Page 153 – Property118
Housing inspector completing safety checklist during social housing assessment

Council apologises to tenants after receiving lowest rating from housing regulator

25th October 2024

A London council has issued an apology to its tenants after receiving the lowest possible rating from the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH). Newham Council admitted it “let tenants down” after a series of failures, including that 40% of its 16,000 homes hadn’t undergone an electrical safety check in more than 11 years. The RSH […]

Families in temporary accommodation supported by London Councils during the homelessness crisis

London councils face £4 million cost for temporary accommodation amid homelessness crisis

25th October 2024

London councils are spending £4 million EVERY DAY on housing people in temporary accommodation. A report by the London Councils group warns homelessness in the capital is at record levels and that the current situation is “utterly unsustainable”. The report titled London’s Homelessness Emergency calls for a permanent increase in Local Housing Allowance rates to […]

Property investing masterclass promoting how to build a property portfolio with no money down

How to Fund All of Your Property Deals

25th October 2024

At some point in your property investing journey, no matter how much money you start with, you’re bound to run out of your own funds. It happens to all of us. But here’s the thing: running out of personal funds doesn’t mean you have to stop investing. I know this might be hard to believe, […]

Denzel Matsaudza promoting alternatives to eviction for landlords facing financial pressures

Eviction is not the only option for landlords facing rising financial pressures

24th October 2024

Landlords are increasingly worried about rising financial pressures as mortgage costs continue to skyrocket. Many face the dilemma of long-term tenants who have occupied their properties for years who cannot afford to pay higher rents, leaving landlords uncertain about how to proceed. However, eviction is not the only option. In an exclusive video interview with […]

Hands holding a paper heart with a family silhouette beside miniature house models, symbolizing family wealth and legacy planning

Building a Family Investment Company: How Mr & Mrs A Secured Their Legacy

24th October 2024

A Family Legacy, Built on Expertise … When Mr & Mrs A embarked on their property investment journey, they were determined to secure their financial future. But after seeing their grandparents’ estates hit with hefty inheritance tax (IHT) bills, they realised that success was about more than just accumulating wealth—it was about protecting that wealth […]

Propertymark policy head highlights concerns over the Renters’ Rights Bill’s impact on landlords and tenants

Propertymark warns of ‘unintended consequences’ of the Renters’ Rights Bill

24th October 2024

The Renters’ Rights Bill could have severe ‘unintended consequences’ for the private rented sector (PRS), Propertymark warns. The organisation’s head of policy and campaigns, Timothy Douglas, told MPs on the Committee for the Bill that there are issues with the proposed legislation. He says the Bill fails to address the ‘huge demand’ for rental properties, […]

Blue smoky question mark symbolizing confusion over gas boilers versus heat pumps

Gas Boiler or Heat Pump?

24th October 2024

Hi fellow landlords, I have just had a very informative discussion with my EPC man. After running a couple of scenarios through on my stubbornly D-rated flat he exclaimed ” I have never seen that before!” The cause of his surprise was an automatic deduction of 5 points if you remove a Gas boiler and […]

Matt Hutchinson discussing the government’s second homes policy and housing shortage

PRS rents show signs of stabilisation as increases slow

24th October 2024

The UK’s private rented sector is beginning to show signs of stabilisation as rent rises are slowing down, research reveals. According to Spareroom, rents rose 4% on average in the UK in Q3 – the smallest year-on-year increase seen this year. While average rents are still rising, this shows signs that the market is slowing […]

Person covering face with hands, representing stress or regret over legal or financial issues

Unprotected deposit court proceedings?

24th October 2024

Hi all, apologies if this is not the way to do things. I’ve signed up specifically to this forum to see if anybody would be kind enough to offer some advice if possible? I’m messaging as I feel I’m essentially being extorted by a tenant whom I believed to have had a brilliant relationship with […]

Wooden blocks forming a house beside EPC energy rating chart with 2030 target highlighted.

