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.

Do HMOs still stack up as an investment?

Do HMOs still stack up as an investment?

Sponsored

Over the last 15 years, the HMO market has been transformed and there has been a boom. The reason for the boom  was, quite simply, that HMOs could generate far better returns than single home lets.   But as the market grew, regulations tightened. On top of the extra du

LATEST: Section 21 evictions increasing as landlords quit sector, says Citizens Advice

LATEST: Section 21 evictions increasing as landlords quit sector, says Citizens Advice

News

Nearly half of all Section 21 eviction notices have been prompted by landlords selling their properties, Citizens Advice has revealed. It also says that its seen a ramping up of evictions by landlords using Section 21 notices, handling some 2,000 cases last month. <p id=""

Guaranteed rent firm takes down website after LandlordZONE probe

Guaranteed rent firm takes down website after LandlordZONE probe

News

A guaranteed rent firm has taken down its website after being exposed for using spurious claims about its connections with reputable bodies. London-based UK Housing Group Ltd, which boasts of being, the largest social housing agency in London and the Midlands featured out-

Historic Article 4 used to limit short‑term holiday lets

Historic Article 4 used to limit short‑term holiday lets

News

Gwynedd Council introduces Article 4 Direction to regulate second homes and short-term holiday lets, requiring planning permission for change of use.

Extra costs and red tape hitting landlords hard, mortgage chief warns

Extra costs and red tape hitting landlords hard, mortgage chief warns

News

Politicians and lobby groups are likely to continue blaming private landlords for the housing shortage largely created by the hostile regulatory environment imposed by the same politicians who want even more draconian laws, finds a new report. One of the most bizarre aspects of

Council cracks down on illegal HMOs with surprise inspections

Council cracks down on illegal HMOs with surprise inspections

News

Two unlicensed HMOs have been discovered during unannounced inspections by a council in the North, which says more 'surprise visits' are on the cards. <figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type- " data-rt-type="" data-rt-align=""><div><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63bef2f3c3

BREAKING: Landlords tell housing minister face-to-face that sector needs support

BREAKING: Landlords tell housing minister face-to-face that sector needs support

News

Landlords in Wales have called for the countrys government to make more effort to encourage private investment in the sector during a face-to-face meeting with housing minister Julie James. The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has asked her government to exem

Less that 20% of PRS homes within LHA rates reveals shocking research

Less that 20% of PRS homes within LHA rates reveals shocking research

News

Fewer than one in five private rental properties in England were within the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates last year, according to new joint research by the Chartered Institute of Housing and Shelter . The groups say the average

Leading property figure calls for 'tenancy register' in England and Wales

Leading property figure calls for 'tenancy register' in England and Wales

News

The government has missed a trick by not introducing a tenancy register instead of an anti-landlord landlord register, one property consultant has claimed. Blackbird Real Estate founder https://www.richard-berridge.co.uk/" target="_blank" Richa

EXCLUSIVE: Conveyancer reports big drop in landlords buying BTL properties

EXCLUSIVE: Conveyancer reports big drop in landlords buying BTL properties

News

The number of BTL investors buying properties has plummeted in the last six months while long-term landlords are selling up, according to one large conveyancing firm. Basildon-based https://pcslegal.co.uk/" PCS Legal

Business ratepayers will have to report any changes, and annually, under new bill...

Business ratepayers will have to report any changes, and annually, under new bill...

News

The Non-Domestic Rating Bill going through Parliament (House of Lords) will require business ratepayers to report any changes and also report annually to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). These changes to the operation of business rates will apply to all organisations responsib

BLOG: Why abolishing Section 21 isn't all bad news for landlords

BLOG: Why abolishing Section 21 isn't all bad news for landlords

Opinion

Yesterday I spoke to a room of 200 anxious landlords.&nbsp;The uncertainly surrounding the Renters (Reform) Bill really has whipped the housing market into a frenzy with landlords serving notices, selling up and exiting the sector in their droves.&nbsp; The mere thought of Sect

TURMOIL: NatWest reveals rate rises for fixed-rate landlord mortgages

TURMOIL: NatWest reveals rate rises for fixed-rate landlord mortgages

News

��Lender NatWest has been called out by commentators after it announced significant increases to its landlord mortgages. The bank, which is till 38% Government owned, announced late yesterday that it was increasing the interest rates it charges on a range of home loans, includ

Report reveals unstoppable march of BTR into private rented sector

Report reveals unstoppable march of BTR into private rented sector

News

Report finds London has 38,600 Build‑to‑Rent homes plus 34,100 more in pipeline, transforming the capital’s rental market.

