel has chosen experts from across the sector to join its new member panel. The UKs largest lettings redress scheme, covering more than 13,250 letting agency branches, launched the panels as new, open, and transparent forums to b

Bid to ditch stamp duty benefit for BTL investors thrown out by MPs

Bid to ditch stamp duty benefit for BTL investors thrown out by MPs

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News
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MPs have voted against an amendment to prevent a tax cut from applying to buyers of second and additional homes. During a debate on the Stamp Duty Land Tax (Reduction) Bill, Opposition Treasury Secretary Abena Oppong-Asare said that a clause which increases the threshold for peo

The average UK household will lose over �2,000 in income this year

The average UK household will lose over �2,000 in income this year

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According to a new report just out by the Resolution Foundation (RF), UK households face a torrid time in the coming months in what is going to be the worst cost-of-living crisis in living memory. Its the aftermath of a Covid pandemic that involved massive Government borrowin

Martin Lewis urges London tenants to report non-compliant landlords

Martin Lewis urges London tenants to report non-compliant landlords

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Money expert Martin Lewis has advised tenants in London to check if they are in line for a big pay-out when renting unlicensed properties.

Agents warn reforms driving landlords out the market

Agents warn reforms driving landlords out the market

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Two-thirds of letting agents say more landlords are leaving the market due to ongoing reforms.

Is commercial property set for a rebound in 2024?

Is commercial property set for a rebound in 2024?

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The commercial property sector has been particularly badly hit with reduced property values and rents, and increased lending costs, but it's not all doom and gloom

Be ready for new safety rules on March 1st, Scots landlords warned

Be ready for new safety rules on March 1st, Scots landlords warned

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News
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Landlords in Scotland will have to meet a raft of measures to keep their properties up to scratch when new rules come in on 1st March.

Minister reveals new green scheme and cash for landlords

Minister reveals new green scheme and cash for landlords

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News
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Landlords will be able to apply for bespoke green loans and cashback rewards to make their properties more energy efficient under a new government-backed scheme.

Looking to reduce your tax bill? Then you're in good 'company'

Looking to reduce your tax bill? Then you're in good 'company'

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News
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Mortgage brokers are bracing themselves for more landlords seeking to borrow via limited companies during 2024, it has been claimed.

Government becomes shareholder in PRS investment platform

Government becomes shareholder in PRS investment platform

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The government has become an investor in PRS financing platform Shojin through the conversion of a pandemic-era loan facilitated by the Future Fund scheme.

Council proposes unusual property licencing REDUCTION!

Council proposes unusual property licencing REDUCTION!

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News
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Landlords are being urged by a London councl to take part in a consultation on plans for a new, slimmed down selective licensing scheme.

Bad plumbing not mould is top concern for private tenants

Bad plumbing not mould is top concern for private tenants

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Two thirds of private renters had an issue with the quality or condition of their home during the past six months, according to new research, with plumbing problems top of the list.

Winchester council latest to become big private landlord

Winchester council latest to become big private landlord

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Winchester City Council has set up its own housing company, Venta Living, one of a growing number of councils going down the private route to help meet the growing demand for rental properties.

Landlord fined £6,500 after member of public reports HMO

Landlord fined £6,500 after member of public reports HMO

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A landlord in Norfolk has been fined £6,500 after a significant investigation by local housing officers.

Lawyer warns landlords NOT to blame tenants for mould

Lawyer warns landlords NOT to blame tenants for mould

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A senior lawyer has told landlords that they cannot blame their tenants if mould appears within privately rented homes.

Letting agent avoids jail after defrauding seven landlords

Letting agent avoids jail after defrauding seven landlords

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A fraudulent letting agent who ripped off landlords by failing to register their deposits has escaped a jail sentence.

Absentee landlord to pay tenants £10k over mouldy, unlicenced property

Absentee landlord to pay tenants £10k over mouldy, unlicenced property

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Three tenants have pocketed £10,060 between them after winning a rent repayment order against their landlord for letting out a mouldy HMO with “lamentable” fire safety.

Tribunal orders big landlord to pay £16m toward cladding costs

Tribunal orders big landlord to pay £16m toward cladding costs

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One of the UK’s largest private landlords has been ordered to pay £16 million towards the cost of fixing cladding-related fire safety problems at a group of five residential towers in London.

Warwick latest town to start borough-wide big HMO licencing

Warwick latest town to start borough-wide big HMO licencing

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An Additional Licencing scheme covering all larger HMOs in Warwick has now gone live following approval of the scheme last year and a consultation.

MPs say private landlords must face same rules as social housing

MPs say private landlords must face same rules as social housing

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Select committee report is arguing for a change in the law to force private landlords to have to fix mould within days

New ombudsman will join forces with partner scheme

New ombudsman will join forces with partner scheme

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The government has revealed more details about how the new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman Service will work in practice.

MPs want landlords to sort out mouldy PRS homes

MPs want landlords to sort out mouldy PRS homes

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A cross-party group of MPs says a crackdown on social landlords to tackle damp and mould should be extended to tenants in the private rented sector.

Mortgage broker's new look marks its evolution

Mortgage broker's new look marks its evolution

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Buy-to-let intermediary Mortgages for Business is rebranding as Mortgage Finance Brokers (MFB) to reflect its more inclusive approach.

England & Wales must build 1 million more homes

England & Wales must build 1 million more homes

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1 million extra homes will be needed in England and Wales to house singles and families – this is a continually growing market for the private rented sector.

NRLA backs MPs' pragmatic plans for Renters Reform Bill

NRLA backs MPs' pragmatic plans for Renters Reform Bill

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Tory MPs have tabled a raft of amendments to the Renters Reform Bill to ensure it works for the whole private rented sector.

Surveyors call for government action to tackle PRS woes

Surveyors call for government action to tackle PRS woes

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Property surveyors across the UK have reported a slowdown in tenant demand along with continued levels of diminishing stock.

Rogue letting agent used 'smokescreen' to conceal ownership

Rogue letting agent used 'smokescreen' to conceal ownership

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Four tenants have lost their £309,000 claim for harassment but won a £21,160 rent repayment order for living in an unlicensed flat.

January sees a new surge of landlords selling their portfolios for higher prices than 2023

January sees a new surge of landlords selling their portfolios for higher prices than 2023

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There’s good news for landlords who have postponed selling their rental properties despite falling profits and new legislation making the private rental sector less appealing to most landlords.