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 […]

The English tribunal system is already overburdened and ill-equipped to handle the potential surge in new claims stemming from the Renters’ Rights Bill, research reveals. Proptech company Reapit says that between 2019 and 2023, the number of fair or market rent cases before England’s Residential Property Tribunals increased by nearly 89%, from 483 to 921. […]

I recently found out the landlord’s licence restricts one tenant to one of my flats, while my other similar flats in the same building allow for two. This is after I signed up a 12-month fixed tenancy with a couple! I received the landlord licences for all the properties in the same block.  However, for […]

Most homes sold by landlords are now being purchased by owner-occupiers instead of other investors. According to research by Hamptons, in 2024 more than 80% of properties sold by landlords were bought by owner-occupiers rather than investors. The data reveals only 18% of homes sold by landlords are bought by another investor —a drop from […]

My tenant has been with me for over 10 years. When she moved into the premises she had two children who are now adults in their 20’s. The daughter has left home but the son has continued to live in the property. On carrying out some checks in 2021 it was discovered that the son […]

Rent and mortgage costs have surged after hitting a 17-month low, according to a new report. Barclays Property Insight report reveals a 4.5% year-on-year rise in rent and mortgage costs, a sharp increase from the modest 1.1% growth seen in August. The news comes before the upcoming budget at the end of October, with many […]

Britain’s largest trade union argues the “Renters’ Rights Bill must go further in addressing affordability”. UNISON is calling on the government to introduce rent controls and extend eviction protections for tenants to two years. Under the Renters’ Rights Bill, landlords who repossess a property to sell or move back in cannot evict tenants for 12 […]

Tenant demand continues to outpace supply as landlords worry about the upcoming October budget. According to Propertymark’s Housing Insight Report, tenant demand is on the rise, with registrations jumping from 88 in July 2024 to 112 in August 2024. Demand continues to outstrip supply, with an average of almost 10 new applicants registered for each […]

Rents in the private rented sector (PRS) rose by 8.4% in the 12 months to September, official data reveals. The figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the rate is the same as recorded in August. In England, average rents rose 8.5% to £1,336, while in Wales there was a 8.3% increase […]

Capital Gains Tax – Inflation, the real problem ignored by Government The government chooses to ignore the impact of inflation on the real value of money, property, and the cost of living. Prior to 2008, indexation allowance quite rightly, and sensibly, helped address this important issue. I am 80 years old, a landlord since 1980, […]

Foundation Home Loans’ specialist lending brand, ‘Buy to Let by Foundation’ has expanded its product range to cater to a wider range of landlord needs. The new additions include BTL mortgages specifically designed for larger houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), multi-unit freehold blocks (MUFBs) and expat borrowers. There are also products for borrowers with an […]