The housing market remains strong, with the number of available homes reaching a decade high, but autumn activity has slowed compared to typical seasonal trends. According to Rightmove’s House Price Index, the average price of property coming to the market for sale has increased by 0.3% this month (+£1,199) to £371,958. This is a much […]

Hi, like most landlords letting exclusively to students I am dreading the Renters’ Rights Bill as it looks as if it’s just around the corner. The summer of 2025 to be more precise. I have a feeling it won’t fail as the enthusiastic new Labour government is on a mission, be it a misguided one. […]

Hi everyone, I am reaching out to seek your advice on how to address a challenge I am currently facing. I have owned a property managed by a Rent to Rent (R2R) operator since last year, and as of this October 2024, the operator has failed to remit the rent to me. Despite my attempts […]

New research from Hamptons has revealed a significant increase in the number of landlords incorporating their buy-to-let businesses. In September 2024 alone, 5,312 new limited companies were established to hold buy-to-let properties, representing a 28% rise compared to the same period last year. By the end of 2024, between 60,000 and 62,000 new companies are […]

To all Property118 readers, A new set of Limited Company market-leading Buy-to-Let (BTL) mortgage products are now available, exclusively through select broker partners only. The Buy to Let product features and criteria include: Single Let: 5-Year Fixed Rate at 4.69% HMO: 5-Year Fixed Rate at 4.99% Maximum LTV: 75% for Single Let, 70% for HMO Arrangement Fee: 2.00%, which […]

When faced with the challenges of a rent-to-rent (R2R) agreement gone wrong, a landlord of a 3-bed HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) found themselves in a difficult position. With tenants in varying financial circumstances, from furloughed workers to the unemployed, and rent arrears spiralling to £5,400, the landlord was left frustrated, unable to get answers […]

Has anyone else come across this, if so is there any way to fight it? I’ve had a property in Kent for some 20+ years, let to the same severely disabled tenant and family. To date the rent has been covered by housing benefits and I have kept rent increases within the boundaries that mean […]

As a leaseholder, ensuring that your building is properly insured is critical for protecting your investment. But what happens when the freeholder is unresponsive and unable to provide essential documentation, such as the buildings insurance policy? This scenario recently arose for a reader, Simon Mars, whose neighbour faced difficulties when selling her flat due to […]

Landlords end up covering property damage 90% of the time, even when it’s the tenant’s fault, according to a new survey. Research by Property Inventory Base reveals a lack of inventory process means only 10% of tenants are being charged for property damage. If an end-of-tenancy inspection uncovers damage that wasn’t there during the initial […]

Despite a challenging rental market, buy-to-let properties in England and Wales are delivering their highest average gross yields in nearly a decade. According to research by Hamptons, the average gross rental yield on a newly purchased buy-to-let in England and Wales has reached 7.2%. This marks a year-on-year increase of 0.5%, with landlords in Wales […]

I have a rogue tenant. Despite having signed a rent increase notice, he is refusing to pay the rent increase. The rent for similar properties in this area are between £1,000 to £1,200 per calendar month. His rent has been increased from £600 to £900 per month. Also, he is in breach of the tenancy […]

The government must treat landlords the same as housebuilders due to their vital role in the housing market, says new report. The report by the Radix Big Tent Housing Commission emphasises how landlords are key players in tackling the housing crisis. The Commission also backs the NRLA’s push for the government to clarify how the […]

This week the Telegraph hit the nail on the head when they reported that Landlord profits had collapsed in the past decade following an onslaught of taxes and red tape. That coupled with the unbelievable amount of hoops landlords have to jump through has pushed the entire sector to breaking point. You can attempt to […]

Just when you thought Labour’s hatred of landlords couldn’t get any worse comes the alarming realisation that the Renters’ Rights Bill could be so much worse than most landlords fear. I’m talking about Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook’s interview with the I newspaper that Property118 covered. Firstly, it’s the usual lefty nonsense about protecting tenants – […]

Chancellor Rachel Reeves WILL NOT change the rate of capital gains tax on the sale of buy-to-let properties in the Budget, sources tell The Times. According to the paper, the Treasury is concerned that increasing the rate could cost money and damage the property market. The former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt cut the top rate of […]

One of the most crucial aspects of successful property investing is ensuring consistent tenant demand. A buy-to-let property that remains in demand will not only stay occupied but provide a steady rental income, making it a more secure and profitable investment. Let’s explore how to make sure your buy-to-let property is always attractive to potential […]

Greener rental homes can command a premium of nearly £20,000 compared to less energy-efficient properties, research reveals. According to a report by The Mortgage Works (TMW), landlords are facing a raft of challenges to meet the requirement for PRS homes to have an EPC C rating by 2030. The lender’s research also found that landlords […]

Falling buy to let mortgage rates have revitalised the UK’s landlord market, leading many to expand their property portfolios, research reveals. Despite government reforms aimed at deterring investment in the sector, landlords are increasingly confident in their ability to weather the storm. That’s the verdict from Octane Capital’s analysis which reveals that the average BTL […]

London’s lettings market has shown remarkable resilience in September, despite a seasonal decline in applicant demand, one market index reveals. The latest Foxtons data shows that key areas like central London have continued to experience robust activity. It says that tenant demand in September fell by 35% compared to August, which is the usual seasonal […]

Hi, towards the end of September, I got an email confirming my successful selective licence application. This application was submitted back in June, so it’s taken a while. Some months after I submitted my application, I contacted the same council who are buying back stock. They carried out a valuation and we are nearing a […]

Hi, after 50 years in the rental business, I’ve recently become a landlord of a shared flat classified as an HMO, though not a “true” HMO. I’ve been asked to provide both an FD30 fire door certificate and proof of a “competent installer.” The challenge I’m facing is finding an installer who can self-certify their […]