Since letting agents have crucial knowledge about the private rented sector (PRS), they must push for its improvement and support the proposed Renters’ Rights Bill. That’s the view of Neil Cobbold, PayProp’s commercial director, and he says agents must engage with MPs to achieve this. He warns though that landlords need to be confident they […]

Just one in eight potential first-time buyers can afford the average property in their area, with the situation even more dire for lower earners, research reveals. The Skipton Group Home Affordability Index also highlights that the figure drops to one in 100 for renters earning less than £22,850. Also, nearly 80% of aspiring homeowners lack […]

Half of all complaints lodged with the Housing Ombudsman in the past year originated from the capital, a new report reveals. The stark figure from the Housing Ombudsman underlines a deepening crisis in London’s social housing market where residents face disproportionate challenges. While fewer than one in six social homes in England are in the […]

In this insightful episode, Ranjan Bhattacharya analyses the potential impact of the recent election on property prices. How will the new political landscape affect the real estate market? Join Ranjan as he breaks down expert predictions, discusses key factors influencing the market, and offers guidance for buyers, sellers, and investors. Don’t forget to like, comment, […]

Hi, My wife and I are keen to sell our final rental property. We are now fully retired, aged 78 & 66, and wish to sell so we can recover the cash to cover our retirement plans. Our tenant has been in the house since we bought it around 12 years ago.  Her family have […]

Buy to let lender Landbay has unveiled a fresh suite of non-portfolio products, alongside rate cuts and new offerings. Designed for landlords owning three or fewer mortgaged properties, the new range features five-year fixed rates up to 75% loan-to-value (LTV) starting from 4.39%. Landbay has also introduced two standard five-year products at up to 55% […]

Hi everyone, My siblings and I have made a decision to invest in a garage and are currently saving up for our first investment. Does anyone know the areas where there is high demand? Given the importance of location, how do we find out the best location to invest in? We are based in London and […]

Properties in areas with high rental demand command a significant price premium – which could be up to 34% higher than regional averages, research reveals. The data from London estate agent Benham and Reeves shows these areas are attractive investment targets for landlords. Despite challenges facing the buy to let sector, the firm highlights the […]

The number of young people living alone in the UK has rocketed by a third in just one year, with 237,000 individuals now embracing solitary lifestyles, research reveals. While this trend highlights a growing desire for independence, it coincides with a severe cost of living crisis that is making solo living increasingly challenging for many. […]

Part II of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (the ‘Act’) affects a large number of properties and was created to provide security of tenure to business tenants. The Act applies to leases granted to tenants of business premises and the tenant or tenants must be in occupation of the relevant premises for business purposes […]

Nearly half of private renters in England are enduring freezing, damp or mouldy homes, Citizens Advice has warned. And, the charity claims, half of these tenants have endured these conditions for over a year. It also says there has been a surge in eviction cases and it is helping nearly 100 people every day who […]

We had a possession order granted (warranty applied for this week) finally after a year-long battle with a section 8 for rent arrears amounting to over £14,000. A money order has been granted too. The trouble is we are so behind on all of the letting agent fees as well as having to pay out […]

Hi, What right does a landlord have when the freeholder of a block of flats has failed to include ‘accommodation cover if flat becomes uninhabitable’? I am the long leaseholder of a flat in a block of 37 flats and the freeholder has omitted this coverage. Do I have any rights to make the freeholder […]

Landlords say that a more efficient eviction system is the best way to encourage increased investment in the buy to let sector, research reveals. According to mortgage market specialist Pegasus Insight, it found that 64% of landlords prioritise streamlining the eviction process, eclipsing even lower taxes as a motivator. A reduction in Capital Gains Tax, […]

Three councils have revealed plans to either consult on new selective licensing schemes in their areas or introduce stricter regulations. Wandsworth Council says it is seeking to improve the private rented sector (PRS) in the borough by introducing two new licensing schemes. The proposals, currently under consultation, aim to tackle criminal landlords and ensure better […]

Hi, I have tenants in Glasgow on Universal Credit. The tenants paid the rent to me until I asked them to find another property due to vandalism – they have wrecked the house, doors hanging off, holes in walls etc, they have 4 kids. I contacted Universal Credit who don’t give me a reason but […]

Landbay has unveiled reductions across its buy to let product range, with interest rates falling by as much as 0.25%. The lender has cut rates on five-year and two-year standard products, and two-year like-for-like remortgage deals by up to 0.25%. Its two-year small HMO/MUFB products are now 0.10% lower. ‘Make some sizeable reductions’ Landbay’s sales […]

Hi, I am the freeholder of a Victorian conversion of 3 flats and I own and live in one of them, on the ground floor. The flat above me has just been sold in auction. Over 20 years ago somebody put up a partition wall and made the bedroom into two bedrooms, without the freeholder’s […]

Hi, My daughter’s freeholder and management company (since disengaged) have been a nightmare for many years. Not engaging with the tenants to complete repairs and maintenance. Starting section 20 procedure and letting it lapse. Ignoring communication. She is in a block of 4 flats with a commercial property underneath. They started the appointment of a […]

Average advertised rents outside London have surged to a fresh quarterly peak of £1,314 per month, marking a 7% increase year-on-year, Rightmove says. The platform warns that while this growth is slower than the 2022 peak of 12%, renters continue to face significant financial pressures. London rents have also climbed to a record £2,661 per […]

Paragon Bank has introduced four limited edition five-year fixed rate buy to let mortgages tailored to landlord portfolios. The lender is offering two new products for landlords owning three or fewer mortgaged BTL properties, and corresponding options for those with larger portfolios. These mortgages are available for single self-contained properties up to 65% loan-to-value and […]