Across the UK nations theres been a rolling programme of rental reform, one new tenancy regime after another, but has any of this really worked for the benefit of tenants or landlords? We dont yet know the final form the Renters (Reform) Bill will take, theres a long wa
A law firm has warned that the looming property portal will be a gold mine for tax investigators who are likely to focus on accidental landlords rather than rogue operators. The new landlord database proposed by the Renters (Reform) Bill could expose those landlords who may - p
A new Home Energy Efficiency Tool promises to help landlords and homeowners make their homes more energy efficient and reduce bills. The Nationwide Building Society initiative aims to provide information about their current energy use and will then outline the cost, energy or ca
Landlords face even longer waits than normal to evict tenants in London after two big landlords were told that bailiff operations are to be suspended for the foreseeable future. This unusual situation has been blamed by officials on now confirmed health and safety reaso
Rent reforms wont work until the real problem of affordable housing waiting lists is addressed, according to leading property expert Kate Faulkner. Although MPs are focusing on the PRS, the housing crisis is nothing to do with the private sector, believes Faulkner, who sugges
Traditional landlords in the Midlands face growing competition as the region looks set to witness a big expansion in the build-to-rent sector. Birmingham led the way nationally in 2021, according to JLL, which reports that of the pipeline of 50,000 BTR homes outside London, 11,3
Landlords have increasingly fewer BTL mortgages to choose from as lenders withdraw products amid a rise in average fixed rates. Moneyfacts reports that since the beginning of last week, the number available has dropped from 2,748 deals to 2,343 while the average rate on two- and
A rogue landlord has lost a landmark case after she failed to convince an Upper Tribunal to overturn her banning order. <figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type- " data-rt-type="" data-rt-align=""><div><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63bef2f3c329eff8e3a4af45/64cb99f6e035517f
Landlords in Scotland face further pain after it was announced today that it will for a second time extend the rent cap and evictions freeze first introduced in October last year to help combat rising inflation. The measures within the Cost of Living (Tenant Protec
The burgeoning build-to-rent (BTR) sector has been warned not to rest on its laurels as new research reveals slipping customer service standards. Consultancy hereSAYs BTR Mystery Shopping Benchmark Report found that although the developments still prese
Eleven tenants have been found crammed in a squalid and illegal HMO during a dawn raid on a three-bedroom house in Wembley. <figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type- " data-rt-type="" data-rt-align=""><div><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63bef2f3c329eff8e3a4af45/64cb9a422825
A leading independent think tank and a leading London mayor have called for councils across the UK to be given powers to implement selective licencing schemes of any size without sign-off by the Secretary of State. Following legislative changes during the early noughties, the se
Regular Inspections: Conduct routine inspections of the property to identify any maintenance issues or potential problems. Check for leaks, cracks, signs of wear and tear, malfunctioning equipment, and safety hazards. Address these issues promptly to prevent further damage. With
Three-quarters of landlords will be forced to raise rents in the face of the new Renters (Reform) Bill , which as drafted will restrict their ability to refuse pets. A poll by buy-to-let broker Mortgages for Business found that 60% will raise re
A group of leading figures representing animal charities, pet owners and property managers have warned that much work will be needed in the coming months to make the Renters (Reform) Bill acceptable to landlords and tenants. The group, although welcoming the bill, tells <strong
The government has repudiated claims by one of its own MPs and a leading expert that the PRS is under pressure from reforms and rising levels of immigration. Home Office data shows that net immigration hit a record high of 606,000 last year. Based on the average household size o
A leading lawyer warns that by abolishing section 21 the government will be helping nuisance tenants at the expense of the weak and vulnerable. Under the Renters (Reform) Bill, landlords will be able to evict for behaviours capable of causing a nuisance or annoyance as opp
Removing Section 21 might not provide the hoped-for feelings of security and encourage tenants to complain when rental homes are in short supply, warns a housing charity. The TDS charitable foundations poll of 2,000 private renters found that a lack of affordable accommodatio
Landlords might feel slightly peeved to discover that the Queen is exempt from the current eviction ban. As a landlord, her Majesty rents out a number of Royal Household properties, but unlike every other landlord in the UK whos up against the evictions ban until next year, s
Multi-millionaire property tycoon Andrew Panayi (pictured, above) has hit back at councillors who dubbed him a notorious rogue landlord�. Islington Council refused planning permission for a two-bedroom flat in Londons Caledonian Road, submitted by Panayi who infamously,
A property investment guru couple who disappeared leaving disappointed participants in their investment schemes puzzled as to their whereabouts have popped up as spiritual leaders in Australia. Marta and Lloyd Smith - now known as Riya Loveguard and Aeron Lazar - ran Home
