Some critics, landlords and commentators say there isn’t a landlord exodus, but landlords are leaving – there is no doubt. So, while the term exodus makes people feel squeamish it’s like the look-out on the Titanic calling that massive iceberg ‘a chunk of ice’. We can play with words all we want but the truth […]

Charities slam new figures from the government which claim Section 21 is one of the leading causes of homelessness. New figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government reveal that the end of a private tenancy remains a leading cause of homelessness, with 79,500 people seeking council help after their assured short-hold tenancy […]

The Renters’ Reform Coalition is calling for the government to introduce compensation for tenants who are evicted under the new Renters’ Rights Bill. In a report, the coalition argues that the legislation falls short in protecting tenants from the financial hardship from Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions. The coalition proposes that evicted tenants be given ‘an […]

Landlords are increasingly exiting the private rented sector (PRS), and tenants are facing rising rents, a new report reveals. The 7th annual Goodlord & Vouch State of the Lettings Industry Report paints a grim picture of the UK’s rental market. Around 1,500 respondents took part, and it was found that many landlords are selling their […]

Most landlords (75%) are expressing huge concerns about the government’s plans to abolish Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions as part of the Renters’ Rights Bill. A survey conducted by buy to let lender Landbay revealed that landlords’ primary concern is a loss of control over their properties and their ability to remove problem tenants. They argue […]

Rental yields across England and Wales have continued to increase, according to the latest Fleet Mortgages’ rental barometer. However, the pace of growth has slowed, suggesting that the rent rises seen in recent years may be coming to an end. The overall average rental yield for England and Wales now stands at 7.2%, up from […]

Hi, my partner’s tenant is currently paying mates rates [£500 below market] on a personal AST. The tenant is a friend and is 12 months into her second 12 months AST. She is paying some £500 below the local market rent as a favour. Recently, her accountant advised her to start paying the rent through […]

Parliament will debate the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report today, which found the 72 deaths in the Grenfell fire were avoidable due to widespread failings. MPs will push the government on plans to act on the report’s recommendations. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to “speed up fixing unsafe cladding,” and will set targets […]

The UK property market is witnessing a surge in landlord and second-homeowner properties for sale as they race to offload their homes ahead of anticipated tax changes, Zoopla reveals. Its latest house price index highlights the looming threat of higher taxes that might be announced in this month’s Budget. The prospect has prompted a wave […]

Polly Neate has announced her decision to step down as chief executive of housing charity Shelter after more than seven years in the role. Ms Neate will leave the position at the end of March 2025, with the recruitment process for her successor already underway. During her time at Shelter, Ms Neate has been a […]

Hi, I have a few rentals coming up for annual rent reviews between Nov 2024 – Feb 2025. In light of the Renters’ Rights Bill (RRB) the implications at this stage seems to be heading towards the landlord having to register with the Ombudsman and also applications to the national landlord database. I presume this […]

I want to be environmentally conscious (who doesn’t?) and improve the legacy of both property and planet. I also want to be a good landlord (who doesn’t?) and enhance my tenants’ living conditions and cash flow. But when the EPCRR (Recommendation Report) suggests that I should be spending £4,000 to £14,000 on “internal or external […]

One leading landlord organisation is warning that older properties without EPC exemptions could see half of the private rented sector’s homes disappearing from the market. In an exclusive interview with Property118, the chief executive of iHowz, Peter Littlewood says “EPCs are a blunt instrument” when it comes to rating energy efficiency and makes it almost […]

A council has been forced to refund more than £2,800 to a landlord after a Tribunal ruled in his favour. Mick Roberts, one of Nottingham’s largest landlords for benefit tenants, accused Nottingham City Council of overcharging him for property valuations during lease renewals on four of his flats. The council charged £825 per flat for […]

Rumoured changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) in the upcoming Autumn Budget could see the average landlord being hit by a £15,000 CGT increase on the average buy to let property, research reveals. Lettings and estate agent Benham and Reeves have analysed the CGT being paid by landlords at current tax thresholds and what would […]

The UK’s private rented sector (PRS) is facing a potential storm as landlords reassess their portfolios in response to anticipated tax changes and reforms. Now members of The Guild of Property Professionals have been asked their views and they are warning of significant disruptions in the short to medium term. They point to a proposed […]

Aspiring portfolio landlords are turning to more complex rental properties, such as Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and multi-unit blocks (MUBs), as they build their property businesses, research reveals. According to a new survey by Paragon Bank, these landlords are increasingly drawn to these higher-yielding properties due to the significant demand for rented housing. The […]

Hi Everyone, I need to evict a tenant/family member. I’ve served a section 21, but I am seeing conflicting information online. Some say you can evict using section 21 without a tenancy agreement then others say you can use section 21 but not an accelerated procedure and would need to be N5 form and others […]

I sent Form 17 to HMRC just before Christmas in 2022 to change the ownership of my properties for better tax arrangements. It took them three months to respond, asking for further documents – including one I had already provided. I resent the document, but it took them over a year to come back, only […]

A new funding pot has been announced by the government to support energy efficiency improvements in England, but many landlords may still be left out in the cold, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) warns. The ‘Warm Homes: Local Grant’ scheme will provide grants of up to £30,000 for landlords to improve their first rental […]

Hi, my partner and I own a two-bedroom flat in Scotland and have decided to rent out one of the rooms for £550 a month (which is an excellent price for where we live). It is our first time letting a room. So our lodger has one dog staying in our property full time, a […]