Hi there, Does anyone have any advice on the legality of a tenancy agreement being signed in advance of the tenancy starting? I have a new tenancy scheduled to begin on Saturday but the guarantor will not be present to sign at the time as they are abroad so a Docusign will have to be set […]

New Scottish government environmental regulations will exacerbate the ongoing housing shortage in Scotland and prolong stays in emergency homeless accommodation for tenants. The warning is being made by the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) which points to the proposed minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) for some properties by 2028. All private rented homes will be […]

The Renters’ Rights Bill (RRB) only applies to assured and assured shorthold ASTs. If the contract type is not one of these, it won’t apply. Of the list of tenancy agreements types that are not assured or assured shortholds is for example, one where rent is less than £250 per year (£1000 in Central London) […]

Between May and October 2024, Property Redress removed 48 letting and estate agents from its scheme due to persistent non-compliance. The expulsions stemmed from unresolved consumer grievances, unpaid compensation awards and failure to cooperate with its complaints procedure. Although 12 agents were later reinstated after meeting requirements, many remain excluded for ongoing breaches. The government-approved […]

First-time buyers, capitalising on relaxed lending rules and more affordable mortgages, have driven a 7.1% annual increase in the cost of first homes, according to Land Registry figures. In March, these buyers paid an average of £231,000 for their properties, a £15,350 jump compared to the previous year. From January to March, the average amount […]

Nearly a third (30%) of tenants searching for a home to rent describe their experience as average or worse, with some labelling it as poor or very poor, a survey reveals. The research by Dwelly of more than 1,000 tenants found that prolonged timelines is a major issue. It found that 44% of respondents say […]

Labour says that more private landlords will need to play a bigger role in housing migrants, the Daily Telegraph reports. The move will help meet Labour’s pledge to phase out migrant hotels, saving taxpayers an estimated £1 billion annually, as stated during last week’s Spending Review. The decision to shift away from hotels, which currently […]

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is calling for extra funding to help landlords install heat pumps. Responding to the government consultation on the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, the NRLA says landlords need long-term support and funding to meet energy-efficiency targets. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) offers financial grants to landlords and homeowners to replace gas […]

The government has handed councils new powers to crack down on long-term empty commercial properties. Under new powers, councils can now take action against commercial landlords by auctioning leases of shops or offices left empty for more than 12 months through the High Street Rental Auctions scheme. Bassetlaw District Council warns on their website that […]

The world of property law is no stranger to reform, but Awaab’s Law is different. The legislation marks a turning point in how landlords are expected to respond to damp, mould, and housing health hazards. Prompted by the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in a social housing flat in Rochdale, this legislation doesn’t just […]

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) have become devalued by landlords and are not an effective tool for decarbonising homes, claims new report. The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee (ESNZC) report reveals EPCs are deterring people from making the switch to low-carbon heating. The report also reveals the UK is far off track for meeting its […]

The average asking price for homes entering the market has fallen by 0.3% (£1,277) this month, reaching £378,240, according to Rightmove. This unexpected June decline, contrasting with a typical 0.4% rise for the month over the past decade, reflects sellers adapting to a highly competitive environment and recent stamp duty increases in England. The drop […]

Bradford has claimed the title of England’s top location for House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) yields, with six-bedroom properties delivering an impressive 15.2% return, research reveals. According to COHO, an HMO management platform, its analysis highlights that larger HMOs consistently outperform their smaller counterparts, despite requiring greater initial investment. COHO’s research shows that three-bedroom HMOs […]

The private rented sector is experiencing a slowdown, with tenant registrations plummeting 17% in May compared to 2024, research reveals. According to the Hamptons monthly lettings index, this marks the twelfth consecutive month of declining demand, with registrations now 28% below 2019 levels. The main reason for the drop is that more tenants are becoming […]

You may have heard the news last week of a fund purchaser that’s looking to make quick acquisitions and if you didn’t, you’ll want to read this because with the amount of enquiries flooding in, it won’t be open for long. The fund, set up by our partners at Landlord Sales Agency, is actively seeking […]

It was comforting to read the words of Nigel Terrington, the chief executive of Paragon Bank, who recently highlighted a stark reality: we need more landlords! He was talking about the UK’s population being projected to surge by 4 million by 2032 – has anyone voted for this? – and most newcomers, particularly immigrants, will […]

The Renters’ Rights Bill will enter the report stage in the House of Lords on the 1 of July. Members of the House of Lords will scrutinise the bill more closely over three days in July on the 1st, 7th and 15th. News of the bill entering report stage before the summer recess has raised […]

The housing market showed no price movement in April, with average home prices in England and Wales holding steady at £359,200, according to the e.surv Acadata house price index. Despite this stagnation, a stark regional divide has emerged, with northern areas displaying resilience while southern regions, particularly London, face challenges. The capital saw a monthly […]

One of the biggest myths in property investing is that you need a lot of money to get started. Let me tell you right now: that simply isn’t true. If other people are successfully building portfolios without using their own funds, then there’s no reason why you can’t do the same. The key is understanding […]

Generation Rent claims the majority of landlords CAN afford energy-efficiency upgrades because they are mortgage-free.  Despite the tenant group’s claim, as previously reported on Property118, energy-efficiency upgrades are hugely expensive and cost thousands of pounds, which are often then passed down onto tenants. The tenant group welcomes the government’s commitment to improving energy-efficiency standards in […]

Several buy to let lenders have unveiled new mortgage products and have reduced rates to meet landlords’ needs. Fleet Mortgages has unveiled new two-year fixed-rate options and trimmed rates on its existing two-year deals. For standard and limited company borrowers, a £1,999 fixed-fee product at 5.19% and a zero-fee alternative at 5.69% are now available, […]