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.

Opinion: dealing with the thorny issue of damp and mould

Opinion: dealing with the thorny issue of damp and mould

Opinion

Damp and mould has always been a very difficult issue to deal with for landlords, but the recent case of Awaab Ishak and the rapid and direct involvement of Government has really brought matters to a head. The death of a Rochdale social housing tenants son, Awaab Ishak, has l

NEW: Shelter says landlords 'still rejecting tenants based on race'

NEW: Shelter says landlords 'still rejecting tenants based on race'

News

The boss of housing charity Shelter has repeated the organisations previous assertion that tenants seeking properties in the private rented sector (PRS) too often face racism from both landlords and letting agents. Polly Neates comments have been published by the BBC withi

MOULD: Minister vows to speed up 'Awaab's Law' as thousands sign petition

MOULD: Minister vows to speed up 'Awaab's Law' as thousands sign petition

News

The government has vowed to expedite a proposed law forcing landlords to respond quickly to complaints about damp and mould. Housing minister Felicity Buchan (pictured) told MPs that proposals were being worked through, after it announced plans last week t

Birmingham proceeds with HMO licensing expansion despite opposition

Birmingham proceeds with HMO licensing expansion despite opposition

News

Birmingham council has concluded its consultation into an additional licensing scheme across the city that would include 9,500 properties in all 69 wards. Following a full cabinet meeting report on the scheme's consultation which included several landlords sessions organised by

Heartless' landlord fined �175,000 over dilapidated and unlicensed HMO

Heartless' landlord fined �175,000 over dilapidated and unlicensed HMO

News

A rogue landlord who let out an unlicensed HMO with no working kitchen, unusable toilets, blocked drains and rats, has been fined a whopping �175,000. Adam Ali had turned the former Anchor Hotel in Cobham Road, Westcliff-on-Sea (pictured), into an HMO whe

Former Tory housing ministers call for radical shake-up of policy

Former Tory housing ministers call for radical shake-up of policy

News

Four former housing ministers have backed a Tory thinktank policy paper that urges a radical rethink of government housebuilding policies. The Centre for Policy Studies report, The Case for Housebuilding , explains how the UKs massive shortfall in homes

Big Issue founder: Ministers must help landlords to prevent evictions

Big Issue founder: Ministers must help landlords to prevent evictions

News

Big Issue founder John Bird has called on the government to help landlords prevent rent rises. The magazines editor-in-chief - a crossbench peer in the House of Lords - says it needs to stop households who cannot pay their rent from being evicted, warning of a surge in homele

Scotland replaces rent freeze with rent cap

Scotland replaces rent freeze with rent cap

News

Scottish government replaces controversial rent freeze with 3–6% cap from April, after landlord backlash.

NEW: Serial NW rogue landlord banned from PRS for three years

NEW: Serial NW rogue landlord banned from PRS for three years

News

A serial rogue landlord has become the first in the North West region to be served with a banning order after he failed to improve poor housing conditions in his unlicensed properties. Wirral Council had previously prosecuted Frank Morrow from New Brighton

Landlords and agents seek judicial review of Scots rent controls

Landlords and agents seek judicial review of Scots rent controls

News

A coalition of landlords and letting groups is seeking a judicial review of the Scottish governments rent control and eviction ban legislation.&nbsp; The Scottish Association of Landlords , Scottish Land and Estates and <strong id=

Deadline looms for overseas landlords to register homes or face jail

Deadline looms for overseas landlords to register homes or face jail

News

Overseas entities that bought UK property before 1st August 2022 must register with Companies House by 31st January or risk a fine and jail time. Thehttps://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3120" https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3120" target="_blank" id=""

HMRC defends mortgage tax relief cuts as 'fair' in petition response

HMRC defends mortgage tax relief cuts as 'fair' in petition response

News

A petition urging the reversal of the controversial Section 24 https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/autumn-statement-chancellor-reveals-tax-rises/" tax changes for landlords has received a written response from the government after reaching some 28,000 signatures. <p id

NEW: Landlords turning to north for better deals and yields, reveals report

NEW: Landlords turning to north for better deals and yields, reveals report

News

Buy-to-let investors are increasingly turning their sights on the north of England in the quest for better deals and yields. In 2015, just four of the 10 top local authorities for landlord purchases were in the north, but by last year, all ten were, according to data from <a hre

Letting agents report 'perfect storm' facing them and their landlords

Letting agents report 'perfect storm' facing them and their landlords

News

Letting agents are worried about landlords selling up, new legislation, rising costs and an upsurge of abuse across the sector. A https://www.propertymark.co.uk/" target="_blank" Properymark survey found that most feared landlords quitti

LAW: Landlord escapes �15,000 bill after tribunal's 'surprising' decision

LAW: Landlord escapes �15,000 bill after tribunal's 'surprising' decision

News

Three tenants have only been awarded 20% of a rent repayment order application after a tribunal went easy on their forgetful landlord. Lawrence Hoo admitted he had not renewed an additional HMO licence for the property in St Marks Grove, Easton, Bristol, but had applied as soon

House prices to fall by 10 per cent this year says bank boss...

