The Scottish Housing Secretary was left looking clueless after admitting she didn’t know how many people are stuck on social housing waiting lists in Scotland. Despite Màiri McAllan becoming Housing Secretary following the SNP reshuffle last week, she failed to say how many people are currently waiting for a social home and had to be […]

The Bank of England has decided to keep interest rates at 4.25% in a move anticipated by financial experts due to ongoing economic challenges. With inflation holding at 3.4%, significantly above the target of 2%, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) opted for caution, despite earlier hints of potential rate cuts following a reduction in May. […]

A councillor has criticised selective licensing schemes, describing them as a “supplementary tax” on landlords. Speaking at a Wirral Council meeting of the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee, Councillor Tony Cox argued that many landlords are unable to avoid the financial burden imposed by the schemes. Cllr Cox also warned of the number of landlords […]

A combination of costs, legislation and a lack of confidence are driving a huge amount of landlords away from the private rented sector, claims a new report. Propertymark’s latest Housing Insight report raises serious concerns about the housing crisis and its impact, not just on landlords and tenants, but also on those trying to enter […]

The controversial Renters’ Rights Bill may inadvertently exclude some of the rented sector’s most vulnerable tenants, one firm reveals. According to Leaders Romans Group (LRG), the Bill’s restriction on limiting advance rent payments to one month could hinder access to housing for vulnerable groups of people. These include overseas applicants, self-employed people and those lacking […]

The Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) is pressing the Scottish Government to temporarily suspend the Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS) to stimulate investment in the private rented sector (PRS). By doing so, that will help combat the nation’s housing shortage. John Blackwood, SAL’s chief executive, made the plea during a session with Holyrood’s Social Justice and […]

London’s rental sector experienced a robust resurgence in May, driven by a sharp increase in tenant interest and a steady rise in available properties, research reveals. According to Foxtons’ latest market index, the capital saw a dynamic market, with heightened activity signalling a strong seasonal boost as summer approaches. Tenant registrations soared by 35% from […]

The average monthly private rent in the UK grew by 7% in the year to May, reaching £1,339, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). While this marks a significant rise, the annual growth rate has eased from 7.4% in the 12 months to April, reflecting a gradual slowdown in rental inflation. Also, ONS […]

It’s easier for London Mayor Sadiq Khan to paint a picture of greedy landlords than to solve London’s housing crisis, claims a member of the London Assembly. In an exclusive video interview with Property118, deputy leader of the City Hall Conservatives and London Assembly Member, Emma Best, argues that Mr Khan promotes rent controls because […]

Foundation Home Loans has introduced five new limited edition buy to let mortgage products tailored for landlords seeking larger loans. These offerings focus on expat landlords, houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), and multi-unit freehold blocks (MUFBs), featuring fixed fee structures and competitive rates. The new range includes: F1 products: Aimed at landlords with near-pristine credit […]

Tenants seeking a modern home in England face a substantial rent premium of up to 18%, with monthly rents for these properties averaging £1,578, compared to £1,419 for standard rentals. That’s according to FCC Paragon’s latest findings which found the £159 difference represents an 11.2% premium, with some regions seeing hikes as high as 17.7%. […]

Rent price growth in Scotland’s private rented sector (PRS) has started to ease, reaching its lowest level since November 2022, research reveals. According to DJ Alexander Ltd, the Scotland’s largest lettings and estate agency, the average annual rent rise dropped to 5.1% in April 2025 – that’s 2.3% below the UK average. Regional differences highlight […]

This is how you can create equity from thin air, using specialist knowledge. In this week’s episode of the Property Magic Podcast, I share one of the advanced strategies which I normally only teach with delegates on my three-day residential Mastermind Accelerator workshop. The principle is based on the fact that often the sum of […]

The commercial property market sees a boost outside of London as investment continues to grow. Research by Together reveals Manchester is a key hotspot and achieves high yields for BTL landlords. The property lender also reveals there is a growing appetite for student housing in UK cities. Rental yields rise in Manchester A report by […]

We have a conversion property with full planning permission for three two-bedroomed flats. Now, because of being forced to obtain a Licence to let the flats have been downgraded to one-bedroom flats ie. Only two people are allowed to live in each flat. We have a proposed new tenant wanting to move in with his […]

Buy to let lenders are adapting to meet proposed energy performance certificate (EPC) regulations by focusing on properties that already have higher energy efficiency ratings. Representatives from lenders and valuation firms at a recent industry event cautioned that competition for EPC band A, B and C properties could intensify within a year or two, potentially […]

Landlords face “death by a thousand clipboard checks” over new EPC rules that have come into force. The government announced the biggest changes in the way Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are assessed in more than a decade, with the introduction of the Reduced Data Standard Assessment Procedure (RdSAP) However, experts warn the new updated system […]

A councillor has raised the alarm over the proliferation of houses of multiple occupation (HMOs), warning they could unravel the city’s community bonds. The council’s cabinet member for housing, told the BBC that in some areas, nearly 50% of properties are HMOs, where unrelated individuals share living spaces. Councillor Paul Drake-Davis sits on Hull City […]

Many property investors and BTL landlords have had to negotiate costly reviews over the last few years, and we have worked with many property business owners who are pursuing other rental strategies to maximise their asset growth, viability and profitability. This has included that in recent times, we have advised on many new mortgage deals […]

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 […]