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.

Property licensing system needs big overhaul says leading landlord

Property licensing system needs big overhaul says leading landlord

News

A high-profile landlord has called the property licensing system ‘clunky’ and in need of simplification.

Sceptical landlord joins pioneering green rental homes scheme

Sceptical landlord joins pioneering green rental homes scheme

News

A sceptical landlord has become a ‘guinea pig’ and spent considerable sums on making her Victorian four-bedroom rental property 'Let Zero'.

Northern city launches plan to begin selective licensing

Northern city launches plan to begin selective licensing

News

Preston in Lancashire has become the latest city to launch plans to introduce selective licensing within its borders.

2025 record year for new licensing schemes as latest council launches plans

2025 record year for new licensing schemes as latest council launches plans

News

Latest scheme to launch is one of 26 launched so far - making 2025 a 'record breaking year' for HMO and selective licensing.

Big city mayor fines landlords £1.5 million in two years

Big city mayor fines landlords £1.5 million in two years

News

Greater Manchester has revealed a big increase in rogue landlord fines as part of its tough crackdown on the private rental sector.

New 'rent controls minister' stumbles on first outing

New 'rent controls minister' stumbles on first outing

News

Newly-minted housing minister in Scotland unable to recall key statistics from her department during TV interview.

Landlord to pay £15,000 after second prosecution over same property

Landlord to pay £15,000 after second prosecution over same property

News

A landlord who has ignored efforts by a city council to improve his run-down property has been fined heavily.

National Lottery gives green campaigners £1.25m to 'educate landlords'

National Lottery gives green campaigners £1.25m to 'educate landlords'

News

Students Organising for Sustainability says it will use the money to improve student accommodation across the UK.

Evicting benefits tenants 'to get harder when renting reforms go live'

Evicting benefits tenants 'to get harder when renting reforms go live'

News

The opaque Universal Credit rental payments will cause landlords even more headaches when the Renters' Rights Bill goes live.

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

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.  In other words, stop demonising landlords - its not helping the situation especially when we have such a severe rental stock crisis.&

Renters’ Rights Bill: Expert insights on key changes

Renters’ Rights Bill: Expert insights on key changes

Podcast
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Experts Sean Hooker and Kate Faulkner discuss the Renters (Reform) Bill and its impact on landlords and tenants in the private rented sector.

The UK's �1bn self-storage business boosted by the shortage of rentals

The UK's �1bn self-storage business boosted by the shortage of rentals

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Running a storage rentals business, supplying and letting space for inanimate objects, as opposed to people, is potentially far more lucrative and a lot less troublesome than operating as a residential landlord. The UK self-storage industry has grown steadily over the last twent

More landlords lose properties as interest rates and rising prices hit home

More landlords lose properties as interest rates and rising prices hit home

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

At least 410 buy-to-let mortgaged properties were repossessed in the first quarter of 2023, 28% higher than in the previous quarter - the highest level since the start of the pandemic. https://www.ukfinance.org.uk/" UK Finance reports that 970 buy-to-let mortg

Illegal HMO conversion lands landlord with hefty fine

Illegal HMO conversion lands landlord with hefty fine

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/court-fines-unlucky-but-rogue-landlord-12000-over-unlicensed-hmo/" rogue landlord who illegally subdivided his property into seven separate flats has been ordered to pay back more than �110,000 through the Proceeds of Crime Act.<br><

Green mortgage aims to make an impact on BTL investors

Green mortgage aims to make an impact on BTL investors

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Buy-to-let landlords could add the cost of making properties more https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/landlords-rush-to-offload-their-energy-poor-properties/" energy efficient onto their mortgage in an initiative to make more UK homes greener. https:/

Renters’ reform bill promises major housing changes

Renters’ reform bill promises major housing changes

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

In the second in a series of blogs for&nbsp;LandlordZONE&nbsp; on rental reform,&nbsp;Sean Hooker , Head of Redress at the&nbsp;https://www.theprs.co.uk/" <e

Reform Bill: Landlords brace for 'challenging' notice periods

Reform Bill: Landlords brace for 'challenging' notice periods

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Tenants could effectively move in and give notice the same day under proposals in the https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/renters-reform-bill-we-take-a-first-look-at-the-radical-new-legislation/" Renters (Reform) Bill . The draft legislation scraps assured shor

Landlords rushing to sell as mortgage costs soar above tenants' rent

Landlords rushing to sell as mortgage costs soar above tenants' rent

Sponsored
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Private landlords across the UK have found themselves in hot water, and its no surprise that many are rushing to sell their property portfolios. A recent article by the BBC reported that private landlords had expressed critical concerns that their rents wont cover the cost

Reform Bill: 'Justice at stake if eviction changes not backed by extra funding'

Reform Bill: 'Justice at stake if eviction changes not backed by extra funding'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Court reforms and extra funding are needed if the governments overhaul of the evictions process is to succeed, warn landlord groups and eviction specialists. It has promised to abolish section 21 no fault evictions&nbsp;as part of the https://www.landlordzone.c

Reform Bill: Landlord database to be enforced with court orders

Reform Bill: Landlord database to be enforced with court orders

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A new ombudsman known as the landlord redress scheme - and property portal would be compulsory for all private sector landlords.