Landmark rental deposits case reveals world of 'fake' short-lets

Landmark rental deposits case reveals world of 'fake' short-lets

News

Tenant groups in Scotland have called for councils to clamp down on landlords who rent out properties under the guise of holiday lets. <figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type- " data-rt-type="" data-rt-align=""><div><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63bef2f3c329eff8e3a4af45/6

Investors rush to convert office space as homeworking re-shapes the marketplace

Investors rush to convert office space as homeworking re-shapes the marketplace

News

According to the Financial Times (FT), property investors have pumped around �2bn into converting under-used and unwanted London office space as the trend to Working from Home (WfH) continues, and as it looks like becoming an embedded employment practice in many inner city o

FINES: Repeat offender to pay £49,000 over HMO safety failures

FINES: Repeat offender to pay £49,000 over HMO safety failures

News

A management company has been ordered to pay out more than £49,000 for fire safety failures at an HMO. Monsoon Properties Ltd admitted breaches relating to a range of issues at the flat in Londons Tavistock Place, including inadequate fire detection system, obstructions to t

MARKET: High rents consign younger tenants to the house of mum and dad

MARKET: High rents consign younger tenants to the house of mum and dad

News

First-time renters accounted for just 4.6% of new tenancies during the first five months of the year, as more would-be tenants rely on the hotel of Mum and Dad. With average monthly rents topping �1,000, young adults can save �12,290 by living rent-free with their parents each

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

My tenant left without telling me...

My tenant left without telling me...

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Abandonment: When times get hard the instances of tenants leaving without notice are known to increase. Doing a runner�, skipping� moonlight flitting� walking away� or gone away� and in the words of the immortal song;

What happens if someone other than the tenant pays the deposit?

What happens if someone other than the tenant pays the deposit?

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Tenancy Deposits: According to TDS (Tenancy Deposit Scheme) less than 1% (0.85%) of tenancies they handle have resulted in a deposit dispute in the year to March 2018, nevertheless its important to get it right when dealing with tenants' deposits.Cleaning was the most com

The Condensation Conundrum

The Condensation Conundrum

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Viewpoint by Tom Entwistle As winter approaches outside temperatures drop and the perennial landlords problem of winter condensation and black mould rear their ugly heads again.The question is, how do you know if this is caused by the building or the tenant, or is it a co

Tax on income from lodgers and short stay tenants

Tax on income from lodgers and short stay tenants

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords' Tax: Internet sites, such as AirBnB, have increased the number of landlords letting to lodgers and to guests on short stays. There are specific tax benefits to this type of letting business which are expanded upon below.Furnished holiday letting</st

Section 21 Notices - for older tenancies in England

Section 21 Notices - for older tenancies in England

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Section 21: Most tenancies will never require the service of a Section 21, Housing Act 1988, (eviction) notice. However, on those occasions when it does become necessary, and you just never know, landlords (and agents) will thank their lucky starts they complied with the rul

Asbestos and Your Responsibilities as a Landlord

Asbestos and Your Responsibilities as a Landlord

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Asbestos:Asbestos regulations were last updated in 2012 , bringing the UK in line with EU regulations, which means the current regulations have been in place long enough for most

The importance of a Tenancy Application Form

The importance of a Tenancy Application Form

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Application Form You should always use a comprehensive Tenancy Application Form when taking on a new tenant. You need a completed application for each adult tenant in the property.The Tenancy application form is a very important starting point for any residential or comm

Assured Shorthold Tenancy Ends

Assured Shorthold Tenancy Ends

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

End of an AST: Questions: What happens when an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) comes to an end? Will the tenant have to leave or does she need to sign a new agreement? What if a tenant wants to leave early? How long can a periodic tenancy last?When the fixed term (minimum of

Freehold, Shared Freehold or Leasehold?

Freehold, Shared Freehold or Leasehold?

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords often buy flats which are either Leasehold or Shared Freehold. What are these tenures and what should landlords look out for in these different forms of ownership?Leasehold is one of three forms of tenure (property/land ownership) almost exclusively peculiar to the United Kingdom, thoug

40 per cent of tenants are struggling with rent payments

40 per cent of tenants are struggling with rent payments

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

There’s now a significant proportion of adults in the UK struggling to meet their rent or mortgage payments

Buy-to-let profits nosedive for new buyers

Buy-to-let profits nosedive for new buyers

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords who took out a new mortgage between April and June this year made an annual cash loss for the first time since 2007.

Absentee landlord handed fine for ignoring tenants

Absentee landlord handed fine for ignoring tenants

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A landlord who ignored improvement notices on his two unlicensed properties has been handed a £15,000 fine by magistrates.

Can tenancy contracts be signed electronically?

