Page 174 – Property118

New partnership wants to know why private landlords won’t rent to councils

2nd September 2024

A groundbreaking partnership has been launched to harness the potential of the private rented sector (PRS) to combat the homelessness crisis in the UK. The collaboration between Crisis and TDS Group will focus on developing strategies to encourage PRS landlords to rent homes to those who are homeless. Private landlords are seen as a potential […]

Rising rent concept with stacked coins and a wooden house symbolizing increasing rental costs

Why Failing To Increase Rent Annually Is Bad for Business and Bad for Your Tenant

2nd September 2024

Increasing rent on an annual basis is a standard practice among many landlords, designed to help them keep pace with inflation and sustain the profitability of their rental properties. While some landlords may hesitate to raise rents due to concerns about tenant retention or perceived fairness, failing to do so can lead to financial pitfalls […]

EV charging point powering an electric car at a residential property

EV charging costs in flat garages?

2nd September 2024

Hi, I rent out a flat in a development of freehold flats where there’s an external managing agent to make sure relevant legislation is complied with. The issue is residents charging electric cars from their garages. Prior to the flats’ management picking up the tab for electricity used, the meters were read every quarter by […]

Business professional in blue suit representing NRLA leadership on housing crisis.

Call to save the PRS by scrapping landlord levies

30th August 2024

The private rented sector (PRS) is in dire straits, with rocketing tenant demand and a fall in the number of homes to rent, Ben Beadle says. In an article for The Times, the chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), argued that tax increases over the past 14 years have made it more […]

Foundation offers consumer buy to let mortgages

30th August 2024

Foundation Home Loans, the intermediary-only specialist lender, has announced that consumer buy to let (CBTL) mortgages are now accepted as standard criteria across its ‘Buy to Let by Foundation’ and ‘Solutions by Foundation’ product ranges.  The following scenarios are typical of a consumer buy to let: Property inherited from a relative Applicant/customer moved in with […]

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How can I extend my lease if the other freeholder won’t communicate?

30th August 2024

Hello everyone, I am looking for advice/help to resolve this. I purchased a leasehold flat with 50% freehold interest in 2002. It is a detached property with three flats. The ground floor is owned by me and the first floor is owned by a lady who also has the other 50% of the freehold. I […]

Business professional in formal suit at modern office building

UK house prices edge higher despite monthly dip

30th August 2024

The UK’s house prices saw a modest year-on-year increase in August despite a slight monthly decline from July’s figures, Nationwide reports. Its house price index reveals that average house prices rose by 2.4% year-on-year, up from 2.1% in July. This marks the fastest pace of annual growth since December 2022. However, prices dipped by 0.2% […]

Black mould growing on a window frame in a damp home.

Council offers help to tenants and landlords struggling with damp and mould

30th August 2024

Tenants and landlords are being encouraged to seek help from their local council to address persistent damp and mould problems in their rental properties. The Forest of Dean District Council’s environmental health team is offering advice and assistance as part of a new initiative called ‘Healthy Homes’. The project provides guidance and ensures that appropriate […]

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Free guidance on new alarm rules for Northern Ireland landlords

30th August 2024

Free guidance for landlords in Northern Ireland is being made available ahead of key changes to smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements for private tenancies. From September 1, all new private tenancies must have sufficient smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms installed in their homes for the first time. This is a significant step forward […]

Angela Rayner unveils ‘New Homes Accelerator’ to speed up stalled housing projects

30th August 2024

The UK government has launched an initiative aimed at accelerating the delivery of stalled housing projects across the country – the New Homes Accelerator. The move has been announced by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and it will bring together government agencies, local planning departments and housebuilders to identify and address planning blockages that are […]

The best UK postcodes for yields when investing less than £100,000

30th August 2024

Research has revealed the five UK postcodes where landlords can achieve the highest rental yields with an initial investment of less than £100,000. The findings from Inventory Base show that the national average rental yield stands at 4.3%. That’s based on an average house price of £333,030 with a monthly rental income of £1,206. But […]

Smartphone showing smart home energy efficiency rating in a modern kitchen

Landlords say government’s EPC C target by 2030 is ‘impossible’

29th August 2024

As the UK government pushes ahead with its plan to require all rental properties to achieve an EPC rating of C by 2030, a growing number of landlords are sounding the alarm. According to a survey by Landwood Group, a staggering 95% of respondents believe the target is impossible to meet. And, it says, it […]

Students sharing kitchen chores in a university house share

How do you deal with uncommunicative former student tenant?

29th August 2024

Hi, I have an HMO let to students and one of the students has decided not to continue at university and get a job if he can. He says his parents will pay for his rent for a year but when asked about arrangements I get silence. I have tried contacting the student several times […]

Debt repayment reminder with calculator and pen on desk, symbolizing rent recovery and financial management.

Has anyone used third party debt orders to recover debts?

29th August 2024

I have received a court judgment against my ex-tenants, but they have left without a forwarding address. One of the tenants is receiving partial benefits, therefore I can’t use an attached earning order to reinforce the court order. I wonder if I could use a third-party debt order to recover the debts they owe me. […]

Generation Rent rent freeze tenants landlords property118.com

Energy price cap hike to hit least efficient homes hardest

29th August 2024

The energy price cap is set to rise by 10% from 1st October, leading to significant increases in energy bills for UK households, Rightmove says. The property website warns that the least energy-efficient homes rated as G will be hit the hardest, with bills potentially rising by as much as £558 per year. For homes […]

“To Let” sign outside residential houses reflecting UK rental market challenges

Selective licensing – should I appeal the number of occupants restriction?

29th August 2024

Hi, The London borough where I own a single apartment has recently introduced selective licencing to all rented properties across the majority of the borough. The draft licence I have been given states a maximum occupancy of “1 household, or 2 persons in two households”. This seems a very low use of space given it […]

Portrait of a business leader in suit and tie

Property taxes in Scotland reach record high

29th August 2024

Property taxes in Scotland have soared to a new record high, raking in almost £640 million for the Scottish Government in the past year, research reveals. According to an analysis by DJ Alexander Ltd, Scotland’s biggest lettings and estate agency, Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) revenues totalled £639.8 million in the 12 months to […]

Labour looks to give councils powers over short-term lets

29th August 2024

Labour plans to fast-track a crackdown on short-term lets by granting councils new powers, the Telegraph reports. The newspaper says Labour will empower local councils in England to designate areas where holiday lets will need planning approval. Also, a compulsory national register for short-term lets is on the horizon. A Ministry insider informed the Telegraph […]

Louisa Sedgwick, the managing director of Paragon Bank,

Tenant demand fuels ambitions for aspiring landlords

29th August 2024

Long-term tenant demand and a desire to supplement retirement income are the primary drivers for aspiring landlords seeking to build property portfolios, research reveals. According to Paragon Bank, the findings highlight a growing trend among landlords who are actively seeking to increase their rental income and build long-term wealth. Its ‘Next Generation Landlord Report‘ surveyed […]

Landlords fear being “taxed to the hilt” by Labour, rush to sell before November

28th August 2024

A new Labour government, Section 24 tax, and the proposed Renters Rights Bill have landlords understandably worried. Coupled with the threat of 45% Capital Gains Tax, it looks like before too long, landlords are going to be “taxed to the hilt.” It makes sense, therefore, that so many are looking to sell again, fast. About […]