UK house prices edged up for the second consecutive month in August, reaching their highest level in two years, according to Halifax. Its index reveals that prices rose by 0.3% compared to July, following a 0.9% increase the previous month. The year-on-year growth in house prices now stands at 4.3%, the strongest rate since November […]

UK landlords are facing increased challenges in maintaining the profitability and compliance of their rental properties. Securing grants for property improvements is crucial in this environment. In 2024, there are numerous grant opportunities available to help landlords enhance their properties, boost their value, meet energy efficiency targets and improve their properties for disabled tenants. For […]

The Scottish National Party’s Programme for Government is pledging to bring in permanent rent controls for Scotland’s private rented sector (PRS). First Minister John Swinney said proposals to give local authorities the power to cap rent increases would remain part of the Housing (Scotland) Bill. However, he is ignoring stark warnings from Propertymark and other […]

Landlords are at risk of breaching the Equality Act if they don’t allow tenants to use prescription cannabis, a report warns. The Cannabis Industry Council (CIC) is also warning property managers and housing associations that they must meet their obligations under the Equality Act 2010. In a report, entitled ‘The Use of Prescription Cannabis in […]

Rent and mortgage spending growth slowed to its lowest rate in 17 months in August following the Bank of England’s base rate reduction, Barclays reports. It says the move boosted consumer confidence in its latest Property Insights report. Spending on rent and mortgages grew by just 1.1% in August, down from 1.9% in July – […]

Lambeth Council has launched a new property licensing scheme aimed at addressing issues related to criminal landlords and improving the quality of private rented sector (PRS) accommodation in some areas of the borough. The new scheme began on 2 September, landlords will need a license to rent out any property to a single-family household or […]

People stuck in homeless accommodation are left in limbo as finding affordable private rental homes feels impossible, warns charity. A report by independent researcher Becky Rice on behalf of charity Commonweal Housing reveals many homeless people are unable to leave their homeless accommodation due to the rising costs of rent. A 2022 survey by the […]

The John Lewis Partnership (JLP) has unveiled ambitious plans to regenerate a disused industrial site in Reading, creating 215 rental homes. The move follows the recent approval for its Waitrose store upgrade in Bromley to include 353 build-to-rent homes. The latest proposals, submitted to Reading Borough Council, involve investing more than £80 million to transform […]

Are you a UK property investor or business owner? If so, you might think the US presidential election has nothing to do with you—but you’d be wrong! Believe it or not, the outcome of this election could have a massive impact on your investments, and if Donald Trump wins, you might just be in for […]

Landlords are confronted with a series of changes and proposals in property tax regulations that significantly impact their bottom line. Staying informed and adapting to these shifts is crucial for maintaining profitability and compliance. This article will break down the key property tax changes and provide actionable strategies to help landlords optimize their efficiency. Understanding […]

Landlords are calling on the housing minister “to level the playing field for landlords and tenants”. In an open letter to Matthew Pennycook the Portfolio Landlords Action Network group demands the housing minister support landlords rather than “demonise them”. Portfolio Landlords Action Network (PLAN) is an informal network of Landlords with 75 Properties or more. […]

The government could trigger a rental crisis if it continues its attacks on private landlords, one tax expert warns. Landlords are being forced to sell up due to a ‘tsunami of legislation’ that has made it increasingly difficult and costly to operate in the sector. Heather Powell, the head of property at Blick Rothenberg, said: […]

Reaching EPC C targets could cost landlords a staggering £24 billion, according to new research. A report by software platform Reapit reveals it would cost £24 billion to retrofit all PRS properties across England, Scotland and Wales to an EPC C. The news comes after a survey by Finbri which reveals smaller landlords are worried […]

Being able to identify a potential hot spot can be the difference between achieving minimal and maximum capital appreciation when investing in property. If you are just starting out and you’re not set on an area, or if you want to sense-check a few patches to see if they have potential, there are some simple […]

A record number of rental homes are hitting the market as landlords worry about possible tax hikes from Chancellor Rachel Reeves. According to property website Rightmove, the number of rental homes entering the sales market has doubled in the last decade. Rightmove reports that 18% of properties currently for sale were previously on the rental […]

A new Labour government has made landlords nervous about what lies ahead as demand continues to outpace supply. The latest figures from Propertymark’s Housing Report for July reveal that, despite a drop in the number of prospective tenants registering for a property, demand still outstrips supply, with about eight new applicants for every available property […]

Hello, I’m in process of buying a freehold property that has an annual service charge of £500 to maintain parking bays, private gardens etc which is obviously rising on annual basis. Everything is pretty much done just need to sign paperwork, but this uncapped service charge is ticking. I’m not sure if it would be […]

In my previous article, I explored the transformative potential of SSAS pensions for property investors and developers. As a quick recap, a SSAS (Small Self-Administered Scheme) is a type of company pension designed for small to medium-sized businesses, offering unparalleled flexibility and control over your pension funds. This allows you to leverage your funds towards […]

Rents in the UK continued their upward trajectory in August, reaching a new high of £1,438 on average for new tenancies, Goodlord reveals. However, the firm is warning that an affordability ceiling is close to being reached – and that could ‘unlock’ a new housing crunch chapter. The rise marks the second consecutive month that […]

Angela Rayner is reportedly considering abolishing the controversial Right to Buy scheme, just months after it was revealed she personally profited from it. The Daily Telegraph has learned that the deputy Prime Minister and housing secretary, who sold her former council home in Stockport for a profit of £48,500 after purchasing it at a discounted […]

Tenant activist groups and trade unions are demanding the Scottish government take action to end the housing crisis by introducing rent controls. Groups such as Living Rent and ASLEF General Secretary Mick Whelan, have written to First Minister John Swinney, claiming “rent controls improve the quality of housing stock”. This is despite a report from […]