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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

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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'

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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

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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?

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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Large fall in rent repayment cases as councils also scupper tenants' chances

Large fall in rent repayment cases as councils also scupper tenants' chances

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https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/judge-slams-arrogant-landlord-after-illegal-eviction-of-tenant-during-covid/" Rent Repayment Order (RRO) applications dropped significantly last year as tenants were put off by more restrictive Upper Tribunal and Court of Appeal decisio

Greater Manchester plea to sort out broken housing system

Greater Manchester plea to sort out broken housing system

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Housing groups across Greater https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/latest-manchester-landlords-given-last-chance-to-comment-on-licensing-expansion/" Manchester have urged MPs and local policymakers to step in and protect tenants from eviction, warning that the system is no

Commercial landlords struggle to see return on their investment

Commercial landlords struggle to see return on their investment

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Commercial capital property values fell 13% last year as rising interest rates impacted the sector, with industrial units taking the biggest hit. https://www.cbre.co.uk/" CBRE s monthly figures show values down 3% in December and annual total returns down by

Tenants forking out more for homes as rental price rises bite

Tenants forking out more for homes as rental price rises bite

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Private renters are facing an increase in housing costs, with rental price growth at its highest rate in the UK since records began in 2016. About a quarter (26%) of all renters (both private and social) surveyed between 7th and 18th December reported that their rent payments ha

BLOG: Ignoring deposit protection law can ruin some landlords - so seek advice

BLOG: Ignoring deposit protection law can ruin some landlords - so seek advice

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As landlords, we all know there is a wealth of legislation that we need to wrap our heads around to maintain compliance throughout the lifespan of a tenancy. Gas safety, energy efficiency, electrical safety, legionella risk assessments, insurances, prohibited payments, How to Rent, Right to

Landlords can no longer obstruct broadband upgrades

Landlords can no longer obstruct broadband upgrades

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New laws will make it easier for broadband companies to gain access to thousands of https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/latest-mps-gives-tenants-new-rights-to-have-high-speed-broadband-kit-installed-in-blocks/" blocks of flats across England and Wales. The Tel

Helping homeless to move on could be right up landlords' street

Helping homeless to move on could be right up landlords' street

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Landlords are being encouraged to donate the addresses of their vacant properties as part of a unique bid to stem homelessness. Dreamt up by architect Chris Hildrey, https://www.proxyaddress.co.uk/" ProxyAddress allows people to securely borrow a stable, donat

December dip makes small dent in rising house prices

December dip makes small dent in rising house prices

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Average house prices fell by -1.5% in December, while the annual growth rate dropped from +4.6% to +2.0%, according to the Halifax House Price Index. A typical property now costs �281,272 - down from �285,425 in November following six months of rapid growth during the firs

Industry finds holes in energy scheme's bid to cut bills

Industry finds holes in energy scheme's bid to cut bills

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Propertymark has voiced fears that the governments ECO plus scheme risks excluding many landlords with low-rated properties. In its response to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategys consultation into the scheme to help fund home insulation, the indus

Inflation rate surprise to delay mortgage interest rate drop for landlords

Inflation rate surprise to delay mortgage interest rate drop for landlords

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Landlords could have to wait slightly longer for the pressure on mortgage rates to ease after the annual rate of inflation hit 4% last month.

Record rent rises revealed by latest official PRS data

Record rent rises revealed by latest official PRS data

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UK rents increased by 6.2% in the year to December 2023 - the joint highest annual percentage change since 2016.

MPs told Commonhold is best replacement for leasehold

MPs told Commonhold is best replacement for leasehold

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Experts and campaigners giving evidence to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill committee have endorsed a commonhold system.

Landlord slams 'over the top' DWP demands on tenants

Landlord slams 'over the top' DWP demands on tenants

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Tenants across the UK are being asked to comply with an extensive fraud checklist to confirm their eligibility for Universal Credit.

Landlords in Wales not obliged to flag homelessness risk

Landlords in Wales not obliged to flag homelessness risk

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Propertymark has welcomed the Welsh government’s commitment that private landlords shouldn’t have to refer tenants at risk of homelessness.

