Page 131 – Property118
People holding bubble cards and Housing Ombudsman

Housing Ombudsman urges social landlords to improve communication

25th April 2025

The Housing Ombudsman says it is crucial for social landlords to refine their communication strategies to prevent the unintentional stigmatisation of residents and foster trust. The guidance is part of a series for meeting the upcoming Awaab’s Law, which is set to take effect in the social housing sector in October. The report highlights four […]

Bank notes being passed between to hands, a yellow question mark and Section 20

Can a managing agent skip a Section 20 notice?

25th April 2025

I own a leasehold flat in a building with four flats. The managing agent for the Freeholder is useless yet is charging us around 25% per annum fees though they say they are not commission based. The lease doesn’t specify a maximum cost, just allows for ‘reasonable’ expenses. I just got the latest fee account […]

Two students in student accommodation and UK bank notes

Student accommodation and BTR shine as the safest property investments

25th April 2025

The UK property market is showing remarkable resilience, with student accommodation and Build to Rent (BTR) emerging as the most secure investment options, research reveals. That’s according to Excellion Capital’s latest investment yields index which reveals that these sectors boast yields below 5%. That, the firm says, signals high asset values and dependable income streams, […]

A green background and a figure of a person running towards an exit door

PRS faces shift as landlords sell up to avoid new regulations

25th April 2025

The private rented sector is seeing landlords sell up in the face of tighter government regulations and escalating financial pressures, a study reveals. The property lender Together, says rising taxes, such as Capital Gains Tax, coupled with the potential impact of the Renters’ Rights Bill, are forcing landlords to quit. However, it says that the […]

Multi coloured small figures surrounding a wooden model house with HMO on the roof and a red question mark

Section 257 – Flat above HMO?

25th April 2025

I own an HMO with 10 bedrooms. Each bedroom has a shower and toilet, and recreation and kitchen areas are shared. Above the HMO there is a 2 bed flat converted within the attic some 30 years ago. The flat has a separate entrance into the building and a separate entrance to the flat itself […]

A mattress and leather armchair dumped in a field with a yellow warning no fly tipping sigh

Council slammed for holding landlords responsible for tenants’ fly-tipping

24th April 2025

A council has been slammed for threatening landlords with an unlimited fine for failing to tackle fly-tipping. Sefton council has warned landlords they must make proper arrangements for their tenants to dispose of rubbish until the designated collection day or face a fine. The council warns on their website: “If landlords, or their tenants, don’t […]

A person holding an Eviction notice and Green Party logo

Labour blasts Green Party over hypocrisy in Section 21 eviction row

24th April 2025

A Green party councillor has come under fire for issuing a Section 21 notice, despite the party’s pledge to ban no-fault evictions. According to The Guardian, William Pedley, who is standing in the upcoming local elections for the Victoria ward in North Northamptonshire, served the Section 21 notice to his tenant. However, the move has […]

Paul Shamplina Talkin Property

Paul Shamplina launches Talkin’ Property for straight-talking landlord advice

24th April 2025

A new no-nonsense property channel offering advice for landlords and tenants has launched. Paul Shamplina, founder of Landlord Action, has launched a dedicated YouTube channel called Talkin’ Property. From interviews with industry legends to sharing personal lessons and experiences, viewers can expect insights from the worlds of property, boxing, business, and beyond, cross-pollinating ideas in […]

Businessman tearing paper with Scottish flag and words “Rent Controls”

Scottish government considers rent control exemptions for landlords

24th April 2025

Scottish landlords are being urged to take part in a consultation on rent control exemptions. The Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) has welcomed the consultation on which properties should be exempt from rent controls having previously warned that rent caps will backfire. The Scottish Conservatives call the consultation an admission that “rent controls don’t work” […]

A welcome mat with boots and a question mark

Is allowing my tenant’s friend to stay temporarily a problem?

