Landlords are facing the prospect of picking up the bill for Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ recent Budget, says Nick Lyons. The chief executive of property inventory firm NoLettingGo says the increased tax burden on businesses, including letting agents, will inevitably lead to higher costs being passed on to tenants. He says: “The additional cost to employers […]

Auctioneers believe that last week’s Budget move to increase the higher rate for Additional Dwellings from 3% to 5% will discourage investment in the private rented sector (PRS). NAVA Propertymark, Propertymark’s auctioneering arm, says the increase will reduce supply and potentially lead to higher rents for tenants. The organisation is calling for a review of […]

The Renters’ Rights Bill will push landlords out of the sector and into short-term holiday lets, warn MPs. During a Renters’ Rights Bill Committee meeting, some MPs expressed concerns about the bill’s potential impact on the private rented sector. However, Matthew Pennycook, the Housing Minister, claimed, “there is no evidence of a landlord exodus.” The […]

With the recent budget announcement from the Labour government, many property investors are taking a step back to reassess their strategies. The new stamp duty hike from 3% to 5% on second homes and investment properties, represents a substantial 66% increase. This change has left some investors cautious, but where others see hurdles, savvy investors […]

One week after the Budget, landlords and second homeowners are selling up, bracing for higher taxes and council tax premiums. According to Zoopla, a third of homes for sale on the property website are currently chain-free. A chain-free home is one where the sale is not dependent on the buyer or seller needing to complete […]

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Hawks won out today voting by 8 – 1 to reduce the Bank Base rate by 0.25% from 5% to 4.75%. This was despite a recent Labour Budget widely perceived as inflationary as the Bank of England projects the measures announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves to add […]

Nick Bano’s recent article in The Guardian, “The End of Landlords,” proposes the radical idea of driving private landlords out of the UK housing market to solve the housing crisis. It’s a bold claim, but one that doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. Bano’s arguments are based on outdated views and unrealistic ideas that would harm […]

The average UK house price edged up 0.2% in October despite the economic uncertainty, marking the fourth consecutive monthly increase, Halifax reveals. It means a typical property price has reached a new record high of £293,999. The previous peak of £293,507 was set in June 2022. While year-on-year prices rose 3.9%, this represents a slight […]

Shawbrook Bank has unveiled a series of enhancements to its commercial investment products, designed to bolster support for property investors aiming to diversify and grow their portfolios with commercial assets. These changes underscore the lender’s aim to deliver tailored financial solutions across various property types, featuring increased maximum loan-to-value (LTV) ratios for key asset classes. […]

Londoners are increasingly choosing to leave the capital amid post-election uncertainty and high house prices. Data from Compare My Move shows fewer Londoners staying local, with 37% of residents now choosing to live outside of London, up from 29% less than two years ago. This shift coincides with a dramatic rise in London landlords selling […]

Letting technology platform Goodlord is helping letting agents and landlords prepare for the upcoming Renters’ Rights Bill with a series of new product offerings and partnerships. This move comes amid concerns from landlords, with nearly half (47%) having sold properties in the past year or planning to do so due to incoming legislation. Goodlord’s Aspen […]

Letting agents and councils are teaming up to tackle damp and mould in the private rented sector with a new campaign. East Riding of Yorkshire Council, alongside Hull City Council, has launched the Healthy Homes campaign to raise awareness of the risks of untreated damp and mould. Backed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and […]

When planning a renovation to boost a property’s value, it’s crucial to understand how to estimate its end value while considering the time, effort, and cost involved. The numbers need to work in your favour for the project to be worthwhile. Step 1: Research Comparable Properties Start by researching comparables—properties similar to your planned finish, […]

Selective licensing schemes should DOUBLE from five to ten years, says professional body. The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) supports an amendment by Carla Denyer, co-leader of the Green Party, in the Renters’ Rights Bill to double the duration of licensing schemes, which she claims “will help local authorities improve housing conditions”. This is […]

The Housing Ombudsman has slammed social housing providers for failing to meet legal requirements and safety hazards. In a new report, the Ombudsman reveals a 329% increase in the number of interventions it has had to make to resolve issues for social housing residents. Failings include social housing providers not addressing damp and mould issues, […]

Day by day, more landlords are waking up to the clear picture that the UK Government has no intention of allowing smaller scale private landlords to thrive—perhaps not even to survive. Rather than making a clean break, the Government has taken a ruthless, underhanded approach to dismantling the Private Rented Sector (PRS) as we know […]

Despite a rapid rise in rents over the past three years, real estate firm JLL is forecasting that rents will increase by 17% over the next five years. Its latest ‘Residential Forecast 2025-2029’ shows that while UK rents surged by 27% in the five years to September 2024, the current supply-demand imbalance is gradually easing. […]

House prices in the UK are forecast to increase by £84,000 over the next five years, according to a new report from property firm Savills. With inflation returning to target and interest rates expected to decline, the housing market is poised for consistent year-on-year growth. Savills is predicting a 4% increase in house prices in […]

Landlord profitability has reached its highest point since the first quarter of 2022, according to research by Paragon Bank. A survey of more than 700 landlords, revealed that nearly nine in 10 (87%) reported making a profit in the third quarter of 2024, a significant rise from the same period in 2023. The data suggests […]

Carmarthenshire County Council is inviting feedback on proposed regulations for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) within the Tyisha and Glanymor districts of Llanelli. Residents, landlords, tenants, and those with ties to the two wards are now being encouraged to share their opinions on a potential additional licensing scheme for HMOs. The consultation wants views on […]

Former estate agent Kevin Hollinrake has been appointed as the new Shadow Housing Secretary. Kemi Badenoch, the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party, has been assembling her Shadow cabinet. Mr Hollinrake previously served as the Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade. Tough time to start Mr Hollinrake, the MP for Thirsk and […]