A new campaign urges landlords and owners of Radio Teleswitch (RTS) electricity meters to accept meter upgrades from their energy suppliers urgently. The campaign, launched by a taskforce including Ofgem and Energy UK, aims to increase the rate of RTS meter upgrades before the radio signal is switched off on June 30 2025. RTS meters, […]

The High Court has declared the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) method of deducting rent payments from Universal Credit recipients unlawful. In the case of Roberts v The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the court ruled that the DWP’s failure to consult individuals before authorising deductions from their benefits is unfair. Following […]

Paragon Bank has launched a new buy to let mortgage platform designed to streamline the application process for brokers. Developed in collaboration with intermediaries over two years, the platform utilises AI and seamless data integration to deliver faster, more certain and transparent outcomes. The key features include: Certainty: An intelligent system tailors application requirements to […]

The average advertised rent of properties coming to market outside of London has fallen this quarter for the first time since pre-pandemic 2019, Rightmove says. The average advertised rent of a home outside of the capital is now £1,341, dropping by 0.2% compared with last quarter. While this equates to a drop of just £3 […]

Hi, I wonder if anyone from the Property118 community can help. I have served a Section 21 on a tenant and had all the documents checked by a legal firm and all is fine. However, the current Gas Certificate (CP12) has now expired and the tenant will not let the engineer in, to service the […]

There has been a rise in landlord optimism, despite the introduction of higher Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and the potential impact of the Renters’ Rights Bill. The latest Landlord Trends report from Pegasus Insight for the last quarter of 2024 shows that landlord confidence has increased year-on-year. The research shows that 37% of landlords express […]

Hello, I’m part of a block of leasehold flats with 51 units. Some flats are owned outright by residents, while others are rented either directly through family or via agents. At a recent Budget meeting, a tenant (renter) voiced an opinion and was rudely and belittlingly criticised by a leaseholder. I have a few questions: […]

It’s time to demand a landlord equality bill, where landlords are not discriminated against, with our character assassinated by a government that is making things worse for tenants. Discrimination takes many forms but financial discrimination is S24 where landlords are treated more harshly than any other business. The ridiculous claim that tenants are not responsible […]

The recent Upper Tribunal ruling in HMRC v Sonder Europe Ltd has sent shockwaves through the serviced accommodation sector. By disqualifying Sonder from using the Tour Operators’ Margin Scheme (TOMS), the decision imposes a heavy VAT burden on their operations and those of similar businesses. While this ruling creates immediate financial and operational challenges, many […]

Average house prices in Scotland rose by £11,613 over the past 12 months, reaching £195,036 in November 2024, data reveals. This represents a 6.3% annual increase, outpacing the 3.8% rise seen in England and Wales during the same period. The analysis by DJ Alexander Ltd, a lettings and estate agency, also highlights big regional variations. […]

London Councils is warning that rocketing homelessness in the capital is ‘pushing boroughs to the brink’, with unsustainable pressure on local services and budgets. The call comes as the cross-party group welcomes a new report from a Parliamentary committee highlighting the challenges for local authorities. The Public Accounts Committee found councils across England are at […]

There are big regional disparities for HMO landlords in the UK with Greater London boasting the highest average property value at £660,227. Though landlords in the North East enjoy the highest average yield of 15.4%. The property management and financial platform, Lendlord, says this inverse relationship between property values and yields presents investment opportunities. Its […]

First-time landlords are increasingly investing in northern England, capitalising on lower property prices and higher rental yields. That’s according to Fleet Mortgages’ latest Buy-to-Let Barometer which reveals that 25% of mortgage applications in the North East came from first-time landlords. Yorkshire and Humberside came next at 13%. The news follows a survey by Simply Business […]

The UK’s senior living rental sector is poised for a dramatic expansion, with private rental stock predicted to rocket by 150% over the next five years. That’s according to Knight Frank’s inaugural NextGen Living 2025 report. Researchers surveyed 56 leading institutional investors managing more than £60 billion in ‘living Sector assets. They found that the […]

Landlords across the country are facing a dilemma: with rising costs, new legislation, and market uncertainty creating a perfect storm, many landlords are left wondering — should I hold onto my properties or sell before it’s too late? The property market isn’t just changing — it’s transforming, and the choices you make today could define […]

Lambeth Council is facing a legal action after issuing eviction notices to hundreds of tenants living in properties rented on the private market. A resident of the Central Hill estate in south London has filed a claim for Judicial Review against the council. They argue that its decision to evict tenants from around 160 homes […]

If you’ve been enjoying affordable and flexible holiday lets in recent years, prepare for a potential shake-up. The recent HMRC v Sonder Europe Ltd ruling by the Upper Tribunal has sent shockwaves through the serviced accommodation industry. This decision redefines how VAT applies to businesses renting and subletting properties as holiday lets—and the fallout could […]

Letting body safeagent is urging the government to withdraw two new clauses from the Renters’ Rights Bill, warning they could restrict access to the private rented sector for vulnerable tenants. In a letter to Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook, the organisation expressed concern that Clauses 13 and 14 would disproportionately impact those with poor credit histories, […]

Housing affordability has improved over the past year because earnings growth is exceeding house price growth, Nationwide reports. The report highlights that house prices remain high relative to average earnings, with the first-time buyer (FTB) house price to earnings ratio (HPER) was 5.0 at the end of 2024. That’s much higher than the long-term average […]

More than half of landlords with properties with an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating below C are delaying essential upgrades to meet the government’s 2030 deadline, a survey reveals. According to Landbay, 58% of landlords with below-C rated properties are waiting until closer to the deadline to carry out the necessary work. The survey reveals […]

Hi Everyone, My daughter is at university and sharing a 3-bedroom HMO with two other tenants, and one is moving out. The remaining two tenants are happy to take over the tenancy and replace the leaving tenant’s share of the deposit. However, they have been told there are rules around HMOs if fewer than three […]