Page 164 – Property118
Council leader speaking on housing reform in front of stained-glass backdrop

Council calls for ban on no-fault evictions amid housing crisis

20th September 2024

A council warns more people could be pushed into temporary accommodation without urgent action from the government. Colchester City Council has written to Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner urging the government to take action to tackle the housing crisis. The council is calling on the government to ban no-fault evictions and offer […]

3D figure standing beside a large gold pound symbol, representing unexpected property costs

Seller fails to disclose future work on flat?

20th September 2024

Hi All, I would like to give you a little background first, my foster child at 20 bought his first last year, and I helped with all aspects of the sale etc. As you can imagine it was a proud moment for us all. 3 months after he got the keys he received a letter […]

Students relaxing and studying in a shared rental home, highlighting concerns around rent insurance and rising student rents.

Renters’ Rights Bill could drive up student rents

20th September 2024

Student landlords face chaos under Labour as many could be forced to take out rental insurance to cover the cost of rent arrears. The Telegraph says the Renters’ Rights Bill will stop tenants from paying more than one month’s rent upfront. This poses a problem since most students pay their rent in instalments that align […]

Sold home beside rising market trend graphic illustrating post-Budget property activity

October budget could boost property market – GetAgent

20th September 2024

The Autumn budget could bring a boost to the property market, according to one estate agent. According to estate agent comparison website GetAgent.co.uk, the property market has seen a recent uptick in activity, and a post-Budget boost could arrive in October, as buyer numbers have historically risen after the last nine budget statements. GetAgent analysed […]

Dollhouse exhibit illustrating cramped and unsafe conditions faced by children in temporary accommodation

IKEA and Shelter unveil Dollhouse highlighting realities of temporary accommodation

20th September 2024

IKEA and Shelter have teamed up to reveal a children’s dollhouse designed to illustrate the realities faced by children living in temporary accommodation. The housing charity claims that “rising evictions and sky-high rents are forcing more families into homelessness and temporary accommodation”. Alongside the launch of the ‘Unwelcome Dollhouse,’ Shelter and IKEA have issued an […]

Tyne Bridge overlooking Newcastle, setting for the upcoming GB Landlords property conference

Major Landlord event outside London

20th September 2024

GB Landlords are to host a large-scale property event in Newcastle This is a free event offering insight and advice for North East property professionals is taking place in Newcastle this month, following on from the success of last year’s event. Taking place on Thursday 26th September at the Britannia Airport Hotel, the GB Landlords […]

House model on architectural plans illustrating building regulation considerations

Does Part E of building regulations apply to soundproofing in an old converted flat?

20th September 2024

Dear all, I am seeking any information/experience regarding the application’s scope of part E of building regulation (sound proofing) for an old converted flat (two levels). A complete refurbishment has been undertaken in the 1st floor flat, following the passing of the previous tenant who had lived there under a regulated tenancy for over 50 […]

Lendlord logo representing property finance and landlord tools.

Bridging Loans for Property Development: A Comprehensive Guide

19th September 2024

In the world of property development, timing is everything. Whether you’re acquiring a new site, completing a refurbishment, or waiting for long-term financing to come through, access to quick funding can make or break a project. This is where bridging loans come into play. Bridging loans are short-term financing solutions designed to bridge the gap […]

Bank of England emblem symbolising decision to hold the Base Rate at 5%

Bank of England votes 8-1 to keep Base Rate at 5%

19th September 2024

Despite the US Federal Reserve yesterday deciding to lower the target range for the federal funds by 0.5% (to a range of 4.75% to 5%) leaving more headroom, the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted 8-1 to maintain the Base Rate at 5%. The one dissenting MPC member preferred to reduce Bank Rate […]

Handshake between contractor and landlord symbolising partnership for UK grant-funded property improvements

How to Find Contractors for Landlord Grants in the UK

19th September 2024

Navigating the process of applying for government grants for property improvements as a landlord can be challenging. One of the biggest obstacles is finding contractors who not only perform the necessary work but also have the expertise to guide you through the grant application process. With various grants now available, particularly for energy efficiency and […]

Graphic illustrating declining buy-to-let income with HMRC branding and concerned property investors

£2 Billion Tax Drop: What Landlords Are REALLY Doing

19th September 2024

Discover the real impact of a £2 Billion Tax Drop on landlords and what it means for you as a savvy property investor! In this engaging episode, Ranjan Bhattacharya and Andrew Roberts deep dive into the latest property news, revealing key shifts in the property market that are shaping the future of investments. Key insights […]

RICS logo representing the organisation behind the latest UK housing market survey

UK housing market picks up, but rents continue to soar

19th September 2024

The UK’s housing market is showing signs of recovery, according to the latest RICS residential survey for August – but renters are seeing costs rise. The organisation says that a decline in mortgage interest rates has boosted buyer demand and sales activity, with industry professionals expecting further growth in the coming months. The survey found […]

Wooden tiles spelling “legal advice” on a white textured surface, illustrating guidance on landlord–management company disputes.

Should the management company follow pre-action protocol?

19th September 2024

Hi everyone, I provided a properly worded legal letter to my management company agent, authorising them to contact my lender for payment. The agent chose to hold onto this letter and is now threatening to pass the case to their solicitors for recovery after six months. Shouldn’t they follow the Pre-Action Protocol before taking legal […]

Woman sitting at a table on a phone call, looking concerned about a housing issue

How to deal with an unresponsive tenant?

19th September 2024

Hi all, please can you offer some suggestions. My tenant does not respond to emails or telephone calls very often and when he does it’s always difficult to arrange a convenient day/time, even for external work. There are numerous issues at the property including holes in the wall, dog without permission and other property changes. […]

Racing cars illustrating rent prices accelerating faster than wage growth

Generation Rent blames landlords for soaring rent prices outpacing wages

19th September 2024

Generation Rent claims “landlords are snatching away more of renters wages” as rent prices continue to outpace wages. According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS) Rental Price Index, private rents rose by 8.4% in the year to August 2024, outpacing the 5.1% increase in wage growth. Over the same period, rents in England increased […]

Key resting on tenancy agreement paperwork relating to a rental arrangement for multiple occupants

What sort of tenancy agreement for this odd situation?

19th September 2024

We have potential tenants for our 3 bedroom house in Croydon. It’s the director of a company and two of his staff who want a 12 month agreement where they will use the house as their base for their upcoming work in South London. One of the three will live there permanently but the other […]

Smiling man standing in a bright hallway related to rising rental market demand

Rents skyrocket outside London as demand shifts to affordable regions

19th September 2024

Rents outside of London are skyrocketing as demand soars in regions that have traditionally been more affordable, says  agency. The latest HomeLet rental index reveals while Greater London remains the most expensive region, with an average rent of £2,148 in August 2024, its annual growth has slowed to just 0.1%. However, regions like the East […]

Piggy bank and coins highlighting rising tenant deposit pressures

Tenants tied up in rising deposit costs

19th September 2024

Tenants moving between rental properties could have thousands of pounds tied up in deposits, according to new research. A study by deposit alternative supplier Reposit reveals that the average cash deposit has risen to £1,345 in August 2024, up from £1,307 in August 2023. When moving, tenants often need to pay a deposit for their […]

St Albans skyline with property market graphics highlighting rising rental costs

Rental price divide laid bare as costs surge

19th September 2024

As university students prepare to start the next academic year, some students will have to spend a record amount on rent. According to Rightmove, St Albans has been named Great Britain’s most expensive city to rent outside London, with costs 71% above the UK average, at £2,307 per calendar month (pcm). The national average rent […]