An industry body has welcomed the Welsh government’s proposal to reform the “unfair” way HMOs (Houses in Multiple in Occupation) are charged for council tax. Propertymark has praised the Welsh government’s proposal to only charge HMO’s council tax as a single property rather than per occupant which they say will help make the system less […]

It seems it’s one step forward, two steps back for landlords with the recent Budget introducing significant changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) that will impact property transactions from April 2025. The changes have caused panic amongst landlords, with a spike in numbers looking to sell before Christmas. Currently, the SDLT threshold is £250,000 […]

Landlords in the UK know they aren’t popular with politicians, councils, tenant activist organisations and lots of tenants – but do we really deserve the vile online landlord harassment that takes place? I ask because this week sees another activist urging followers to channel their frustration ‘into hating your landlord more’. I wasn’t going to […]

The Prime Minister is raking in thousands as a landlord, despite avoiding commenting on whether landlords are considered ‘working people.’ According to reports in the Telegraph and the Daily Mail, new ministerial declarations reveal Sir Keir Starmer is the ‘owner of [a] let family home’ in London. The Prime Minister is not the only landlord […]

Donald Trump has won the US election. What impact will his policies have on the UK property market? In this engaging discussion with Ranjan Bhattacharya and John Howard:  Explore how Trump’s policies could influence the UK property market and interest rates. Gain valuable investment strategies tailored for property investors like you. Understand the broader economic […]

Specialist lender Together has introduced a new level of flexibility to its commercial finance products. Customers can now choose from a range of lender arrangement fees across its buy to let mortgages and commercial term loans. By adjusting arrangement fees, borrowers can opt for a lower interest rate. The lender says that an unregulated BTL […]

Landlords are facing the prospect of picking up the bill for Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ recent Budget, says Nick Lyons. The chief executive of property inventory firm NoLettingGo says the increased tax burden on businesses, including letting agents, will inevitably lead to higher costs being passed on to tenants. He says: “The additional cost to employers […]

Auctioneers believe that last week’s Budget move to increase the higher rate for Additional Dwellings from 3% to 5% will discourage investment in the private rented sector (PRS). NAVA Propertymark, Propertymark’s auctioneering arm, says the increase will reduce supply and potentially lead to higher rents for tenants. The organisation is calling for a review of […]

The Renters’ Rights Bill will push landlords out of the sector and into short-term holiday lets, warn MPs. During a Renters’ Rights Bill Committee meeting, some MPs expressed concerns about the bill’s potential impact on the private rented sector. However, Matthew Pennycook, the Housing Minister, claimed, “there is no evidence of a landlord exodus.” The […]

With the recent budget announcement from the Labour government, many property investors are taking a step back to reassess their strategies. The new stamp duty hike from 3% to 5% on second homes and investment properties, represents a substantial 66% increase. This change has left some investors cautious, but where others see hurdles, savvy investors […]

One week after the Budget, landlords and second homeowners are selling up, bracing for higher taxes and council tax premiums. According to Zoopla, a third of homes for sale on the property website are currently chain-free. A chain-free home is one where the sale is not dependent on the buyer or seller needing to complete […]

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Hawks won out today voting by 8 – 1 to reduce the Bank Base rate by 0.25% from 5% to 4.75%. This was despite a recent Labour Budget widely perceived as inflationary as the Bank of England projects the measures announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves to add […]

Nick Bano’s recent article in The Guardian, “The End of Landlords,” proposes the radical idea of driving private landlords out of the UK housing market to solve the housing crisis. It’s a bold claim, but one that doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. Bano’s arguments are based on outdated views and unrealistic ideas that would harm […]

The average UK house price edged up 0.2% in October despite the economic uncertainty, marking the fourth consecutive monthly increase, Halifax reveals. It means a typical property price has reached a new record high of £293,999. The previous peak of £293,507 was set in June 2022. While year-on-year prices rose 3.9%, this represents a slight […]

Shawbrook Bank has unveiled a series of enhancements to its commercial investment products, designed to bolster support for property investors aiming to diversify and grow their portfolios with commercial assets. These changes underscore the lender’s aim to deliver tailored financial solutions across various property types, featuring increased maximum loan-to-value (LTV) ratios for key asset classes. […]

Londoners are increasingly choosing to leave the capital amid post-election uncertainty and high house prices. Data from Compare My Move shows fewer Londoners staying local, with 37% of residents now choosing to live outside of London, up from 29% less than two years ago. This shift coincides with a dramatic rise in London landlords selling […]

Letting technology platform Goodlord is helping letting agents and landlords prepare for the upcoming Renters’ Rights Bill with a series of new product offerings and partnerships. This move comes amid concerns from landlords, with nearly half (47%) having sold properties in the past year or planning to do so due to incoming legislation. Goodlord’s Aspen […]

Letting agents and councils are teaming up to tackle damp and mould in the private rented sector with a new campaign. East Riding of Yorkshire Council, alongside Hull City Council, has launched the Healthy Homes campaign to raise awareness of the risks of untreated damp and mould. Backed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and […]

When planning a renovation to boost a property’s value, it’s crucial to understand how to estimate its end value while considering the time, effort, and cost involved. The numbers need to work in your favour for the project to be worthwhile. Step 1: Research Comparable Properties Start by researching comparables—properties similar to your planned finish, […]

Selective licensing schemes should DOUBLE from five to ten years, says professional body. The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) supports an amendment by Carla Denyer, co-leader of the Green Party, in the Renters’ Rights Bill to double the duration of licensing schemes, which she claims “will help local authorities improve housing conditions”. This is […]

The Housing Ombudsman has slammed social housing providers for failing to meet legal requirements and safety hazards. In a new report, the Ombudsman reveals a 329% increase in the number of interventions it has had to make to resolve issues for social housing residents. Failings include social housing providers not addressing damp and mould issues, […]