As a leaseholder, ensuring that your building is properly insured is critical for protecting your investment. But what happens when the freeholder is unresponsive and unable to provide essential documentation, such as the buildings insurance policy? This scenario recently arose for a reader, Simon Mars, whose neighbour faced difficulties when selling her flat due to […]

Landlords end up covering property damage 90% of the time, even when it’s the tenant’s fault, according to a new survey. Research by Property Inventory Base reveals a lack of inventory process means only 10% of tenants are being charged for property damage. If an end-of-tenancy inspection uncovers damage that wasn’t there during the initial […]

Despite a challenging rental market, buy-to-let properties in England and Wales are delivering their highest average gross yields in nearly a decade. According to research by Hamptons, the average gross rental yield on a newly purchased buy-to-let in England and Wales has reached 7.2%. This marks a year-on-year increase of 0.5%, with landlords in Wales […]

I have a rogue tenant. Despite having signed a rent increase notice, he is refusing to pay the rent increase. The rent for similar properties in this area are between £1,000 to £1,200 per calendar month. His rent has been increased from £600 to £900 per month. Also, he is in breach of the tenancy […]

The government must treat landlords the same as housebuilders due to their vital role in the housing market, says new report. The report by the Radix Big Tent Housing Commission emphasises how landlords are key players in tackling the housing crisis. The Commission also backs the NRLA’s push for the government to clarify how the […]

This week the Telegraph hit the nail on the head when they reported that Landlord profits had collapsed in the past decade following an onslaught of taxes and red tape. That coupled with the unbelievable amount of hoops landlords have to jump through has pushed the entire sector to breaking point. You can attempt to […]

Just when you thought Labour’s hatred of landlords couldn’t get any worse comes the alarming realisation that the Renters’ Rights Bill could be so much worse than most landlords fear. I’m talking about Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook’s interview with the I newspaper that Property118 covered. Firstly, it’s the usual lefty nonsense about protecting tenants – […]

Chancellor Rachel Reeves WILL NOT change the rate of capital gains tax on the sale of buy-to-let properties in the Budget, sources tell The Times. According to the paper, the Treasury is concerned that increasing the rate could cost money and damage the property market. The former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt cut the top rate of […]

One of the most crucial aspects of successful property investing is ensuring consistent tenant demand. A buy-to-let property that remains in demand will not only stay occupied but provide a steady rental income, making it a more secure and profitable investment. Let’s explore how to make sure your buy-to-let property is always attractive to potential […]

Greener rental homes can command a premium of nearly £20,000 compared to less energy-efficient properties, research reveals. According to a report by The Mortgage Works (TMW), landlords are facing a raft of challenges to meet the requirement for PRS homes to have an EPC C rating by 2030. The lender’s research also found that landlords […]

Falling buy to let mortgage rates have revitalised the UK’s landlord market, leading many to expand their property portfolios, research reveals. Despite government reforms aimed at deterring investment in the sector, landlords are increasingly confident in their ability to weather the storm. That’s the verdict from Octane Capital’s analysis which reveals that the average BTL […]

London’s lettings market has shown remarkable resilience in September, despite a seasonal decline in applicant demand, one market index reveals. The latest Foxtons data shows that key areas like central London have continued to experience robust activity. It says that tenant demand in September fell by 35% compared to August, which is the usual seasonal […]

Hi, towards the end of September, I got an email confirming my successful selective licence application. This application was submitted back in June, so it’s taken a while. Some months after I submitted my application, I contacted the same council who are buying back stock. They carried out a valuation and we are nearing a […]

Hi, after 50 years in the rental business, I’ve recently become a landlord of a shared flat classified as an HMO, though not a “true” HMO. I’ve been asked to provide both an FD30 fire door certificate and proof of a “competent installer.” The challenge I’m facing is finding an installer who can self-certify their […]

With interest rates skyrocketing I have become less tolerant with lenders in the PRS sector. I have an uncomfortable feeling of being ripped off. Here are some examples: 1. Preferential rates only offered to new customers. The insurance industry used to do this until it was made illegal. 2. Tracking rates. I took one of […]

Organisations representing landlords and agents have issued a plea to the Chancellor Rachel Reeves for urgent tax breaks to help alleviate the housing crisis and curb rising rents. In a letter ahead of the Budget, the organisations are highlighting the ‘severe shortage of homes’ and the ‘uncertainty on a number of fronts’ facing landlords. The […]

Introduction: This case study presents the commercial rationale behind the incorporation of a property rental business and provides a detailed comparison of the tax outcomes for both unincorporated and incorporated residential landlords. It explains how incorporation is driven by genuine business needs, such as full deduction of finance costs, risk management, and succession planning, and […]

Two major buy to let lenders, Accord Mortgages and Landbay, have announced rate reductions on their products that will help landlords facing affordability challenges. Accord Mortgages has reduced its interest coverage ratio (ICRR) rates, which are the stress rates applied to BTL affordability calculations. This means more landlords can qualify for mortgages and will be […]

With one of the most feared and talked about budgets in decades at the end of this month, taking control over your financial future has never been more important! On Tuesday 22nd October, WealthBuilders will be hosting a live webinar where they will showcase a simple, proven process anybody can follow to build a reliable […]

Avoid these property tax traps in the October budget and safeguard your investments! As tax hikes loom, it’s crucial for property investors to stay informed and ahead of the curve. In this video, Ranjan Bhattacharya delves into the potential implications of the upcoming budget changes on your property and business endeavors. Gain expert insights into: […]

There has been an alarming decline in affordable homes to rent in London, with only 5% of properties being accessible to low-income households relying on Local Housing Allowance (LHA) to cover their rent. The research, conducted by Savills and commissioned by London Councils and Trust for London, paints a bleak picture of the city’s housing […]