Page 119 – Property118
A dog and a cat alongside the Scottish flag and Dog trust logo

Charity demands stronger protections for renters with pets in Scotland

12th June 2025

A charity is urging the public to write to Scottish MSPs demanding more stronger protections for tenants with pets. Dogs Trust has welcomed the news of the Scottish Housing Bill passing stage two of scrutiny by a cross-party committee of MSPs. However, the charity is urging MSPs to go further and support amendments to the […]

Image of a rocket soaring up above a model house

Soaring house prices lock most people out of childhood hometowns

12th June 2025

A 74% surge in UK house prices over the past two decades, from £113,900 to £268,200, has made returning to childhood hometowns a distant dream for many Brits, research reveals. According to Zoopla, despite 52% of people expressing a desire to relocate to their roots, affordability barriers, particularly in southern regions, are proving insurmountable. In […]

Small building blocks with images of sustainability

Tenants will pay more for greener homes

12th June 2025

A new wave of eco-conscious tenants is transforming the UK’s PRS, with 92% of landlords noting a willingness among renters to pay a premium for environmentally friendly homes, research reveals. According to Handelsbanken’s Property Investor Report 2025, which surveyed 200 professional landlords and property investors, there’s a surge in demand for sustainable upgrades. These include […]

Chancellor delivering a speech on Britain’s economic future

Chancellor urged to help landlords and tenants in the Spending Review

11th June 2025

With Chancellor Rachel Reeves set to unveil the 2025 Spending Review today (11 June), a leading north London estate agent has urged the government to tackle the escalating housing crisis gripping the nation. Jeremy Leaf, a former residential chairman of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), warned that persistent shortages in both private and […]

Laptop showing a credit score report on a desk with pens and a book, a red question mark sign above a coffee cup

How to add the monetary judgement of the S21 possession order?

11th June 2025

Hello, one of the challenges landlords face is that credit references do not automatically capture the non-payment of rental arrears / costs following the S21 process. This invariably means that the credit referencing process is flawed and if anything exposes landlords to serial defaulters. While this challenge is well known (I have even seen videos […]

The word RENT on a yellow background with three small boxes showing images of a house, a percentage sign, and a hand holding a box with an arrow pointing down, with the Zoopla logo

Rent rises drop to a four-low as PRS cools – Zoopla

11th June 2025

The surge in UK rent prices has lost momentum, with annual growth dropping to 2.8% in April, the slowest pace since July 2021, Zoopla reveals. Its latest rental market report highlights a sharp decline from the 6.4% rise recorded a year ago, bringing the average monthly rent to £1,432. However, a shortage of available properties […]

A hand is going to touch a digital screen showing compliance, image of mould, and warning signs on a blue background

ResiSure and Awaab’s Law: Why a New Era of Property Compliance Starts Here

11th June 2025

In October 2025, a new chapter in UK property legislation begins. Awaab’s Law, a component of The Renters Rights Bill, will come into force, requiring social housing landlords to investigate damp and mould complaints within 14 days, provide written outcomes within 48 hours, and begin repairs within a week. Emergency hazards must be resolved within […]

Older people sitting around a table drinking tea with cakes and fruit in a basket, people standing in the background

Over-40s redefine HMO market

11th June 2025

A new trend is reshaping the HMO landscape as 11.5% of housemates are now aged 40 or older, according to research. The findings from COHO, a HMO management platform, show that far from being just for students or young professionals, shared accommodation is attracting a more diverse group. It has also found that Southampton has […]

A man in a shirt and tie with Keys on a keyring of a red house in his open hands

One in three Brits wants to be a BTL landlord

11th June 2025

A third of UK adults are keen on becoming buy to let landlords, defying perceptions of a waning market, research reveals. The findings from Market Financial Solutions of 2,000 adults found strong enthusiasm for property investment. The poll found that 33% of respondents aspire to own a BTL property, with the figure soaring to 54% […]

A businessman stamping a form and City of Westminster logo,

London council offers lifetime tenancies for social housing tenants

11th June 2025

A London council will ensure all of its social housing tenants receive lifetime tenancies in an initiative which replaces fixed-term agreements with secure, indefinite tenancies following introductory periods. The council aims to foster enduring community ties and provide residents with unparalleled stability. The policy shift by Westminster City Council was announced after a public consultation […]

A desk showing a tenancy agreement, keys, a house and the text be quick Renters Right Bill

