Page 130 – Property118
Rising house prices in London compared to Scotland’s housing stock value

London’s PRS is worth more than ALL of Scotland’s housing stock

18th February 2025

The UK’s total housing value reached £9.1 trillion, a record high, last year after a minor dip in 2023, according to Savills. Unmortgaged homeownership shows the largest growth since 2014, a 66% surge, to £1.36 trillion. It says that owner-occupier housing stock dominates in most regions, but in the capital, it’s the PRS which holds […]

Heat pump with Parliament and energy risk meter highlighting Labour policy debate

Labour pushes heat pumps on landlords but Parliament won’t install them

18th February 2025

Despite the Labour government urging landlords to install heat pumps, plans to install them in Parliament have been paused due to concerns over noise and power supply, which pose a “prominent risk,” the Telegraph reveals. According to the Telegraph, while there are currently three air-source heat pumps in the House of Commons buildings, no new […]

British pound symbol teetering on cliff edge with falling red chart in stormy background

Is the British Pound Being Herded to the Cliff Edge?

18th February 2025

The British pound is holding its own against the US dollar and the euro—but should it be? Given the economic chaos inflicted by Labour’s reckless policies, it makes no sense that sterling hasn’t plummeted. Are global financial players keeping the pound artificially afloat, only to let it drop off a cliff when it suits their […]

Text: Stacks of coins with house icons and a downward arrow showing UK property investment under £200,000

Top property investment cities for under £200,000 revealed

18th February 2025

Property investors looking for bargains should take a closer look at Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester which lead the UK for properties listed under £200,000, research reveals. While these cities offer tempting opportunities for investors, insurance experts at Pikl warn of potential risks. These include elevated crime rates, flood zones and structural concerns related to older […]

Coins stacked inside a green house outline with energy efficiency meter and grass background.

EPC rating for HMO with bills included?

18th February 2025

Hi, I have been a landlord for over 40 years. I own HMOs and the property in question is a grade 2 listed, end terrace, 4 bed maisonette with an EPC of D. My HMOs have bills included with no restrictions on useage. The property has a 5 year old combi boiler and the tenants […]

Lady Justice statue with scales symbolizing law and fairness in eviction debate

Landlords aren’t waiting for Section 21 abolition to evict tenants – claim

17th February 2025

As official figures show that no-fault evictions in England have risen, one law firm says that landlords aren’t waiting for the Renters’ Rights Bill to be implemented before evicting tenants. The new Bill would see Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions being abolished and the eviction rules will mean landlords can’t evict for arrears without giving three […]

Property expert warns landlords rushing Section 21 evictions before ban

Landlord exodus will see Section 21 claims hit record high

17th February 2025

Section 21 claims are set to hit unprecedented levels in 2025 as landlords race to regain possession of their properties before the Renters’ Rights Bill sees this eviction route banned. The warning comes from Paul Shamplina, the founder of Landlord Action, in response to the latest landlord possession figures released by the Ministry of Justice. […]

Edinburgh skyline with investment hotspot marker, highlighting property opportunities

The top 10 best property investment hotspots – Colliers

17th February 2025

Edinburgh has retained its top ranking for residential investment for the third time, according to an analysis by Colliers. The top four cities – Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and London – remained unchanged in its latest report. The real estate firm says that Reading has experienced a resurgence, climbing six places to fifth, boosted by burgeoning […]

Students collaborating in shared accommodation kitchen space

PBSA investment hit a record £3.9bn in 2024

17th February 2025

Investment in the UK’s purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) sector last year reached £3.87 billion, a 14% rise from £3.39 billion in 2023, Knight Frank reveals. The real estate firm says that the final quarter of 2024 saw nearly £575 million invested. Despite this surge, Q4 volumes fell short of expectations. Private sector plays a leading […]

Flowers on a coffin at a funeral with a question mark overlay symbolizing uncertainty

What are my legal options if my tenant has died?

