The Bank of England’s recent base rate drop, coupled with declining swap rates, hints at improved BTL mortgage affordability, Octane Capital says. Its analysis reveals a downward trend in swap rates this year. Following the base rate cut to 4.5%, the average five-year swap rate reached 4.16%, lower than the 4.23% average between the Autumn […]

The UK’s total housing value reached £9.1 trillion, a record high, last year after a minor dip in 2023, according to Savills. Unmortgaged homeownership shows the largest growth since 2014, a 66% surge, to £1.36 trillion. It says that owner-occupier housing stock dominates in most regions, but in the capital, it’s the PRS which holds […]

Despite the Labour government urging landlords to install heat pumps, plans to install them in Parliament have been paused due to concerns over noise and power supply, which pose a “prominent risk,” the Telegraph reveals. According to the Telegraph, while there are currently three air-source heat pumps in the House of Commons buildings, no new […]

The British pound is holding its own against the US dollar and the euro—but should it be? Given the economic chaos inflicted by Labour’s reckless policies, it makes no sense that sterling hasn’t plummeted. Are global financial players keeping the pound artificially afloat, only to let it drop off a cliff when it suits their […]

Property investors looking for bargains should take a closer look at Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester which lead the UK for properties listed under £200,000, research reveals. While these cities offer tempting opportunities for investors, insurance experts at Pikl warn of potential risks. These include elevated crime rates, flood zones and structural concerns related to older […]

Hi, I have been a landlord for over 40 years. I own HMOs and the property in question is a grade 2 listed, end terrace, 4 bed maisonette with an EPC of D. My HMOs have bills included with no restrictions on useage. The property has a 5 year old combi boiler and the tenants […]

As official figures show that no-fault evictions in England have risen, one law firm says that landlords aren’t waiting for the Renters’ Rights Bill to be implemented before evicting tenants. The new Bill would see Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions being abolished and the eviction rules will mean landlords can’t evict for arrears without giving three […]

Section 21 claims are set to hit unprecedented levels in 2025 as landlords race to regain possession of their properties before the Renters’ Rights Bill sees this eviction route banned. The warning comes from Paul Shamplina, the founder of Landlord Action, in response to the latest landlord possession figures released by the Ministry of Justice. […]

Edinburgh has retained its top ranking for residential investment for the third time, according to an analysis by Colliers. The top four cities – Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and London – remained unchanged in its latest report. The real estate firm says that Reading has experienced a resurgence, climbing six places to fifth, boosted by burgeoning […]

Investment in the UK’s purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) sector last year reached £3.87 billion, a 14% rise from £3.39 billion in 2023, Knight Frank reveals. The real estate firm says that the final quarter of 2024 saw nearly £575 million invested. Despite this surge, Q4 volumes fell short of expectations. Private sector plays a leading […]

My tenant, who was on housing benefit, has died. The tenancy is in her name only. She had separated from her husband, but when she became ill both he and their daughter moved in to help her. What is their legal status now? Neither are on the tenancy agreement which is a regular Assured Shorthold […]

Changes to the EPC system could cause chaos for HMO landlords and short-term lets. Proposals in the EPC consultation suggest that HMO landlords may be required to have a valid EPC for the entire property, even when only a single room is rented out. Currently, an EPC is only required for an HMO when the […]

Hello, What is the legal position when a new lessee takes over a property 5 years after a permanent boundary change is in place and was agreed in writing but one party (the lessee) subsequently dies before registering the deed of variation with Land Registry? Still ongoing for 5 years! My wife and I purchased […]

The average asking price for properties entering the market has risen by 0.5% this month, reaching £367,994, according to Rightmove.  This rise, equivalent to £1,805, is less pronounced than the rapid growth seen earlier in the year and falls below the long-term average February increase. This moderation reflects sellers’ awareness of heightened competition and the […]

With the Bank of England cutting interest rates down to 4.5% and demand for homes increased by 13% in January 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, now is a great time for fed-up landlords to take advantage of a favourable housing market. It’s great news for anyone who has been waiting for the […]

It’s been a hectic week for landlords with lots of EPC news – a consultation to bring in EPCs for new tenancies by 2028, all tenancies to have a new EPC by 2030 – all the while there’s a consultation about what EPC assessors will actually measure. You can’t make this up – and the […]

It’s been a busy week for the nation’s buy to let lenders after the Bank of England base rate cut. More specialist lenders are stepping up to offer borrowers better deals, with significant rate reductions across buy to let and commercial mortgages. CHL Mortgages for Intermediaries has dropped rates by up to 17bps on its […]

Property ownership by landlords within limited companies has surged, more than doubling in the past five years, research reveals. According to Foundation Home Loans’ Q4 landlord research, new property acquisitions are now almost exclusively conducted through these structures. In early 2020, 36% of properties were held this way, rising to 74% by late 2024. The […]

Landbay has introduced a new product transfer service for buy to let mortgages, offering brokers and landlords increased efficiency and choice. The platform allows brokers to initiate a rate switch for clients up to three months before their current term expires, using a fully digital and automated system. The service aims to deliver savings by […]

The government’s plan to establish a ‘Silicon Valley of Europe’ along the Oxford-Cambridge Arc could cause local rent prices to rocket by as much as 23% within the next year, one firm predicts. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, recently outlined proposals to revitalise the region, coupled with ongoing development of the proposed East West […]

Hello, I’m seeking advice from my fellow landlords, PRS and s21 notice experts on a disagreement with my solicitors regarding the validity of my s21 notice to my tenants. Barely a week to the expiry of the s21 notice (from all indications tenants do not plan to move out by the date of expiry, so […]