First-time buyers are rushing to complete property purchases before the stamp duty increase comes into effect in April, Hamptons reveals. It says that the share of homes bought by first-time buyers across Great Britain surged to a record 31.8% in November and December 2024, driven by the impending tax changes. The Autumn Budget announced a […]

Half of the UK’s 30 million homes increased in value in 2024 as house prices returned to growth following a decline in 2023, research from Zoopla reveals. It points to weak buyer demand, driven by higher borrowing costs as contributing to the 2023 price drop. A total of 15 million UK homes saw a value […]

Last year saw landlords struggle with a huge rise in tenancy fraud, particularly in London, research reveals. The findings from Homeppl, a tenant referencing platform, found that its technology helped clients avoid £16.9 million in losses due to fraud. It says that for every £1 spent on the firm’s technology, clients saved £22.60. The biggest […]

The latest Scottish Housing Survey underscores the distinct roles played by the private rented sector (PRS) and social housing in Scotland, a property expert says. David Alexander, the chief executive officer of DJ Alexander Scotland, says the survey highlights the need for a housing system that caters to the diverse needs and aspirations of its […]

Millions of people in England are struggling with housing insecurity, according to a new study by Shelter. The charity’s research highlights that two-thirds (67%) of those questioned have struggled with housing challenges in the past year. It says this translates to nearly 20 million people across the country. The charity claims that the high cost […]

Hi all, I’m seeking advice on an issue regarding my short-let/Airbnb property. Last month, I listed my purpose-built flat as a short-let. While I’ve only received about five bookings so far, along with some upcoming reservations, I find comfort in having control over the flat compared to traditional renting. The decision to pursue short-lets stems […]

The NRLA has slammed the Welsh Government’s “absurd plans” to pay compensation to tenants. A recommendation from the Senedd’s Housing and Local Government Select Committee could force landlords to pay tenants up to two months’ rent as compensation if they need to sell or move back into their property. The NRLA has criticised the move, […]

I have been a landlord for over 20 years now. I have only used Section 21 twice in all that time. Once was for a tenant who failed to pay rent on time, and then things got worse. He and his wife had separated with the wife going into emergency accommodation with 3 small children. […]

Hi Guys, I am wondering if you are able to help with this situation: I signed a tenancy agreement back in January 2015 and collected 6 weeks deposit with the rent of £1,075 per month and collected deposit of £1,600. I increased the rent twice – once in April 2019 from £1,075 to £1,200 and […]

A frustrated landlord who has attempted to license his property says a council’s website error could result in him having to pay twice. Mick Roberts, one of Nottingham’s largest landlords housing benefit tenants, told Property118 he had received a letter from Nottingham City Council requesting more information regarding his selective licensing application. Mr Roberts explains […]

With the Renters’ Rights Bill returning to Parliament this week, a landlord organisation is warning of unintended consequences the Bill will bring to the private rented sector. ihowz say they are concerned over several amendments in the Bill including restrictions on when landlords can request a guarantor and limits on advance rent payments. The Bill […]

House sellers in England and Wales saw their average profit slip below £100,000 last year, down from a record high in 2022, research reveals. According to Hamptons, the average household sold their home for £91,820 more than they paid, representing a 42% gross profit – but that’s the lowest return in more than a decade. […]

Anxiety over the Renters’ Rights Bill is mounting among property agents as it reaches its Report Stage in the House of Commons this week, Propertymark says. The professional body found that 50% of agents are concerned about the bill’s potential impact, including increased administrative burdens and broader consequences for the private rented sector. Beyond the […]

Landlords in London are being warned by the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) to thoroughly vet tenant documents after a series of forged payslips were presented to them. Would-be scammers have submitted fake payslips and employment contracts claiming to be from Revolugen Ltd, a Glossop-based company. Revolugen has confirmed that it is contacted weekly by […]

Short-term lets should not be blamed for the housing crisis in Scotland, according to new research. Data by BiGGAR Economics reveals that short-term lets boost Scotland’s economy by £154m Gross Value Added (GVA) per year, supporting 5,580 jobs in Edinburgh alone. According to the report, short-term lets only make up 1% of all homes in […]

2024 was a tough year for landlords, with Labour winning the general election and introducing new legislation that will make it even more difficult for landlords to operate in the sector. The introduction of the Renters’ Rights Bill, EPC upgrades back on the cards, and the Budget all contributed to the strain, and left many […]

Like the proverbial bad penny, the unwelcome return of the Renters’ Rights Bill to Parliament next week is not to be celebrated. The countdown to the doom of the private rented sector will begin in earnest and we’ll see which amendments look like becoming law. A law that could be in place by the summer. […]

An analysis of more than 322,000 homes currently listed for sale found that 113,612 properties have seen the asking price being reduced – that’s around 35% of the market. The findings from eXp UK, the platform for personal estate agents, reveal that Norfolk emerged as the region with the highest proportion of price-reduced homes, with […]

Scotland’s housing market ended 2024 with a quiet finish, experiencing a modest recovery throughout the year. Data from chartered surveyors Walker Fraser Steele shows that while prices reached record highs in some areas, overall growth remained subdued. November saw a slight decline in average prices, dropping £1,400 (-0.6%) from October, leaving the average price at […]

Social housing tenants who engage in anti-social behaviour (ASB) should face the threat of eviction, claims MP. Lee Anderson, Reform MP for Ashfield, told a Westminster Hall debate the threat of eviction could transform offenders into good social housing tenants. Labour says tackling anti-social behaviour is a priority for the government, and the Renters’ Rights […]

Rents for rooms in London have fallen for the fourth consecutive quarter in Q4 2024, according to the latest SpareRoom rental index. This marks the largest drop in the capital’s rents since Q1 2021. The average room rent in London fell by 2% in Q4 2024, from £1,015 to £993. The platform says that SW3 […]