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Tribunal slams councils for 'cash cow' licencing schemes that aren't needed

Tribunal slams councils for 'cash cow' licencing schemes that aren't needed

News

A First Tier Property Tribunal has slammed Nottingham Council for covering large swathes of the city with licensing schemes rather than targeting rogue landlords, a 'temptation' it says is faced by other local authorities. Justice for Tenants brought a case on behalf of a tenant

Shrinking buy-to-let could see a buy-to-let mortgage drought

Shrinking buy-to-let could see a buy-to-let mortgage drought

News

As landlords continue to exit the buy-to-let market, to the detriment of their tenants, could this rout also lead to buy-to-let mortgage lenders following their lead? This is a question posed by Chloe Cheung writing for the FT this last weekend. Its a serious question, a deve

Letting agents back HMO council tax re-banding reform proposals

Letting agents back HMO council tax re-banding reform proposals

News

Letting agents have backed the Governments decision to reform the way HMO properties are banded for council tax. Propertymark, which represents the estate agency sector, says in its submission to a consultation by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities that p

LATEST: Greens say 'immediate' rent freeze is only answer to housing crisis

LATEST: Greens say 'immediate' rent freeze is only answer to housing crisis

News

Landlords wanting to back the eco movement may want to pause for thought after the Green Party today vowed to bring in an immediate rent freeze and no-fault eviction ban to tackle the housing crisis. During an election campaign visit to Suffolk, party co-leaders Carla Denyer and

Landlord jailed after ignoring court order to improve rat-infested property

Landlord jailed after ignoring court order to improve rat-infested property

News

A rogue landlord has been jailed for 10 months after he failed to comply with conditions set by a court concerning his rat-infested property. Martin Ambler admitted four counts of breaching a criminal behaviour order in May 2022 but sentencing was deferred so that he could instr

Have you been hit by the 'cost of landlording' crisis? Here's some help

Have you been hit by the 'cost of landlording' crisis? Here's some help

News

There is a lot of talk at the moment about how rents are up by 11% across the UK and although I know its tough on renters, landlord costs have, in many cases, doubled. This includes mortgage premium payments following interest rates rises from 0.5% to 4% in just 12 months, an

Tory think-tank and Shelter push for three-year tenancies for PRS

Tory think-tank and Shelter push for three-year tenancies for PRS

News

The government should introduce three-year tenancies to protect tenants from uncertainty and rising rents, according to a liberal conservative think tank report. The Bright Blue group has teamed up with Shelter to publish, <strong id

NEW: Coalition slams Scots Government over rent cap and evictions freeze

NEW: Coalition slams Scots Government over rent cap and evictions freeze

News

Landlords have heavily criticised the Scottish governments decision to implement its evictions freeze and rent cap without a proper consultation. The measures, which were widely criticised earlier this year for being rushed through, are now being fought by a coalition of orga

Mortgage provider sets up £50 million fund to help landlords upgrade EPCs

Mortgage provider sets up £50 million fund to help landlords upgrade EPCs

News

A BTL mortgage provider has pledged to invest £50 million in a fund to help landlords enhance their property's energy efficiency.

'Letting agents must help landlords navigate looming renting reforms'

'Letting agents must help landlords navigate looming renting reforms'

News

Evictions expert Paul Shamplina warns landlords and letting agents of increased responsibilities under the Renters Reform Act.

Long‑term Airbnb lets treated like ASTs, rules judge

Long‑term Airbnb lets treated like ASTs, rules judge

News

Airbnb landlord Talha Abbasi faces £102,000 court bill after judge classifies long-term let as assured shorthold tenancy, granting tenant protections.

