Page 165 – Property118
Students reacting to housing challenges in Scotland amid accommodation shortages

Students struggle as Scottish housing crisis worsens

30th September 2024

Thousands of students “are being overlooked” as housing crisis in Scotland reaches breaking point. A report by the Chartered Institute of Housing, in collaboration with several universities including Glasgow, warns of a “severe student housing crisis” due to a shortage of more than 26,000 student bed spaces in the country’s biggest cities. The news comes […]

Keys and a house keyring placed on a tenancy agreement for a leasehold property

Impact of the Renter’s Rights Bill on superior landlords?

30th September 2024

Hi, for any leasehold property surely the superior landlord is the Freeholder(s)? Many Leaseholders have to obtain written permission (and even pay a fee for the privilege) of renting out a leasehold property. If the superior landlord is the freeholder(s), and thus under the proposed Renter’s Rights Bill responsible for rent repayment orders and the […]

Promotional graphic featuring two individuals alongside text about working with Landlord Sales Agency

End of an Era: Landlord sells entire Property Portfolio in record time

27th September 2024

Landlords who’ve been in the business a while are downsizing. If you haven’t thought about doing it before, or if you’re on the fence, you might want to think about it now, before we get too close to December. For Shirley McLean, a landlord who has been a longstanding member of Property118, it was time […]

Knight-themed Landlord Crusader logo symbolizing landlord advocacy

EPC rules and the Renters’ Rights Bill will damage the PRS beyond recognition

27th September 2024

While landlords are distracted by the nonsense that is the Renters’ Rights Bill, the biggest elephant in the room is a pledge for PRS homes to meet an EPC minimum rating of C. Ed Miliband, the so-called (big fat) net zero minister, claims that rented homes that don’t meet this criteria will be banned from […]

Renters’ Rights Bill – Government reveals full details

27th September 2024

The UK government has revealed more details about the Renters’ Rights Bill which will see Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions being banned. Section 21 is described in the update as a ‘scourge’ and the law is set to come into force next summer. Landlords might also be alarmed at the prospect of £7,000 civil penalties for […]

Investor pushing credit score gauge from poor to excellent for property investment

Why your Credit Score matters If you’re getting into property investing

27th September 2024

If you’re thinking about getting into property investing, one of the first things you’ll want to understand is your credit score. If you’re looking to secure a buy-to-let mortgage credit score is going to play a major role. But what exactly is it, and how can you make sure it’s working for you rather than […]

Energy efficiency rating chart shaped like a house with 2030 target for EPC C goal.

EPC C rating or letting ban?

27th September 2024

Hi, I read that Ed Miliband announced that if a C energy rating is not achieved by 2030 then the landlord will be banned from letting it out. Does anyone else see an opportunity to buy a D or below rated BTL with long standing tenants and then wait until the government kicks them out? […]

Person with head on desk at a workspace reflecting stress over PRS challenges

Landlords and agents increasingly pessimistic about the PRS

27th September 2024

New findings from the Goodlord and Vouch ‘State of the Lettings Industry Report 2024’ paint a grim picture for the private rented sector (PRS). It reveals that more than half of landlords and agents surveyed expressed pessimism about the future of the market. They point to upcoming legislative changes, economic uncertainty and a growing sense […]

professional headshot of a man representing commentary on UK tenants facing upfront rent pressures

Tenants are pressured into paying a year’s rent upfront – The DPS

27th September 2024

Tenants across the UK are facing increasing pressure to pay huge amounts of rent upfront to secure a property, according to a survey by The Deposit Protection Service (The DPS). It questioned 2,210 tenants and found that six out of 10 respondents who have moved in the past year paid between two and three months’ […]

Smiling person in glasses illustrating leadership response to council fire-safety failings

Council’s fire safety failures lead to regulatory action

27th September 2024

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has published a set of regulatory judgements which includes a serious finding against Harlow District Council for failing to meet the new consumer standards. As a result, the RSH has given the landlord a C3 grade, indicating serious failings and a need for significant improvements. RSH investigated Harlow Council […]

Aerial view of the UK Parliament and surrounding Westminster area supporting discussion on the Renters Rights Bill

What do you think of my rent challenge amendment to the Renters Rights Bill?

