The latest official private sector rent statistics have revealed that rent controls introduced in Scotland in 2022 have not eased the housing crisis – but made it worse. That’s according to David Alexander, the chief of DJ Alexander, a leading lettings and estate agency. He argues that the policies outlined in the Housing (Scotland) Bill […]

A Disney-themed house in Wales has taken the crown as the most viewed property on Zoopla in 2024, while Scottish regions dominate the fastest-selling markets list. Zoopla’s annual review of user trends and buyer behaviour also reveals that this year saw a dynamic market with strong buyer interest. There was also a shift towards specific […]

Even though 74% of tenants are keen to own their own home, a new report highlights what landlords can do to attract and retain tenants. The Bricks to Belonging report by the OSB Group reveals that tenants are increasingly prioritising strong relationships with their landlords as they must rent for longer. In addition, tenants want […]

I had a tenant about to move in and then changed their mind which I agreed to if they found a replacement. They have already paid a month’s rent and the deposit. They told me they are not happy with an aspect of the flat. What is the best way to proceed with this and […]

Bradford has been named the nation’s least accessible rental market in a new report. According to tenant app Tlyfe, only 1.2% of rental properties in Bradford are currently listed to rent, with just 500 out of 42,700 private rental dwellings in the West Yorkshire city available. The Tlyfe report analysed current rental listings and compared […]

The never-ending onslaught of landlords, including the abolition of Section 21, tough EPC rules, and changes to stamp duty, have left landlords fed up and thinking of throwing in the towel. The Labour government is the final nail in the coffin for many landlords who are overwhelmed with all the rules and regulations and want […]

With not a lot to do I read the publication of the English Private Landlord Survey and found it was an eye-opening and sobering experience. In recent years, landlords have often been at the receiving end of criticism, with stereotypes painting us as profit-driven and neglectful. However, the survey provides a more nuanced picture, shedding […]

Private landlords in England and Wales will need to obtain Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) every time they rent to a new tenant, the government proposes. And landlords of HMOs will need a new EPC every time they rent out a ROOM to a new tenant. The consultation published by the government has a deadline of […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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% […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Hi, I purchased a property earlier this year through an auction with a tenant in situ. I changed the name of the landlord on the tenancy and myself and the tenant signed it. I am now trying to evict him via Section 21. However, I’ve recently found out when he moved into the property in […]

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 […]