Page 118 – Property118
Manchester sign on a street paving

The UK’s top renter-friendly city revealed

12th March 2025

Britain’s best location for renters and landlords in 2025 has been revealed and its success is down to a large and thriving student population and high tenant satisfaction. According to Property Investments UK, the vibrant northern city boasts a striking 62% of households renting, totalling 133,126 properties. Landlord success is also helped by a hefty […]

Department for Work and Pensions and Universal Credit logos

Universal Credit overhaul will affect rent payments from April

11th March 2025

Landlords are being warned that there are big alterations to Universal Credit coming which will transform how rent payments are managed across the UK. Propertymark says that from April, the Fair Repayment Rate will drop from 25% to 15%. That’s the amount of Universal Credit that can be deducted from a household’s standard allowance payment […]

Scottish Greens logo and a homeless man

Scottish Greens push to end winter evictions of tenants

11th March 2025

A Scottish Green MSP has tabled an amendment to the Housing (Scotland) Bill which would prevent tenants from being evicted in winter months – forever. Maggie Chapman says her proposal will eliminate the threat of evictions during the chilliest months, spanning November to March. That would, she says, mean no renter facing homelessness when the […]

A person passing a key to a woman

Looking to sell and end of tenancy query with Estate Agent?

11th March 2025

Hi all, Can you advise me regarding ending my fully managed contract with my letting agent? I have read my terms of business and have given ample notice, 3 months. I have requested they confirm the transition and when will they walk away. The Agent’s response was that once the tenant returns the keys, an […]

A calendar circuled on 31st of the month, a calculator, coins and a question mark

Tenant has decided to change the day she pays her rent?

11th March 2025

Hi everyone, I was just wondering if someone could give me a bit of advice. I have a tenant who is on benefits and has been late with her rent on several occasions as her money has not come through. She always pays as soon as her money arrives. The rent for the property is […]

A person repairing a ceiling and question mark

Block managing agents and quotes for repairs?

11th March 2025

Hello, I have a block of flats currently managed by Block Managing Agents. Recently there was a leak in the building where damage was caused to a number of flats. The managing agents said that they had quotes in from two contractors but refused to disclose the quotes to the flat owners stating that it […]

Two men speaking through tannoy systems with houses sitting on papers in between

Rent arrears fuel one in five tenancy disputes

11th March 2025

There has been a big escalation in tenancy disputes with rent arrears now accounting for a fifth of all disagreements, research reveals. The firm behind the findings also fears that the Renters’ Rights Bill will worsen tenant-landlord relations and spark more disputes. FCC Paragon has analysed data from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, to […]

Small wooden model houses and a blue question mark

My tenant wants me to issue her a Notice to Leave?

11th March 2025

My tenant is a single mother with two children aged 8 and 2. She has been my tenant for the last 3 years. Her rent has always been below market. This year I suggested that when her annual tenancy expires on 20 April 2025 she pays the market rate (£1250 pcm) if she wants to […]

A hand pressing a complaints screen, PRS logo

Redress scheme sees surge in complaints and member expulsions

11th March 2025

The Property Redress Scheme (PRS) says that the top three complaints about agents last year are the same as in 2023. They are issues with holding deposits, substandard service and oversight, and difficulties with tenancy fees and rent gathering. Its annual report reveals that complaint enquiries rose to 2,861, a rise of 20% compared to […]

Coins stacked with a house, red downward arrow, and “Price Reduced” tag showing UK property market cuts.

