A London council has launched a tougher stance against landlords in the private rented sector by introducing stringent financial penalties to uphold housing quality. It has updated its Civil Penalty Notice (CPN) policy for dishing out financial fines under the Housing Act 2004. Haringey council says it will be targeting landlords who flout regulations with […]

Hello, I have been using an agent to let out a property as a four bed HMO so not needing a licence. However, last September my agent said it could be a five bed HMO and would need little or no work to comply but I would need to get a licence. I agreed to […]

House prices rose slightly last month but buyer demand is slipping, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) says. Its Residential Property Survey highlights a market grappling with the prospect of looming stamp duty rises and wider economic concerns. Also, enquiries from prospective home buyers have slipped. RICS says the latest data, which measures sentiment […]

Tenants in the private rented sector can access new energy efficiency funding to improve their homes. It’s part of the government’s accelerated rollout of the Warm Homes Plan to benefit up to 170,000 residences across England. The plan promises to bolster household finances by reducing energy bills and improving living conditions. The cash is aimed […]

Hello, As a landlord I have always believed it safe to allow one tenant on a weaker income as they are joint and separately liable. Sadly for many this is no longer true. Both tenants must be strong enough to pick up the rent alone. I received notice for the end of a tenancy and […]

Hello, here’s a salutary lesson. Having missed out on a property sold at auction at the beginning of February, I saw another house, less than a mile away on Rightmove. It was being marketed by a different auction house and was lot 1 in their auction. I contacted the auctioneers by email and registered for […]

Two leading buy to let lenders have unveiled updates to their BTL offerings, enhancing flexibility and affordability for property investors. Fleet Mortgages and YBS Commercial Mortgages have introduced changes aimed at supporting advisers, streamlining processes and delivering competitive financing for landlords. Fleet is offering a series of adjustments designed to ease landlord borrowing. Among them […]

Just 8% of rental homes in England are currently advertised as welcoming to pets, even with forthcoming legislation set to shake up the sector which will see see more pets being accepted by landlords, research reveals. According to Zero Deposit, out of 101,908 available listings, only 7,788 properties are flagged as suitable for animal residents. […]

One leading professional body is demanding a sharper focus from the Scottish government on tackling anti-social behaviour within the housing sector. It follows a comprehensive assessment by the Independent Working Group on Anti-Social Behaviour in Scotland. Propertymark is voicing its concerns over the group’s attention to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber). […]

The average cost of a home across England and Wales grew by £2,500, equivalent to a 0.7% rise to reach £357,300 in February, one index reveals. The analysis from the chartered surveyors e.surv, shows that the price rise marks the second consecutive month of growth. And that, the firm says, hints at a strengthening housing […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]