Page 126 – Property118
Aerial view of Hull with “Affordable” marker highlighting rental prices

Hull is the cheapest city for renters in the UK

31st January 2025

Hull is the most affordable city for renters, according to Rightmove. It found that the average advertised rent in the city is £799 – that’s nearly half the national average of £1,526. Rightmove says that Carlisle (£816) and Wrexham (£817) follow as the second and third most affordable cities, respectively. Other affordable cities for rent […]

Man preparing checklist of questions for Labour MP on landlord and housing policies

Points and questions for my Labour MP – Have I missed anything?

31st January 2025

Hello, I am having my first video call with our local Labour MP later this week. I have sent an email before our discussion. Let me know if I have missed anything? Please see the email below: Government policies are inadvertently contributing to homelessness and increases in house prices and rents Landlords operating in the […]

Man walking out door with Scottish flag and "lost" sign, symbolizing landlords leaving Scotland’s rental sector

More than 50,000 homes lost from Scotland’s PRS due to landlords leaving

31st January 2025

More than half of Scottish landlords (53%) plan to leave the sector due to rent control proposals and hostility towards landlords from the Scottish government, according to a new report. A survey by the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) reveals that concerns over increasing regulation have led to a loss of more than 50,000 homes […]

Comparison of leasehold and freehold property ownership with a question about selling a house

Should I extend the lease or buy the freehold before selling?

31st January 2025

Hi, I am looking to sell my vacant leasehold BTL terraced house, and the lease has just over 84 years remaining. The estate agents are advising me to extend the lease due to ‘lenders’ requirements.’ I was going to sell it as it is, which reflects in the asking price but also thinking to buy […]

Family in temporary shelter seeking housing support during crisis

Councils appeal to private landlords to help with housing crisis

31st January 2025

Two councils are urging private landlords to collaborate on initiatives to help find homes for homeless people and families in their areas. Mansfield District Council has launched a scheme to partner with landlords to reduce homelessness. The aim is to help those who are registered as homeless and currently in temporary residences – a report […]

Happy family sitting together in their home symbolizing good landlord-tenant relationships

Landlords provide good quality homes says majority of tenants

31st January 2025

Despite the media narrative, more than half of tenants (54%) feel landlords do provide good quality housing, according to a new report. The findings from Leaders Roman Group also show that 60% of tenants feel landlords are being unfairly portrayed, a view shared by many landlords themselves. The news comes after a previous study by […]

Housing estate with safety warning and regulator grading highlighting council failures

Another council hit for housing safety failures by regulator

30th January 2025

A council has received a C3 regulatory grading from the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) due to breaches of consumer standards. The criticism of Portsmouth City Council focuses on the safety and quality of its homes. This comes after RSH criticised Newcastle City Council for numerous issues, including having more than 1,800 outstanding repair requests […]

Golden house model and sold sign on stacked coins symbolising UK housing market growth.

UK housing market sees strongest start in three years – Zoopla

30th January 2025

The UK’s housing market has seen its strongest beginning in three years, with new sales agreements surging 12% compared to 2024, Zoopla reveals. Its latest House Price Index shows that buyer demand has grown by 13%, and the number of available properties has risen by 10%. This surge in activity is bolstering house price inflation, […]

Model house with floating coins and rising rent percentage indicator

Rents soar over 10 years by up to 72%

30th January 2025

The rise in rents across England and Wales over the past decade shows that the most dramatic increase was for tenants in Salford, research reveals. The findings from Tlyfe, a tenant app launched by OpenBrix, highlights that Salford’s rents grew by 72.4%. The study, based on government data, shows average rents in England have climbed […]

Worried landlord checking phone after serving Section 21 eviction notice

Unable to reach tenant after serving Section 21?

30th January 2025

Hi, I served a Section 21 about a month ago because of late rent payments and other problems with the tenant. After the notice, I have not heard anything from the tenant and even if I try to reach them, there is no response on emails, phone is switched off. Often, the tenant has not […]

Man holding a question mark above his head beside a model house sign reading "To Let"

What would you do? Newbie landlord looking for advice!

30th January 2025

Dear landlords, first off, please excuse any initial ignorance on my behalf as this is fairly new territory. I have been reading articles and have a book to hand called “How to Be a Landlord” by Rob Dix to read. However, I would dearly like to tap into your experience and gather your opinions of […]

Floor plan of a flat showing two bedrooms, living area, kitchen, and bathroom layout.

Did I purchase a leasehold flat with one bed or two beds?

30th January 2025

In August 2001, I bought a flat advertised as a 2 bedroom flat, so now 24 years later the new Freeholder who acquired the Freehold title in 2003 claims that the conversion was illegal and his consent was not taken. I explained to him that I bought the flat in cash without needing a mortgage […]

Text: Property118 and Property Investors Awards 2024 winners announcement with trophies displayed

Property Investors Awards – Property Trader of the Year

29th January 2025

Starting his property journey in a bedroom to building a thriving property business, Abrar Shah’s journey into property investment has been nothing short of extraordinary. His journey has now seen Buy Investment Properties LTD win Property Trader of the Year at the Property Investors Awards. It hasn’t always been plain sailing for Abrar and his […]

Stressed landlord at laptop with smoke rising, symbolizing pressure from Scottish rent controls and taxes

Scottish PRS faces tax and rent control challenges

29th January 2025

Scottish residential lettings site, Citylets, says the nation’s private landlords are facing a range of challenges this year. It points to political developments and a market returning to pre-COVID seasonal trends. However, the Housing (Scotland) Bill, which successfully cleared its initial Parliamentary hurdle, could see a move to cap rent rises between tenancies. That would […]

Key labeled mortgage with house model, percentage sign, and limited edition badge.

Two BTL lenders expand mortgage options

29th January 2025

CHL Mortgages has expanded its limited edition buy to let range, introducing new higher fee options on its two-year and five-year fixed-rate products at 75% LTV. This move aims to increase access to higher LTV mortgages for landlords. The CHL’s core product range has also seen rate reductions of up to 30bps, with two-year fixed […]

Stacks of coins with plants growing in front of modern office building symbolizing commercial property growth

Commercial property investment surges as interest rates fall

29th January 2025

There has been a big increase in demand for commercial property investment compared to the same period last year, coinciding with recent interest rate reductions by the Bank of England, Rightmove says. The platform points out that the surge reflects a continued recovery in the investment sector as opportunities become more affordable and appealing. Its […]

Landlord walking away after selling property, symbolizing UK housing crisis.

Landlords selling up is fuelling the UK’s housing crisis

29th January 2025

A Parliamentary report has underlined the critical connection between inadequate Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates and the mounting risk of evictions. The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee used crucial data from Reapit, a leading property technology provider. Reapit’s analysis found that nearly 70% of property professionals had issued Section 21 eviction notices due to […]

Man stressed over rent payments while partner looks worried in background

Tenants still struggling despite slowing rent growth warns charity

29th January 2025

A debt charity is warning that tenants are facing ongoing financial difficulties, despite new data pointing to the slowest increase in private rents since 2021. Stepchange says that Rightmove’s rental tracker offers little relief in rent inflation as rents are 4.7% higher than they were a year ago. Research carried out by StepChange reveals that […]

Keys held above open hand with question mark symbolizing tenant landlord dispute

Tenant given notice but not handed back keys or taken belongings?

29th January 2025

An awkward tenant, has thankfully, decided to move on and handed written notice, which expired a few days ago in accordance with the tenancy agreement (NRLA). They said that they were moving out and left ahead of their notice expiring saying they would return to collect their belongings including some furniture. They still owe for […]