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.

LATEST: Government's annual housing benefit bill rises to �30 billion

LATEST: Government's annual housing benefit bill rises to �30 billion

News

The government is expecting to spend and eye-watering �30 billion on housing benefit for tenants this year, DWP minister Will Quince has told parliament. This figure is �8-10 billion more than the Office for Budget Responsibility https://obr.uk/forecasts-in-depth/tax-

BREAKING: 'Half of tenants would take out pet insurance against damage', says expert

BREAKING: 'Half of tenants would take out pet insurance against damage', says expert

News

Half of all tenants who want to rent a home with their pet would be prepared to take out specialist insurance to cover their landlord against damage, a leading campaigner has revealed. Jennifer Berezai of AdvoCATS has researched an in-depth report into whether there is an appeti

Six month tenancy notice made permanent in Wales

Six month tenancy notice made permanent in Wales

News

Legislation has been passed in Wales that extends the amount of notice landlords must give to their tenants, from the two month s21 period, to six months. The Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill means (because notice cannot be served within the initial term) that the minimum

Leading private landlord moves entire portfolio to Ltd company and saves �10 million

Leading private landlord moves entire portfolio to Ltd company and saves �10 million

News

One of Britains biggest private landlords is encouraging others to follow his lead by shifting property from their own name into a company structure. In what is thought to be the countrys largest ever mortgage transaction, Alastair Kerr (pictured) has transferred ownership

Regaining possession of a commercial property

Regaining possession of a commercial property

News

Landlords of commercial premises may consider it necessary to bring the lease to an end or to refuse to renew a lease. This course of action might be for a number of reasons: A tenant for example might not have a statutory right to a lease renewal under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, the

MTD vs Self-Assessment Tax Returns - understanding the coming changes

MTD vs Self-Assessment Tax Returns - understanding the coming changes

Information

The big changes are in the submission frequency and digital submission process. Firstly, you will need to complete not one but five tax submissions per year � one every quar

BREAKING: Don't expect an extension to the electrical safety standards deadline, says ministry

BREAKING: Don't expect an extension to the electrical safety standards deadline, says ministry

News

Landlords have been warned not to expect a grace period or extension to the deadline for properties to confirm to the new electrical safety standards. Originally, an https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector-guid

Average house price to rise by 17% over next ten years and to nearly �400,000 by 2050

Average house price to rise by 17% over next ten years and to nearly �400,000 by 2050

News

The average UK house price could surge by 17% in the next decade, based on historical data from the past 40 years, and is set to reach �400,000 by 2050. Property buying firm Good Move has studied house prices in the UK since 1980 to predict what the market might look like in th

Cleaning is still the biggest cause of deposit disputes

Cleaning is still the biggest cause of deposit disputes

News

What is a clean and tidy house to some is and unacceptably dirty mess to others; people have different standards and this will never change. Alternatively, some tenants are just too lazy to leave the place clean and tidy: dirty carpets and furniture, filthy bathrooms and toilets, and kitchen work

Legal case: the question of quiet enjoyment and nuisance

Legal case: the question of quiet enjoyment and nuisance

News

In every tenancy there is an implied right if not an express covenant that promises that the tenant is able to possess the premises, not just without noise, quiet enjoyment� as the term implies, but in peace and without without disturbance by hostile claimants�, including from the

National Residential solve any problem to sell buy-to-lets for the best possible price.

National Residential solve any problem to sell buy-to-lets for the best possible price.

Information

If you're a landlord and you haven't yet heard of us here at <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.national-residential.co.uk/" target="_blank">National Re

BREAKING: NRLA report into 'unaccountable' Rent Smart Wales reveals range of failings

BREAKING: NRLA report into 'unaccountable' Rent Smart Wales reveals range of failings

News

Landlords have slammed the registration and licensing authority that regulates the private rented sector in Wales, taking the organisation to task for a range of failings. Rent Smart Wales was set up https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/starting-date-for-rent-smart-wales

Anti-money laundering legislation to apply to letting agents

Anti-money laundering legislation to apply to letting agents

News

The Government thinks that the risk of money laundering taking place in estate agency is on the rise, especially in high-end lettings - the top 5% of lets in value. However, there is a lot of uncertainty as to the full scale of money laundering in lettings says ARLA Propertymark. <p id="

Case Law: planning law and the right to light

Case Law: planning law and the right to light

News

In Beaumont Business Centres Ltd v Florala Properties Ltd (2020) the High Court considered the legal position regarding a serviced office providers right to light following an adjoining apathotel development. Beaumont Business Centres Limited took out an injunction against Fl

Test Case: Landlord's consent with mutual and absolute covenants

Test Case: Landlord's consent with mutual and absolute covenants

News

In this case - Duval v 11-13 Randolph Crescent Ltd - reached the Supreme court in May 2020 after a tenant in a block of flats had requested the landlords consent for alterations, but disputed by another tenant in the same block, objecting to the landlord giving consent. Under

