In a heated interview on BBC Radio 5 Live, Keir Starmer declared, “not all landlords are evil,” but slammed some for driving up rents through bidding wars. The Labour leader took questions from listeners and presenter Nicky Campbell on various issues including housing. Labour’s manifesto pledges to abolish Section 21 immediately and strengthen tenants’ rights […]

It’s a classic debate – resi versus commercial. I’ve been involved in it a whole number of times over the years. This one had a third flavour though – stocks and shares. I was invited by Manish Kataria CFA to appear on his podcast alongside (or against?) Natasha Collins MRICS to debate the merits, and […]

The UK’s house prices showed modest growth in June as prices edged up by 0.2% in June compared to May, resulting in an annual increase of 1.5%, Nationwide reports. Its latest house price index also reveals that prices are still 3% below the record high reached in the summer of 2022. The building society’s chief […]

Hi, probably an apt question at this time of the year. Student tenancy agreements can run until late June, July, August or even September. Students become liable for council tax from the day after they formally stop being a student. This could be when their course officially ends, some as early as mid May, or […]

As a landlord, ensuring your property is attractive to potential tenants is vital to ensure you are not left with voids and you attract the right kind of tenant. But something as simple as the advert now involves more than just highlighting the properties aesthetic and functional features. An essential aspect of advertising process is […]

A legal expert is warning that some landlords are still not aware that they are unwittingly breaking the law in selective licensing areas because they don’t know they need to have a license to operate. And ignorance is not a defence should the council find out, says Jane Anderson, of law firm Irwin Mitchell. She […]

The NRLA has slammed political parties’ failure to address housing benefit rates. More than 1.5 million households rely on Local Housing Allowance (LHA) to help pay rent. According to the NRLA, 65% of these households struggle with a gap between their LHA payments and monthly rent. 5% of PRS properties being affordable In April 2024 […]

It’s time to cut to the chase. We’ve all been thinking it: is property becoming more hassle than it’s worth? If you’re questioning your property portfolios, you’re not alone. With persistent high interest rates, constant bombardments of tax warnings, the risk of Capital Gains Tax rising and a new Labour government with a super-majority talking […]

When thinking about your future, two things that might not be at the forefront of your mind but are incredibly important are writing a will and setting up Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). The consequences of not having a will or LPA can be devastating but as Heritage Wills explains to Property118 in a video […]

On Thursday we get to vote in the General Election to decide which political party will lead the country for the next 5 Years. I am still not sure who I am going to vote for, so I have been reading the political party Manifestos, and have pulled together an election special episode of my […]

Housing Ministers need to stay for the long haul to tackle the housing crisis, insists a property expert. Jonathan Rolande, the founder of House Buy Fast, is encouraging the next government to prioritise housing from day one. Since 2010, there have been 16 housing ministers, with seven of them coming into office since 2020. Countless […]

Mortgaged properties with low energy efficiency ratings can achieve EPC C targets easily, according to new data. Technology company Kamma says despite scaremongering four out of five inefficient mortgaged homes can easily achieve EPC C. The Prime Minister announced plans last year to scrap EPC requirements for landlords. The legislation would have required landlords to […]

Demand for rent arrears advice has dramatically increased in Scotland, according to new research. Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) reveals a 53% increase in demand for rent arrears advice in social housing. The Scottish government and six other councils in Scotland recently declared a housing emergency. Protections for tenants Citizens Advice Scotland has also seen an […]

House prices remain flat in May but look set to be 1.5% higher by the end of 2024, Zoopla reports. According to its latest House Price Index, house prices are currently 8% ‘over-valued’ but will be ‘fairly valued’ by the end of the year due to rising incomes. Zoopla’s data shows that despite the election, […]

Hi, I have a top floor 1 bed flat in a Victorian house converted into 8 flats. The freeholders who have issued to me all the correct section paperwork, obtained quotes for the rear garden (totally run down, overlooked and rarely used due to poor access) to be cleared and paved and for a new […]

In this episode, join Ranjan Bhattacharya and John Howard as they tackle the ultimate question for investors: Commercial vs Residential Buy-to-Let – which one is better? They’ll compare the pros and cons, analyze market trends, and provide expert advice to help you make the best investment decision. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just starting […]

This is what the local borough sent to my tenant after I had sent her a Section 21 notice: “I have requested that you be assigned an officer who will go through the next stage with you. “Please be aware that due to a backlog of cases, this may take a little while but you […]

With just a week to go until the general election, landlords are sceptical about the housing policies of the political parties. According to a survey by SpareRoom, almost two-thirds of landlords, (62%) have decided who they’re voting for already. However, 62% of voters who have made up their minds are not optimistic about their choices. […]

Hi, I’m considering allowing my ASTs to lapse into periodic (rolling) tenancies, but I’m finding conflicting information about notice periods for rent increases. According to Section 13, form 4, note 15: The first requirement, which applies in all cases, is that a minimum period of notice must be given before the proposed new rent can […]

Housebuilding in Scotland has taken a significant hit since rent controls were introduced. According to Scottish government figures, only 16,404 new homes were started in 2023/24, which is 3,000 fewer than the previous year. In the private sector, the number of new homes started fell to 12,904, down 16% and the lowest number since 2014/15. […]

Hi, if you have seen my previous posts you’ll know my experience with a bad tenant with my very first BTL has been horrendous! Please see post here >> https://www.property118.com/who-pays-for-damaged-door-after-police-welfare-call/comment-page-3/#comments The tenant has requested an early release to secure a larger property, but there are still unresolved property damages. My confidence in the agent is […]