Page 162 – Property118
Student surrounded by moving boxes representing housing struggles highlighted by NUS survey.

Student campaigners demand ban on guarantor requirements for tenants

20th November 2024

The National Union of Students (NUS) is calling on the government to make it illegal for landlords to require tenants to have a UK-based guarantor. Student campaigners argue that the current housing system is “predicated on exploitation and profit extraction,” leaving many student renters vulnerable. This demand follows an NUS survey revealing that one-third of […]

First-time buyers face years of delay due to rising costs

20th November 2024

Nearly half of prospective first-time buyers in the UK are being forced to delay their homeownership dreams due to the rising cost of living and economic uncertainty. That’s according to a report by Aldermore which reveals that 44% of aspiring homeowners have had to push back their plans. The lender’s first-time buyer index shows that […]

Scottish housing minister discusses landlords’ role and investment rights

Scottish landlords warn that rent controls will ‘backfire’

20th November 2024

Landlords in Scotland are warning that proposed rent controls will backfire, leading to a reduction in rental supply and higher rents for tenants. The warning comes from the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) which met for its annual conference yesterday (19 Nov). The landlords say they are bracing for the potential negative consequences of proposed […]

Fleet Mortgages executive discusses new rate cuts and market trends.

Fleet cuts BTL rates as FHL unveils new products

20th November 2024

Fleet Mortgages has announced a reduction in interest rates on several of its five-year fixed-rate products. The specialist lender has lowered rates on standard, limited company and HMO/MUB fixed-rate mortgages with a 75% Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio and a 3% fee. The new rates are: Standard and Limited Company: 5.14% (previously 5.29%) HMO/MUB: 5.54% (previously 5.69%). […]

Business professional smiling in formal attire during interview about landlord portfolio diversification

Landlords capitalise on commercial property market recovery – Shawbrook

20th November 2024

Landlords are seizing the opportunity to invest in commercial property as the market rebounds as lending for property purchases has surged by 102% year-on-year, Shawbrook reveals. The South East region has emerged as a hotspot for commercial property investment, accounting for 30% of the total commercial purchase lending. Its strong transport links, robust economy and […]

Multiple estate agent boards showing rental properties let in the UK housing market.

UK rents set to soar another 18% over five years – as landlords leave

20th November 2024

Rents in the UK are set to continue their upward trajectory, with Savills forecasting an 18% increase over the next five years – and a prediction that landlords will continue leaving the private rented sector (PRS). The rise in rents will be driven by persistent high demand and a chronic shortage of rental properties. Despite […]

Andy Hulme of Hyde Housing Association responding to Housing Ombudsman report

Ombudsman urges social landlords to prioritise complaint handling

20th November 2024

The Housing Ombudsman has released its latest complaint handling report, highlighting the need for social housing landlords to prioritise a positive complaints culture. While 95% of landlords surveyed found that the statutory Complaint Handling Code has helped embed a positive culture, the report also reveals some worrying trends. It says that a significant number of […]

Property Investors Awards 2024 finalists announced at the prestigious industry event.

Property Investors Awards Finalists for 2024 revealed

19th November 2024

The Property Investors Awards has unveiled the highly anticipated finalists for 2024. This year’s entries showcased an “exceptional array of talent” in the property investment world. The winners will be announced on the 30th of November at the prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Success in the property investment industry The Property Investors Awards has […]

Experts discuss 2025 UK budget’s hidden property investment opportunities.

Budget Reveals Hidden Property Gains

19th November 2024

Unlock 2025’s secret property investment opportunities with us as we delve into the latest UK budget and its impact on property investors and developers. Discover expert insights and investment strategies that can help you navigate the evolving property market. In this episode of Property Answers, join Ranjan and John Howard as they dissect the potential […]

Founder of Fiixit standing beside company logo promoting new landlord maintenance platform

New platform promises to simplify property maintenance for landlords

19th November 2024

A new online platform has been launched to help landlords streamline their property maintenance processes. Fiixit has been founded by experienced landlord Tajinder Sohal with the aim of reducing the stress and time associated with managing repairs and maintenance. The platform allows landlords to: Efficiently manage repair requests: Tenants can easily report issues through the […]

Propertymark representative discusses rent control concerns in Scotland

Scottish Parliament urged to address rent control concerns

19th November 2024

The Scottish Government is being urged to consider the findings of a recent report on the Housing (Scotland) Bill – especially over rent control measures. The call from Propertymark says the report, published by the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee, also raises issues about the lack of clarity in the Bill. The organisation has […]

Black mould growing on a window frame in a damp home.

