A landlord organisation has released a manifesto outlining 14 recommendations including a bold reform for Section 21. ihowz says the recommendations aim to create a fair and efficient rental market that works for landlords and tenants. Recommendations include fair taxation for landlords and training for landlords and tenants. Two months Rather than abolish Section 21, […]

Sandwell Council says it will use additional licensing to tackle the ‘poor management of properties’ and the scheme will cover all HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) with three or more occupants. This new borough-wide scheme aims to improve housing standards and tackle anti-social behaviour – though the council is warned ‘there is a risk that landlords […]

As a landlord, ensuring timely and reliable rent collection is crucial to maintaining a steady cash flow and reducing administrative headaches. The method you choose for collecting rent can significantly impact both your efficiency and your tenants’ satisfaction. In the UK, landlords have several options, including Standing Orders and Direct Debits. Utilising a specialised Direct […]

I’ve got election overload. The editorial team thought it might be time for something slightly different, and so an article journaling my relatively fast rise to being a landlord in volume would make sense. I’ll start by saying – the property world is full of fluff. Puffery, they call it in American commercial law – […]

Well, what do landlords make of the political party manifestos this week? The big one is Labour which is promising to ban Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions on day one. There’s still no indication of how they will do that. The Tories say they will resurrect the Renters (Reform) Bill which has been such a success […]

There has been a surge in tenant requests for eco-friendly features in rental properties as 92% of investors report this rise, research reveals. The survey by Handelsbanken found that more tenants have been asking about sustainable features like heat pumps and solar panels in the past year. Plus, more than a quarter (28%) of renters […]

The Labour Party has launched its manifesto, with promises to help “protect renters from arbitrary evictions.” Manifesto pledges include abolishing Section 21 and setting energy efficiency targets. The NRLA says they “stand ready to work” with a Labour government while Shelter says rental reforms are needed now more than ever. Fair to renters and landlords […]

The number of tenancies ending in disputes that cost more than five weeks’ rent from the deposit has risen, research reveals. According to Reposit, a deposit alternative provider, the number of deposit claims that exceed the deposit value has risen from 13% to 17% this year. The firm analysed its own data on tenancies that […]

Solutions by Foundation, the specialist BTL brand of Foundation Home Loans, has introduced a new product line called ‘HMO Plus’. It is aimed at landlords seeking financing for HMOs requiring commercial valuations, such as a property with multiple kitchens. HMO Plus caters to HMOs with up to six occupants/bedrooms that fall outside the scope of […]

Reading Borough Council is seeking feedback from landlords on a new licensing scheme designed, it claims, to improve the quality of private rented housing for tenants. The consultation proposes extending the current house in multiple occupation (HMO) licensing scheme to include properties with three or four occupants. Currently, Reading only licenses HMOs with five or […]

One of the main challenges property investors face is running out of deposit money, which means they have to stop investing. But what if you could get all of your property deals funded without using your own money? I’m excited to share my proven 3-step process that will allow you to secure 100% funding for […]

Labour pledges to immediately ban Section 21 to “stop renters from being exploited.” The party’s manifesto simply dubbed “change” promises to “overhaul the regulation of the private rented sector” by introducing measures such as all homes in the PRS need to meet energy efficiency standards by 2030. Other policies include introducing Awaab’s law to the […]

Plaid Cymru pledges to bring fairness to the private rented sector by introducing rent controls. The party’s manifesto plans to bring in the Right to Adequate Housing Bill which they claim will help provide safe and affordable homes. Other policies include an ambition to build more social homes and a crackdown on holiday lets. System […]

In this episode of Property Answers, we dive into the critical question: “Will a New Government Be the End of the Road for Permitted Development?” Join us as we explore the potential policy changes, political implications, and what property developers and homeowners need to know about the future of permitted development rights. Don’t miss out […]

Landlords wanting to modernise a rented property can now take advantage of new, streamlined mortgage options from Paragon Bank. It has launched a refurb-to-let proposition which offers financing specifically designed for upgrades that don’t require structural changes or planning permission. This solution caters to landlords wanting to improve the overall condition of their properties, including […]

The Green Party claims “renters are having their lives turned upside down by the whim of their landlords”. The Green Party manifesto dubbed “our fair deal for renters” says the party will abolish no-fault evictions to help “tenants stay in a secure home.” Other policies include building 150,000 new social homes every year and introducing […]

Confidence in the UK’s housing market is beginning to fall in the run-up to the General Election with one index highlighting the issues with ‘a huge mismatch’ in the private rented sector (PRS). The survey by RICS shows that tenant demand continues to outstrip supply, leaving them facing rising living costs and plummeting affordability levels. […]

Groups representing renters in England have sent every political party an open letter urging them to address the ‘unprecedented crisis’ facing tenants. They say that renters ‘face constant insecurity’ from the threat of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions and that a quarter of tenants have lived in at least three rented homes in the last five […]

The Conservatives promise to “deliver fairness in the rental market” by abolishing Section 21 and passing the Renters (Reform) Bill. The Conservative manifesto has a wide range of policies which the Tories claim will ensure fairness in the housing system. However, the NRLA have blasted the manifesto saying the policies will do nothing to help […]

Hi, as a landlord, I’ve had a flat rented out since October 2023, with the same tenants occupying it since then. The tenants are registered with the council and have set up a direct debit to pay their council tax. However, I’ve been receiving harassment from both Birmingham City Council and the Equita enforcement agency […]

Hello all. I’m looking for advice on this situation, please. The neighbor of my 3-bed semi, who has lived there for around 40 years, has not maintained the trees in her 120ft garden. In contrast, I invested in fully surrounding close-board fencing in 2007, which is barn-painted and re-done before the 10-year paint guarantee expires. […]