24th April 2025

Hi, I am renting a property to my daughter on an Assured Short Hold Tenancy (AST). She would like her friend to move in with her temporarily (about 3 months) she will be sleeping on a sofa bed and helping out with rent and bills. I have a few questions about how I need to […]

tools and DIY sign

Landlord maintenance costs skyrocket as landlords turn to DIY to fix damage

24th April 2025

Landlord maintenance costs have soared as disputes over who’s responsible for repairs continue to rise. According to Towergate Insurance, landlord maintenance costs have increased by more than 26% since 2022 to more than £1,300 per year. More than half of landlords (59%) have had a dispute with tenants over who is responsible for property repairs. […]

A wooden block home, a Mortgage sign, New and a person in the background

Landlords boosted with new BTL mortgages and refurbishment loans

24th April 2025

Several buy to let lenders have introduced innovative mortgage products and refurbishment loans tailored for landlords and brokers. These offerings, launched by Coventry for Intermediaries, Keystone Property Finance, Aldermore and United Trust Bank (UTB), provide enhanced flexibility and competitive rates. Coventry has unveiled its limited company buy to let mortgages, enabling landlords to hold properties […]

A man sitting at a desk holding his head, a laptop and bookcase and a Question mark

Is it worth going back to self-managing my rental properties?

24th April 2025

Hi, I have always managed my properties (3) myself until my wife became ill and the regulations seemed to get very complex. I am nearing retirement and thinking of going back to self management as it seems daft to pay someone 10% to answer the phone from the tenant and then call me to get […]

The Houses of Parliament building next to a yellow banner saying Renters Rights Bill and speech bubbles

Lords clash over Renters’ Rights Bill in committee stage

23rd April 2025

Members of the House of Lords clashed over the Renters’ Rights Bill in stage one of the committee stage. Baroness Scott of Bybrook has criticised the Renters’ Rights Bill, warning it fails to strike a balance between landlords and tenants and could reduce the supply of rental homes. However, Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, Parliamentary Under-Secretary […]

A large house with an EPC graph and the word Excemption

Labour considers EPC C exemptions for listed buildings

23rd April 2025

The Labour government could relax energy-efficiency rules and allow listed buildings to be exempt from EPC C targets, claim The Telegraph. The news comes after Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband announced all private rented properties would need to meet EPC C targets by 2030, and by 2028 for new tenancies. This will […]

Students sitting together on stairs and Renters' Rights Bill

Industry body warns periodic tenancies will create chaos for students

23rd April 2025

An industry body has warned periodic tenancies could “leave students with no place to stay.” Under the Renters’ Rights Bill, all tenancies will become periodic, which means all tenancies will be ongoing unless terminated by either party with a two-month notice period. However, Propertymark argues this will cause chaos for students and student landlords as […]

4 multi coloured model homes on stacked coins

Landlords to continue thriving despite the Renters’ Rights Bill?

23rd April 2025

The private rented sector continues to flourish, with landlords poised to maintain profits despite the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Bill, one firm says. According to a study by FCC Paragon, the legislation will not lead to lower rents, ensuring PRS landlords will remain financially robust. It says the average monthly rent in Great Britain […]

Parking sign

Small Sites Metric and Biodiversity Net Gain?

23rd April 2025

What a joke. I have been asked to get someone to complete a Small Sites Metric (SS report for a new build. We want to pave a part of the front garden (already part paved) to provide 1 x car park space for a disabled vehicle. Part of the front is already paved, so the […]

Wooden blocks spelling out Mortgage. money bags, a home, New way sign, and plants in the background

TMW eases BTL rules and Molo cuts rates

23rd April 2025

The Mortgage Works (TMW) and Molo have introduced changes to their buy to let offerings, streamlining processes and enhancing affordability for landlords. TMW has revolutionised its approach to limited company landlords by eliminating the requirement for all mortgage applicants to hold directorships. Now, applications are welcomed from shareholders owning at least 20% of the company’s […]

A businessman crossing hands infront of him and a person sitting opposit passing papers to sign

Lease extension s61 rights?

23rd April 2025

My Wife owns a small rented flat. Terms agreed with Freeholder for lease extension under the Leasehold Reform Act 1993. The act gives statutory powers to the Freeholder to obtain possession for redevelopment with compensation under s61. The Freeholder’s solicitor insists on a new clause that gives a Leasehold Reform Act 1993 and pay compensation. […]