Page 140 – Property118
Model house with pound symbol balloon symbolizing rising UK property prices

Demand pushes house prices to a record high

6th December 2024

House prices in the UK have climbed to a new record high, with the average property now costing £298,083, Halifax reveals. This marks a 1.3% increase from October and a 4.8% annual rise. Northern Ireland continues to lead the way with the strongest annual growth with prices going up 6.8%. Wales and the North West […]

BTL mortgage lenders announce rate cuts

6th December 2024

Several leading mortgage providers have introduced rate cuts across their buy to let mortgage products. Accord Mortgages has made reductions of up to 0.45% on certain three-year products for landlords, while two-year fixed rates have been lowered by up to 0.35%. Five-year fixed rates are also seeing a reduction of up to 0.20%. The new […]

Woman in red dress smiling while seated in an office chair.

Stamp duty hike looms large as buyers secure bigger discounts

6th December 2024

The looming stamp duty increase in April 2025 is prompting buyers to secure bigger discounts on property purchases, Hamptons reveals. As the deadline approaches, the market is seeing a surge in negotiated deals, particularly for homes priced below £1 million. Hamptons’ data reveals that the average buyer who had an offer accepted in November 2024 […]

Business leader highlighting landlord survey on broker expertise in tax and regulation

Landlords prioritise tax and regulatory expertise in broker choice

6th December 2024

Buy to let landlords are increasingly seeking mortgage brokers with expertise in tax and regulatory matters, a survey reveals. The findings from Butterfield Mortgages found that 38% of landlords did so – highlighting worries over the Labour Budget’s impact on the PRS. Those wants are followed by access to a wide range of flexible financial […]

Andy Hulme of Hyde Housing Association responding to Housing Ombudsman report

Housing association slammed by the Housing Ombudsman

6th December 2024

The Housing Ombudsman has published a scathing report criticising Hyde Housing Association for repeated failings in repairs, complaint handling and service charge enquiries. The investigation, prompted by a high rate of maladministration, uncovered a pattern of unreasonable delays, poor communication and inadequate redress. The report highlights several specific cases where residents suffered due to the […]

London skyline with modern office buildings and residential conversions along the Thames

Surge in commercial to residential conversions across England

6th December 2024

There has been a big increase in the conversion of commercial properties into residential units across England, research reveals. The findings from Direct Line landlord insurance reveal a 63% surge in change of use applications between 2021 and 2023. The rising trend is driven by factors such as the shift to remote work and the […]

Stressed landlord reviewing bills and finances with calculator on desk

Landlords face rising costs and challenges – English Private Landlord Survey

6th December 2024

A survey of England’s private landlords has unveiled a complex landscape marked by increasing costs and shifting landlord strategies. The English Private Landlord Survey found that nearly half of all landlords owned a single rental property, accounting for 21% of tenancies. However, a significant portion of the market was dominated by larger landlords, with 17% […]

Aerial view of suburban housing estate with Scottish flag showing 28,000 empty homes crisis.

SNP under fire for failing to tackle housing crisis as thousands of homes sit empty

6th December 2024

The Scottish Liberal Democrats have accused the SNP of a “massive failure” to tackle the housing crisis. A Freedom of Information request by the party revealed that more than 28,000 homes are sitting empty while homelessness in Scotland reaches record levels. The news comes after the Scottish government declared a housing emergency along with12 other […]

Webinar on inheritance tax changes for pensions hosted by WealthBuilders

Protecting Your Legacy: How to Navigate the New Inheritance Tax Rules on Pensions

5th December 2024

The Autumn Budget has introduced a major shake-up in inheritance tax (IHT) rules for pensions. These changes could significantly impact how you plan to pass on your wealth.  The question is: are you prepared to protect your family’s financial security?  WealthBuilders are hosting an exclusive live webinar on Tuesday 10th December, where I, the Founder […]

Stacked coins with model houses and Scottish flag illustrating budget impact on housing and landlords

Scottish Budget boosts housing investment but hikes tax on landlords

5th December 2024

In a blow to Scotland’s landlords, the Scottish Budget has raised the Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS) from 6% to 8%. The ADS, introduced in April 2016, applies to transactions involving the purchase of an additional residential dwelling over £40,000, including buy-to-let investments and second homes. The Scottish government also made a U-turn by increasing funding […]

Rent increase notice with calculator on top of tenancy letter

Rent increase for tenant in situ?