Tenants want greener homes – but not higher rents

24th October 2024

Tenants are increasingly demanding greener homes to rent, but they’re not willing to pay more for them, a survey reveals. The findings from Leaders Romans Group reveal a big gap between tenants’ desire for energy-efficient properties and their willingness to shoulder the financial burden. While 80% of tenants support government regulations requiring rental properties to […]

Housing Minister speaking on leasehold and commonhold reforms

Pennycook: ‘We don’t want an exodus of landlords’

23rd October 2024

The Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook says he doesn’t want landlords to leave the private rented sector (PRS) – and he’s seen no evidence that it is happening. Speaking to MPs at the Committee stage of the Renters’ Rights Bill, Mr Pennycook was asked what his biggest takeaway from the day’s hearing was. He replied: “We […]

Landlord standing beside homeless dogs on city street highlighting rent and housing crisis.

The government is to blame for rising rents and homelessness – leading landlord claims

23rd October 2024

A Nottingham landlord warns that each new anti-landlord measure will only lead to higher rents and more homelessness. Mick Roberts, one of Nottingham’s largest landlords to house benefit tenants, tells Property118 why councils and the government is to blame for the housing crisis. Mr Roberts says a combination of factors including minimum EPC C targets […]

Shelter policy manager addressing MPs about stronger eviction rules in the Renters’ Rights Bill.

Shelter calls for stricter eviction rules under the Renters’ Rights Bill

23rd October 2024

A committee of MPs hearing evidence on the potential impact of the Renters’ Rights Bill have been told that stricter eviction rules need to be brought in. Tarun Bhakta, the policy manager at Shelter, praised the bill for its ‘significant improvements’ but also called for further measures to protect tenants. He points to the introduction […]

Businessman balancing incorporation finance, tax books, and HMRC challenges

Solving Financing Challenges at Incorporation: Insights from Simon’s Taxes and CIOT’s 2024 Concerns

23rd October 2024

When landlords incorporate their property businesses, managing existing mortgages and capital accounts can present significant financing challenges. Incorporation can offer commercial benefits such as business continuity, legacy planning opportunities, and access to better financing, but it must be approached with careful planning to avoid triggering adverse tax consequences. A key resource in navigating these challenges […]

Propertymark representative promoting landlord support in upcoming Welsh Budget

Recommendations for the Welsh PRS adopted by Senedd committee

23rd October 2024

The Senedd’s Local Government and Housing Committee has welcomed Propertymark’s suggestions for enhancing the private rented sector (PRS) in Wales. Many of the professional body’s recommendations have been incorporated into the committee’s report, highlighting Propertymark’s positive influence on the market. The Committee urged the government to consider the evidence provided by Propertymark and others for […]

Hand reaching toward a house-shaped safe representing secure rental deposits

Should I formally allow rent arrears to be paid out of deposits?

23rd October 2024

Hi Everyone, What’s the best way to converge on market rents? I have good tenants of several years standing, in a London HMO. Being good tenants, I’ve never really raised the rent to market levels. I now see that their rents have fallen 20% behind market rates. I warned them a year ago that their […]

Estate agent executive commenting on government housing policies

Agents fear Chancellor could stall housing market recovery

23rd October 2024

Estate agents across the UK are worried that Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ upcoming Budget could derail the recent recovery in the housing market, a survey reveals.  The majority (68%) of agents surveyed by GetAgent.co.uk believe the new Labour government has focused too heavily on reforming the rental sector, neglecting measures to boost the sales market. This […]

Small rise in the number of BTL mortgage arrears – UK Finance

23rd October 2024

The number of buy to let (BTL) mortgaged properties in arrears in the UK has increased slightly, the latest data from UK Finance reveals. However, the overall proportion of mortgages in arrears remains low, and the number of homeowner properties in arrears has fallen. UK Finance’s data shows that the number of BTL properties in […]

Graph comparing rising rents in the North East and falling rents in London with a house and coins.

Rent rises stall – but with big regional disparities

23rd October 2024

The average rent rise in the UK has stalled but regional disparities show that some areas are seeing double-digit rises, research reveals. The data from Home.co.uk show that while the national average rise is at a standstill 0% landlords in Wales and the North East saw rent growth of 15.1% and 12% year-on-year respectively. However, […]