House prices to fall by 10 per cent this year says bank boss...

News

Speaking at Davos, the Swiss ski resort where the World Economic Forum holds its annual meeting, Lloyds bank CEO Charlie Nunn said that the UK house price fall will be limited. His views are bolstered by recent numbers on the progress of the UK economy which managed a second

Scots 'flippant disregard' of PRS will make housing shortage worse

Scots 'flippant disregard' of PRS will make housing shortage worse

News

The Scottish governments flippant disregard for the private rental sector will only exacerbate the housing crisis, warns industry group Propertymark, which wants an urgent review of landlord taxation. <figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type- " data-rt-type="" data-rt-align="

London rents jump 20% as listings hit four-year low

London rents jump 20% as listings hit four-year low

News

London rents surged 20% in 2022; December's average weekly rent hit £551, with 18 renters competing per property, reports Foxtons.

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

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.

Landlords seeking to convert commercial into residential warned by trade body

Landlords seeking to convert commercial into residential warned by trade body

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Propertymark has called for a set of standards for developers and clear guidance for local councils as a way to effectively convert empty commercial properties into affordable homes - an increasingly popular path for some bigger PRS landlords. Responding to an inquiry from all-p

Is converting commercial buildings to residential use a viable proposition?

Is converting commercial buildings to residential use a viable proposition?

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Converting commercial buildings to residential use would seem an ideal solution to a housing shortage, especially with and a glut of underused commercial buildings, but how easy is it? The planning regulation changes have made it easier to convert commercial buildings to residen

BREAKING: New mandatory 'How to Rent' guide delayed for a week

BREAKING: New mandatory 'How to Rent' guide delayed for a week

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The new How to Rent guide due to come out today (17th March) has been delayed for a week, according to industry sources. The new guide forms part of the prescribed information that landlords in England must issue at the start of any new tenancy or renewa

ANALYSIS: Short term lets under threat...

ANALYSIS: Short term lets under threat...

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The rental market in the UK has undergone something of a revolution in recent years, with a significant shift away from permanent or long-term renting towards Airbnb style hol

Unusual legal win by landlord shows appealing council fines can be worth it

Unusual legal win by landlord shows appealing council fines can be worth it

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords operating good-quality and well managed rented properties and who are of good character should fight unfair council fines for failing to licence properties, an unusu

Landlord company registrations rise as many seek to avoid higher tax bills

Landlord company registrations rise as many seek to avoid higher tax bills

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Higher taxes and the pandemic have significantly increased the number of landlords starting up limited companies rather than owning and operating properties personally, new re

Market rents hit £1,367 as void periods plunge

Market rents hit £1,367 as void periods plunge

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Market rents hit historic high of £1,367 PCM as void periods plunge—explore the market shift and what it means for landlords.

Is it fair that councils can fine landlords even though they too break the law?

Is it fair that councils can fine landlords even though they too break the law?

Opinion
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

There is a burning issue within the rented homes market that is grossly unfair on private landlords and that is never discussed by politicians or the trade associations that o

Landlord to pay tenants £12,500 because 'innocence of law is no defence'

Landlord to pay tenants £12,500 because 'innocence of law is no defence'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Being ignorant of landlord law is no defence, a brutal legal point that has cost a landlord duo in London dearly after they were told by judges to repay their tenants �12,500

Looming EPC changes already skewing the buy-to-let market, claims finance boss

Looming EPC changes already skewing the buy-to-let market, claims finance boss

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Governments plans to force landlords to upgrade their properties to a minimum C energy efficiency standard is already affecting how rental properties are being purchased, the boss of a big money firm has claimed. Louisa Sedgwick, Commercial Director at Paragon Bank

City office space under threat as personified by Canary Wharf exodus

City office space under threat as personified by Canary Wharf exodus

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The pattern of office working is changing and nowhere is its effect on commercial property being felt more strongly than in Londons Docklands Canary Wharf. A once thriving financial centre The development of the wharf into a thriving financial centre just outsi

BREAKING: Gove green lights expensive new licencing scheme in Nottingham

BREAKING: Gove green lights expensive new licencing scheme in Nottingham

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Michael Gove has given Nottingham city council the green light to proceed with one of the UKs most expensive and controversial selective licensing schemes. Due to start on December 1st, it will require all rented properties within 20 of its wards to be licenc

Government is afraid EPC upgrades will be final straw for landlords, says big bank

Government is afraid EPC upgrades will be final straw for landlords, says big bank

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A leading lender believes the governments likely decision to row back on EPCs is linked to fears that it will hit an already struggling PRS. Earlier this week, Housing Secretary Michael Gove suggested a delay in bringing in energy efficiency plans for rental properties to

Property firm reports more landlords selling up as 'red tape' burden rises

Property firm reports more landlords selling up as 'red tape' burden rises

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Home buying company the Open Property Group (OPG) has reported a 56% jump in PRS property purchases during the past year, with landlords blaming red tape for their decision to sell up. It bought nearly �6 million worth of property from homeowners and landlords looking for a fas