Can tenancy contracts be signed electronically?

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

It is very convenient and timely to accept documents relating to tenancies signed electronically and transmitted electronically - are they legal valid?

Agency pays high price for harassing tenants

Agency pays high price for harassing tenants

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A letting agency in Hove has been ordered to pay nearly £69,000 for “abhorrent and vile” behaviour towards its tenants.

Kids and pets raise the cost of renting

Kids and pets raise the cost of renting

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Renters with pets or children are paying as much as £460 more during their tenancy compared to other renters.

Private buying companies rush to snap up buy-to-let portfolios in bulk

Private buying companies rush to snap up buy-to-let portfolios in bulk

Sponsored
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

After a tough week, starting with reports from the Telegraph urging banks to “stop treating landlords like cash cows”.

Fewer landlords offering homes to rent reports RICS

Fewer landlords offering homes to rent reports RICS

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A buoyant private rented market continues to outshine the struggling sales sector, although there is cause for optimism long-term, reports The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Two landlords 'banned' for not providing safety documents

Two landlords 'banned' for not providing safety documents

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords wondering how the planned register for landlords in England may operate have been given a taste of what’s to come following a case in Glasgow.

Barclays ordered to pay leading landlord compensation

Barclays ordered to pay leading landlord compensation

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Barclays has been ordered to pay benefits landlord Mick Roberts compensation over a long-running saga which saw him wrongly given a bad credit rating.

Landlords to face 52% higher costs when remortgaging BTL loans

Landlords to face 52% higher costs when remortgaging BTL loans

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

UK landlords face 52% higher mortgage costs when remortgaging at 6.5% rates, with 17% of Buy-to-Let loans resetting in the next 17 months.

Landlords could put new life into UK high streets

Landlords could put new life into UK high streets

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Investing in commercial property can be an attractive alternative to buy-to-let

Landlords and tenants warned over shocking Facebook scams

Landlords and tenants warned over shocking Facebook scams

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

An investigation has revealed that nearly all the flat listings on Facebook Marketplace in central Glasgow were potential scams.

Landlords tell Labour it must unfreeze 'unjust' LHA rates

Landlords tell Labour it must unfreeze 'unjust' LHA rates

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords urge Labour to unfreeze 'unjust' Local Housing Allowance rates, citing rising rent arrears and limited affordable housing options.

Occupiers' Liability: What happens when a tenant is injured?

Occupiers' Liability: What happens when a tenant is injured?

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Liability for personal injury. What is the landlord's position on liability for injuries to persons on or near his premises?

Bizarre link made between ageing and renting a home

Bizarre link made between ageing and renting a home

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Tenants in the private rented sector age biologically faster than homeowners, according to new research, which believes scrapping Section 21 will help reverse the process.

Deposits scheme removes fee to make renting cheaper

Deposits scheme removes fee to make renting cheaper

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Tenants using Jersey’s tenancy deposit scheme will no longer have to pay a protection fee from next month.

Beware: Self-employed sex workers targeting rentals

Beware: Self-employed sex workers targeting rentals

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Alert: self-employed sex workers using rented homes is rising—learn the risks and how landlords can act.

Banned landlord takes on critics, claiming tenants 'love him'

Banned landlord takes on critics, claiming tenants 'love him'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A slum landlord who received the longest ever banning order has insisted that his tenants love him.

'Labour must help landlords if they want to solve housing crisis'

'Labour must help landlords if they want to solve housing crisis'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The NRLA has told the Labour party leadership to follow its own MPs advice and encourage landlords to provide more privately rented properties if it wants to solve the housing crisis.

Tory MP denies harrassing tenant over unpaid rent

Tory MP denies harrassing tenant over unpaid rent

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A Tory MP has been accused of intimidating a tenant he is trying to evict from his farm.

Green Party leader says landlords 'lining their pockets'

Green Party leader says landlords 'lining their pockets'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Green party has promised to introduce rent controls and force landlords to make energy efficient improvements.

Tenancy deposit disputes on the rise as cost of living crisis bites

Tenancy deposit disputes on the rise as cost of living crisis bites

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Complaints involving disputed tenancy deposits have been rising after TDS, which operates three deposit schemes in the UK, recorded a 20% increase over the past 12 months.

UPDATED: Tenancy surrender and mitigating losses

UPDATED: Tenancy surrender and mitigating losses

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Commercial and Residential: Can a landlord insist his tenant pays rent until the end of the tenancy term when the tenant abandons the property

UPDATED: Lease agreements for commercial property explained

UPDATED: Lease agreements for commercial property explained

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Commercial Leases: When leasing a commercial property, its important to know where your responsibilities as a landlord