Rent controls imposed in Scotland in 2022 to alleviate cost-of-living pressures will be lifted next month. The decision follows industry warnings that the caps stifled investment and inflated rental costs. Scottish Housing Minister Paul McLennan told the Herald newspaper: “The temporary changes to rent adjudication were in place to support the transition away from the […]

The North East has delivered the highest average rental yield for buy to let investors over the past five years, surpassing even London, research reveals. According to an analysis from Benham and Reeves of England’s rental markets, the North East delivered a 4.84% average yield, exceeding London’s 4.42%. Nationally, the average BTL was 4.17% with […]

Hello, I thought I’d look at the EPC study going on at the moment till mid-February but was horrified. The questions we need to answer to provide input appear inappropriate and wasteful. There will likely be a big review that misses the main points and we will all likely be burdened with heavy costs and […]

Residential or commercial property — what’s the smarter investment in 2025? In this video, we break down the top 5 reasons why switching to commercial property is the game-changing move property investors need to consider. From navigating new legislation like the Renters Rights Bill to tax benefits, stamp duty savings, and even pension-friendly options, we […]

The Renters’ Rights Bill has passed its second reading in the House of Lords and will now go to the Committee stage. A total of 44 members of the House of Lords spoke at the second reading of the Bill. Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of Housing, who introduced the second reading of the […]

Hello, I rent out one property, and a significant number of other landlords do the same. The rental from this property is my only income since I am retired. It was an investment, but it also provided a home for somebody else which is more than you can say of most investments. It has always […]

Landlords should receive tax incentives for energy-efficient property upgrades which help reduce renters’ ‘crippling’ utility expenses, Tory MPs have urged. MailOnline reports that Labour has been told by MPs in the Conservative Environment Network (CEN) that tax relief will lower tenant costs and reduce UK reliance on foreign fuel imports. As part of the government’s […]

Two leading lenders have announced reductions in their buy to let mortgage rates, offering competitive financing options. The first is Accord Mortgages which has dropped rates across its BTL product range. Two- and three-year fixed rates up to 80% loan-to-value (LTV) are down by 0.25%, while five-year fixes have been reduced by 0.20%. Tracker rates […]

A looming crisis will hit the UK’s private rented sector as two-thirds (67%) of landlords say they will either leave, reduce their portfolio size or switch to short lets this year. The research conducted by SpareRoom reveals that just 4.5% of landlords are planning to buy in 2025. It found that confidence among landlords has […]

Up to one million children in the PRS could face poverty by 2026 because of a rent shortfall due to frozen Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates, a report highlights. The study from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) blames the combined impact of welfare changes, a growing number of children in the PRS and […]

John Bird, the founder and editor-in-chief of the Big Issue, has criticised tenant-landlord dynamics and highlights the urgent need for more public housing. In an article for the magazine, he writes: “All I know is that we have to end the vulnerability of tenants who are caught in a trap that only enriches the landlord […]

The Renters’ Rights Bill faces its second reading in the House of Lords today (Tuesday 4 February), with calls for revisions to address potential negative impacts on the private rented sector. Those concerns come from Propertymark which fears that the regulations could reduce housing availability, inflate rental costs and hinder access to affordable homes. Government […]

Are you ready to navigate the 2025 property market and thrive in challenging times? In this video, Ranjan Bhattacharya covers the critical insights every UK property investor needs to stay ahead. With the economy facing stagnant growth, rising taxes, and increased regulatory pressures, successful property investment requires the right strategies and a forward-thinking approach. Discover […]

A surprising 42% of landlords are unaware of the impending requirement for a minimum EPC rating of C for private rented properties, a survey reveals. Research conducted by epIMS, highlights the lack of awareness of the need to meet Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) standards by 2030. Last month, the government announced a consultation on proposed […]

Rents climbed 4.6% in January compared to last year, reaching an average of £1,207 per property, according to the Goodlord Rental Index. This jump from £1,154 in January 2024 signifies an acceleration in annual rent rises. The North East experienced the most substantial annual growth at more than 8%, while the East Midlands saw the […]

Hi everyone, I’ve recently found out one of my tenants has a cannabis farm in my rental property. I’ve informed the police who have investigated and are due to attend. The tenant has not really lived in the property. The period of initial rental has expired so now he’s on a periodic tenancy. My agent […]

Cardiff, Birmingham and Plymouth have emerged as prime locations for buy to let investment, according to Paragon Bank’s 2024 lending data. It says that Cardiff’s CF24 postcode in Cardiff, encompassing Cathays and Roath, led the pack, attracting landlords keen to house the city’s large student population. Paragon says that BTL investors there can see average […]

Hello, Do you provide premises for residential or commercial tenants? If the answer is residential, then you are a housing provider. Landlord is an archaic legal term which today is a misnomer. Some hundreds of years ago a landlord was lord of his land. No longer. Landlord is now a pejorative word. We are housing […]

Hello, I hope someone here can give me some advice. I have a fixed term tenancy due to end in May and I normally approach the tenants about 3 months before to discuss renewal of the agreement etc. Now with the Renters’ Rights Bill coming, I wonder how I should approach this. Should I still sign […]

Years ago, bridging finance was considered a very expensive option, but bridging products are a lot cheaper and many savvy investors are turning to us, to know which lenders to turn to. There are many ways in which short-term finance can be used as detailed below Starting with Standard Bridging for: Chain breaking, Cash flow […]

Paul Shamplina’s renowned charity boxing event, ‘Rumble with the Agents’ is celebrating its milestone 10-year anniversary with two spectacular events this year. One in London on 19th June and, for the first time, a second event in Newcastle on 4th December. Since its inception, ‘Rumble with the Agents’ has grown into a highly anticipated fixture […]