Labour MP tells TV show that Section 21 evictions wrong in all circumstances

Labour MP tells TV show that Section 21 evictions wrong in all circumstances

News

Labour MP Diane Abbott has told TV viewers that bad landlords are those who use Section 21 to evict their tenants, whatever the reason. Despite there being genuine reasons for using the notice, such as non-paying tenants or anti-social behaviour, the London MP appeared on <a hre

DEPOSITS: Five weeks' rent 'not enough in many rent arrears and damage cases'

DEPOSITS: Five weeks' rent 'not enough in many rent arrears and damage cases'

News

New research reveals that deposits of five weeks rent dont provide landlords with enough protection in more than 10% of cases. Alternative deposit firm Reposit studied 20,000 tenancy agreements dating back to 2016 and found that landlords needed to r

BREAKING: 'London landlord and agent fines on track to hit record high this year'

BREAKING: 'London landlord and agent fines on track to hit record high this year'

News

This year London is on track to see the highest level of fines levied against rogue landlords and letting agents, it has been revealed as more and more councils begin operating licencing schemes. Geospatial compliance platform Kamma says it expects to see a 50% increase in enfor

TAX: New rates rules for holiday rental properties go live

TAX: New rates rules for holiday rental properties go live

News

New rules on holiday lets in England and Wales have taken effect which could force many owners to pay council tax instead of business rates. Self-catering properties in England must now be available for letting commercially for short periods of 140 nights

'Sickened' landlord slams Scots eviction ban after tenants trash home

'Sickened' landlord slams Scots eviction ban after tenants trash home

News

A landlord has warned others to make more regular checks on their rental properties after falling foul of Scotlands ongoing https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/vote-rent-rises-in-scotland-to-be-capped-at-3-until-october-msps-agree/" target="_blank" eviction b

UK rents hit record high amid soaring tenant demand

UK rents hit record high amid soaring tenant demand

News

Record high rental demand sends average UK rent to £993 pcm (ex‑London) and £1,184 pcm including London, HomeLet reveals. Sources

LATEST: Ministers consider forcing landlords to rent out empty shops

LATEST: Ministers consider forcing landlords to rent out empty shops

News

Landlords are being asked for their views on plans to forcibly rent out persistently vacant commercial properties to new tenants in a bid to rejuvenate high streets.&nbsp; High Street Rental Auctions - a new power for local authorities in England - is part

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Weaker tenant demand cools off rental market, says Zoopla

Weaker tenant demand cools off rental market, says Zoopla

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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?'

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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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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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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.

Are you? 144,000 landlords facing higher mortgage costs in 2024

Are you? 144,000 landlords facing higher mortgage costs in 2024

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News
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More than 144,000 private landlords coming to the end of five-year fixed deals face re-mortgaging at starkly higher rates in 2024.

Landlord pins rising rents on new selective licencing fees

Landlord pins rising rents on new selective licencing fees

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News
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Nottingham benefits landlord Mick Roberts has blamed the city’s licensing schemes for rising rents and homelessness.

Manchester reveals £86,000 landlord fines as it seeks more licencing

Manchester reveals £86,000 landlord fines as it seeks more licencing

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News
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Manchester Council has revealed penalties of more than £86,000 handed to landlords under previous selective licensing schemes to justify expanding it to nine more areas.

Landlord wins key legal case over 'unworkable' prohibition orders

Landlord wins key legal case over 'unworkable' prohibition orders

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A landlord has won an unusual Tribunal victory after their local council tried to prevent a property being rented out because, it alleged, its spiral staircase was too dangerous for workmen over 60 years old to use.

Leading landlord receives MBE in New Year Honours List

Leading landlord receives MBE in New Year Honours List

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News
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A leading landlord has received an OBE within the New Year Honours List along with one other property figure.

Hundreds of landlords duped into illegal tax avoidance schemes

Hundreds of landlords duped into illegal tax avoidance schemes

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News
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As much as £100 million in tax avoidance could have disappeared before taxation expert Dan Neidle of Tax Policy Associates (TPA) “blew the whistle” on the schemes

Student landlords facing 'horrendous' situation over reforms

Student landlords facing 'horrendous' situation over reforms

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News
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The Tory Government’s assault on the student accommodation sector will see the number of private landlords operating within it halve by 2033, it has been claimed.

Higher costs and eviction reform worrying hard-pressed landlords

Higher costs and eviction reform worrying hard-pressed landlords

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News
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Landlords are becoming increasingly worried about both rising costs and the Government’s plans to scrap ‘no fault’ Section 21 evictions next year, it has been claimed.