Landlords urged to act early for the Renters’ Rights Bill

10th June 2025

The abolition of fixed-term tenancy agreements and replacing them with open-ended, periodic arrangements will redefine the dynamics between landlords and tenants, one PRS expert says. The change is part of the Renters’ Rights Bill which will allow renters to exit tenancies with just two months’ notice. Now, Allison Thompson, the national lettings managing director at […]

UK notes in front of a desk where a businessman is stamping papers

Licensing scheme gives council power to crack down on landlords

10th June 2025

A London council claims it will fine landlords more than £30,000 and allow tenants to reclaim up to 12 months’ rent if landlords fail to obtain the correct property licences. Wandsworth Council has announced a new selective licensing scheme and an additional licensing scheme for HMOs, with landlords able to apply for the required licences […]

HMO texts above a red arrow pointing down in a red box, approved sign next to a stamp sitting on official papers on top of a keyboard

HMO licence approvals drop by 6% across Britain

10th June 2025

The number of new House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licences approved across Great Britain fell by 6% in 2024, research reveals. According to Searchland’s latest data, local planning authorities issued 25,445 licences in 2023, but this figure dropped to 23,947 last year, a reduction of 1,498. Despite the national downturn, certain regions bucked the trend. […]

A hand turning a X button against EPC graph and text 2033 on black background

Scottish landlords brace for stricter EPC regulations by 2033

10th June 2025

Private landlords in Scotland face a big overhaul of energy efficiency requirements, with new proposals mandating that all privately rented homes achieve a minimum standard based on a revised Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) by the end of 2033. The Scottish Government’s consultation, released recently, outlines a phased approach, requiring new tenancies to comply from April […]

Small house with red X sign on top of white and red circles with Savills logo

Labour won’t hit housing target – Savills

10th June 2025

Labour will miss its goal of delivering 1.5 million new homes by 2028/29, with property experts Savills forecasting just 840,000 completions over the next five years. The big gap highlights challenges in boosting demand and overcoming construction constraints, despite recent planning reforms. According to Savills, the supply of consented land is expected to rise due […]

A gavel with red warning circle covering and official papers in the background

Government refuses to reveal Renters’ Rights Bill court impact assessment

9th June 2025

The government has refused to release the Justice Impact Test for the Renters’ Rights Bill, a crucial document detailing the legislation’s potential impact on the courts and tribunals. The decision has sparked concerns about openness in the legislative process. The news comes after Reapit, a property industry technology provider, sought access to the assessment through […]

Businessman with briefcase balancing on pencil between 2 playforms saying SSAS Pensions, a silver pound sign and blue sky backdrop

Pensions with Purpose: How SSAS Lending Fuels the Property Investment Community

9th June 2025

My team and I work with so many property investors and developers, and the continual feedback I get is that getting finance for deals is getting harder. Bridging finance can be a blessing and a curse. It’s a means to an end, but not without the considerable costs and stressful deadlines. Now imagine you could […]

A woman with a rucksack sitting on a bed

Flatshare supply grows despite landlord fears over Renters’ Rights Bill

9th June 2025

The flatshare market is experiencing a rise in available rooms, with January 2025 marking the highest month for advertisements in four years, according to SpareRoom. The flatsharing platform says that despite this growth, concerns linger among small landlords over the Renters’ Rights Bill – with many unprepared for the upcoming changes. From January to April […]

Photo of Belfast city centre with location pin and the text Belfast.

Belfast crowned as the UK’s premier investment hotspot

9th June 2025

Belfast has emerged as the leading location for property investors in the UK, according to a new analysis. It’s been carried out by Northern Irish estate agent, John Minnis, and its forecast highlights five regions poised for exceptional returns in the PRS. The Belfast metropolitan area benefits from persistent demand surpassing available properties. That’s driven […]

House in the middle of the ocean being hit by ferocious waves

The UK’s housing market faces recovery challenges

9th June 2025

The UK’s housing market is navigating turbulent waters following a sharp 28% drop in transactions in April 2025, an analysis from Knight Frank reveals. It says the turmoil was triggered by stamp duty rules that cut the nil rate band and increased the surcharge for additional properties. According to Tom Bill, the head of UK […]

White house with red roof, arrow pointing upwards, sold sign, and Rightmove logo

Housing market surges with record-breaking agreed sales

9th June 2025

Great Britain’s property market saw a big lift in agreed sales in May, marking the most active month since 2021 – and the highest since March 2022. According to Rightmove’s latest data, the surge reflects improved conditions, with home-movers undeterred by the recent stamp duty increase. Nationwide, the number of sales agreed rose by 6% […]