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HMRC warns landlords off CGT avoidance schemes and closes loopholes

HMRC warns landlords off CGT avoidance schemes and closes loopholes

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HMRC has made the unusual step of warning landlords not to use widely-routed tax avoidance schemes which it says are being marketed to buy-to-let investors as a way to save Capital Gains Tax.

Seven out of ten tenants haven’t heard of the Renters’ Rights Bill

Seven out of ten tenants haven’t heard of the Renters’ Rights Bill

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A whopping 69% of renters haven’t heard of the Renters’ Rights Bill and 75% don’t understand how it might impact them, a new survey has revealed.

Bailiffs under pressure: The ripple effects of the Renters’ Rights Bill

Bailiffs under pressure: The ripple effects of the Renters’ Rights Bill

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The Renters' Rights Bill is set to to overhaul the eviction process, with bailiffs increasingly under pressure.

House prices dropped in April as buyers paid thousands more in stamp duty

House prices dropped in April as buyers paid thousands more in stamp duty

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House prices dropped in April as buyers paid thousands more in stamp duty, it has been revealed.

Courts aren't ready for Renters’ Rights Bill, Lords told this week

Courts aren't ready for Renters’ Rights Bill, Lords told this week

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The court system isn’t ready for the Renters’ Rights Bill, it was declared in the House of Lords this week.

Two out of five landlords to leave the market, survey predicts

Two out of five landlords to leave the market, survey predicts

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A worrying 39% of landlords will probably exit the market within the next five years, according to the latest poll.

Just 9% of homes sold by landlords in Scotland re-enter PRS market

Just 9% of homes sold by landlords in Scotland re-enter PRS market

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Only 9% of properties sold by landlords in Scotland in a recent 12-month period returned to the private rented sector, a new survey has found.

Only a fifth of landlords ready for new mandatory sanctions checks

Only a fifth of landlords ready for new mandatory sanctions checks

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Only a fifth of landlords and letting agents feel prepared for the new mandatory sanctions checks on all landlords and tenants.

Landlords investing in mixed-use property in bid for higher returns

Landlords investing in mixed-use property in bid for higher returns

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More landlords are investing in mixed-use properties in their quest for more robust returns.

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More than 4 tenants on a tenancy agreement?

More than 4 tenants on a tenancy agreement?

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Tenant Agreement: The Law of Property Act 1925 talks about having a maximum of 4 tenants on an agreement. So what to do when you have 5, 6 or more tenants sharing a house?There is a common misunderstanding of the rules here. Landlords and agents sometimes think or have heard

Is rent in advance a deposit?

Is rent in advance a deposit?

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Advance Rent: Piggot v Slaven and Johnson v. OldThere are two important cases which clarify (though not necessarily decisively) the position on landlords accepting rent payments in advance. One concerns the accepting of the final two months rent in advance, a common devi

Minimum EPC Rating for Rental Properties after 2018

Minimum EPC Rating for Rental Properties after 2018

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Following some confusion and debate about a deferral for the new standards following the MEES* deadline in April 2018, the new government has confirmed that changes to the EPC rules, preventing landlords from renting out homes below rating E, will definitely be introduced from April 2018.Accordin

Leasehold Repairs and Disputes

Leasehold Repairs and Disputes

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Responsibility for Repairs: Who is responsible and who is obliged to pay for repairs to leasehold blocks and flats? What is the procedure if repairs are unnecessarily delayed or not carried out to the leaseholders satisfaction? What is the Section 20 procedure?T

How to do a rent review - Part 1

How to do a rent review - Part 1

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Essential guide on how to conduct a rent review, covering key clauses and best practices to protect landlord and tenant interests.

Returning Deposits when in breach of the rules'�

Returning Deposits when in breach of the rules'�

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Test Case Yeomans v Newell [2016]:When a landlord is in breach of the tenancy deposit rules he or she is prevented from serving a valid s21 notice for possession proceedings. Despite the fact that the tenancy deposit legislation has been in force since April 2007, landlords

Tenancy Deposits, Superstrike and the Deregulation Act

Tenancy Deposits, Superstrike and the Deregulation Act

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Test Case: Superstrike Ltd v Marino. RodriguesThe case involved a landlord who had taken a deposit from the tenant before the deposit protection rules came into force in April 2007, since changed by the Deregulation Act 2015 see below. When the tenancy later became a st

Tenant's Liability to Pay Council Tax

Tenant's Liability to Pay Council Tax

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Test Case: Leeds City Council v Broadley [2016]This case and the subsequent High Court ruling has brought some clarification about who is liable to pay council tax, tenant or landlord, when a rental property is vacant due to a tenant vacating early, that is, before the tena

Tenant's Notice-to-Quit ' Periodic Tenancies

Tenant's Notice-to-Quit ' Periodic Tenancies

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Ending a Tenancy: What are the rules governing the ending of a statutory periodic tenancy (SPT) by the tenant, especially when the periods of the tenancy are not the standard 1 month?The answer to this question is not easily defined as it is not covered by one rule or a sing

Agents report fewer landlord instructions as 'unintended consequences' kick in

Agents report fewer landlord instructions as 'unintended consequences' kick in

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Signs that the Government’s assault on landlords coupled with higher mortgage costs are chasing more out of the market than usual have come from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) this morning.

Tory MP says court delays MUST be fixed before Section 21 is abolished

Tory MP says court delays MUST be fixed before Section 21 is abolished

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Theresa Villiers warns court delays risk worsening landlord exodus and housing supply issues, urging reforms before Section 21 abolition.

