As widely predicted, and not this time following the US Federal Reserve, the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted 5-4 to reduce the Bank Base Rate by 0.25% to a total rate of 4.25%. Although it looked like a close vote, two MPC members wanted to reduce the rate by 0.5% points, and […]

The UK’s house prices edged up by 0.3% in April, reversing a 0.5% dip from March, bringing the average property value to £297,781, according to Halifax. This marks an increase of nearly £900, with the annual growth rate climbing to 3.2%, the highest this year. Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland led the UK in annual […]

Pepper Money has revealed it is returning to the buy to let mortgage market with a versatile range. Paragon Bank has also announced it is broadening its 80% loan-to-value (LTV) offerings, introducing product switches and further advances to support property investors. Pepper Money’s re-entry brings a landlord-focused range, accommodating both limited companies and individuals managing […]

Members of the House of Lords blast loopholes in the Renters’ Rights Bill that let landlords refuse pets. While some Lords criticised the bill for not going far enough to protect renters with pets, others urged caution, saying there needs to be a fair balance between landlords and tenants, and that the law should not […]

Most buy to let mortgage brokers are predicting a reduction in the Bank of England’s base rate today (8th May), a survey reveals. According to Landbay, 61% are expecting a 0.25% drop from the current 4.5% Base Rate. The poll, which questioned 119 mortgage intermediaries, revealed that 71% anticipate a rate cut, while 11% foresee […]

Hi, I need advice on my rights and who is responsible for the following. Two weeks ago, my tenant was forced to leave my flat as the local fire brigade said the building had failed the fire safety test and could not live there any more. I had to pay to accommodate the tenant in […]

The UK’s housing sector is under increasing pressure, with buyer interest waning and rental supply shrinking, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Its latest residential market survey for April points to economic uncertainty. Also, the recent end of a stamp duty holiday has dampened activity, while tenants face rising rents due to […]

Illegal short-term lets are on the rise in London, as the government hints at giving more powers to local authorities to clamp down on the problem. According to a report by Central London Forward, more than half of the 117,000 short-term lets listed across the capital in 2024 were booked for over 90 days in […]

Around 2.2 million potential first-time buyers have been unable to purchase a home since the 2006 financial crisis – and they face a lifetime of renting, a report reveals. According to a Building Societies Association (BSA) study, there were 7.2 million individuals or couples expected to become homeowners, but only 5 million succeeded, leaving millions […]

Hi, I had an independent check out and paid in advance £120 + VAT over six weeks ago through my agent. Firstly the report was not completed in the time advised and when I finally received the report, images were missing and details I had expected to be recorded were omitted eg, agent advised the […]

Several buy to let lenders have announced changes to their financing products and services, aiming to bolster the service they offer landlords. MT Finance has reduced rates across its BTL mortgage portfolio, unveiling a standout two-year fixed standard residential buy to let Tier 1 product at 2.99%, down from 3.19%. Its Tier 2 product now […]

A London council admits that “the majority of landlords do a good job” but still wants to introduce selective licensing to crack down on criminal landlords and help protect vulnerable tenants. Havering Council is running a selective licensing consultation that would require landlords in certain areas to obtain a licence, which could cost thousands of […]

The Labour government should slow down EPC reform to avoid a sell-off by landlords, claims Paragon Bank. The bank says the government’s EPC C targets for all private rented properties by 2030 risk rental supply, as landlords will simply sell up if they can’t complete the works on time. Paragon also urge the government to […]

An industry body warns the Renters’ Rights Bill could undermine the justice system and destabilise the private rented sector. Propertymark says that while letting agents are not opposed to reform, it must be carried out in a way that protects both landlords and tenants. The warning comes after members of the House of Lords raised […]

New mandatory sanctions checks for letting agents come into effect this month, aimed at cracking down on financial crime. The government is making it mandatory for letting agents to carry out sanctions checks on all prospective landlords at the point of instruction, and on all tenants before a tenancy agreement is finalised. However, research by […]

A London council has introduced a five-year initiative aimed at curbing illegal waste dumping throughout its borough with plans for prevention, stringent enforcement and community collaboration. The move by Merton council follows recent criticism of Sefton council which threatened landlords with an unlimited fine for failing to tackle fly-tipping. Now Merton’s Fly-Tipping Strategy 2024–2029, states […]

A Parliamentary petition to challenge selective licensing rules, claiming they are being exploited by councils for generating cash has been launched by a landlord. Simon Fletcher explains on the Portsmouth and District Private Landlords Association website that the 2015 government order, which broadened local councils’ powers to implement selective licensing, lacks proper Parliamentary oversight and […]

A London council has introduced a ‘Private Rented Sector Tenant’s Charter’ to clarify tenant entitlements, improve housing quality and provide accessible support. Westminster Council says that with nearly half of its households renting privately, the charter offers essential standards for rental properties. The charter addresses a range of topics such as damp, mould, illegal evictions […]

As you know, property investing can give you a fantastic income, but it does come with its fair share of problems. What if there was an “Alternative Property Investing Strategy” which could give you double digit returns on your investment, but with no tenants, no mortgages, no stamp duty, no solicitors, no repairs, and it […]

Nearly a third of renters claim they would risk moving in a pet or partner without permission from their landlord, according to a new survey. Data from Homeprotect reveals a surge in demand for pet-friendly rentals, with over 1,300 people searching for them each month in the UK. The news comes after a previous report […]

A council is set to revive limitations on letting boards across several residential areas after complaints from residents. Nottingham City Council says complaints have also been made by community groups and local councillors over the proliferation of signs. The areas where a ban is being considered includes Hyson Green and Arboretum, Lenton and Wollaton East, […]