17th February 2025

My tenant, who was on housing benefit, has died. The tenancy is in her name only. She had separated from her husband, but when she became ill both he and their daughter moved in to help her. What is their legal status now? Neither are on the tenancy agreement which is a regular Assured Shorthold […]

Modern apartment block with energy efficiency rating chart and sign urging landlords to know EPC rules

HMO landlords brace for chaos as EPC rules could tighten

17th February 2025

Changes to the EPC system could cause chaos for HMO landlords and short-term lets. Proposals in the EPC consultation suggest that HMO landlords may be required to have a valid EPC for the entire property, even when only a single room is rented out. Currently, an EPC is only required for an HMO when the […]

Lawyer reviewing legal documents with question mark and justice scales in background

Deed of variation – Simple enforceable document in law?

17th February 2025

Hello, What is the legal position when a new lessee takes over a property 5 years after a permanent boundary change is in place and was agreed in writing but one party (the lessee) subsequently dies before registering the deed of variation with Land Registry? Still ongoing for 5 years! My wife and I purchased […]

Rising house prices with stamp duty deadline approaching

House prices rise as stamp duty deadline approaches

17th February 2025

The average asking price for properties entering the market has risen by 0.5% this month, reaching £367,994, according to Rightmove.  This rise, equivalent to £1,805, is less pronounced than the rapid growth seen earlier in the year and falls below the long-term average February increase. This moderation reflects sellers’ awareness of heightened competition and the […]

Knight-themed Landlord Crusader logo symbolizing landlord advocacy

The looming cataclysmic EPC event for the private rented sector

14th February 2025

It’s been a hectic week for landlords with lots of EPC news – a consultation to bring in EPCs for new tenancies by 2028, all tenancies to have a new EPC by 2030 – all the while there’s a consultation about what EPC assessors will actually measure. You can’t make this up – and the […]

Falling interest rates for buy-to-let mortgages and property loans

BTL rate cuts made by more lenders

14th February 2025

It’s been a busy week for the nation’s buy to let lenders after the Bank of England base rate cut. More specialist lenders are stepping up to offer borrowers better deals, with significant rate reductions across buy to let and commercial mortgages. CHL Mortgages for Intermediaries has dropped rates by up to 17bps on its […]

Wooden houses in a hand with rising percentage signs symbolising landlord property ownership growth.

Landlord company ownership doubles in five years

14th February 2025

Property ownership by landlords within limited companies has surged, more than doubling in the past five years, research reveals. According to Foundation Home Loans’ Q4 landlord research, new property acquisitions are now almost exclusively conducted through these structures. In early 2020, 36% of properties were held this way, rising to 74% by late 2024. The […]

Digital product transfer concept with laptops, files, and percentage symbol representing Landbay’s new BTL service

Landbay unveils streamlined BTL product transfers

14th February 2025

Landbay has introduced a new product transfer service for buy to let mortgages, offering brokers and landlords increased efficiency and choice. The platform allows brokers to initiate a rate switch for clients up to three months before their current term expires, using a fully digital and automated system. The service aims to deliver savings by […]

Red house with rising rent graph and "For Rent" sign representing rental market growth

Rent boom predicted for the ‘Silicon Valley of Europe’

14th February 2025

The government’s plan to establish a ‘Silicon Valley of Europe’ along the Oxford-Cambridge Arc could cause local rent prices to rocket by as much as 23% within the next year, one firm predicts. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, recently outlined proposals to revitalise the region, coupled with ongoing development of the proposed East West […]

Man holding eviction notice marked invalid with question mark symbol

Incorrect Solicitors Advice on How to Rent Guide and Prescribed Information?

14th February 2025

Hello, I’m seeking advice from my fellow landlords, PRS and s21 notice experts on a disagreement with my solicitors regarding the validity of my s21 notice to my tenants. Barely a week to the expiry of the s21 notice (from all indications tenants do not plan to move out by the date of expiry, so […]

Damaged bathroom with debris and missing fixtures under renovation dispute

Tenant removing my bathroom to sell?

14th February 2025

Hello, I am going through a S21 and the tenant claims they will not leave until evicted. I have just been shown several social media posts where they are living elsewhere. Furthermore, they have listed the bathroom in my house for sale. In the post, they confirm they are no longer living there and have […]