The gap between the number of tenants and available rental properties is set to narrow by 2030 – but there will still be more than two tenants chasing every property, research reveals. Tenancy deposit alternative Zero Deposit says that tenant demand underscores the ongoing challenges faced by renters wanting accommodation. The firm analysed England’s private […]

The Housing Ombudsman has announced a special investigation into Lewisham Council following a damning record of complaints handling. A staggering 85% of cases against the council have been found to be instances of maladministration over the past year, with 16 of these deemed severely so. The situation is particularly dire in cases involving leaks, damp […]

Landlord insurance can be daunting but getting a quote might be easier than you think. To get an accurate and comprehensive quote you’ll need to provide specific information about your rental property. Here at Property118, we’ve teamed up with The Home Insurer which helps provide a top-class personalised service and could help save you money […]

Local authorities are missing out on millions of pounds in tax revenue due to a loophole allowing holiday homeowners to avoid paying both council tax and business rates. That’s the verdict of property consultancy Colliers which stresses it doesn’t blame the homeowners for taking advantage of the tax break when making their properties available to […]

Hi, can anyone tell me if legal documents posted by Whatsapp and/or email are considered legally acceptable and ‘served’ by the courts? I have two ex-tenants who refuse to give me their new addresses, but as I can send them emails and they both have Whatsapp, can I send them letters before action using either […]

Can you help us, please? We hope Property118 has been a valuable resource in your property investment journey. We aim to provide the latest insights, news, and a platform to ask questions and share best practices with your peers, to help you navigate the ever-changing Private Rented Sector. It costs around £32,000 a month to […]

A perfect storm of soaring demand and limited supply of homes has pushed rents to unprecedented levels, according to the latest Goodlord Rental Index. The average cost of renting a property in England surged by 7.5% year-on-year, shattering previous records set just last summer. With the traditional letting peak underway, July saw rents jump 20% […]

Paragon Bank has refreshed its product range, offering landlords more competitive buy to let mortgage options. Rates for single self-contained properties with energy efficiency ratings A-C begin at 3.89%, rising to 3.94% for homes with EPC D or E. These deals are available at 70% loan-to-value (LTV) with a 5% fee. ‘Landlords looking for two-year […]

London’s private rented sector (PRS) is a key driver of the UK economy, contributing a substantial £14.6bn to the nation’s wealth, a new report reveals. A study by PwC, commissioned by the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) and Paragon Bank, underscores the PRS’s economic significance. The sector supports 128,000 jobs in the capital alone, highlighting […]

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 […]