Councils crackdown on private landlords while failing tenants

19th November 2024

Councils across England are taking a tougher stance on private landlords, introducing stricter regulations and hefty fines – but are facing significant backlash for their own housing failures, the Telegraph reveals. Its investigation found that local authorities were ordered to pay £1.7 million in compensation to tenants last year – a nearly fourfold increase from […]

Black piggy bank under a red “Past Due” stamp symbolizing unpaid rent or arrears.

Why was my Universal Credit direct rent payment request denied?

19th November 2024

Hi, in short, my tenant is in significant arrears. They had a child in hospital for a while and I was sympathetic to their inability to sort out their payments during this time. Despite receiving Universal Credit (UC) they have not made up their missed payments. I applied to UC for direct to landlord rent […]

Multiple estate agent boards showing properties for sale, sold, and to let in a UK street.

The UK’s PRS diverges with London slumping and other areas soaring

19th November 2024

The UK’s rental market has a stark regional divide, with London experiencing significant declines in rent prices, while Wales and Yorkshire continue to see double-digit growth. According to the latest data from Home.co.uk, annualised national growth for asking rents is a modest 1.1% – largely dragged down by London’s falling prices. In contrast, Wales and […]

Person climbing ladder toward a glowing lightbulb symbolizing new property investment ideas

Climbing the Property Investment Ladder: Start Smart, Avoid Regrets

18th November 2024

Getting started in property investing is exciting. It’s a chance to build wealth, create financial freedom, and take control of your future. But for many beginners, the excitement can lead to rushing in too quickly and skipping essential steps. Unfortunately, this often results in regret, costly mistakes, and a tough start to what should be […]

Smiling couple meeting with an agent to discuss property and customer service

We Don’t Work in Property — We Work in Customer Service

18th November 2024

When someone asks “what you do?”, it might feel natural to say, “I work in property.” This phrase has a clear and straightforward meaning: your job revolves around selling, renting, developing or managing properties, be it long-term rentals, short-term accommodation, or holiday lets. However, while properties might be your product, they’re not the core of […]

Ombudsman Amerdeep Somal comments on Leicester City Council’s refusal to pay compensation in housing dispute

Council defies Ombudsman by refusing to pay over housing issues

18th November 2024

A council has sparked outrage after refusing to comply with a Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s order to pay compensation to a domestic abuse victim. The woman, who was forced to flee her home with her children, was left without adequate support from Leicester City Council. Despite repeated pleas for help, the council failed […]

Man trapped in a bear trap watching rising UK house prices and rent costs climb.

The Tenant Trap: Are Rising Rents Pushing the UK Toward a Renters’ Crisis?

18th November 2024

The Tenant Trap: Are Rising Rents Pushing the UK Toward a Renters’ Crisis? The UK’s private rented sector is in turmoil. As landlords exit the market in record numbers, tenants are finding themselves trapped in a vicious cycle of rising rents and shrinking housing options. What used to be a relatively stable rental market is […]

The Law Society logo representing its call for more funding to prevent tenant evictions.

Courts need more cash to help prevent tenant eviction – Law Society

18th November 2024

The Law Society of England and Wales has issued an urgent call for increased funding for legal aid to support renters at risk of eviction. The plea comes as new figures from the Ministry of Justice reveal a significant surge in possession orders. Mortgage possession orders have rocketed by 38%, from 2,923 to 4,038, compared […]

Raised hands in a discussion symbolizing participation and questioning leadership purpose.

Is the NRLA still run for a common purpose?

18th November 2024

Hello, I posted below as a response to a topic last week but maybe this should be discussed more as many seem to questioning the actions of the NRLA in respect of the Renters’ (Reform) and the Renters’ Rights Bills. The NRLA is a company that saw a gap in the market to make money. […]

Property for sale and sold signs outside UK houses showing active housing market

House prices dip post-Budget but 2025 looks bright – Rightmove

18th November 2024

Average house prices have fallen by 1.4% this month, a larger drop than the usual seasonal decline, which is probably down to pre- and post-Budget jitters, Rightmove reveals. It says that despite the recent slowdown, the housing market remains more active than last year, with the number of agreed sales up 26% and new sellers […]