Angela Rayner has warned that councils will be stripped of planning powers if they fail to meet housing targets. Under new plans announced by the Housing Secretary mandatory housing targets will increase from 300,000 to 370,000. Ms Rayner says councils that fail to meet targets will be compelled to build on low-value “grey belt” land, […]

Hi, I’ve got a good tenant who’s been paying £800 a month to rent my property. From research on Rightmove and also local feedback suggest that the going rate should be around £1,000 a month. I’m thinking of raising the rent by £75 a month, which would bring it up to £875. Is raising the […]

The boss of property listings website Zoopla, Charlie Bryant, says that being a private landlord is no longer financially viable – and corporate landlords will move into the market. Speaking to the Telegraph, Mr Bryant, who leads Zoopla’s parent company Houseful, highlighted that individual buy to let investors are retreating from the private rented sector […]

Hi, I am a director of a management company. A month ago, I appointed a block management company which was suggested by one of the leaseholders as the previous one was not helpful and incapable of managing our flats. As I was told that I could not be the only director I asked another leaseholder […]

In the ever-evolving landscape of property investment and personal finance, the ability to swiftly adapt and seize opportunities is crucial. Short-term bridging loans emerge as an indispensable tool for investors and individuals seeking immediate access to funds, providing a bridge between the present financial need and future financing solutions. What Are Short-Term Bridging Loans? Short-term […]

Landlords across the UK are potentially facing staggering repair costs, with new research revealing an astonishing 72 maintenance jobs per property ownership, totalling more than £34,000. Buy to let insurance provider Alan Boswell Group, in partnership with Compare My Move, has unveiled the most costly property damages, offering landlords crucial insights to shield their investments. […]

The Labour government has committed to build 1.5 million homes during the next parliament and has pledged to adopt a strategic approach to the green belt. A new report by property consultants Carter Jonas explores what this means for green belt land. Labour intends to build on ‘grey belt’ land and brownfield sites rather than […]

In this eye-opening episode of Property Breaking News, Ranjan Bhattacharya and Andrew Roberts investigate the claim that only £20 million a year is required to solve the UK housing crisis. Can such a modest budget really address such a massive issue? Join Ranjan and Andrew as they break down the numbers, examine expert opinions, and […]

Hello everyone, I use a Letting Agent with full management services with a Landlord Agreement The agreement states that the Agent acts on the Landlord’s behalf. What I want to know is if I am entitled to receive copies of emails that my agent has sent to my tenant? Does this cause any kind of […]

Hi, I am considering selling a number of foreign BTL properties. Unfortunately, the paperwork involved will require multiple trips to the countries they are located in. I have been struggling to find what qualifies as a tax deductible expense for this. Is there a HMRC document that applies to my circumstance i.e. a private landlord? […]

John Lewis Partnership has secured planning permission to transform its Bromley Waitrose site into a new community of 353 rental homes and an upgraded supermarket. The project, set to deliver a £70 million boost to the local economy, prioritises residents and workers in the area for the new homes. The development will also include public […]

After a chilly 2023, the UK’s housing market is showing clear signs of warming up in 2024, with increased buyer activity and a growing number of homes for sale, one house price index reveals. According to Zoopla, house prices climbed by a modest 0.1% over the past year to £265,600, but it anticipates a steady […]

Hi, I have a guaranteed rent agreement aka rent-to-rent which ends in five months on a fixed end date. I am afraid I won’t get vacant possession on the end date as the agency I signed with has said they will put a new sub tenant in shortly before the agreement end date. This means […]

Property investors are betting on interest rate cuts to fuel market optimism rather than worrying about political change or global tensions, according to a new report. Handelsbanken’s latest survey of landlords with an average of 35 properties each reveals more than half are buoyed by the prospect of base rate reductions in the coming months. […]

Hi, How can my agent think emails between myself and my tenant are sufficient when agreeing an early release from a tenancy? My tenant has been obstructive with regards access and I’ve had numerous issues, property damage etc. I will be happy to agree an early release (with a deed of surrender) and will self […]

The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 is a cornerstone of English property law, providing essential guidelines for the maintenance and repair obligations of landlords. One of the most critical sections of this Act is Section 11, which outlines the specific duties landlords must adhere to regarding the repair and upkeep of rental properties. This article […]

After gaining a section 8 hearing on 16 July .. the defendant didn’t attend – the judge awarded 14 days notice for the tenant to leave. The rent, my court expenses and the tenant’s deposit to me. That was 11 days ago! The PCOL system isn’t running. I haven’t received anything in writing to confirm […]

Foundation Home Loans has unveiled a new limited-edition HMO product and reduced rates across its ‘Buy to Let’ and ‘Solutions by Foundation ranges, while The Mortgage Lender has also reduced its BTL offering. Foundation’s ‘Buy to Let’ brand has introduced a new five-year fixed-rate HMO product available up to 75% Loan-to-Value (LTV) at 5.74% with […]

Only 37% of homes for sale will qualify for stamp duty relief when the current threshold of £425,000 reverts to £300,000 from April 2025, a study reveals. Rightmove says this offers a bleak outlook for first-time buyers in England and is a sharp decline from the current 58% of homes that qualify. The South West […]

An industry body wants letting agents to be included in Andy Burnham’s Good Landlord Charter. The charter aims to “empower renters” and drive up standards in the private and social rented sectors. Propertymark argues that the charter should include a clearer role for property agents and allow agents to be members of the charter. According […]

I own a freehold property and I am thinking of getting a lodger, but my restrictive covenant against the property states: “Not to use the property or any part thereof for any purpose whatsoever other than as a private dwelling” That’s all the covenant says in this regard i.e. there is no wording in the […]