A council is to spend £2.5 million outsourcing its licensing of private rented homes within the city to deal with ‘challenges with staffing and IT infrastructure’. The decision was made at a recent cabinet meeting after councillors were informed that the council’s current resources were insufficient to maintain in-house licensing. A report presented to the […]

Hi, my tenant refused to leave by the section 21 deadline, so I had to file an accelerated possession order claim with the court to remove them. I tried to keep legal advice to a minimum and only had a solicitor sanitize and submit my N5B possession form and supporting documents. On the form, I […]

Propertymark has called on the UK government to provide financial and practical support to help landlords meet the proposed Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) by 2030. The trade body for property agents should be able to access grants, interest free loans and tax incentives. It wrote to energy security and net zero secretary of state, […]

If you’re young, living at home, and eager to become a property investor, you’re not alone. Starting your buy-to-let journey early can be incredibly rewarding, but it comes with its challenges. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process and turn your property dreams into reality. Qualifying for a Mortgage: Getting Started One […]

As a landlord keen to explore the grant opportunities discussed in your recent article, I am eager to make the most of the available funding for property improvements. However, I’m finding it incredibly frustrating to locate contractors who are not only capable of carrying out the necessary works but can also provide guidance and assistance […]

The Renters’ Rights Bill will be introduced in the House of Commons this week which will see Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions being banned when the Bill becomes law. Labour will not be waiting for the court backlog to be cleared beforehand, the Guardian newspaper claims. That is despite warnings that the court system will not […]

Ah, the humble toilet. We often take this porcelain throne for granted, assuming it will always be there for us in our most desperate moments. That is, of course, until it betrays us—leaving us up the proverbial creek without a paddle. Yes, we’re talking about the dreaded blocked toilet. Apparently, this is searched over 30,000 […]

Despite being the London borough with the highest fines for unlicensed properties, Waltham Forest council has been criticised for its lack of communication over the extension of its licensing schemes. The additional licensing scheme, which will cover the entire borough, starts on 1 April next year but the council has failed to widely publicise this […]

The damage caused to the private rented sector (PRS) by burdensome taxation has been revealed in a new report. The study by Propertymark, entitled ‘The Impact of Section 24 on Buy-to-Let Landlords’, examines the consequences of Section 24, a policy implemented by former Chancellor George Osborne. That move reduced tax relief on mortgage interest costs […]

Hi, I need help to check if my son’s student HMO accommodation is compliant in respect of their shared kitchen and bedroom furniture provision. Can anyone clarify the legal/planning requirements for a student HMO in Southwark: (i) Minimum size of kitchen space required for 4 students sharing ? (ii) Does the kitchen have to have […]

Hi, I am a homeowner, and recently, I had surgery that has made it difficult for me to keep up with my payments. On someone’s advice, I decided to take in two lodgers. They are now living with me, and I’ve been advised to ask them to sign a fair usage policy. My plan is […]

Since December 2003 under the Finance Act, residential tenancies have the potential to be liable for Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) and with more and more people finding it harder and harder to get their first step on the property ladder, and the average tenancy length being 4.5 years, it is highly likely that more […]

Oxford City Council is urging private tenants to check if their landlord has a valid license, as its citywide licensing scheme enters its third year. The scheme requires all private rented homes in the city to be licensed, and the council has issued licenses for more than 9,500 properties. However, there are still unlicensed homes […]

Rumours of a capital gains tax hike, the proposed Renters’ Rights Bill and the abolition of Section 21 are sending landlords into a state of uncertainty. Many landlords are openly questioning whether it is worth the trouble and are exploring their options. It’s no surprise that hundreds of Property118 landlords have contacted Landlord Sales Agency […]

Leveraging available grants can be a game-changer for landlords. Recently, I had the pleasure of experiencing firsthand how a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) can benefit both tenants and rental property owners, all without incurring any personal costs. Here’s how this process not only improved my property and tenant satisfaction but also presented an exciting opportunity […]

It’s hard to believe that the homeless charity Crisis and the TDS are putting together strategies to get more PRS landlords to rent to the homeless. But, I fear, the result may not be what they want. Firstly, don’t you know of any landlords? At all?? It would save you a few bob and a […]

UK house prices edged up for the second consecutive month in August, reaching their highest level in two years, according to Halifax. Its index reveals that prices rose by 0.3% compared to July, following a 0.9% increase the previous month. The year-on-year growth in house prices now stands at 4.3%, the strongest rate since November […]

UK landlords are facing increased challenges in maintaining the profitability and compliance of their rental properties. Securing grants for property improvements is crucial in this environment. In 2024, there are numerous grant opportunities available to help landlords enhance their properties, boost their value, meet energy efficiency targets and improve their properties for disabled tenants. For […]

The Scottish National Party’s Programme for Government is pledging to bring in permanent rent controls for Scotland’s private rented sector (PRS). First Minister John Swinney said proposals to give local authorities the power to cap rent increases would remain part of the Housing (Scotland) Bill. However, he is ignoring stark warnings from Propertymark and other […]

Landlords are at risk of breaching the Equality Act if they don’t allow tenants to use prescription cannabis, a report warns. The Cannabis Industry Council (CIC) is also warning property managers and housing associations that they must meet their obligations under the Equality Act 2010. In a report, entitled ‘The Use of Prescription Cannabis in […]

Rent and mortgage spending growth slowed to its lowest rate in 17 months in August following the Bank of England’s base rate reduction, Barclays reports. It says the move boosted consumer confidence in its latest Property Insights report. Spending on rent and mortgages grew by just 1.1% in August, down from 1.9% in July – […]