5th December 2024

Hi, I’m about to complete on a property that comes with a tenant-in-situ who has a periodic tenancy with the existing owner. His current rent is significantly under market rate and as part of my offer on the property, the current tenant agreed for the rent to be immediately increased to market rate. Am I […]

Person calculating housing expenses with receipts, calculator, and financial documents.

How do I increase my rent from a housing association?

5th December 2024

Hello, I have a house in NW London let to a well known housing association since 2020. It is now very underlet relative to private market rents which is particularly painful as my mortgage cost has tripled since the lease commenced. The initial contract was for a term of 3 years which expired in November […]

Property Redress 10th anniversary rebrand logo

Property Redress celebrates 10 years with rebrand

5th December 2024

The Property Redress Scheme, a leading independent redress provider for the UK property industry, is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a refreshed brand identity and a new website. It is now called Property Redress and since its inception in 2014, it has grown significantly to represent more than 20,000 member offices. The company has consistently […]

Happy dog and cat in a rental home highlighting pet-friendly landlord benefits

Landlords encouraged to accept pets as they cause less damage

5th December 2024

Pets cause less financial damage than tenants, according to new research. A report by the University of Huddersfield reveals that while pets can cause damage, the cost is more than 50% lower than the damage typically caused by tenants. Inventory Base is calling on landlords to take in pets after research finds only 7% of […]

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Letting agents increasing rates after NI increase?

5th December 2024

Our letting agents sent us a letter last week announcing an increase in the percentage rates they would be charging because of the National Insurance rates going up. We responded pointed out that the contract we had signed with them (some years ago, as we have a very long-term tenant) specified the percentage rates, so […]

Paul Shamplina celebrates winning Seminar Speaker of the Year 2024 with Ian Collins at awards ceremony

Paul Shamplina Wins ‘Seminar Speaker of the Year’ for a Record Fourth Time

4th December 2024

Paul Shamplina, Founder of Landlord Action and a leading voice in the UK’s property sector, has been awarded ‘Seminar Speaker of the Year’ at the National Landlord Investment Show Awards 2024. This milestone win marks the fourth time Shamplina has received the honour, having previously won in 2019, 2022, and 2023. The award, voted for by landlords attending the National Landlord […]

Lendlord logo representing property finance and landlord tools.

Leveraging Bridge Lending to Expand Your UK Property Portfolio

4th December 2024

Landlords in the UK face a range of challenges when managing tenancy agreements and ensuring the financial stability of their property investments. One financial tool that can help landlords navigate these challenges is bridge lending. Bridging loans can be an effective solution for landlords dealing with vacant periods, property improvements, or quick purchases. Let’s explore […]

Couple enjoying moving day while unpacking boxes in new home

Renters staying longer in homes despite insecurity concerns

4th December 2024

Despite the Labour government’s view that tenants face insecurity due to no-fault evictions, the English Housing survey reveals that renters are staying in their homes for longer. According to the 2023-24 English Housing Survey, private renters now spend an average of 4.6 years in their current home. This marks an increase from 4.4 years in […]

Rent increase notice with piggy bank showing financial strain

What will be the market rate for forthcoming Section 13 rent increases?

4th December 2024

Hello, When the Renters’ Rights Bill attains Royal Assent next year, and every application for Section 13 annual rent increase qualifies to be referred to the tribunal by your tenant for adjudication, what factors will judges determine a “Market Rate” to be (six months later)? Will they conduct a survey via Rightmove, use local housing […]

TML, Foundation and Landbay all reveal new BTL products

4th December 2024

The UK’s buy to let mortgage market is heating up, with several leading lenders introducing new products. First up is The Mortgage Lender (TML) which has expanded its BTL range with two new two-year fixed rate 75% LTV products and a new five-year fixed 75% LTV multi-loan product. The lender’s chief commercial officer, Steve Griffiths, […]