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Large fall in rent repayment cases as councils also scupper tenants' chances

Large fall in rent repayment cases as councils also scupper tenants' chances

News

https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/judge-slams-arrogant-landlord-after-illegal-eviction-of-tenant-during-covid/" Rent Repayment Order (RRO) applications dropped significantly last year as tenants were put off by more restrictive Upper Tribunal and Court of Appeal decisio

Greater Manchester plea to sort out broken housing system

Greater Manchester plea to sort out broken housing system

News

Housing groups across Greater https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/latest-manchester-landlords-given-last-chance-to-comment-on-licensing-expansion/" Manchester have urged MPs and local policymakers to step in and protect tenants from eviction, warning that the system is no

Commercial landlords struggle to see return on their investment

Commercial landlords struggle to see return on their investment

News

Commercial capital property values fell 13% last year as rising interest rates impacted the sector, with industrial units taking the biggest hit. https://www.cbre.co.uk/" CBRE s monthly figures show values down 3% in December and annual total returns down by

Tenants forking out more for homes as rental price rises bite

Tenants forking out more for homes as rental price rises bite

News

Private renters are facing an increase in housing costs, with rental price growth at its highest rate in the UK since records began in 2016. About a quarter (26%) of all renters (both private and social) surveyed between 7th and 18th December reported that their rent payments ha

BLOG: Ignoring deposit protection law can ruin some landlords - so seek advice

BLOG: Ignoring deposit protection law can ruin some landlords - so seek advice

News

As landlords, we all know there is a wealth of legislation that we need to wrap our heads around to maintain compliance throughout the lifespan of a tenancy. Gas safety, energy efficiency, electrical safety, legionella risk assessments, insurances, prohibited payments, How to Rent, Right to

Landlords can no longer obstruct broadband upgrades

Landlords can no longer obstruct broadband upgrades

News

New laws will make it easier for broadband companies to gain access to thousands of https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/latest-mps-gives-tenants-new-rights-to-have-high-speed-broadband-kit-installed-in-blocks/" blocks of flats across England and Wales. The Tel

Helping homeless to move on could be right up landlords' street

Helping homeless to move on could be right up landlords' street

News

Landlords are being encouraged to donate the addresses of their vacant properties as part of a unique bid to stem homelessness. Dreamt up by architect Chris Hildrey, https://www.proxyaddress.co.uk/" ProxyAddress allows people to securely borrow a stable, donat

December dip makes small dent in rising house prices

December dip makes small dent in rising house prices

News

Average house prices fell by -1.5% in December, while the annual growth rate dropped from +4.6% to +2.0%, according to the Halifax House Price Index. A typical property now costs �281,272 - down from �285,425 in November following six months of rapid growth during the firs

Industry finds holes in energy scheme's bid to cut bills

Industry finds holes in energy scheme's bid to cut bills

News

Propertymark has voiced fears that the governments ECO plus scheme risks excluding many landlords with low-rated properties. In its response to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategys consultation into the scheme to help fund home insulation, the indus

Get a move on with PRS reforms, council tells Gove

Get a move on with PRS reforms, council tells Gove

News

Cherwell District Council has pressed the government to urgently introduce the long-awaited Renters Reform Bill to help it rebalance the relationship between landlords and tenants. The north Oxfordshire authority has written to Housing Secretary Michael Gove asking him to bring

Business rates revaluation 2023 will hit small retailers hardest

Business rates revaluation 2023 will hit small retailers hardest

News

All non-domestic properties usually have their business property Rateable Value (RV) revalued every five years by the Valuation Office Agency. The next revaluation is due to take place on 1 April 2023. What is Rateable Value? The value is determined by the Valuation

Modest drop in rental costs heralds busy start to the year

Modest drop in rental costs heralds busy start to the year

News

The average cost of rent fell slightly during December, dropping 1.47% to �1,071, according to the latest Rental Index from https://www.goodlord.co/" Goodlord .<br><br>The South West saw the largest reduction of 2.68% to �1,066 while the only region to see an increase wa

Good relationships will make all the difference in a challenging year

Good relationships will make all the difference in a challenging year

News

Landlords should think carefully before attempting to remove good tenants who resist rent increases, advises https://www.landlordaction.co.uk/ Landlord Action founder Paul Shamplina - or risk replacing them with tenants who stop paying rent. If you have a

Ban for letting agent who claimed £100K in Bounce Back loans

Ban for letting agent who claimed £100K in Bounce Back loans

News

A letting agency boss has been hit with an 11-year ban after repeatedly abusing the https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/landlords-who-took-out-bounce-back-loans-given-six-month-breathing-space/" Bounce Back Loan scheme. Laszlo Szabo, the sole director of Letti

Majority of landlords will have to raise rents next year 'by at least 10%'

Majority of landlords will have to raise rents next year 'by at least 10%'

News

Almost two-thirds of landlords (62%) will be forced to raise rents by at least 10% in the next 12 months if market conditions dont improve. Research by Aldermore Bank found that despite this, landlords feel conflicted about passing on costs in an alread

Legal & General reveals �5 billion investment in housing last year, including BTR.

Legal & General reveals �5 billion investment in housing last year, including BTR.

News

Legal &amp; General Capital helped fund more than 17,000 new homes across affordable housing, suburban build-to-rent (BTR), modular housing, traditional build-to-sell, and key worker homes last year. The insurance group invested �5 billion towards levelling up the UKs towns

TENANT BLOG: What I think of the Government's looming renting reforms

TENANT BLOG: What I think of the Government's looming renting reforms

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If you havent heard of it before, the Renters' Reform Bill is set to be voted on before May 2023, bringing with it a plethora of proposed changes for landlords and tenants alike. Shelter , who along with other organisations are cam

BREAKING: Landlords cry foul over council's HMO planning rules change of mind

BREAKING: Landlords cry foul over council's HMO planning rules change of mind

News

Long-term HMO landlords in Portsmouth risk losing their C3/C4 status with no chance of getting it back due to confusion over planning rules, it is claimed. Many took advantage of the option to switch between family use (C3) and HMO (C4) without needing planning permission in 201

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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

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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

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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?

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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

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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?

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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'�

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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

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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

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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

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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-

Insurance costs set to drop for leasehold properties

Insurance costs set to drop for leasehold properties

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A pledge by insurance brokers could mean owners of flats in buildings with identified fire safety issues see significantly lower insurance premiums.

Landlord handed £18,000 fine for banning order breach

Landlord handed £18,000 fine for banning order breach

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A rogue landlord has avoided serving jail time, despite breaching a banning order and being found guilty of harassment.

New rules on Gas Safety Checks give more flexibility

New rules on Gas Safety Checks give more flexibility

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Gas Safety Checks: Similar the car MOT, where the test can be done ahead of time, while retaining the existing renewal date, landlord gas checks will now be allowed on the same basis, up to 2 months ahead of time

County courts inquiry to probe slowdown in cases

County courts inquiry to probe slowdown in cases

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The Justice Committee has launched an inquiry into the work of county courts amid long-standing concerns over capacity and resources.

Letting agents 'falling foul of holding deposit rules'

Letting agents 'falling foul of holding deposit rules'

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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

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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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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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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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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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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

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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

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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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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

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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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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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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

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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.