Payday! Three tenants to share �20,000 after landlord fails to licence property

Payday! Three tenants to share �20,000 after landlord fails to licence property

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Three tenants have won a �20,160 rent repayment order from their landlord who failed to licence his HMO. A First Tier Property Tribunal found that Simon Freed let out the three-bedroom flat in Frognal Court, Camden (main picture), a

Scots Ministers avoid revealing how many landlords are seeking big rent rises

Scots Ministers avoid revealing how many landlords are seeking big rent rises

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Scottish Government has decided not to publish details of how many landlords north of the border have applied to raise their rent above the 3% maximum allowed under the countrys Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act. This controversial legislation was first in

Landlords warned over increase in unauthorised and illegal sub-letting by tenants

Landlords warned over increase in unauthorised and illegal sub-letting by tenants

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Sub-letting is on the increase within the private rented sector as the cost of living crisis bites, it has been reported. Direct Line says nearly half of all tenants who sublet rooms within their property have not told their landlord or checked they are allowed to within their r

Council's desperate measures to stop landlords evicting tenants revealed

Council's desperate measures to stop landlords evicting tenants revealed

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Brent Council is paying a landlord to house the tenant he was trying to evict after failing to come up with any alternative accommodation. The authority paid the legal fees and took over responsibility for paying the rent as long as the landlord continued to let his tenant stay

BTR makes another leap forward with £1.26 billion invested in just three months

BTR makes another leap forward with £1.26 billion invested in just three months

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

T The UKs build-to-rent (BTR) stock now stands at 88,100 completed homes, with a further 53,500 homes under construction and 111,800 in the planning pipeline. Savills research reveals that in the second quarter of the year, the sector saw a record-breaking �1.26

Landlord outcry over 'unfair' major Midlands selective licencing scheme

Landlord outcry over 'unfair' major Midlands selective licencing scheme

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords in Birmingham have slammed the citys new selective licensing scheme which some claim is unfairly targeting ethnic communities. The scheme, which took effect at the beginning of June, affects all landlords in 25 of the citys wards which have more than 20% of rente

'Stop demonising landlords, it's just not helping the situation'

'Stop demonising landlords, it's just not helping the situation'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Be careful what you wish for� is the point I would put to organisations such as Shelter, Generation Rent and other tenant groups.&nbsp; In other words, stop demonising landlords - its not helping the situation especially when we have such a severe rental stock crisis.&

No need to evict! We sell buy-to-lets in 28 days to new landlords who want to keep your 'fireproof'� tenants

No need to evict! We sell buy-to-lets in 28 days to new landlords who want to keep your 'fireproof'� tenants

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Theyve been dubbed fireproof tenants� news this week reached fever pitch for landlords who rallied together in outrage to hear that multiple local councils had advised tenants not to move out of their houses� no matter what, even if the landlord was in financial difficulty

NEW: �30 billion cost for landlords to upgrade properties to EPC minimum

NEW: �30 billion cost for landlords to upgrade properties to EPC minimum

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

More than half of all homes in the private rented sector need upgrading to achieve an EPC band C by 2028, with landlords facing a total estimated bill of �30 billion at a time when many are struggling to cover their costs. About 2.9 million properties are affected, with costs f

HOT MARKET: Every property put on market receiving 20 viewing requests

HOT MARKET: Every property put on market receiving 20 viewing requests

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Rental properties in the North West are each attracting an average of 30 viewing requests as competition among prospective tenants grows more intense. Data commissioned by the BBC from Rightmove shows an average of 20 requests to view each available property in Britain, up from

Charities and campaigners slam Government over 'weak' renting reforms

Charities and campaigners slam Government over 'weak' renting reforms

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

In a sign that the Renters (Reform) Bill is annoying many and pleasing few, charities and pro-tenant groups have today joined forces to slam the legislation for being too weak. The https://rentersreformcoalition.co.uk/" target="_blank" Renters Ref

BREAKING: Government rows back on 2035 gas boiler ban within rented properties

BREAKING: Government rows back on 2035 gas boiler ban within rented properties

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Government has rowed back on its commitment to phase out all gas boilers in rented homes by 2035 following comments by Michael Gove. Talking tohttps://www.thetimes.co.uk/radio/schedule" https://www.thetimes.co.uk/radio/schedule" target="_blank" i

Another big council looks at forcing selective licencing on private landlords

Another big council looks at forcing selective licencing on private landlords

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A big South East counciil hopes to introduce a big selective licencing scheme for private landlords which would cover all PRS homes. Medway, which is a unitary authority covering a large swathe of Kent including Rochester and Gillingham, has seen those renting in the private ren

Official report backs binning leasehold but some owners 'still worried'

Official report backs binning leasehold but some owners 'still worried'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Ditching leaseholds is 'entirely possible' although some flat owners still arent convinced about moving across to commonhold, a government report has concluded. It explains that while reaching a point at which most existing flats are owned without a third-party landlord or ar