Barnet Council is reintroducing borough-wide HMO licensing in a bid to improve property standards despite less than impressive figures in its previous additional licensing scheme. According to one of the respondents in the consultation report, only 32% of licensable properties h
A recent RICS survey finds that interest rate hikes and cost of living pressures are beginning to weigh on sentiment. Credit conditions have deteriorated to such an extent that 43% of respondents to the RICS survey felt we're in early downturn.� Investor sentiment is steady, but the ma
HMRC has confirmed that landlords must file a capital gains tax (CGT) property return - even if the disposal has already been reported on a self-assessment (SA) return. The government introduced the requirement to report disposals of UK residential property and pay the subsequen
A leading poverty organisation has called for a radical overhaul of the private rented sector including a government-backed right to buy scheme for private renters. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), which was founded by a Quaker philanthropist and sweets manufacturer i
Kettel Homes has launched the UKs first open market rent-to-own programme for first-time buyers who cant access traditional home financing. Under the scheme, Kettel buys existing freehold single-family homes between �125,000 and �400,000 outside London, charging first-ti
Landlords seeking to evict tenants face more delays when Section 21 notices are abolished, warns the boss of an insurance and referencing firm. Clogged courts and a shortage of judges and county-court bailiffs mean that cases are taking months to be heard, it is claimed. <p i
A rogue landlady has been convicted of illegally evicting tenants during a decade-long campaign of violence, theft and vandalism. Sohila Tamiz , of Flint Lane, Lenham, even helped organise a gang of 10 to douse one man in petrol and smash his teeth, the tri
A mortgage expert has urged landlords not to panic as buy-to-let mortgage rates continue to rise. <figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type- " data-rt-type="" data-rt-align=""><div><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63bef2f3c329eff8e3a4af45/64cb992aa1ba8a68d7aa0638_dan-lee.jpeg"
A proptech firm is to spend �1 billion buying up 3,000 private rented properties with low EPC ratings around the UK, which it plans to retrofit and rent out on behalf of its backers. With many individual landlords threatening to quit the sector - faced with licensing schemes an
Lawyer David Smith looks at several clauses within the Act which appear to mandate local authorities to bring all errant landlords to book.
New EPC rules in Scotland will worsen the housing crisis and force people to spend longer in emergency homeless accommodation
Big landlords believe tenants are willing to pay more for green features amid a growing recognition that sustainability sells.
Shocking behaviour by a landlord has prompted withering comments from a judge and a huge fine.
The next stage of the Renters’ Rights Bill has been scheduled for 1st July, raising the prospect that it could become law before parliamentary summer recess.
Lloyds has taken the next step towards becoming one of the UK’s biggest private landlords.
The relentless decline in the volume of new landlord listings shows no signs of abating.
Scottish landlords and agents have a new housing secretary to deal with after incumbent Paul McLennan
The Eastern Landlords Association has condemned comments labelled “unprofessional and disgusting” recorded its annual conference.
Bath has made the unusual decision to ditch its additional licensing scheme because it has done such a good job of improving standards.
A slum landlord in Sheffield has been given the longest banning order ever after being prevented from managing or letting properties for ten years.
A novel rent-to-buy home purchase scheme has been set up to help renters become homeowners.
The full history of landlords is lost in the mists of time, but much of modern property law - throughout the English speaking world - stems from over 1,000 years of English legal history.
Millions of renters living in damp and run-down properties are suffering worsening mental and physical health, new research by homelessness charity Shelter suggests
Three brothers who violently attacked vulnerable tenants at their father’s rental properties in Bedford have been handed a combined jail term of 31 years.
Housing minister Rachel Maclean has confirmed that a proposed housing court for landlords to help speed-up the evictions process is ‘definitely off the table’.
A “bumbling amateur” landlord who imposed restrictive rules on tenants in his unlicensed HMO has been hit with a £27,500 Rent Repayment Order.
A landlord couple have been ordered to pay a Rent Repayment Order reduced by £6,000 but will still have to fork out £21,000 between them in fines.
Housing minister Rachel Maclean has sought to reassure landlords that they will still be able to evict troublesome tenants or those who build up rent arrears during an event at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester.
Landlords are coming under increasing financial pressure given as reports of a 41% increase [i] in buy-to-let mortgage arrears and a 7% growth [ii] in buy-to-let mortgaged properties taken into possession have emerged.
Landlords in Scotland can have their say on radical PRS reforms that would bring in rent controls, delay evictions and allow tenants to have pets.
Labour is planning a “devastating” multi-billion pound inheritance tax raid, which could affect family businesses and in particular farming families.
Michael Gove has confirmed that the Renters (Reform) Bill is to get its second reading within the next three months, scotching hopes among some landlords that the legislation might have been kicked into the long grass.
The government has published its latest and legally required How to Rent guide with details on the new Housing Loss Prevention Service.
TV star Paul Shamplina has called on landlords to urge tenants using pay-as-you-go (PAYG) energy services to fit smart meters.
High interest rates not forcing landlords to leave the private rented sector as some have claimed says Tom Entwistle
The Liberal Democrats have vowed to address the power imbalance between tenants and landlords by introducing national licensing and standards, longer tenancies, rent smoothing and empowered councils.
An elderly landlord’s long-standing failure to carry out roof repairs has resulted in a £5,000 win for his long-standing tenant.
A rogue landlord faces a possible jail sentence for harassment and failing to comply with a banning order.
A key member of the recently disbanded Energy Efficiency Taskforce has expressed regret that it failed to launch any effective ideas.
As the Bank of England’s base rate continues to ride high at 5.25% it has been revealed that a much higher proportion of landlords own properties via mortgages than was previously thought.
Estate agent chain Winkworth has waded into the debate on how to fix the broken property market by calling for an end to infighting around housing delivery and the reinstatement of landlords’ mortgage interest relief.
A landlord has been ordered to pay £5,312 for unlawfully evicting his tenant, leaving the renter with nowhere to stay and without access to his belongings and medication.
Nearly a quarter (23%) of people without a smart meter say it’s because - incorrectly - they live in a rental property that can't have one installed.
