Page 18 – Property118
Hourglass beside eviction notice illustrating court delays in landlord possession cases

NRLA hits out at court eviction delays

16th February 2026

The National Association of Residential Landlords (NRLA) is warning that the justice system is heading towards breaking point as government data show mounting delays in possession proceedings. The Ministry of Justice figures show it took courts an average of more than eight months to process and enforce landlord claims last year. That is the second […]

Black mould spreading across a damp bedroom wall corner above wooden flooring

What action can be taken when tenants fail to manage damp?

16th February 2026

The weather in England has been very wet. Additionally, there has been very little frost. Consequently, the moisture has not been freezing out of the atmosphere as it might do otherwise. Consequently, homes are more damp than usual. We do have AST agreements with tenants, which require them to take steps to look after the […]

Hand unlocking a door to a home with moving boxes inside, symbolising renting out a spare room to a lodger.

Lodger supply drops for first time since 2020 amid rising rents

16th February 2026

Rental supply from lodger landlords has fallen for the first time since the pandemic, according to new data. Findings by SpareRoom reveal that landlords who rent out rooms in their own homes make up a quarter of all supply in the flatshare market, but this has declined in recent years due to the government not […]

Graphic on Scottish rent controls being scrapped above homes in Scotland

Scottish Conservatives pledge to scrap rent controls

16th February 2026

The Scottish Conservatives have pledged to reverse rent controls and build 80,000 affordable homes to tackle Scotland’s housing emergency. The party has published its Ending Scotland’s Housing Crisis policy paper, setting out its plan to tackle Scotland’s housing crisis by speeding up housebuilding and helping keep landlords in the private rented sector. The policy paper […]

Gavel and scales of justice before a clock, illustrating court delays in landlord possession cases.

Court possession delays reach 20-year high despite fall in landlord claims

13th February 2026

Landlords are facing the longest court waiting times in 20 years despite a drop in possession claims, eviction experts Landlord Action reveal. Its analysis of Ministry of Justice data shows 91,093 landlord possession claims were issued in 2025, down from 98,766 the previous year. That represents a 7.8% annual decline. Accelerated possession cases fell by […]

Hand removing a red figure from a line of blue figures, symbolising tenant discrimination risks

Landlords could face Equality Act compensation claims and council fines

13th February 2026

Landlords must be careful about how they choose their tenants under new discrimination rules in the Renters’ Rights Act, an expert has warned. Under the act, it will be illegal for landlords and letting agents to discriminate against prospective tenants who receive benefits or have children. In a post on her Landlord Law Blog, Tessa […]

Knight-themed Landlord Crusader logo symbolizing landlord advocacy

Why landlord eviction delays could be the biggest issue in 2026

13th February 2026

Among all of the issues facing landlords today, and they seem to be continually growing, I think the lengthening court times for evictions is fast becoming the single biggest headache for landlords in England. As the Renters’ Rights Act looms, we will see from 1 May, Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions vanish, forcing every possession claim […]

Digital check mark symbolising verified tenant support for landlords using a professional guarantor scheme.

Guarantor service launched ahead of advance rent clampdown

13th February 2026

A professional guarantor product aimed at supporting landlords while widening access to rented homes for tenants without UK-based guarantors has been launched. The scheme from lettings platform Goodlord allows renters to secure up to three years of cover with a single upfront payment. It’s called Goodlord Guarantor and has been designed for tenants who struggle […]

Elderly tenant resting in bed with oxygen tube, reflecting on illness and end-of-life planning

My long-term tenant’s health seems to be failing – what should a landlord do?

