Landlords in Northern Ireland are now subject to stringent new regulations aimed at enhancing electrical safety in private rented properties. Non-compliance could potentially lead to significant penalties. The measures, which are effective from 1 April, mandate that all rented homes undergo thorough electrical installation safety inspection. The initiative aims to safeguard more than 100,000 PRS […]

Buy to let lending flourished in the final quarter of 2024 with 52,648 new BTL loans worth £9.6 billion, UK Finance reveals. It says that the loans marked a substantial 39.2% increase in volume and a 47.2% rise in value compared to the same period in 2023. Interest rates for these loans averaged 5.09%, a […]

I am seeking to extend the lease on my flat (currently 91/92 years) by adding 90 years. Last year, I contacted the freeholder informally and negotiated a reasonable premium directly with him without involving any surveyors or solicitors. I then pressed paused on going ahead with it as I was concerned about risks associated with […]

When people think of commercial property, it’s often seen as the preserve of big institutions or seasoned investors with deep pockets and even deeper knowledge. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, with the right approach, and the right structure in place, commercial property can be a simple and sustainable path to […]

A critical flaw may have been found in the Renters’ Rights Bill (RRB) which might allow landlords to circumvent the ban on no-fault evictions, one firm says. The analysis by Inventory Base reveals that while the legislation will abolish Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, landlords could exploit the issue of carrying out major property repairs. Section […]

The monthly house prices rise in March was 0% from February, while the annual price rise was stable at 3.9% – also unchanged from February’s figure, Nationwide reports. The highest annual price rise was for homes in Northern Ireland at 13.5%, but London saw the weakest performance at 1.9%. The lender says that the average […]

A new funding scheme for energy-efficiency improvements has opened to landlords in England, but landlords will be forced not to raise rents during the EPC works. The Warm Homes: Local Grant scheme, which opens this week, will allow landlords with properties rated EPC D to E to receive up to £30,000 for improvements on their […]

So here it is, government projections show landlords are selling in their droves. It is now obvious a relatively small number of Bailiff Section 21 evictions has led to unhinged reform policy. This policy is a cull and harrying of landlords and disproportionate reduction in available rental homes. We are witnessing private rental sector availability […]

If 47% of PRS landlords are not selling ‘Nearly half of landlords won’t sell properties – survey‘ then 53% have either sold, are selling or will be selling = fewer PRS rental properties. If there are fewer PRS rental properties young people who have finished tertiary educations will have to move back home – unless […]

An industry body warns the Renters’ Rights Bill will have huge consequences for students and cause supply to plummet. Research by Propertymark reveals many student landlords are worried about the abolition of fixed-term tenancies. Propertymark also says banning rent in advance will discriminate against international students, as many rely on upfront payments to secure accommodation […]

Rents across England rose again in March, marking the third successive month of rises, Goodlord reveals. Its latest rental index which is based on actual tenancy costs rather than listed rates, points to a robust 4.6% annual increase in rents. Goodlord says that the typical rent reached £1,213 in March, a jump from the £1,160 […]

The higher stamp duty rates that came into effect this month will threaten landlord investment strategies, a survey reveals. The lender Together found that 13% of the 11% of landlords who say they are planning to abandon the PRS this year, point to increased stamp duty rates as the main reason. They say they feel […]

Hi all, I had a situation about a year ago where the tenant refused to pay rent for a period of six months. I had to go through the court to get an order for possession which also stated that the defendant needs to pay the rent arrears for six months along with the court […]

Just 2.5% of the private rented properties in England are within reach for tenants relying on housing benefit, research from Crisis reveals. The charity says the figure, drawn from data between April and October 2024, paints a grim picture of affordability. It says the proportion has dropped significantly from 12% in 2021-22, even after a […]

Senior figures within the Conservative Party have allegedly engaged in confidential discussions with landlords to derail the government’s Renters’ Rights Bill, The Guardian reveals. The meeting, which was arranged by shadow housing minister Baroness Jane Scott, explored options such as initiating a court battle under human rights legislation. There was also a discussion about stalling […]

Hi, I attended a possession hearing on 20th March, where the judge stated that the possession order would be issued within 24 hours and I should receive it within 48 hours. However, that has not happened. I’m now away for two weeks, and if the order arrives in my absence, I effectively lose that time. […]

The government’s announcement that 900,000 sole traders and landlords must adopt the Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative is a ‘step too far’ for many. That’s the belief of ARLA Propertymark president Angharad Trueman who says that small landlords, especially those who are older and less tech-savvy, will struggle. This step also comes on top of […]

My goal is to get an income to replace my rental income. I have funds to cover the next few years but need to plan ahead. The choice is between a one-bed small freehold terrace vs a 3-bed leasehold flat I was planning to sell my remaining BTL, a very small one-bed freehold house (£280K […]

Almost half of landlords have no plans to offload their rental assets within the next year, a study reveals. The findings from buy to let lender Landbay found that 47% of landlords expressed no desire to part with any holdings. The lender’s comprehensive poll indicates that those managing between four and 10 rented homes form […]

Property taxes across Scotland have climbed to £686.5m over the past year, marking a huge 17.6% jump from the previous 12 months, research revels. DJ Alexander Ltd, a lettings and property firm, highlights that revenues from the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) soared by £102.8m compared to the £583.7m collected between March 2023 and […]

The Property Ombudsman (TPO) has revealed that it has expelled four property businesses for neglecting to compensate consumers. The action involves three letting agencies and one residential leasehold management (RLM) firm, underscoring the regulator’s commitment to protecting tenants and landlords alike. The TPO, known for providing an unbiased dispute resolution service, saw a reduction in […]