First look: Renters’ Rights Bill promises sweeping changes

First look: Renters’ Rights Bill promises sweeping changes

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

First look at the Renters (Reform) Bill: groundbreaking tenant protections, streamlined landlord redress & flexible ‘pets-in-lets’ rules.

Purplebricks sold to rival for �1 after senior team throw in the towel

Purplebricks sold to rival for �1 after senior team throw in the towel

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Purplebricks, which at one stage was used by thousands of landlords to manage their properties, has announced that its assets and business are to be sold to rival Strike for �1, pending approval by its shareholders. Any funds remaining in the firm some �5.5 million are

Gove's plan to ease HMO rules for asylum accommodation

Gove's plan to ease HMO rules for asylum accommodation

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Michael Gove approves relaxed HMO rules for asylum seeker housing, exempting safety standards and licensing; critics warn of potential exploitation.

BLOG: 'Reform bill will solve the problem of pet damage for landlords'

BLOG: 'Reform bill will solve the problem of pet damage for landlords'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The long-awaited Renters (Reform) Bill will finally be introduced in parliament after Prime Minister's Questions today. Setting out plans for 12 key reforms to the private rental sector, the 11th pledge - to give tenants the right in law to request a pet, which should not be unr

Agents who lack licencing law know-how 'putting landlords at risk'

Agents who lack licencing law know-how 'putting landlords at risk'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Bungling letting agents with a lack of legal understanding are putting landlords at risk of prosecution, it has been claimed. One landlord expert has advised caution when signing up with a firm in the current climate of increasing legislation and falling profits, particularly fo

Opinion: does Michael Gove know something we don't?

Opinion: does Michael Gove know something we don't?

Opinion
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

It would seem that successive Tory governments have waged an ongoing and progressively more vicious war on buy-to-let landlords, but this latest layer of legislation goes much further. Yes, this latest iteration, and one thats https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/1768/s

EXTRA red tape, scams and repairs drive more landlords to use agencies

EXTRA red tape, scams and repairs drive more landlords to use agencies

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Almost two thirds (63%) of private landlords who manage their own properties are tired of sorting out repairs and dealing with red tape and considering using a letting agency or property manager instead.&nbsp; A Uswitch poll of 2,000 landlords found that the most common reason t

Labour targets landlords with new housing reforms

Labour targets landlords with new housing reforms

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Labour pledges stricter Decent Homes Standard 2 for private landlords, raising property quality and accountability ahead of next general election.

Starmer 'set to U-turn on rent controls' as London Mayor pleads for more powers

Starmer 'set to U-turn on rent controls' as London Mayor pleads for more powers

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Keir Starmer is set to rebuff previous calls by London mayor Sadiq Khan to bring in a rent freeze, it has been reported. Khan has been banging his rent freeze drum for months now as the cost-of-living crisis has hit many tenants personal finances, telling the BBC in Oct

'Disaster' renting reform bill to enter parliament tomorrow after PMQs

'Disaster' renting reform bill to enter parliament tomorrow after PMQs

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The much-delayed Renters Reform Bill is rumoured to be getting its first reading tomorrow after Prime Ministers Questions, although the 'full meat' of the proposals will come later. Rumoured to be renamed the Rented Homes Bill or Renters (Reform) Bill, landlords are waitin

BREAKING: Renters (Reform) Bill to get first airing after PMQs today

BREAKING: Renters (Reform) Bill to get first airing after PMQs today

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Government is to finally introduce its long-delayed renting reforms into parliament later today following Prime Ministers Questions (PMQs) in the Commons. The Bill, which is to be called the Renters (Reform) Bill, will get its first reading just aft

Third of tenants turning to credit to fund tenancy deposits - claim

Third of tenants turning to credit to fund tenancy deposits - claim

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A tenancy deposit affordacility crisis is looming as new data reveals that nearly a third of renters are borrowing money to pay for them, new research shows. The poll of 1,000 tenants reveals how they are using credit cards, personal loans, overdrafts and family loans to scrape

Tech firm gets public cash to help portfolio landlords improve energy efficiency

Tech firm gets public cash to help portfolio landlords improve energy efficiency

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Proptech company Propflo is working with BTL mortgage lenders to help portfolio landlords make their properties more energy efficient. It has been given a grant by Innovate UK to encourage lenders to explore initiatives such as encouraging retrofitting in their products, creatin

NEW: Government promises crack-down on dodgy rent-to-rent operators

NEW: Government promises crack-down on dodgy rent-to-rent operators

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The government has vowed to crack down on dodgy rent-to-rent landlords who flout housing laws. Housing Minister Baroness Scott of Bybrook (pictured) says it is aware of concerns that some rent-to-rent arrangements have sometimes been used to make it more difficult to identify la

Average rent now 25% higher than before Covid says leading agency

Average rent now 25% higher than before Covid says leading agency

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Rents on newly-let homes have increased by 25% across the UK since the start of Covid, costing the average tenant an extra �2,962 each year. Hamptons reports that rents rose 11% year-on-year, with April marking the second strongest month for rental growth on record.&nbsp; <p