With Chancellor Rachel Reeves set to unveil the 2025 Spending Review today (11 June), a leading north London estate agent has urged the government to tackle the escalating housing crisis gripping the nation. Jeremy Leaf, a former residential chairman of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), warned that persistent shortages in both private and […]

Hello, one of the challenges landlords face is that credit references do not automatically capture the non-payment of rental arrears / costs following the S21 process. This invariably means that the credit referencing process is flawed and if anything exposes landlords to serial defaulters. While this challenge is well known (I have even seen videos […]

The surge in UK rent prices has lost momentum, with annual growth dropping to 2.8% in April, the slowest pace since July 2021, Zoopla reveals. Its latest rental market report highlights a sharp decline from the 6.4% rise recorded a year ago, bringing the average monthly rent to £1,432. However, a shortage of available properties […]

In October 2025, a new chapter in UK property legislation begins. Awaab’s Law, a component of The Renters Rights Bill, will come into force, requiring social housing landlords to investigate damp and mould complaints within 14 days, provide written outcomes within 48 hours, and begin repairs within a week. Emergency hazards must be resolved within […]

A new trend is reshaping the HMO landscape as 11.5% of housemates are now aged 40 or older, according to research. The findings from COHO, a HMO management platform, show that far from being just for students or young professionals, shared accommodation is attracting a more diverse group. It has also found that Southampton has […]

A third of UK adults are keen on becoming buy to let landlords, defying perceptions of a waning market, research reveals. The findings from Market Financial Solutions of 2,000 adults found strong enthusiasm for property investment. The poll found that 33% of respondents aspire to own a BTL property, with the figure soaring to 54% […]

A London council will ensure all of its social housing tenants receive lifetime tenancies in an initiative which replaces fixed-term agreements with secure, indefinite tenancies following introductory periods. The council aims to foster enduring community ties and provide residents with unparalleled stability. The policy shift by Westminster City Council was announced after a public consultation […]

The abolition of fixed-term tenancy agreements and replacing them with open-ended, periodic arrangements will redefine the dynamics between landlords and tenants, one PRS expert says. The change is part of the Renters’ Rights Bill which will allow renters to exit tenancies with just two months’ notice. Now, Allison Thompson, the national lettings managing director at […]

A London council claims it will fine landlords more than £30,000 and allow tenants to reclaim up to 12 months’ rent if landlords fail to obtain the correct property licences. Wandsworth Council has announced a new selective licensing scheme and an additional licensing scheme for HMOs, with landlords able to apply for the required licences […]

The number of new House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licences approved across Great Britain fell by 6% in 2024, research reveals. According to Searchland’s latest data, local planning authorities issued 25,445 licences in 2023, but this figure dropped to 23,947 last year, a reduction of 1,498. Despite the national downturn, certain regions bucked the trend. […]

Private landlords in Scotland face a big overhaul of energy efficiency requirements, with new proposals mandating that all privately rented homes achieve a minimum standard based on a revised Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) by the end of 2033. The Scottish Government’s consultation, released recently, outlines a phased approach, requiring new tenancies to comply from April […]

Labour will miss its goal of delivering 1.5 million new homes by 2028/29, with property experts Savills forecasting just 840,000 completions over the next five years. The big gap highlights challenges in boosting demand and overcoming construction constraints, despite recent planning reforms. According to Savills, the supply of consented land is expected to rise due […]

The government has refused to release the Justice Impact Test for the Renters’ Rights Bill, a crucial document detailing the legislation’s potential impact on the courts and tribunals. The decision has sparked concerns about openness in the legislative process. The news comes after Reapit, a property industry technology provider, sought access to the assessment through […]

My team and I work with so many property investors and developers, and the continual feedback I get is that getting finance for deals is getting harder. Bridging finance can be a blessing and a curse. It’s a means to an end, but not without the considerable costs and stressful deadlines. Now imagine you could […]

The flatshare market is experiencing a rise in available rooms, with January 2025 marking the highest month for advertisements in four years, according to SpareRoom. The flatsharing platform says that despite this growth, concerns linger among small landlords over the Renters’ Rights Bill – with many unprepared for the upcoming changes. From January to April […]

Belfast has emerged as the leading location for property investors in the UK, according to a new analysis. It’s been carried out by Northern Irish estate agent, John Minnis, and its forecast highlights five regions poised for exceptional returns in the PRS. The Belfast metropolitan area benefits from persistent demand surpassing available properties. That’s driven […]

The UK’s housing market is navigating turbulent waters following a sharp 28% drop in transactions in April 2025, an analysis from Knight Frank reveals. It says the turmoil was triggered by stamp duty rules that cut the nil rate band and increased the surcharge for additional properties. According to Tom Bill, the head of UK […]

Great Britain’s property market saw a big lift in agreed sales in May, marking the most active month since 2021 – and the highest since March 2022. According to Rightmove’s latest data, the surge reflects improved conditions, with home-movers undeterred by the recent stamp duty increase. Nationwide, the number of sales agreed rose by 6% […]

Landlords, if you’re ready to sell your HMO properties, don’t wait. A reputable fund purchaser is looking to make quick acquisitions and they’re interested in your properties right now! This fund is actively seeking HMOs and PBSA’s (up to 60 bed units) across the UK’s top university towns, with a focus on quickly deploying capital. […]

The UK’s increasing population and immigration levels are piling pressure on the private rented sector, the boss of Paragon Bank says. And rather than seeing landlords leave the PRS for various reasons, the government should be encouraging landlords to invest. Nigel Terrington, the company’s chief executive, told The Times that the shortage of landlords is […]

Like many landlords, there’s not a lot that gets me hot under the collar anymore after years of being victimised and ridiculed but two things this week deserve closer attention. Private landlords are being squeezed dry by councils wielding selective licensing schemes like a blunt weapon. Fees, such as Leicester City Council’s eye-watering £1,290 per […]