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Yes minister, there’s already a ‘lifetime deposit’ to offer tenants

Yes minister, there’s already a ‘lifetime deposit’ to offer tenants

Opinion

While the cost of renting continues to increase across the UK, the Government continues to grapple with the issue of making renting more accessible and secure, especially for

Bold action needed to save the PRS

Bold action needed to save the PRS

Opinion

NRLA calls for urgent government support to address rent arrears and court backlogs, proposing interest-free loans and grants to sustain tenancies.

What are 'Deemed Contracts' and how do they affect Landlords?

What are 'Deemed Contracts' and how do they affect Landlords?

News

Especially at a time like this, in the middle of a pandemic, when good commercial tenants are hard to find, landlords dread the time when a lease comes to an end, or their tenant goes into administration. When a commercial landlord loses a tenant, not only do they lose regular r

Government to spend �13 million helping prison leavers rent from private landlords

Government to spend �13 million helping prison leavers rent from private landlords

News

The government is pouring �13m into a homelessness reduction initiative to fund long-term accommodation for prison leavers in the private rented sector. More than 140 councils across England will share out the cash to pay for landlord incentives and loans for rent deposits, spe

ANALYSIS: Are heat pumps a viable option for rental properties?

ANALYSIS: Are heat pumps a viable option for rental properties?

News

We know that households across the UK will need to adopt a low carbon alternative to traditional heating solutions such as oil, gas, coal or wood burning in the future. Air source or geothermal ground source heat pumps are being touted as just such an alternative to help the UK

A legal case that took vacant possession a step too far'�

A legal case that took vacant possession a step too far'�

News

During these difficult times many tenants have found themselves in the position of wanting to divest themselves of surplus property, to reduce rental commitments by ending a lease agreement before it full term has expired. Perhaps the only way of doing this from the tenants p

BREAKING: Thousands of landlords released from 'cladding hell' after EWS1 forms scrapped

BREAKING: Thousands of landlords released from 'cladding hell' after EWS1 forms scrapped

News

Landlords who own leasehold properties in low and medium-rise apartment blocks affected by the cladding scandal will no longer have to supply an EWS1 form when selling or remortgaging their properties, the government has announced. Thousands of landlords who have been unable to

BREAKING: Housing benefit fraud and overpayments now 'rife' says National Audit Office

BREAKING: Housing benefit fraud and overpayments now 'rife' says National Audit Office

News

Spiralling fraud and overpayments in the benefits system now stand at the highest rate ever recorded, admits the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), as it identifies housing payments as an area of concern. Housing benefit fraud is particularly rife after the pandemic resulted

Private rented properties cost on average �7,600 to upgrade to EPC Band C - official

Private rented properties cost on average �7,600 to upgrade to EPC Band C - official

News

The private rented sector wont meet new energy efficiency targets unless the government stumps up more cash for any replacement to the Green Homes Grant, it has been claimed. Latest https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/english-housing-survey-2019-to-2020-private-

LATEST: Another council brings in big fines for landlords who ignore electrical safety standards

LATEST: Another council brings in big fines for landlords who ignore electrical safety standards

News

Bury Council in Manchester has adopted new measures to fine landlords up to �30,000 if their properties dont meet the recently-introduced electrical safety standards. Although the standards came into force in June 2020, they had not been adopted and implemented by the counci

Landlord given suspended sentence over property fires at notorious property

Landlord given suspended sentence over property fires at notorious property

News

A commercial landlord whose building was damaged by two fires has been handed an 18-month suspended prison sentence, it has been reported. Wayne Braund, 52, owner of the former Strachan and Henshaw building in Foundry Lane, Bristol (pictured), admitted six fire safety breaches i

'Get rich slow': Landlord who went from one to 430 properties in 13 years

'Get rich slow': Landlord who went from one to 430 properties in 13 years

News

Landlord fire door safety responsibilities explained

Landlord fire door safety responsibilities explained

Information

Guide to landlord responsibilities for fire-door safety—learn what checks and maintenance are required to keep your property compliant.

Rod Turner: My journey from doing up grotty flats to a major landlord portfolio

Rod Turner: My journey from doing up grotty flats to a major landlord portfolio

News

Property investor Rod Turner didnt find the thought of having tenants and being a landlord very appealing, but the turning point came in 2014 when he realised the London market wasnt proving positive for developments and that he needed to hold onto properties long term. As

EVICTIONS LATEST: EPC and gas safety certificates are NOT needed if AST began prior to October 1st, 2015

EVICTIONS LATEST: EPC and gas safety certificates are NOT needed if AST began prior to October 1st, 2015

News

The Court of Appeal has ruled that landlords are able to evict a tenant whose Assured Shorthold Tenancy commenced before 1st October 2015 even if the prescribed paperwork such an EPC or gas safety certificate have not been served. Most solicitors and landlords h

Tragic death of tenant in house fire is wake-up call to landlords

Tragic death of tenant in house fire is wake-up call to landlords

Information

Tragic tenant death underscores landlords' duty to comply with fire safety laws, including smoke alarms, escape routes, and fire-resistant furnishings

Can I invest in commercial property through my pension?