New way to control HMOs revealed in Coventry - but will rest of UK follow suit?

New way to control HMOs revealed in Coventry - but will rest of UK follow suit?

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Coventry Council is hailing its crackdown on unlicensed HMOs a success after it fined landlords more than £100,000 in just two of the city’s streets.

Notorious landlord to pay staggering £480,000 fine over damp HMO

Notorious landlord to pay staggering £480,000 fine over damp HMO

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A notorious rogue landlord and his property management company have been handed a staggering £480,000 fine for renting out an HMO so damp that mushrooms were growing on the upper floors.

Property market 'past peak pain' but values still down 7% in 12 months

Property market 'past peak pain' but values still down 7% in 12 months

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The UK’s housing market is past ‘peak pain’ after a rollercoaster 12 months and is forecast to grow by 17.9% – equivalent to a £45,521 gain on the average home – within five years.

Airbnb 'irresponsible' for encouraging tenants to sublet rented homes

Airbnb 'irresponsible' for encouraging tenants to sublet rented homes

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A legal expert has warned that landlords face prosecution for running illegal HMOs if tenants follow Airbnb’s suggestion that they sub-let their homes.

Landlords WILL get eviction certainy from reform Bill, King tells MPs

Landlords WILL get eviction certainy from reform Bill, King tells MPs

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King Charles has heralded the government’s commitment to the Renters Reform Bill in his first King’s speech as monarch.

'Short-lets offer returns of up to five times traditional rents'

'Short-lets offer returns of up to five times traditional rents'

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Homes bought by landlords to rent out via short-let contracts create gross returns of between 12% and 20%, an estate agency has claimed.

The Section 21 Ban, will it progress?

The Section 21 Ban, will it progress?

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Will the Renters (Reform) Bill progress and ban Section 21, despite mounting opposition from Conservative back-benchers?

Landlord fined thousands AGAIN for same offence in same building

Landlord fined thousands AGAIN for same offence in same building

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A rogue landlord firm has been handed a £18,300 fine for letting out an unsafe, unlicensed property - only three months after being fined for the same offence in the same building.

Concern mounts over Government's 'weak' leasehold reforms

Concern mounts over Government's 'weak' leasehold reforms

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Government's Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 excludes flats from new leasehold ban, prompting MPs to call for broader reforms.

Goverment tax grab on landlords prompts a third to go 'limited'

Goverment tax grab on landlords prompts a third to go 'limited'

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A third of landlords who own rental property in their personal name plan to incorporate their portfolio into a limited company structure within the next three years, according to Paragon Bank.

Landlord to pay £8,000 after ignoring 'shed with bed' prohibition order

Landlord to pay £8,000 after ignoring 'shed with bed' prohibition order

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Rogue landlords who assume they can convert outbuildings into ‘sheds with beds’ have been reminded of the likely fines they will face following a shocking case in Hertfordshire.

LATEST: Renting reforms to be within tomorrow's King's Speech

LATEST: Renting reforms to be within tomorrow's King's Speech

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The Prime Minister has confirmed that the Renters Reform Bill will be carried over to the next Parliament, as part of this week’s King’s Speech.

Subletting by tenants on Airbnb now 'growing problem' says NRLA

Subletting by tenants on Airbnb now 'growing problem' says NRLA

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The National Landlords Association (NRLA) has backed claims that the buy-to-let sector faces a significant subletting epidemic following an investigation by a national newspaper.

Can the leasehold system in England be easily changed?

Can the leasehold system in England be easily changed?

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Exploring challenges in overhauling England's leasehold system amid calls for reform and government proposals to shift to commonhold ownership.

Landlord's 'sham' defence fails to avoid licensing fine

Landlord's 'sham' defence fails to avoid licensing fine

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A professional landlord who tried to dodge responsibility for his HMO has been ordered to pay two former tenants more than £10,000.

Edinburgh housing services at breaking point

Edinburgh housing services at breaking point

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Edinburgh councillors have declared a housing emergency in a bid to force Holyrood to boost funding.

Welsh tenants see bigger annual rent rise

Welsh tenants see bigger annual rent rise

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Private tenants in England were most likely to face a rent hike in the last year, while tenants in Wales saw a larger average increase.

Extra landlords boost property income tax pot

Extra landlords boost property income tax pot

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Average income from UK property remained relatively stable at about £16,700 between 2017/18 and 2021/22, according to the latest HMRC data.

Why it's smart to keep track of energy use

Why it's smart to keep track of energy use

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Encouraging tenants to fit a smart meter should be a top priority for landlords as a way to help them stay debt-free, according to one energy expert.

Landlord and Tenant Act 1954

Landlord and Tenant Act 1954

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Anyone investing in commercial property, from small retail shops to offices and workshops should have an understanding of this legislation - the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954

Court rejects challenge to Scottish rent controls

Court rejects challenge to Scottish rent controls

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Scottish landlords have vowed to fight on after losing a judicial review of legislation that introduced a contentious rent freeze and eviction ban.

Landlords and homeowners face similar retrofit challenge

Landlords and homeowners face similar retrofit challenge

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EPC ratings in the PRS don’t appear to be markedly different to those in owner-occupied homes, according to Office for National Statistics data.

Student accommodation facing 'unprecendented problems' warns expert

Student accommodation facing 'unprecendented problems' warns expert

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The student rental market faces a bleak future unless urgent action is taken to support landlords and make providing rental homes a more attractive proposition.