13th February 2026

Hello, I own a number of properties with long-term, hassle-free tenants. One of them has been rented to a retired chap for 15 years with absolutely no problems. The rent has kept pace with the market. He keeps the house in excellent condition, and I have responded immediately to any issues. We consequently have had […]

Most landlords are unprepared for May’s Renters’ Rights Act

13th February 2026

Three-quarters of landlords have made no preparations for the abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, as the Renters’ Rights Act reforms approach in May, research reveals. Inventory Base points to widespread gaps in readiness across the private rented sector though most landlords aware of the Act’s headline reforms. However, lots of them are unclear […]

Homeless man sleeping on pavement in Glasgow with Scottish flag in background

Scottish Conservatives slam SNP’s ‘virtue-signalling’ policy for homelessness surge

13th February 2026

The Scottish Conservatives have accused the SNP of ‘worsening the housing emergency’, following a controversial rule change that has seen homelessness applications soar in Glasgow. Data obtained by the Scottish Conservatives through a Freedom of Information request reveals a 3,500% increase in homeless applications to Glasgow City Council from outside Scotland since the SNP abolished […]

Judge’s gavel beside a warning sign symbolising legal challenge over selective licensing scheme

Landlord association challenges council’s selective licensing scheme

13th February 2026

A landlord association is fighting back against a council’s proposed selective licensing scheme by threatening legal action. The Eastern Landlords Association (ELA) has urged Great Yarmouth Council to withdraw its selective licensing scheme, which is set to come into force on 1 April, or delay its implementation by six months. The ELA has given the […]

Falling buy-to-let mortgage arrears shown by downward red arrow over UK rental homes

Buy to let mortgage arrears drop to two-year low

13th February 2026

Buy to let mortgage (BTL) arrears have fallen as the mortgage market shows signs of improvement, according to new data. Findings from technology company Pepper Advantage suggest the UK mortgage market is beginning to stabilise after arrears reached a two-year low. However, the firm warns there are still concerns about the future of the mortgage […]

Roofer using a nail gun to replace roof tiles on a London home in a conservation area

Can indemnity insurance help with building work?

13th February 2026

Hi everyone, hope 2026 is going well for you. My son owns a house in London, which is situated in a conservation area. The recent bad weather has resulted in several serious leaks in the roof. He’s had a couple of reputable builders in to inspect it, and the consensus is that a new roof […]

Severely damp and cluttered rented bedroom highlighting poor housing conditions in Greater Manchester

Andy Burnham proposes compulsory purchase orders for PRS homes

12th February 2026

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has called for compulsory purchase orders for private rented sector (PRS) homes that are non-decent. Speaking at the Resolution Foundation’s Unsung Britain conference in London, Mr Burnham set out his three points to fix the housing crisis. As Mayor, Mr Burnham launched the Good Landlord Charter, which covers […]

Business professionals walking toward an exit sign, symbolising landlords leaving the rental market

Fears of landlord exodus raised in Lords debate on Renters’ Rights Act

12th February 2026

Peers have clashed over the Renters’ Rights Act, arguing “landlords are voting with their feet” and choosing to leave the market. In oral questions in the House of Lords, several Peers challenged the government over landlords exiting the market due to the Renters’ Rights Act. However, Labour Peers claimed the act will lead to better […]

Black mould spreading across a damp bedroom wall corner above wooden flooring

Tenant demanding compensation for mould?

12th February 2026

I have a tenant who complained about mould and the handyman went to sort this out and said the same thing would happen if there was no ventilation. I bought a dehumidifier for the tenant, but six weeks later, the tenant complained again of mould, saying he should be allowed to leave before the end […]

Dumped furniture piled on a neighbour’s driveway outside a UK terraced house

New tenant dumped items next door?

12th February 2026

Hi all, I have a new tenant who’s been in for less than one month since January and just found out they have dumped furniture onto next door’s drive. The owner is away and has sent me a message saying this needs to be cleared, as they gave no permission for the items to be […]

Rising rents illustrated by stacked coins and upward red arrow beside a model house

Housing market shows signs of recovery but rents set to rise – RICS

12th February 2026

House prices appear to have stabilised, but supply remains constrained and rents are expected to rise, according to the latest RICS survey. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) says that although tenant demand has increased, the ongoing imbalance between supply and demand is pushing rents higher. The survey found that a net balance of […]

Model house beside a calculator with a downward arrow symbolising falling UK rental prices

Rents fell in January but tenant affordability pressures remain

12th February 2026

Rents fell in most UK regions in January, signalling a clear post-Christmas slowdown, but the cost of accessing rented housing remains stubbornly high when set against earnings. Propertymark’s latest rent price and salary tracker shows month-on-month declines across much of the country. The sharpest drops were recorded in the North East at −10.0%, followed by […]