Why does it feel like the Tories have turned on landlords? Here's one answer

Why does it feel like the Tories have turned on landlords? Here's one answer

News

Whatever their politics, many landlords are wondering why successive Conservative governments have proved to be so hostile to buy-to-investors, given its former party of the landlord moniker. This includes the 3% stamp duty increase, Section 24 tax relief reductions, the a

David Coughlin: how I escaped recession era Liverpool to build a 100-property portfolio

David Coughlin: how I escaped recession era Liverpool to build a 100-property portfolio

News

David Coughlins journey from the son of an unemployed Bootle docker to a 100-property portfolio landlord is one of the private rental markets more extraordinary journeys. Now pushing fifty years old, it was in his mid-20s that he began investing in property. Co

Queen evicts couple over �32 bill, revealing Royal Household is exempt from evictions ban

Queen evicts couple over �32 bill, revealing Royal Household is exempt from evictions ban

News

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

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

NEW: London Mayor urged to clamp down on rogue exempt accommodation landlords

NEW: London Mayor urged to clamp down on rogue exempt accommodation landlords

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been urged to clamp down on rogue exempt accommodation providers who exploit the housing benefit system and put vulnerable tenants at risk. An investigation by the London Assembly Housing Committee found some rogue providers wer

Isle of Wight to slap council tax on holiday homes rented out under 70 days

Isle of Wight to slap council tax on holiday homes rented out under 70 days

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Isle of Wight Council has vowed to charge owners of second homes and empty properties more council tax as soon as it gets the go-ahead from the government. Its ruling Alliance Administration had suggested putting a 100% tax premium on second homes and empty properties, howev

City money 'only route to quality rented homes at volume', says leading figure

City money 'only route to quality rented homes at volume', says leading figure

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A senior figure from the banking world has claimed that institutional investment is the golden ticket to solve the UKs supply and quality problems within the private rented sector (PRS). Cedric Bucher (main image), who heads up Hearthstone Investments </st

Another Tribunal says landlord NOT responsible for rent repayment order

Another Tribunal says landlord NOT responsible for rent repayment order

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Another First Tier Property Tribunal has confirmed that a superior landlord cannot be held responsible for a Rent Repayment Order (RRO), following the landmark Rakusen case. Tenant Riaz Moola had tried to argue that landlord Khalil Mbarek was responsible for the property in t

Stop trying to win 'cheap brownie points' with renters, lender tells Government

Stop trying to win 'cheap brownie points' with renters, lender tells Government

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Government must stop its ongoing and irresponsible attempts to curry favour with tenants via its looming reform of the private rented sector, a buy-to-let lender has said. Mortgages for Business boss Gavin Richardson (main

LATEST: London landlord duo convicted of �1 million benefits fraud

LATEST: London landlord duo convicted of �1 million benefits fraud

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A landlord couple have been convicted of a �1 million benefit fraud stretching over 20 years. Emmanuel Bay , 68, and Nancy Bay , 67, of Sudbourne Road, Brixton (pictured), were found guilty of 21 offences between 1999 and 2018 under t

Landlord's troubles just go from one crisis to the next...

Landlord's troubles just go from one crisis to the next...

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Home Reit, an investment trust landlord, was set-up to house Britains homeless. But the company has found itself running into increasing difficulties, with tenants' complaints and failed rent payments, a negative short-seller's report, a financial squeeze with falling stock prices and al

Landlord leader: Minister 'must tackle crumbling eviction courts '

Landlord leader: Minister 'must tackle crumbling eviction courts '

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A boost in court resources as well as measures to fast-track the most serious possession cases related to anti-social behaviour and rent arrears will be vital post-Section 21, says NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle . Without reform, a rise in cases will add t

Big council says HMOs 'fundamentally change areas' as it clamps down

Big council says HMOs 'fundamentally change areas' as it clamps down

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Councillors in Reading are set to rubber stamp plans to extend restrictions on the number of HMO conversions. An Article 4 direction already covers parts of the town where HMOs are prevalent, in much of Park, Redlands and Katesgrove wards, as well as Jesse Terrace.

Student landlord slams council over 'unfair' £45,000 licencing fee

Student landlord slams council over 'unfair' £45,000 licencing fee

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A property management company has slammed its local council for charging a student accommodation block nearly £45,000 under the selective licensing scheme.

LibDems promise to give landlords tax breaks for green upgrades

LibDems promise to give landlords tax breaks for green upgrades

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords should be allowed to offset spending on insulation and energy-saving improvements against tax, according to the Liberal Democrats.

Landlord mortgage arrears jump by 29%, official figures show

Landlord mortgage arrears jump by 29%, official figures show

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The tough economic conditions bearing down on landlords are starting to push up mortgage arrears, latest data from lenders’ trade body UK Finance has revealed.

Mystery shopper research 'proves landlords racially profile applicants' - claim

Mystery shopper research 'proves landlords racially profile applicants' - claim

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

New research by Generation Rent reveals that white people are 36% more likely to receive a positive response when applying to rent on SpareRoom than black people.

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

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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?

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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?

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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?

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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.