Readers Question

gavel striking between two piggy banks symbolising falling tenancy deposit disputes

Multi-AST deposit penalty claim — advanced rent defence?

Author: Readers Question

24th March 2026, 2 months ago | 2

I am a private landlord defending a Housing Act 2004 tenancy deposit penalty claim in the County Court (Bromley). I...

Eviction notice paperwork with a house model and warning symbol highlighting Section 21 deadline

Renters’ Rights Act preventing extension of tenancy?

Author: Readers Question

19th March 2026, 2 months ago | 10

Hello, I have two properties where I have served S21 notices ahead of 1/5/26 when the Renters’ Rights Act comes...

Model house held in hands with tenants inside, illustrating Universal Credit challenges for private landlords

Difficult to support tenants who rely on Universal Credit?

Author: Readers Question

19th March 2026, 2 months ago | 8

As a private landlord managing our own portfolio, we are finding it increasingly difficult to support tenants who rely on...

House on a key above stacked coins and financial charts representing buy to let borrowing trends

Real world BTL mortgage renewal, who should pay?

Author: Readers Question

18th March 2026, 2 months ago | 4

Hello, I just renewed my BTL mortgage and the monthly payment went from £54 to £144! Should I pass the...

Eviction notice placed in a file marked “Past,” symbolising landlord decisions on serving Section 21 notices

We are being forced to evict a tenant that we want to keep?

Author: Readers Question

17th March 2026, 2 months ago | 8

We have a tenant who caused a problem by living in a mess and was reported to the council. We...

Elderly man stressed by tax paperwork at computer, symbolising relief through HMRC MTD exemption

Making Tax Digital – can’t sell, can’t rent, screwed?

Author: Readers Question

16th March 2026, 2 months ago | 4

Hello, Will I become liable for Making Tax Digital (MTD) if I rent out instead of selling my property? As...

Tenancy agreement labelled “Fair Rent” with house keys and rental signs, illustrating regulated tenancy rules for landlords

Registered Fair rents and the Renters Rights act?

Author: Readers Question

13th March 2026, 2 months ago | 1

All tenants must have a new tenancy agreement and be given a copy of the ‘Information for tenants ‘ booklet....

Exemption from MTD on age/other basis?

Author: Readers Question

12th March 2026, 2 months ago | 24

Hello, As an informative. I’m 73 and (hand) wrote a letter (a bit scrawly on unlined paper!) to HMRC. I...

Hands signing a tenancy agreement with keys on the document, highlighting uncertainty over tenant move-out dates.

Existing AST and Assured Periodic Tenancy from 1st of May?

Author: Readers Question

10th March 2026, 2 months ago | 1

The government will publish online sometime in March 2026, their document to be given to existing tenants on AST. (Probably...

Stamp and document labelled “Stamp Duty Land Tax” beside a question mark, representing uncertainty over SDLT for tenants.

Are your tenants going to have to pay SDLT?

Author: Readers Question

9th March 2026, 2 months ago | 0

Hello, Under the Renters’ Rights Act, fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies will be abolished and replaced with periodic assured tenancies with...

House key in front door with sold sign symbolising renewed buyer confidence in the UK housing market

Wall street wants to buy all the houses?

Author: Readers Question

2nd March 2026, 3 months ago | 0

Our friend Keir has been having lunch with Larry Fink of Blackrock. Keir wants to improve housing, and Blackrock and...

Tools and insulation concept highlighting tax and EPC upgrade considerations for rental property improvements.

Installing EPC improvements myself — but is it tax deductible?

Author: Readers Question

27th February 2026, 3 months ago | 6

I am planning on making use of an approaching void period in one of my properties to work on improving...

Crumpled eviction notice with moving boxes in the background, symbolizing housing uncertainty.

Instructing court bailiffs after possession granted from violent tenant?

Author: Readers Question

23rd February 2026, 3 months ago | 17

We should shortly be instructing court bailiffs after a possession was granted. I`ve not been in this position before, so...

People leaving rental property after cancelling joint tenancy before move-in date

Can new tenants just cancel and walk away?

Author: Readers Question

23rd February 2026, 3 months ago | 5

We operate joint and several student HMO tenancies, which we typically sign up in Jan/Feb for the next academic year...

Leaving the UK – Statutory Residence Test?

Author: Readers Question

18th February 2026, 3 months ago | 10

After 31 years of living in the UK, I have decided to leave shortly before 6 April 2026. I am...

Woman holding a cat while sneezing into a tissue, illustrating landlord pet allergy concerns.

Landlords pet allergies being ignored?

Author: Readers Question

17th February 2026, 3 months ago | 6

While it’s always good to check that tenants are not allergic to animals, it is the treatment of landlords as...

Landlord reviewing tenant documents with laptop, questioning referencing checks under new Renters’ Rights Act

Tenant referencing under the Renters’ Rights Act?

Author: Readers Question

17th February 2026, 3 months ago | 16

Given the Renters’ Rights Act becoming statute on the 1st May 26, I’m interested to ask how landlords will be...

Hands typing on a laptop with digital privacy and security graphics overlaying the screen

Putting your home address on Labour’s public Landlord Database?

Author: Readers Question

16th February 2026, 3 months ago | 14

I, having left the PRS, would not be putting my home address on Labour’s ill-thought-out and honestly quite dangerous publicly...

Black mould spreading across a damp bedroom wall corner above wooden flooring

What action can be taken when tenants fail to manage damp?

Author: Readers Question

16th February 2026, 3 months ago | 11

The weather in England has been very wet. Additionally, there has been very little frost. Consequently, the moisture has not...

Elderly tenant resting in bed with oxygen tube, reflecting on illness and end-of-life planning

My long-term tenant’s health seems to be failing – what should a landlord do?

Author: Readers Question

13th February 2026, 3 months ago | 4

Hello, I own a number of properties with long-term, hassle-free tenants. One of them has been rented to a retired...

Roofer using a nail gun to replace roof tiles on a London home in a conservation area

Can indemnity insurance help with building work?

Author: Readers Question

13th February 2026, 3 months ago | 5

Hi everyone, hope 2026 is going well for you. My son owns a house in London, which is situated in...