The Scottish housing market has continued to defy economic headwinds, with average house prices increasing by £13,001 in the past year, according to a leading property firm. DJ Alexander, Scotland’s largest lettings and estate agency, analysed the latest statistics and found that prices rose from £186,970 to £199,971 between September 2023 and August. This growth […]

Rent prices have soared within the last five years as renters struggle to find an affordable place to live, according to a new survey. Research by Go.Compare Home Insurance reveals that 65% of Britain has average rental costs above what is considered affordable for a typical single tenant. According to Go.Compare, the average monthly rental price […]

As the UK’s private rented sector (PRS) becomes increasingly competitive, tenants are facing financial burdens as they struggle to secure a property. A new report by tlyfe, a tenant app launched by OpenBrix, highlights the rising costs associated with lengthy rental searches. It says that the longer the search, the higher the cost of renting […]

Hello, six months ago, I rented three rooms in my house via a high street estate agent. Each single tenant has their own tenancy agreement. The first one that moved in set up bills in her name and split and collected the bills from other tenants. One of the tenants started living with his toddler […]

In 2001, Adam purchased a property for £97,000 in an area that wasn’t exactly desirable. His tenant situation wasn’t ideal either, but Adam did his best to keep things running smoothly. When his tenant passed away, Adam decided it was time to sell, but before he could, he was forced to spend thousands removing rubbish […]

The UK government has made bold promises to deliver 1.5 million new homes, but while that vision might sound like a solution to the housing crisis, there’s a hidden tax trap that could push existing landlords out of the market. Private landlords are facing crushing VAT burdens, paying 20% VAT on almost everything they spend […]

If you’ve been keeping an eye on the UK’s private rented sector, you’ve probably noticed a big shift happening: landlords are leaving the market in droves. This so-called landlord exodus is being driven by rising costs, unfriendly tax changes, and more regulations than ever before. And it’s not just landlords feeling the squeeze—this trend is […]

While much of the focus on landlord taxation falls on high-profile issues like Capital Gains Tax and Stamp Duty, there are a range of stealth taxes slowly draining landlords’ resources. These hidden costs often go unnoticed until they hit, leaving many landlords struggling to maintain profitability. Among the most punishing are the doubling of Council […]

Landlords facing mounting tax burdens should consider pushing for specific tax reforms that address the most pressing issues in the current system. With the 2024/25 Budget on the horizon, here are some key tax reforms that landlords should advocate for: 1. Restore Full Mortgage Interest Relief Problem: The phased removal of mortgage interest relief under […]

What if the UK’s Private Rented Sector (PRS)—once a thriving backbone of housing for millions of people—collapsed overnight? It might sound far-fetched, but the signs are already there. Landlords are leaving the market in droves, overwhelmed by crushing tax changes, impossible regulations, and rising costs. The very fabric of the UK housing market is unraveling, […]

The History of Dividend Tax Increases: George Osborne’s 2016 Budget and NIC Justification In the March 2016 Budget, George Osborne introduced significant changes to the taxation of dividends. The reasoning? The government argued that salaried and self-employed individuals paid NICs on their earnings, while dividends were not subject to NICs, creating an unfair advantage for […]

The Prime Minister has slammed landlords by not confirming they are “working people”. In an interview with Sky News, Keir Starmer struggled to define a “working person” but says people who earn income through property or shares are not working people. The issue is important because the Labour election manifesto promised not to raise taxes […]

It’s almost like something out of the novel 1984, when the evidence of your eyes is not to be trusted. I’m talking, of course, about housing minister Matthew Pennycook at the Renters’ Rights Bill committee hearing. He went to great lengths to downplay the landlord exodus saying there was no evidence for it. He does […]

Curious about how the October Budget could impact your property investments? In this episode of Property Answers with Ranjan Bhattacharya and John Howard delve into potential shifts in the property market under the new socialist government. Gain expert insights into what these changes might mean for property investors and developers like you. *Key Topics Covered:* […]

This might seem like a strange question to ask on a forum for landlords, but there’s a good reason I’m bringing it up. Some people might instinctively say, “Yes, of course, it’s legal to drive to Edinburgh.” But, as with most things, there are rules to follow. For example, you must own the car or […]

Buy-to-let landlords may face a 17% rise in stamp duty bills as Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares for the upcoming budget. Stamp Duty is a tax on property purchases, with an extra 3% surcharge for landlords and second-home buyers. The Telegraph reveals the Chancellor could unwind stamp duty tax breaks that were introduced by the Conservatives in […]

A new report says renters in Wales should receive the last two months rent free as compensation if they face a no-fault eviction. A Senedd local government and housing committee inquiry report lists a number of recommendations for the Welsh private rented sector including a property MOT to check the property is suitable and more […]

Hi Everyone, I took my ex-tenants to court for their unpaid rent. Although the judge has ordered them to pay, they ignored the order completely. As one of them is receiving partial benefits, I can’t apply for an earning attachment order. I am wondering if there’s any other way that I could recover the money […]

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 […]

Let’s face it—being a landlord in the UK is tougher than ever. Tax changes, regulations, and red tape are squeezing landlords out of the market, and if that wasn’t enough, landlords are also being denied the same tax reliefs that other businesses take for granted. Two of the most frustrating examples? Business Asset Disposal Relief […]

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 […]