The Government is to phase out gas by 2035 as part of its green ten-point plan announced this week, meaning millions of boilers across the private rented sector are on borrowed time. CEO of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), Kevin Wellman, under
Thousands of leaseholders are stuck in their flats because they cannot sell due to unsafe cladding installed on their high rise blocks. Sales are stalled because potential buyers cant obtain a mortgage until the defective cladding is replaced and the building declared safe by a specialis
Landlords owe a duty of care to their tenants to make sure, as far as is reasonably possible, to be sure a property is safe, both at the commencement and during the course of a tenancy. This Court of Appeal case in 26 February 2019 relates to a council tenancy, though its implic
Landlords are being warned to beware of scammers renting out parking spaces outside their properties following a expose on national radio. Landlord Simon Gallagher had to install bollards after someone began advertising his tenants driveway to commuters for �8 a day. <p i
Welsh landlords renewing their licence with Rent Smart Wales after 23rd November now need to organise regular mandatory property inspections. The new condition - introduced by Rent Smart Wales for any new landlords signing up from 1st July and any rene
A woman hoping to convert her 32-bedroom hotel into an HMO after being hit hard by Covid could spark a trend for more owners moving into the private rented sector. Andreani Ahooie, whos run the https://www.longviewhotel.com/" target="_blank" Longv
Scotland’s housing minister has defended the country’s policy of rent and eviction controls despite new figures showing rents continuing to rise.
A landlord couple could face jail after admitting a string of offences which led to the death of one of their tenants in a fire.
Disputes between landlords and their tenants will soon be handled by the social housing ombudsman, it has been confirmed by Government minister Jacob Young.
What is Abandonment? Abandonment is when a tenant leaves the property (usually without notifying the landlord or agent) before the tenancy has ended.
Argyll and Bute councillors have approved a plan to charge a double council tax on second homes.
Haringey Council has urged landlords to share their views on plans for a new additional licensing scheme in the borough.
A continued imbalance between supply and demand is set to grow rents by 6% next year, before hitting an affordability ceiling that will limit growth until 2028.
A landlord who illegally rented out a property for years without planning permission has been ordered to pay £93,000.
Most private landlords think they should be subject to stricter energy efficiency regulations, according to new research.
A licensing expert has warned landlords living overseas about the dangers of asking UK-based friends or firms to apply for their selective licence.
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill has taken a step towards becoming legislation after it was introduced to Parliament.
Labour MPs have tabled 26 amendments to the Renters Reform Bill that demand much tougher financial penalties for errant landlords and stricter rules around deposits.
PRS organisations, forums and landlord groups have joined forces to launch the Housing Coalition, which aims to give the sector a voice and improve private rental housing standards.
Tenants in Ireland could get first refusal on a property when a landlord puts it up for sale if new legislation gets the go-ahead.
With just one month to go until the year ends, investors are continuing to snap up properties at an accelerated rate. With next year bringing uncertainty, and a potential change in government, the trend for new investors who have entered the market to step in and take whole portfolios...
Landlords earning less than £30,000 will not have to use HMRC’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) software, the government has confirmed.
Two-month notice periods for tenants under periodic tenancies will negatively impact the build-to-rent sector and encourage sub-letting homes as party flats, the boss of big BTR firm Grainger has told MPs.
A rent to buy scheme for first-time buyers who can’t afford a deposit is extending its offer to struggling landlords.
The Chancellor has revealed that the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) will be unfrozen and increased to the lower 30% of rents nationwide from April 2024 onwards.
Fewer landlords plan to make energy efficiency improvements since the government’s U-turn on raising EPC targets.
A benefits expert has urged the DWP’s working group to sort out problems with the Alternative Payment Arrangements (APA) process that leaves landlords in the dark and out of pocket.
Landlords are feeling much more optimistic than they were a year ago, thanks to a more stable market and economic conditions, according to new research from Paragon Bank.
How to handle the eviction process The Government is planning to replace the Assured Shorthold Tenancy, and Section 21 evictions will no longer be possible when new legislation under the Renters (Reform) Bill comes in. But this will take some time yet. In the meant
A criminal landlord has been hit with an £11,800 fine for operating a dirty, unlicensed HMO - one of a growing number of large, sometimes overcrowded and dangerous, bedsits around the country.
Landlords looking for some in-depth analysis of tomorrow’s Autumn Statement and its likely good – and bad – news for landlords should tune into TalkTV at 3.30pm tomorrow, 22nd November.
