Foundation Home Loans, the intermediary-only specialist lender, has announced that consumer buy to let (CBTL) mortgages are now accepted as standard criteria across its ‘Buy to Let by Foundation’ and ‘Solutions by Foundation’ product ranges.  The following scenarios are typical of a consumer buy to let: Property inherited from a relative Applicant/customer moved in with […]

Hello everyone, I am looking for advice/help to resolve this. I purchased a leasehold flat with 50% freehold interest in 2002. It is a detached property with three flats. The ground floor is owned by me and the first floor is owned by a lady who also has the other 50% of the freehold. I […]

The UK’s house prices saw a modest year-on-year increase in August despite a slight monthly decline from July’s figures, Nationwide reports. Its house price index reveals that average house prices rose by 2.4% year-on-year, up from 2.1% in July. This marks the fastest pace of annual growth since December 2022. However, prices dipped by 0.2% […]

Tenants and landlords are being encouraged to seek help from their local council to address persistent damp and mould problems in their rental properties. The Forest of Dean District Council’s environmental health team is offering advice and assistance as part of a new initiative called ‘Healthy Homes’. The project provides guidance and ensures that appropriate […]

Free guidance for landlords in Northern Ireland is being made available ahead of key changes to smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements for private tenancies. From September 1, all new private tenancies must have sufficient smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms installed in their homes for the first time. This is a significant step forward […]

The UK government has launched an initiative aimed at accelerating the delivery of stalled housing projects across the country – the New Homes Accelerator. The move has been announced by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and it will bring together government agencies, local planning departments and housebuilders to identify and address planning blockages that are […]

Research has revealed the five UK postcodes where landlords can achieve the highest rental yields with an initial investment of less than £100,000. The findings from Inventory Base show that the national average rental yield stands at 4.3%. That’s based on an average house price of £333,030 with a monthly rental income of £1,206. But […]

As the UK government pushes ahead with its plan to require all rental properties to achieve an EPC rating of C by 2030, a growing number of landlords are sounding the alarm. According to a survey by Landwood Group, a staggering 95% of respondents believe the target is impossible to meet. And, it says, it […]

Hi, I have an HMO let to students and one of the students has decided not to continue at university and get a job if he can. He says his parents will pay for his rent for a year but when asked about arrangements I get silence. I have tried contacting the student several times […]

In this episode of Property Breaking News, Ranjan Bhattacharya and Andrew Roberts expose the failures of Ealing Council’s Private Sector Leasing Scheme and its disastrous impact on landlords. From broken promises to financial losses, they delve into the challenges landlords are facing and what this means for the future of property investment in the area. […]

I have received a court judgment against my ex-tenants, but they have left without a forwarding address. One of the tenants is receiving partial benefits, therefore I can’t use an attached earning order to reinforce the court order. I wonder if I could use a third-party debt order to recover the debts they owe me. […]

The energy price cap is set to rise by 10% from 1st October, leading to significant increases in energy bills for UK households, Rightmove says. The property website warns that the least energy-efficient homes rated as G will be hit the hardest, with bills potentially rising by as much as £558 per year. For homes […]

Hi, The London borough where I own a single apartment has recently introduced selective licencing to all rented properties across the majority of the borough. The draft licence I have been given states a maximum occupancy of “1 household, or 2 persons in two households”. This seems a very low use of space given it […]

Property taxes in Scotland have soared to a new record high, raking in almost £640 million for the Scottish Government in the past year, research reveals. According to an analysis by DJ Alexander Ltd, Scotland’s biggest lettings and estate agency, Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) revenues totalled £639.8 million in the 12 months to […]

Labour plans to fast-track a crackdown on short-term lets by granting councils new powers, the Telegraph reports. The newspaper says Labour will empower local councils in England to designate areas where holiday lets will need planning approval. Also, a compulsory national register for short-term lets is on the horizon. A Ministry insider informed the Telegraph […]

Long-term tenant demand and a desire to supplement retirement income are the primary drivers for aspiring landlords seeking to build property portfolios, research reveals. According to Paragon Bank, the findings highlight a growing trend among landlords who are actively seeking to increase their rental income and build long-term wealth. Its ‘Next Generation Landlord Report‘ surveyed […]

A new Labour government, Section 24 tax, and the proposed Renters Rights Bill have landlords understandably worried. Coupled with the threat of 45% Capital Gains Tax, it looks like before too long, landlords are going to be “taxed to the hilt.” It makes sense, therefore, that so many are looking to sell again, fast. About […]

After a speech by Sir Kier Starmer warning that the autumn budget will be ‘painful’, top Tories say that ‘nothing will be safe’. Mr Starmer was laying the groundwork for a tax raid and said people must accept ‘short-term pain’ for ‘long-term good’. He also warned that those with the broadest shoulders ‘should bear the […]

Scotland’s private rented sector (PRS) is facing a perfect storm of rising rents and concerns about dwindling supply as the Scottish government pushes for rent controls, one firm says. CityLets warns that as the Scottish Government continues to push forward with legislation to control rents in PRS hotspots, there’s overwhelming evidence of their detrimental impact […]

Fleet Mortgages has announced significant changes to its product range for houses of multiple occupation (HMOs). Meanwhile, CHL Mortgages has refreshed its limited edition buy to let range, introducing new fee options. Fixed-rate HMO mortgage Fleet is launching a new two-year, fixed-rate HMO mortgage for landlord borrowers. The mortgage offers a competitive rate of 6.49% […]

The UK’s housing market is showing signs of recovery as house prices rise slowly following a period of volatility, Zoopla reports. However, the platform also warns that a record-high supply of homes for sale is emphasising the importance of realistic pricing strategies for sellers. According to its latest house price index, average UK house prices […]