Home sellers cut prices before the stamp duty deadline

11th March 2025

Homeowners are reducing asking prices ahead of the forthcoming stamp duty change, particularly for properties under £250,000, research reveals. An analysis by GetAgent.co.uk reveals a surge in price drops as sellers attempt to offset the rising tax burden and attract buyers. The study examined property listings to find how many sellers have lowered their expectations […]

Property Investors Award and property118

Property Investors Awards – New Property Investor of the Year

10th March 2025

With a property business inspired by her last name, Olivia Hornby is certainly on track for success. Winning New Property Investor of the Year at the Property Investors Awards was an unexpected surprise, but it has given her a huge confidence boost and opened doors to exciting new opportunities in the industry with her OOO […]

Lady Justice with UK flag and £20 notes symbolising court funding

Civil courts and property tribunals need more investment to handle Renters’ Rights Bill

10th March 2025

A firm warns without investment in the civil courts and property tribunals, landlords could be left in limbo in trying to regain possession of their properties. Proptech firm Reapit says, despite the government’s funding boost for criminal courts, more funding is needed for civil courts to tackle the growing backlog. The Ministry of Justice have […]

Two workers repainting an empty flat with a large golden question mark added.

Widowed tenant in care home permanently?

10th March 2025

Hi, I have a long term widowed tenant who went into a care home with dementia in August, for assessment. She has no children, and only a brother who is not our tenant. Her social worker has told me that she will be staying at the care home and not returning. They will be arranging […]

Woman considering buy versus rent with Zoopla graphic showing arrows and sign “Buy Cheaper Today”

It’s now cheaper for first-time buyers to buy than rent

10th March 2025

First-time buyers can save 20% when they buy their first home rather than renting, research reveals. Zoopla says that first-time buyers in Great Britain face average monthly mortgage payments of £1,038 – which is 20% less than the typical rent of £1,248. The calculation assumes a 20% deposit, amounting to £50,740, on a standard starter […]

Calendar with calculator, house symbol crossed out, and question mark about tenancy dates.

New tenant decided to not proceed with tenancy on start date?

10th March 2025

Hello, I would welcome any thoughts on this situation. An agreement was reached with a tenant applicant after he had viewed the flat. The applicant signed an AST agreement to commence a 6 month rental on 9th March. He had paid one weeks holding deposit and also paid a deposit of 5 weeks rent, which […]

Person pointing at lease extension search with modern apartment building.

Lease extension – tax implication?

10th March 2025

Dear All, I own a leasehold flat (56yrs remaining, owned in my personal name) in a converted house with 2 other flats in the building. Both of the other flats have long leases (>900yrs at peppercorn). The freeholder wants to sell his interest and issued a Section 5 notice last December. This has now expired […]

Scales balancing rental reforms against rising rents with money on one side

Industry body warns rental reforms could drive up rents and reduce supply

10th March 2025

Propertymark letting agents argue “overly restrictive regulations” will hurt supply and drive up rent prices. Propertymark members are warning members of the House of Lords that the Renters’ Rights Bill could make it difficult for people to find affordable housing and are urging Lords members to make sure the Bill “is fair and balanced for […]

Knight-themed Landlord Crusader logo symbolizing landlord advocacy

Renters’ Rights Bill sparks more chaos: Are landlords and letting agents doomed?

7th March 2025

It’s not even law yet but the dreaded Renters’ Rights Bill has spread its tentacles from landlords and tenants to letting agents. That might come as a surprise to lots of readers, but it appears that smaller agencies are taking their cue to leave the PRS now. According to Spicerhaart, small letting firms are scrambling […]

Model house on a calculator with Halifax logo, symbolising UK house price changes.

UK house prices dipped slightly in February – Halifax

7th March 2025

The average UK house price dipped in February by 0.1% to £298,602, though year-on-year prices rose by 2.9% – unchanged from January. Northern Ireland saw the highest yearly growth of 5.9% growth, with average prices at £205,784, and Scotland’s prices grew by 3.8%. Welsh properties saw a 2.8% increase, averaging £226,811, while Yorkshire and Humberside […]

Smiling landlord holding model house with thumbs up, Leaders Romans Group logo, and tenant communication symbols.

Tenants praise landlords but call for better communication – survey

7th March 2025

A tenant survey is overturning gloomy clichés about landlords to reveal a largely upbeat relationship with 55% of renters commending their landlords for delivering decent homes. The survey by Leaders Romans Group (LRG) shows that just 12% of tenants have an unfavourable opinion about their landlord. The figures in the January 2025 Lettings Report chimes […]