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.

Room for optimism in rental market despite agents' gloomy forecast

Room for optimism in rental market despite agents' gloomy forecast

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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?

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

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

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

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

EXPERT: Number of councils seeking to stop HMO conversions is on the rise

EXPERT: Number of councils seeking to stop HMO conversions is on the rise

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

More councils are set to introduce Article 4 directions in a bid to clamp down on HMO development, with six currently waiting for approval. There are already about 45 local authorities in England partly or entirely affected by Article 4 which means planning permission is nee

Unintended consequences of plans to ban Section 21 evictions 'already happening'

Unintended consequences of plans to ban Section 21 evictions 'already happening'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A new landlord survey has revealed the effects of the Government's proposals to ban Section 21 evictions already feeding into the private rented sector. Evictions specialist Landlord Action canvassed some 1,500 landlords and found that 26% of those who had evicted a tenant over

Speculation grows that Rees-Mogg will be Housing Secretary if Liz Truss wins

Speculation grows that Rees-Mogg will be Housing Secretary if Liz Truss wins

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Its known as silly season when the media focuses on light-hearted stories, but news that Jacob Rees-Mogg (pictured) is being mooted as the new Levelling Up Secretary has been seen by some as no laughing matter. As the leadership contest draws to a close, preparations fo

Making tax digital as a landlord: What you need to know

Making tax digital as a landlord: What you need to know

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Making tax digital (MTD) for income tax is part of the governments long-term strategy to digitalise tax and will have implications for how landlords pay tax on their income. For those used to self-assessment, it will represent a change, but providing digital records will give businesses

What are the special rules for VAT on commercial property?

What are the special rules for VAT on commercial property?

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

VAT on Commercial Property is a complex topic and anyone wishing to understand these complexities in relation to their own situation should seek specialist advice. This article should give a broad brush general overview but you really should seek advice because errors can be irredeemable an

Landlord banned from letting properties in England for five years

Landlord banned from letting properties in England for five years

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A rogue portfolio landlord has been banned from letting properties for five years after she admitted multiple offences relating to fire safety issues. Naomi Knapp, a landlord with 34 properties in Bristol, was convicted of eight banning order offences and will now be added to th

'Spray foam must be regulated to stop properties becoming un-mortgageable'

'Spray foam must be regulated to stop properties becoming un-mortgageable'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Urgent regulation of the spray foam industry is needed to prevent making thousands of homes un-mortgagable, warn leading property groups. Sprayed polyurethane expanding foams are often used in lofts, either to stabilise a failing roof covering or to provide extra insulation. But

EXCLUSIVE: Landlords battle city council over HMO council tax re-valuations

EXCLUSIVE: Landlords battle city council over HMO council tax re-valuations

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Portsmouths HMOs are in the firing line again as growing numbers are being referred to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) to have their council tax bands reassessed. Rather than paying tax on the whole property, each room can be classified as a band A at a cost of �1,200, wit

LEGAL LATEST: Can the eviction of a disabled tenant ever be fair?

LEGAL LATEST: Can the eviction of a disabled tenant ever be fair?

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A severely disabled tenant and his family have barricaded themselves into their home in a bid to prevent a controversial eviction. Quadriplegic Harvey Cowe, 62, and his wife Sheree, 55, have lived at the house in Brittany Road, Hove, for 25 years after Brighton & Hove C

MAYOR: "Days of bad landlords being untouchable coming to end"

MAYOR: "Days of bad landlords being untouchable coming to end"

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has warned rogue landlords that they will soon have nowhere to hide.

Is the UK Government shunning its own advice?

Is the UK Government shunning its own advice?

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Military is shunning heat pumps in favour of cheaper to install cutting-edge electric boilers in homes

Short lets and assisted living 'hottest tickets' for 2024 - claim

Short lets and assisted living 'hottest tickets' for 2024 - claim

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords are being encouraged to consider adding lucrative short lets and assisted living developments to their property portfolios this year.

Data regulator warns landlords and agents over privacy rules

Data regulator warns landlords and agents over privacy rules

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords and letting agents have been warned to be more careful when handling tenants’ personal data under GDPR rules.

Huge Right to Rent fines for landlords to go live on 22nd January

Huge Right to Rent fines for landlords to go live on 22nd January

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Steeper fines for landlords flouting Right to Rent rules in England come into force on 22nd January.

New selective licences will be 'tied to tackling anti-social tenants'

New selective licences will be 'tied to tackling anti-social tenants'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Middlesborough Council has launched a consultation into plans to extend a selective licensing scheme in parts of its Newport ward.

Private rental sector is 'broken' claims Shelter boss

Private rental sector is 'broken' claims Shelter boss

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The PRS is “broken” according to Shelter, which claims lone parents are bearing the brunt of the housing crisis.

Acorn apologises over two 'incorrect' claims about NRLA

Acorn apologises over two 'incorrect' claims about NRLA

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Lobbying group Acorn has issued a statement apologising for incorrectly accusing the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) of ‘campaigning against the abolishment of Section 21 evictions’.

BTL investment firm takes down adverts following investigation

BTL investment firm takes down adverts following investigation

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A BTL investment firm has had its wrist slapped by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for potentially misleading landlords over its prices.

Derby latest city to clamp down on growth of HMOs

Derby latest city to clamp down on growth of HMOs

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Councillors in Derby hope to get tougher on HMO landlords by introducing an Article 4 direction in the city.

Landlord reveals highly unusual route into BTL investment

Landlord reveals highly unusual route into BTL investment

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A landlord in Somerset has revealed his highly unusual path to becoming a buy-to-let investor.

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

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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!

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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?

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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.