27th September 2024

Ignoring many other foolish parts of the upcoming Renters Rights Bill that will ultimately lead to tenants paying more. One part I find incredibly stupid is the tenant’s rights to challenge rent rises. Presumably rent decreases can also be challenged, but open to correction here, although I cannot see in the proposals what will happen […]

Damp and mould on interior wall with warning sign highlighting housing hazard

Council launches service to combat damp and mould in PRS homes

27th September 2024

Breckland Council in Norfolk has introduced a new initiative aimed at assisting renters and their landlords in addressing damp, mould and condensation issues within homes across the district. Its Healthy Homes Service, a pilot scheme funded by central government, will enhance living conditions for the district’s tenants and provide additional guidance and resources to support […]

elegraph logo used in rebuttal to article on landlord tax structures

Rebuttal to The Telegraph’s Article: “Landlords face six-figure bills in tax avoidance row”

26th September 2024

We appreciate The Telegraph’s interest in recent developments concerning Property118, but the article titled “Landlords face six-figure bills in tax avoidance row“ contains several inaccuracies and mischaracterisations that need to be addressed. Clarifying the Nature of the Substantial Incorporation Structure (SIS) and Capital Account Restructure (CAR) Arrangements The Substantial Incorporation Structure (SIS) and Capital Account Restructure (CAR) […]

Upside-down piggy bank with scattered coins beside a calculator to illustrate SSAS pension finance

The Power of SSAS Pensions for Property Investors: Part 3

26th September 2024

I started a deeper exploration into the incredible benefits of SSAS pensions for property investors in my last article, with a focus on one of its most compelling advantages: providing low-cost finance through the SSAS Loanback. This unique feature allows property investors and developers to access affordable finance with ease, giving them the flexibility and […]

Buy to let sign outside a residential property highlighting changes in mortgage rates

More lenders lower their buy to let mortgage rates

26th September 2024

Landlords looking for energy-efficient buy to let mortgages have a new option from Fleet Mortgages – one of several to drop BTL rates this week. The specialist lender has launched a range of two-year fixed-rate deals specifically for properties with high Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings. This follows its successful relaunch of five-year EPC A-C […]

Electric blue lightning spelling out the word “ENERGY” to highlight issues around EPC accuracy

EPC – A good idea, but?

26th September 2024

Placing a property into an energy efficiency category and then advocating or enforcing remedial action. Sounds great – what’s not to like? Well – if the categorisation is inconsistent and inaccurate then that’s a problem and I believe it leads to millions of misdiagnosis. On the back of the misdiagnosis, a remedy follows and often […]

Man burning a Renters Rights Bill document against the backdrop of Parliament, highlighting landlord concerns

Renters Rights Bill: What Every Landlord MUST Know!

26th September 2024

Attention landlords and property investors! Brace yourself for the monumental changes of the Renters Rights Bill. This video is a must-watch to navigate the shifting property market and safeguard your investments. Discover how rent increases, evictions, and tenant protections are evolving and what it means for your property portfolio. Key updates include: Periodic Tenancies: No […]

Cardiff Castle overlooking the city, illustrating the setting for Cardiff’s new housing plans for the homeless

Cardiff unveils plans to buy 280 homes for its homeless

26th September 2024

In a bid to alleviate its severe housing shortage and deal with growing numbers needing homelessness support, one council has announced it will buy flats and a hotel. The move by Cardiff City Council comes as its temporary accommodation is at capacity. The three properties – a student accommodation block of 103 apartments, a hotel […]

Aerial view of Leeds waterfront highlighting key PRS areas relevant to the selective licensing consultation

Council consults over expansion of selective licensing scheme

26th September 2024

Landlords and residents are being invited to participate in a public consultation on the potential introduction of a new selective licensing scheme for homes in the private rented sector (PRS). Leeds City Council says it wants to expand licensing to Armley, Beeston & Holbeck, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill, Gipton and Harehills, along with the Hunslet […]

Victorian London terraces overlooking the city skyline, supporting analysis of rising prime rental market trends.

Prime London rental market sees rent surge

26th September 2024

Rents in London’s prime rental market have been rising, with an annual growth of 2.6% in August. According to LonRes, average rents in prime London areas, including Westminster, are now 31.6% higher than they were between 2017 and 2019. However, the number of new lettings agreed has dropped by 14.5%, while new instructions have decreased […]

Piggy bank wearing graduation cap surrounded by coin stacks, symbolizing student housing and finance.

Does Student Finance consider S24 relief in income assessments?

26th September 2024

Hi, I have read a post regarding parents who are landlords and are supporting students. I applied for a current year income assessment and in box 8.3 included the relief for finance costs. After researching it appears Student Finance do not take S24 relief into consideration. So, even if my actual household income after deductions […]