Landlords Questions

Welcome to the Landlord Questions archive. Here you will find real questions submitted by UK landlords, with clear answers provided by the Property118 community and editorial team. The archive covers tenancy management, buy-to-let finance, property tax, compliance, and succession planning. Each entry reflects real-world scenarios faced by landlords, along with practical guidance and case studies that can help you make better decisions.

Fire risk assessment warning showing detached smoke alarm, fire extinguisher and communal hallway in a converted two-flat property.

Issues with my fire risk assessor?

Author: Readers Question

16th July 2026, 7 days ago | 3

Hello, I commissioned a London-based fire risk assessor to undertake an assessment of the communal area of my terraced property...

Flat entrance fire door with inspection checklist highlighting common FD30 compliance issues after a fire door survey.

Fire door survey, how reliable are they?

Author: Readers Question

15th July 2026, 1 week ago | 40

Hello, I am looking for advice on how to proceed regarding my flat’s main fire door. Our managing agent recently...

Paper fish representing UK housing legislation consuming smaller regulations, illustrating unintended consequences of tenant law reform.

Survival of the fittest?

Author: Readers Question

14th July 2026, 1 week ago | 10

We have seen tenant bodies jumping up and down, demanding, lobbying and creating over grievances with landlords. They have achieved...

The government claim Making Tax Digital works “well for those who need it”, despite ongoing criticism over the scheme. The controversial scheme came into force in April this year, with landlords earning more than £50,000 required to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC using authorised MTD-compliant software. Landlords earning between £30,000 and £50,000 will join the scheme in April 2027. Can apply for an exemption In a written parliamentary question, Liberal Democrat MP James MacCleary asked: “what assessment has the government made of the potential impact of Making Tax Digital on those over-70?” In response, Labour MP Dan Tomlinson said: “The government has worked with taxpayers, representative bodies and software developers to ensure Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax works well for those who need to use it. “The government has worked with the software industry to ensure a wide range of options are available to suit different needs and budgets, including low-cost and free software, supporting those with the simplest affairs. Many products are designed for users who manage their own tax affairs or those new to digital tools. “Where a taxpayer cannot use MTD for Income Tax, for example due to age or disability, they can apply for exemption from the MTD requirements.” No advantage to Making Tax Digital As previously reported by Property118, despite the government claiming Making Tax Digital will help landlords, an accountant says this is not the case. Simon Misiewicz previously told Property118: “There’s no real benefit beyond maybe streamlining some of the work you already do, does it help with tax returns and submissions? The truth is, I can’t see how. “There’s no advantage for the individual in submitting quarterly returns, because HMRC doesn’t do anything with them until the end of the year. You don’t pay your taxes any earlier, and there is no real cash-flow benefit for the government”. The government admitted in the Making Tax Digital impact assessment that landlords earning £50,000 could incur an average transitional cost of £285 and an average annual additional cost of £115.

It’s me again getting in a state about MTD?

Author: Readers Question

10th July 2026, 2 weeks ago | 32

I’ve been thrown into a flat spin once again after reading that those poor sods who are already caught up...

Commercial airplane towing a banner reading “5 Days Notice?” above a city skyline, illustrating a tenant notice dispute

Tenants moving back to their country with only 5 days notice?

Author: Readers Question

6th July 2026, 2 weeks ago | 15

Hello Everyone, We received our tenant’s notice letter on 30th June, and they are flying out of the country on...

Police officer serving an eviction notice to a worried family, illustrating the repeal of the Vagrancy Act and homelessness debate.

How can a properly justified eviction be illegal under Vagrancy law?

Author: Readers Question

30th June 2026, 3 weeks ago | 2

As the Vagrancy law is being repealed today, anyone has the right to sleep rough and beg. So, to me,...

Serviced guest house reception with financial documents highlighting a £10,000 loss from an unpaid occupier dispute.

Serviced guest house owner faces £10,000 loss?

Author: Readers Question

29th June 2026, 3 weeks ago | 5

Hello, I run a small, serviced guest house in the London Borough of Barnet and would be interested to hear...

AI-powered legal assistant celebrating a court victory in an English courtroom, symbolising affordable access to justice.

AI law firm wins first case which could help landlords?

Author: Readers Question

26th June 2026, 4 weeks ago | 4

Hello, In the Grauniad (Guardian newspaper) today (don’t worry, I’m not a reader!). Not ‘property’ associated, but where landlords and...

Leaflet about a proposed land value tax held in front of homes with a for sale sign, illustrating housing tax reforms.

Could Andy Burnham’s proposed land tax force landlords to sell?

Author: Readers Question

24th June 2026, 4 weeks ago | 95

Hello, Andy Burnham has been reported to be considering replacing council tax and stamp duty with a new tax based...

Confused landlord reviewing a missed rent renewal with calendar, property model and unanswered questions.

Letting agent missed rent renewal and then gave me conflicting advice?

Author: Readers Question

24th June 2026, 4 weeks ago | 5

Hello, I would appreciate other landlords’ views on a dispute I am having with my letting agent – a well-known...

Two cats in a rental property beneath a no-pets sign, illustrating an unauthorised pet tenancy issue.

Unauthorised pets in rental property?

Author: Readers Question

23rd June 2026, 4 weeks ago | 6

I have found myself in an interesting situation and would appreciate your thoughts. In April this year, new tenants moved...

Compensation claim over mould issues after a landlord sold the flat, with house model, cash and paperwork.

Can a tenant claim compensation for mould after the flat has been sold?

Author: Readers Question

23rd June 2026, 4 weeks ago | 10

Hi, I wrote a while ago about the tenant wanting compensation for mould. >> https://www.property118.com/tenant-wants-compensation-for-mould/ I have since sold the...

Illustration of a tidal wave labelled Renters Rights Act crashing over UK rental homes and letting boards, symbolising market disruption.

Why the Renters’ Rights Act is causing a tsunami?

Author: Readers Question

23rd June 2026, 4 weeks ago | 14

Landlords are the life blood and custodians of a fragile ecosystem, who left alone, largely solve and don’t create problems....

Concept illustration of HMO planning uncertainty and lawful use questions under Article 4 Directions.

When is an HMO not an HMO – Article 4 direction?

Author: Readers Question

22nd June 2026, 1 month ago | 5

Hello, I recently went through a frustrating experience with trying to obtain a Certificate of Lawful Existing Use or Development...

Question mark beside HMO property marketing materials and a for sale sign, illustrating decisions around selling HMO portfolios.

In need of ideas to sell a portfolio of HMO’s in the South East

Author: Readers Question

19th June 2026, 1 month ago | 3

I would be interested to hear from Property118 readers who have experience of selling HMOs, particularly larger portfolios. Over the...

Illustration of a landlord facing mortgage issues after a 3-bed property is reclassified as an HMO.

Lender accuses me of breaching mortgage conditions?

Author: Readers Question

19th June 2026, 1 month ago | 23

Hello, My lender is seeking to impose monthly fines for breaching my mortgage conditions, following the local council’s decision that...

Rental property with prospective tenants and a question mark, illustrating concerns about adding a permitted occupier

Should I accept a Permitted Occupier?

Author: Readers Question

17th June 2026, 1 month ago | 8

Hello, I recently had a request by a tenant that moved in early February to have her husband added as...

Landlord facing uncertainty while reviewing tenant applications under new rental regulations

How are landlords navigating the complexity of potential applicants for properties?

Author: Readers Question

16th June 2026, 1 month ago | 5

Hello, Since the Renters’ Rights Act came into force, I have been dreading any of our tenants leaving. The worst...