With landlords in England facing the prospect of not ‘unreasonably’ refusing a tenant the right to keep a pet under the Renters’ Rights Bill, research reveals that the UK’s dog population may have been underestimated by up to four million. A study by Dogs Trust, the University of Exeter and the University of Leeds found […]

There are more than 1.2 million individuals on social housing waiting lists and there’s an average wait time of nearly three years – but one region faces a wait of 25.75 years, research reveals. According to insurers Alan Boswell Group, which filed Freedom of Information requests, Greater London holds the unfortunate distinction of having the […]

Propertymark has voiced its support for updating the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, saying there’s a need to address contemporary issues. Those include Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards and better tenant safeguards against unjust maintenance claims in England and Wales. The organisation acknowledges the Act’s original intent to balance tenant security with landlord rights but suggests […]

Hi, my partner and I purchased a property in August 2024, it came with a freehold of the maisonette which is part of the same building. The maisonette will have been unoccupied for 8 years by March 2025, after the previous occupant passed away. Last week we had a company break into the property without […]

My son is heading to University in September and we’re looking at helping him buy a HMO in his own name. We’re looking at options for a five-bedroom HMO. He will take one room, rent out the others (around £80 a week each), and likely claim the rent-a-room allowance. We are currently trying to make […]

Hi, I have a number of ex local authority flats in London. I am having an increasing amount of complaints from tenants about the forming of mould on walls and ceilings. I’m of the belief that this is all lifestyle related. I accept however, that it is possible that there could be underlying issues. That […]

Seven in 10 landlords planning to expand their portfolios this year intend to buy new buy to let properties through a limited company, research reveals. A survey conducted for Paragon Bank reveals that 69% of these landlords will opt for this structure, the second highest figure recorded. Only a quarter of landlords will purchase in […]

From meeting at university to building a property business together — all while managing life with their one-year-old! Jake Colwill and Lucy Davies’s journey into the property world has seen them tackle tricky renovations and investment risks. Their hard work has now earned them HMO Property Investor of the Year at the Property Investors Awards. […]

Research reveals that 2.58 million homes in the private rented sector will need upgrading to meet an EPC C requirement. The findings from epIMS come after the government announced its EPC consultation which could see new tenancies having to meet the C Rating from 2028. For all tenancies, the deadline is 2030. However, the government […]

Bad Policy Example: From 2028, it is suggested that all new tenancies must have an EPC rating of ‘C’ or above, with all existing tenancies required to meet this target by 2030. Why is this bad Policy? 1. Millions of houses are below ‘C’ and won’t be a ‘C’ for 2028. These properties will then […]

Are you ready to discover how to build long-term wealth with commercial property even if you’re just starting out? WealthBuilders are hosting a free live webinar that will reveal practical strategies to help you find, fund, and grow a profitable commercial property portfolio no matter your level of experience. Whether you’re thinking about transitioning from […]

Rent increases in Scotland have accelerated since the introduction of rent controls in September 2022, rising faster and higher than before the legislation. That’s according to an analysis from DJ Alexander Ltd, Scotland’s largest letting agency, which reveals that between 2010 and 2022, one-bedroom flat rents rose by £138 (31.2%). In the two years following […]

Incentivising, rather than penalising good landlords, is the key to beating supply and demand issues, says Propertymark. According to Propertymark’s Housing Insight report, demand continues to outstrip supply with the average number of applicants per member branch still hitting around seven people for each available property. Propertymark members also told the report legislative changes are […]

Protected deposits in England and Wales have surged to £5.2 billion, a 6% rise, while Scotland’s total reached £203.6 million, a 7% increase, an annual report from TDS Group reveals. Despite a 1.3% dip in the number of protected deposits in England and Wales – now standing at 4,624,079 – the average deposit hit a […]

Hi, I’m having a terrible time with our tenant and we have issued a Section 21.  The tenant has been denying access to the house for some time hence S21. They recently (after S21) contacted the letting agent (LA) to say there are many repairs to be done, including electrical. The LA responded immediately, requesting […]

Our enquiry concerns a Lease Extension for a block of 6 flats in the centre of Aldershot with 84 years (of the original 125 years) remaining on all 6 leases. The 6 leasees each own an equal share of the freehold interest of the block. There is a Management Company Ltd which has been set […]

The second reading of the Renters’ Rights Bill in the House of Lords this week, has brought it one step closer to becoming law. Landlords across the country are weighing up their options and many are deciding enough is enough. It’s no wonder in the last month alone, more than 200 landlords have contacted Landlord […]

The detail of the government’s consultation on implementing an EPC rating of C in privately rented properties reveals a deadline of 2028 for new tenancies – NOT 2030. However, ALL tenancies will need to be EPC C compliant by 2030 – we have published the timeline and relevant definitions below. The government says this extended […]

Private landlords in England will need to upgrade their properties to meet a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C by 2030, under a consultation announced by the government. Nottingham landlord Mick Roberts has hit out at the government plans saying they ‘will simply increase rents and make tenants homeless’ – see his hard […]

Let’s be honest, the Conservatives did landlords in the UK no favours, but Labour are delivering something that is making me sit up and think. It appears that both political parties are dedicated to reducing the private rented sector, but I don’t think that anyone has thought about the consequences. I tuned into the Lords’ […]

January saw a strong start for the housing market, with house prices hitting record highs. According to Halifax’s House Price Index, house prices increased by +0.7% in January, following a dip of -0.2% in December. In a new record, the average house price reached £299,138 at the start of the year. Stamp duty changes looming […]