Can I invest in commercial property through my pension?

Information

Using a SIPP to invest in commercial property is perfectly possible and many business owners include their business premises in their pension pot, say Tom Entwistle.</h4>The Self-invested Personal Pension (SIPP) rules are quite complex so you need professional advice before embark

Number of landlords asking for six months rent in advance is rising, claims BBC

Number of landlords asking for six months rent in advance is rising, claims BBC

News

A Radio 5 podcast claims that growing numbers of landlords are asking tenants with a lack of renting history or poor credit score to stump up six months rent in advance, exacerbated by the climate of Covid-hit incomes. While the Tenant Fees Act bans most letting fees and caps

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Landlord given suspended prison sentence after appalling illegal eviction

Landlord given suspended prison sentence after appalling illegal eviction

News
News
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A landlord has been handed a suspended jail sentence for kicking out his tenant during a national eviction ban. Amjad Ali Khattak removed the womans possessions in December 2020 and left them on the street in the rain (pictured), which was witnessed by

Big questions still need answering over 'pet renting rights', senior figure warns

Big questions still need answering over 'pet renting rights', senior figure warns

News
News
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A senior property figure has both welcomed this week's Government announcement that guidance is imminent on how the pets element of its looming renting reforms will work but warned several problem areas need clearing up. Timothy Douglas (main picture), who is Head of Policy and

Rent cap and evictions ban forcing landlords out say 83% of Scots agents

Rent cap and evictions ban forcing landlords out say 83% of Scots agents

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News
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Propertymark says Scotlands emergency legislation is alienating landlords, discouraging investment, inhibiting supply, and causing rents to rise faster. It reports that while most landlords cant evict tenants following the Cost of Living Act extension, those with tenancies

Labour offers cheap loans to first‑time buyers, not landlords

Labour offers cheap loans to first‑time buyers, not landlords

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News
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Labour's Lisa Nandy proposes a mortgage guarantee scheme to help first-time buyers and limit landlord purchases, aiming to boost homeownership.

Government's war on landlords causing havoc in the rental market

Government's war on landlords causing havoc in the rental market

News
News
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Britains demented war on landlords has already backfired�, says Daily Telegraph columnist Matthew Lynn, and There is no sign whatsoever that the Government realises it is to blame,� he says. Furthermore Mr Lynn says that the chaos in the rental market

Free service launches that saves landlords energy costs during voids

Free service launches that saves landlords energy costs during voids

News
News
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Opinion
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A void energy solution and switching service for 'end of tenancy' promises to trim pounds from landlords bills. Empty rental properties incur a range of standing charges that average between 10p and 80p per day for electricity and from 5p to 60p per day for gas, averaging out

ELECTIONS: 'Get political and quiz candidates' landlords are told

ELECTIONS: 'Get political and quiz candidates' landlords are told

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News
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Landlords should do their homework before voting in the local elections next week and take the chance to quiz candidates on issues affecting the PRS, advises Leaders Romans Group (LRG). It points to a number of pressing local issues which can be determined

WARNING: Landlords have just five weeks to comply with new Welsh renting laws

WARNING: Landlords have just five weeks to comply with new Welsh renting laws

News
News
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Opinion
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Landlords have until 1st June to comply with the new and relatively convoluted Rented Homes Wales legislation following its introduction last December. Under the new law, standard contracts have replaced assured shorthold tenancies a

Block managers under fire over 'large commissions' paid to them by insurance firms

Block managers under fire over 'large commissions' paid to them by insurance firms

News
News
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Companies selling multi-occupancy insurance will have to act in leaseholders best interests under new proposals from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). It is demanding new rights and protections to improve the transparency of the multi-occupancy leasehold buildings insura

Letting agents 'falling foul of holding deposit rules'

Letting agents 'falling foul of holding deposit rules'

Information
News
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Ignorance and bad practice around these legitimate deposits is creating one of the biggest areas of illegal activity in the PRS.

Family's tax ploy ends in £10,000 fine

Family's tax ploy ends in £10,000 fine

News
News
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Opinion
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A father and daughter who lied about the tenancy of a dangerously overcrowded and unlicensed HMO have lost their appeal.

Ministers back council tax change for HMO landlords

Ministers back council tax change for HMO landlords

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News
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The government is to end the practice of banding individual rooms in HMOs separately for council tax purposes.

Ignore the buy-to-let doom mongers says Paragon

Ignore the buy-to-let doom mongers says Paragon

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News
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Paragon Mortgages the buy to let specialist admits that there is a challenge from rising rates, but it's not all bad news.

Landlords more resilient than they look says estate agency chief

Landlords more resilient than they look says estate agency chief

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News
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Most landlords are committed to their property portfolios, according to new research from Leaders Romans Group (LRG), with 68% planning to maintain their existing holdings, and 6% set to expand their investments.

Thinking of selling up? Don’t do it says Phil Spencer

Thinking of selling up? Don’t do it says Phil Spencer

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News
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Property surveyor, landlord and property show host Phil Spencer says landlords should “hold firm and remember their reasons for investing.”