Family build-to-rent urged to meet PRS shortfall

Family build-to-rent urged to meet PRS shortfall

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Up to one million new rental homes will be needed to accommodate growing demand by 2031, particularly from young families, across England and Wales.

Fewer tenancies trigger letting agency closures

Fewer tenancies trigger letting agency closures

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Almost 2,000 letting agent branches shut up shop last year which meant 2023 ended with 659 fewer branches on the high street.

Funding concerns continue to stall retrofit plans

Funding concerns continue to stall retrofit plans

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Nearly a fifth of landlords believe the government should prioritise better access to finance so they can carry out retrofitting plans.

More landlords in cost-saving drive to incorporate

More landlords in cost-saving drive to incorporate

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A record 50,004 limited BTL companies were set up last year, driven by landlords looking to shelter themselves from higher interest rates.

Landlords told to fix mouldy homes within 24 hours 

Landlords told to fix mouldy homes within 24 hours 

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Michael Gove says that under Awaab’s Law, social housing landlords must deal with condensation issues without delay.

What is in store for landlords in 2024?

What is in store for landlords in 2024?

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Get ready for an intriguing year ahead in 2024, particularly if you're a hands-on landlord, as several forthcoming announcements are poised to reshape the landscape of property management.

Court agrees a vital new 'green lease' clause

Court agrees a vital new 'green lease' clause

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The importance of keeping commercial lease clauses up-to-date with changes in new legislation, in particular there's one clause that should be inserted into every commercial lease to take account of the new energy efficiency rules. Under the Landlord

Tribunal rules tenant at fault for safety check breach

Tribunal rules tenant at fault for safety check breach

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A landlord who was unable to conduct an electrical safety check due to his hoarding tenant has had a £3,500 fine quashed.

Commercial landlords to get more EPC breathing space

Commercial landlords to get more EPC breathing space

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The government has confirmed that commercial landlords won’t have to meet a proposed 2025 deadline to raise their properties to an EPC band C.

Tech tie-up helps tenants report rent payments

Tech tie-up helps tenants report rent payments

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CreditLadder has teamed up with Digital ID Connect so app users can report rental payments into credit reference agencies.

Rent fall 'no breakthrough' in challenging market

Rent fall 'no breakthrough' in challenging market

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Monthly rental costs fell by 0.9% across the UK during December and by 2.2% in Greater London - one of the biggest drops seen in 2023.

No law on cards for private landlords to tackle mould

No law on cards for private landlords to tackle mould

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The government has rejected calls for private landlords to be given similar deadlines to the social housing sector for dealing with damp and mould.

New year brings change in top jobs at NRLA

New year brings change in top jobs at NRLA

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The NRLA has made two top-level appointments to bolster its service at the start of a crucial year.

Letting agencies join forces to create franchise supergroup

Letting agencies join forces to create franchise supergroup

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The Property Franchise Group (TPFG) and Belvoir Group have agreed to a merger to create a wide-reaching property franchise business.

Drugs gang hid behind student lets firm to make millions

Drugs gang hid behind student lets firm to make millions

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An organised crime group which used a student letting firm as a front for their multi-million-pound empire have been guilty of drug offences.

Wales on track to license all holiday homes

Wales on track to license all holiday homes

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All short-term lets in Wales will soon have to be registered and licensed under plans announced by the Welsh government.

New year heralds brighter BTL mortgage outlook

New year heralds brighter BTL mortgage outlook

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Mortgage market drama should subside this year, thanks to stable property prices, strong rental demand, rising rents and softening mortgage interest rates.

Warning: New-look Scottish rent controls risk backfiring

Warning: New-look Scottish rent controls risk backfiring

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A new adjudication process for rent controls in Scotland could add further layers of bureaucracy without benefitting landlords or tenants.

Legal case: rent repayment orders - honesty the best policy

Legal case: rent repayment orders - honesty the best policy

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A Rent Repayment Order (RRO) is an order that allows a tenant or local authority to reclaim rent or housing benefit where a landlord rents out an unlicensed property such as a house in multiple occupation (HMO). Rent Repayment Orders are obtained through a residential property t

Landlords forced to take a hit on costs by asking lower rents

Landlords forced to take a hit on costs by asking lower rents

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More landlords are being forced to reduce advertised rents in the cost-of-living crisis.