Rents in the UK’s private rented sector (PRS) continued to climb in the year to December, though the pace of growth did slow, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals. Its data reveals that average rents have risen by 9% in the 12 months up to December – a slight drop from the 9.1% increase […]

A London council says it lost 156 private sector homes being used for temporary accommodation last year due to landlords reclaiming their properties. It says this is down to landlords exiting the market or wanting their properties back to leave the council increasingly reliant on expensive nightly paid accommodation. Between November 2023 and November 2024, […]

For too long now landlords owing to the government’s failure have had to take the beating and burning off the government. Rents have had to significantly rise in the last few years due to two major factors the rise in interest rates and the obvious Section 24 Tax. This is a tax on both tenants […]

Dear Members and Readers, Our apologies for the Newsletter accidentally being sent about 6o times today Wednesday 15th January. This was a one-off glitch due to a cat keyboard interface error and an additional safeguard is being added. Normal service will resume for the rest of the week and thank you for your patience. Please […]

Important update: The below Clause 11 amendment did not make it through the House of Commons debate and was not put to a vote for the impending 2nd reading of the Renters Rights Bill in the House of Lords. However Section 21 Guarantor not liable for rent payable after tenant’s death did make it through […]

More than 200 private tenants are being evicted by a Labour-run council to address its growing housing waiting list, the Daily Telegraph reports. The council aims to rehouse families currently living in temporary accommodation, which costs the borough £28 million annually. The local authority, which is grappling with a £70 million deficit, has more than […]

The Renters’ Rights Bill has navigated the House of Commons and is now heading to the House of Lords for further scrutiny and could become law by the summer. While the Bill incorporates several amendments, including limits on upfront rent payments and protections for bereaved guarantors, there are concerns over how landlords will be affected. […]

Most landlords planning to exit the private rented sector (PRS) within the next two years are driven by concerns over changing regulations and taxation, a report reveals. The findings from The Deposit Protection Service (DPS) show that 47% of landlords are considering selling some or all of their properties. And 89% of these landlords identified […]

While many landlords are concerned about the abolition of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, they believe the expanded Section 8 possession grounds proposed in the Renters’ Rights Bill could be useful. The survey from buy to let lender Landbay found that new mandatory Section 8 grounds for possession, such as when the landlord or their family […]

A new selective licensing scheme for ALL landlords with private rented sector properties in one London borough has been unveiled. Barking and Dagenham Council will be one of the first authorities to utilise new Labour government rules that remove the need for Secretary of State approval for such schemes. The scheme will start on April […]

Research by district and borough councils into how housing conditions and experiences affect the health and well-being of tenants and landlords has been launched. The councils in Suffolk are working with the University of Suffolk to help use the research to inform council policies and initiatives to improve housing for tenants. Researchers want to hear […]

I have been advised by an eviction specialist to issue a Section 21 instead of a Section 8 as in theory, It’s a a quicker and cheaper process. Unfortunately, I did not secure the deposit in TDS within one month, so I have been advised to return the deposit to the tenant to comply. It’s […]

Landlords, letting agents and build-to-rent providers have warned that the government’s Renters’ Rights Bill could make it harder for vulnerable tenants to access rented accommodation. In a statement ahead of the Bill’s report stage in the House of Commons this week, a coalition of organisations, including the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), British Property Federation […]

Market Financial Solutions (MFS) has reduced its rates across its bridging, buy to let and Bridge Fusion ranges. The lender has lowered both variable and fixed-rate bridging loan rates. Rates on the Bridge Fusion range, a hybrid of a bridging loan and a longer-term BTL mortgage launched in June 2024, have also fallen. This product […]

First-time buyers are rushing to complete property purchases before the stamp duty increase comes into effect in April, Hamptons reveals. It says that the share of homes bought by first-time buyers across Great Britain surged to a record 31.8% in November and December 2024, driven by the impending tax changes. The Autumn Budget announced a […]

Half of the UK’s 30 million homes increased in value in 2024 as house prices returned to growth following a decline in 2023, research from Zoopla reveals. It points to weak buyer demand, driven by higher borrowing costs as contributing to the 2023 price drop. A total of 15 million UK homes saw a value […]

Last year saw landlords struggle with a huge rise in tenancy fraud, particularly in London, research reveals. The findings from Homeppl, a tenant referencing platform, found that its technology helped clients avoid £16.9 million in losses due to fraud. It says that for every £1 spent on the firm’s technology, clients saved £22.60. The biggest […]

The latest Scottish Housing Survey underscores the distinct roles played by the private rented sector (PRS) and social housing in Scotland, a property expert says. David Alexander, the chief executive officer of DJ Alexander Scotland, says the survey highlights the need for a housing system that caters to the diverse needs and aspirations of its […]

Millions of people in England are struggling with housing insecurity, according to a new study by Shelter. The charity’s research highlights that two-thirds (67%) of those questioned have struggled with housing challenges in the past year. It says this translates to nearly 20 million people across the country. The charity claims that the high cost […]

Hi all, I’m seeking advice on an issue regarding my short-let/Airbnb property. Last month, I listed my purpose-built flat as a short-let. While I’ve only received about five bookings so far, along with some upcoming reservations, I find comfort in having control over the flat compared to traditional renting. The decision to pursue short-lets stems […]

The NRLA has slammed the Welsh Government’s “absurd plans” to pay compensation to tenants. A recommendation from the Senedd’s Housing and Local Government Select Committee could force landlords to pay tenants up to two months’ rent as compensation if they need to sell or move back into their property. The NRLA has criticised the move, […]