TENANCIES: Housing minister bats off calls for two-year fixed periods

TENANCIES: Housing minister bats off calls for two-year fixed periods

News
News
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Housing Minister Rachel Maclean has rejected another call for new tenants to be given two years before landlords can pursue a possession order.

Landlord fined £47,000 over dodgy Electrical Condition Report

Landlord fined £47,000 over dodgy Electrical Condition Report

News
News
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Opinion
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Information

A landlord has been ordered to fork out more than £47,000 for failing to licence his eight rental properties, after ignoring numerous written and verbal warnings.

Landlord leader backs selective scheme 'crackdown' by council

Landlord leader backs selective scheme 'crackdown' by council

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News
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A landlord leader has backed Southend-on-Sea Council’s crackdown on failing private rented homes.

Number of landlords fined for Right to Rent breaches triples

Number of landlords fined for Right to Rent breaches triples

News
News
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The number of Right to Rent penalties handed to landlords have tripled so far this year under a crackdown on illegal renting and working.

Phil Spencer warns landlords over tenant 'bidding wars'

Phil Spencer warns landlords over tenant 'bidding wars'

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News
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Property expert Phil Spencer has urged landlords to be reasonable when signing up tenants who get into a bidding war – but recognises that competition is down to market forces.

Reform bill 'won't help landlords facing rent debt' admits minister

Reform bill 'won't help landlords facing rent debt' admits minister

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News
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Housing Secretary Michael Gove has admitted that the Renters Reform Bill won’t help landlords claw back money from absconding tenants.

Renting reforms are a 'half baked cake' says sector leader

Renting reforms are a 'half baked cake' says sector leader

Opinion
News
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The government has created a “half-baked cake” in the Renters Reform Bill, leaving the PRS desperate for clarity, says one industry boss.

Tax moves afoot to help give landlords financial relief says Gove

Tax moves afoot to help give landlords financial relief says Gove

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News
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Conservative MP Anthony Mangnall voted against the Renters Reform Bill, warning that removing fixed-term tenancies could reduce housing supply.

Great news for landlords as private buying firms rush to snap up buy-to-let portfolios in bulk

Great news for landlords as private buying firms rush to snap up buy-to-let portfolios in bulk

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News
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Opinion
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After a tough week, starting with reports from the Telegraph urging banks to “stop treating landlords like cash cows” we finally have some good news.

Landlord jailed for eight weeks following 'deplorable' behaviour

Landlord jailed for eight weeks following 'deplorable' behaviour

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News
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A rogue landlord who tried to evict his tenant using “deplorable behaviour” has been jailed for eight weeks.

Give more legal aid to tenants facing eviction, say lawyers

Give more legal aid to tenants facing eviction, say lawyers

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News
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The government is being urged to consider hard-up renters who won’t be able to take on their landlords despite any court system upgrade ahead of the Renters Reform Bill.

'Many non-compliant landlords are offshore' claims Gove

'Many non-compliant landlords are offshore' claims Gove

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News
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Housing secretary Michael Gove has pinned the blame for non-compliance within the private sector on foreign offshore landlords during a Q&A session at yesterday’s NRLA Conference in Birmingham.

HMOs offer TWICE the returns of traditional rental properties, it is claimed

HMOs offer TWICE the returns of traditional rental properties, it is claimed

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News
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A costly HMO conversion could prove a worthwhile long-term investment, with the average 8.1% HMO yield far higher than the 4.4% generated by a regular rental property, according to research by Octane Capital.

Property Portal could be deathknell for big selective licencing schemes, says MP

Property Portal could be deathknell for big selective licencing schemes, says MP

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News
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The mandatory national Property Portal for landlords to be introduced by the Renters (Reform) Bill next year will stop the spread of borough-wide selective licencing schemes, a leading MP has claimed.

Gove slams rent controls and defends Section 21 abolition

Gove slams rent controls and defends Section 21 abolition

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News
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Michael Gove used his speech to introduce the second reading of his Renters (Reform) Bill to pour cold water on calls for rent controls while also trying to reassure ‘good’ landlords that the abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions will not affect them.

BLOG: 'Landlords as well as tenants face a cost of renting crisis'

BLOG: 'Landlords as well as tenants face a cost of renting crisis'

Opinion
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Following months of uncertainty, this year will be looked back upon as a tumultuous one for landlords.

Legal matters: terminology, lease or licence, what's the difference?

Legal matters: terminology, lease or licence, what's the difference?

Information
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Yes, legal terms confuse and like many specialisms, the confusion is added to by the fact that different terms often have essentially the same meaning.

Landlords told to check tenancy contracts after landmark court case

Landlords told to check tenancy contracts after landmark court case

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News
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A judge has opened the door to higher compensation being paid by landlords if they fail to protect their tenants’ rental deposits within one of the official schemes.

Details of compulsory national Portal for landlords revealed

Details of compulsory national Portal for landlords revealed

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News
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More detail on what information landlords will have to provide to the looming Property Portal have been revealed by the Government.