Shelter refutes claim it has 'become too big'

Shelter refutes claim it has 'become too big'

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News
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Shelter has told a BBC TV show that the organisation has not become too big.

Merry Xmas - here's a bit of festive landlord poetry fun!

Merry Xmas - here's a bit of festive landlord poetry fun!

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News
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A very Merry Christmas to all our readers from the LandlordZONE editorial team.

The war on landlords: are these “bogeymen” to blame for the housing crisis?

The war on landlords: are these “bogeymen” to blame for the housing crisis?

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News
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Are landlords to blame for our housing crisis, or are they on the receiving end of a very raw deal?

Scottish minister ploughs on with EPC rules plan for landlords

Scottish minister ploughs on with EPC rules plan for landlords

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News
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Scottish ministers have defended proposals to introduce minimum energy efficiency standards in the private rented sector by 2028.

Ballooning rents 'entirely the Government's fault', says leading figure

Ballooning rents 'entirely the Government's fault', says leading figure

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News
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A leading figure in the property world has pinned the blame for the UK’s rocketing rent rises on the Government, claiming that it’s absurd to accuse landlords and letting agents of profiteering from huge demand.

Big energy firm reveals move into rented property sector

Big energy firm reveals move into rented property sector

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News
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Octopus Energy is launching its first private rental properties in the new year, kitted out with solar panels, heat pumps, and home storage batteries, where tenants are guaranteed to pay no energy bills for a minimum of five years.

City reveals official go-ahead for £908 landlord licencing scheme

City reveals official go-ahead for £908 landlord licencing scheme

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The government has given Peterborough Council the green light for its new selective licensing scheme, covering 40% of the city’s private rental properties.

Three more lenders commit to helping 'in limbo' leaseholders

Three more lenders commit to helping 'in limbo' leaseholders

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Landlords who are unable to sell apartments because the block they are in continue to suffer from post-Grenfell fire safety issues have been given some additional Xmas cheer.

Pressure grows to scrap licencing when landlord portal goes live

Pressure grows to scrap licencing when landlord portal goes live

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News
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Housing Secretary Michael Gove has strongly hinted that selective licensing schemes will not be needed when the government’s new property portal is launched.

Landlord to lose £643,000 leasehold flat after listing on Airbnb

Landlord to lose £643,000 leasehold flat after listing on Airbnb

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News
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A landlord looks set to lose his leasehold flat after being caught renting it out on Airbnb by his freeholder.

Majority of landlords expect higher mortgage payments in 2024

Majority of landlords expect higher mortgage payments in 2024

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News
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Almost two-thirds of private landlords expect to see their mortgage payments increase over the next 12 months, leading to higher rents.

Government pumps £1.5 billion more into Boiler Replacement Scheme

Government pumps £1.5 billion more into Boiler Replacement Scheme

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News
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The government has promised an extra £1.5 billion for its Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which landlords can access to fund heat pump installations.

County court delays for landlords and agents 'unacceptable'

County court delays for landlords and agents 'unacceptable'

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News
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Propertymark has pressed the Government once more to establish a dedicated housing court to take the pressure of PRS disputes from the county courts and speed up the possession process.

UPDATED: Tom's top tips for condensation and mould

UPDATED: Tom's top tips for condensation and mould

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Tom Entwistle, a residential and commercial landlord since the 1970s and founder of LandlordZONE, offers a landlords perspective on a topical issue. In this article, Tom shares his insights into damp, mould and condensation in rental properties.

Landlord under investigation over ban breaches

Landlord under investigation over ban breaches

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A banned Bristol landlord is under investigation after at least nine of her properties appeared on Airbnb.

BREAKING: Landlords given suspended sentences over Covid loan fraud

BREAKING: Landlords given suspended sentences over Covid loan fraud

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Two landlords have been handed suspended jail sentences for abusing a Covid Bounce Back Loan then dissolving their company to avoid paying it back.

£4 million merger creates Airbnb competitor in luxe short-lets

£4 million merger creates Airbnb competitor in luxe short-lets

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Landlords looking to rent their properties out via short lets now have more choice after British platform UnderTheDoormat announced it has merged with European counterpart Veeve.