England’s private rented sector (PRS) saw rents continuing to soften in November, with average prices dipping nearly 3% month-on-month, Goodlord reveals. Its rental index reveals that the average monthly rent in England fell to £1,205 last month, a £33 drop from October’s £1,238. All regions saw a second consecutive month of rent falls last month. […]

First-time buyers are racing to beat upcoming stamp duty changes, according to Rightmove. The property portal says buyers in higher-priced areas of England, such as London, are set to be most affected by the changes. The Budget confirmed that, from April next year, stamp duty thresholds in England will be lowered. For first-time buyers, the […]

UK house prices saw a surprising rebound in November, with annual growth accelerating to 3.7%, Nationwide reports. This marks the fastest pace of annual growth in two years, surpassing the previous month’s 2.4%. Month-on-month, prices increased by 1.2%, the largest monthly gain since March 2022. The average house price is now £268,144 – just 1% […]

For decades, small, family-run landlords were the backbone of the UK’s rental market. These landlords—whether they owned one property or a handful—played a vital role in providing affordable, well-maintained homes to millions of tenants. Many saw it as a way to invest for the future, offer housing to local communities, and build a small nest […]

Unlock the secrets of successful property investment with our latest episode: “Prune Your Portfolio: What to Sell and Keep.” Dive into expert insights as we explore investment strategies that help property investors navigate the ever-evolving property market. Discover why some landlords are re-evaluating their portfolios amidst new regulations and market dynamics. Understand the key factors […]

When most people start out in property investing, their focus is usually on one thing: buying properties. While this is an exciting and essential part of the journey, many overlook a crucial aspect of long-term success, having a clear exit strategy. An exit strategy is more than just a plan for when you’re ready to […]

After months of struggle (9 months), including a breathing space moratorium, we have finally managed to evict our tenants for non-payment of rent (Section 8). However, the flat is still full of their belongings as they didn’t expect to leave, and now they’re threatening to sue us. They claim to be afraid that someone will […]

Tenants will receive increased funding for legal aid for the first time in nearly 30 years. The Ministry of Justice has announced a consultation on a £20 million investment in the legal aid sector, which the government claims will help tenants facing unfair eviction or the threat of homelessness access legal advice. The Law Society […]

Scotland’s housing crisis is reaching a critical point, and the upcoming Scottish Budget must address the issue with immediate and substantial action, one property expert says. David Alexander, the chief executive of DJ Alexander Scotland, says that with 13 councils now declaring a housing emergency, the need for urgent support is clear. Scotland is facing […]

Buying a home has become slightly more affordable relative to income, according to research from Halifax. It says the average house price to earnings ratio has eased to 6.55, down from 6.62 last year. Wage growth has outpaced house price inflation, with pay increasing by 5%, compared to a 3.8% rise in house prices over […]

Cash buyers are enjoying big discounts on property purchases across England – of up to £86,000 – as sellers move to sell up quickly as the mortgage market stabilises. A study by Lomond reveals that thousands of homes in England are listed for sale with sellers specifically targeting cash buyers. These properties, on average, are […]

If just 1% of the UK’s 26 million spare rooms were let out, rent prices would drop back to 2017 levels, according to new research. SpareRoom reveals that rent prices have surged, with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reporting an 8.8% increase to £1,348 in 2024, up from £456 in Q3 2017. The flat-sharing […]

I have a two bedroom flat in a large Aberdeen development of 2/3/4 bedroom flats. I pay 0.89% of the annual policy premium. Smaller flats pay 0.61%. All fine as presumably my flat is dearer to reinstate if destroyed. I pay £700 per annum. Is that price fair or am I being ripped off? I […]

If you’ve decided you’ve had enough of being a landlord, now’s the time to pay attention to an incredible trend: buyer demand for property companies is skyrocketing. Investors are increasingly interested in buying property companies as a whole, rather than individual properties, and the reason is simple – the tax outcomes are immensely different. Let […]

The post-2024 budget environment has left many pension holders concerned about the future of their retirement wealth. With Rachel Reeves’ announcement that pension death benefits are set to be brought into the inheritance tax (IHT) net from 2027, the landscape has shifted significantly for those relying on pensions to secure their family’s future. Though the […]

I have just been notified that Birmingham Council is planning a change to the scheme in which they lease private sector properties. The implication is that it would require the title deeds of the property to be updated to register their lease interest. My first reaction is what the heck? Why would I want to […]

Scottish landlords could be forced to accept pets in rental properties and face rent controls. During a debate, Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) voted to pass Stage 1 of the Scottish Housing bill. The Scottish Housing Bill will allow renters to request permission to keep a pet in their home, and landlords will not […]

They say there is a housing crisis – and with good reason. Net migration to the UK reached an astonishing 906,000 in the year up to June 2023, far surpassing previous estimates. Approximately 1.3 million individuals moved to the UK during this period, while 414,000 people left. According to the Office for National Statistics, net […]

Kent Reliance for Intermediaries (KRFI), part of the OSB Group, has introduced two new limited edition buy-to-let (BTL) product ranges to assist brokers in supporting their landlord clients. The first range, designed to offer affordability, features lower fees starting at £799. Key features of this range include: 2-year and 5-year fixed-rate options 75% and 80% […]

The Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA) has issued a stark warning that increased government regulation on the private rented sector (PRS) could lead to significant rent hikes. In its latest report, ‘Vital role of the Private Rented Sector’, IMLA highlights the importance of the PRS, which currently houses 20% of UK households. The report expresses […]

In 2007, the housing benefit rate for a three-bed home in Cleveleys, Lancashire was £520pm, today it is £623.30 or a 20% rise in 17 years. The Bank of England kindly offers an inflation calculator which shows £523 in 2007 would cost £863 today, a rise of 65%. Goods and services have risen by three […]