Skipton Group has called on the government to introduce incentives and support for landlords to upgrade their properties to meet new energy efficiency standards. Under government plans, all rental properties must achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of Band C by 2030. However, research by Skipton reveals significant challenges facing landlords. It found that […]

Rents in major UK cities are beginning to fall for the first time in years – the pace of rental inflation is now at its lowest level in nearly three years. According to research from Zoopla, cities like London, Brighton, Glasgow, Nottingham and Worthing have seen a decline in rents. Plus, a third of London’s […]

Doubt is being cast on Labour’s proposed ‘Freedom to Buy’ mortgage guarantee scheme after an analysis of Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) data. Wealth management firm Quilter says the scheme may not effectively support prospective first-time buyers. Since its inception in April 2021, the current mortgage guarantee scheme has facilitated just 44,368 mortgages, with 86% (38,323) […]

Accord Mortgages has reduced its buy to let rates again – the second rate cut this month. The intermediary-only lender has lowered rates by up to 0.20% across all loan-to-values (LTVs) up to 75%. The new range is available now and includes competitive fixed-rate options for both remortgages and new purchases. The lender’s BTL mortgage […]

Reading Borough Council has announced the closure of its wholly owned housing company, Homes for Reading, and tenants must leave when their tenancy ends. The council will transfer the 101 homes to its housing stock and will be rented out as much-needed key worker homes at affordable rents. Homes for Reading was established in 2016 […]

More than 340,000 homes must be upgraded every year to hit 2030 EPC C targets. However, Propertymark says at the current rate, it will take an extra 12 years to get all rented homes up to EPC C standards. Ed Miliband has previously said that all landlords must meet EPC C targets by 2030. Must […]

The Bank of England’s recent decision to lower interest rates to 5% has ignited optimism within the housing market, says property expert Lucian Cook. The head of residential research at Savills says the move, marking the first rate reduction since March 2020, signals the central bank’s belief that inflation is finally under control. He said: […]

Homeowners and property investors are being warned to stay vigilant against property fraud. A report by Thirdfort reveals a 26% increase in the total number of homeowners who have signed up for a property alert scheme to protect against fraudulent property transactions. According to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by Thirdfort, 108,290 property owners […]

London’s rental market has seen a surge in tenant activity, with offers and enquiries jumping 22% and 7% respectively compared to June, one lettings firm reports. Chestertons also says that it has registered a 14% increase in the number of landlords instructing for their property to be let. The data mirrors findings published this week […]

More than 3,000 buy-to-let landlords in the UK are now under the age of 21, according to a new study. Research by UHY Hacker Young Accountants reveals Gen Z landlords are now collectively earning more than a whopping £66 million in rental income. Despite young property investors making their mark the 51-60 age group remains […]

“My landlord has just increased my rent by £700 per month.” That’s what my tenant client said to me last week in panic mode. They’re a family of 4 consisting of a couple and 2 small children. They live in a 2-bedroom flat in Hammersmith and Fulham Council. You might be thinking… “How on earth […]

Hi, if a possession order has been granted and the tenant is waiting to be evicted because he thinks he can get a council house – his rent is 2 months in arrears – does this means that he is making himself intentionally homeless? And will the council still rehouse him when the bailiffs evicts […]

Despite a drop in house prices in June, Scotland’s housing market is recovering more quickly than those in England and Wales. According to Walker Fraser Steele’s house price index, after several strong months, the average house price dropped by 0.7% to £223,923. Even with the slowdown in June, three local authorities in Scotland reached new […]

Hi, I live in a leasehold apartment which suffered serious flooding 10 months ago and caused a lot of damage. Since then, the loss adjusters and builders have been working on renovations, and I have not had any access to my apartment during this entire period. Given that I’ve been unable to use the property […]

The number of mortgage options available for holiday let landlords has significantly increased, an analysis reveals. But tax changes will impact profits from next year. According to Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, there has been a surge in holiday let mortgage deals, with the number of options jumping from 362 in August last year to 445 currently. This rise […]

Labour’s proposed Renters’ Rights Bill could significantly impact the level of control landlords have over their rental properties, one leading law firm says. Osborne Clarke says landlords need more clarity about the proposed Bill which offers tenants increased security but will reshape the private rental sector. The removal of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions will mean […]

Hello all, I’m hoping this isn’t a silly question, however it would be great to know what people think about the following as I have not been able to find much on the matter. When the Renters Rights Bill take places (if it does and which reforms will get enacted) will the end of a […]

The last so-called Conservative government enacted some terrible policies on the PRS. After our initial shock, many of us flexed and adapted and eventually habituated to greater risks for fewer profits, many of us sold up and left the sector. All of this pales into insignificance when compared to what our current socialist government has […]

Merton Council is believed to be the first in the country to seize a landlord’s properties because – it claims – this will protect tenants. The council says the landlord has repeatedly flouted housing regulations by not licensing them. Under its selective licensing scheme, the council has the authority to address poor housing conditions and […]

The UK’s rental market is on the brink of a transformative shift with Labour’s proposed replacement of the Renters Reform Bill with a Renters Rights Bill. This is claimed to recalibrate the balance of power between landlords and tenants, ensuring a fairer, more transparent, and more predictable rental environment for millions across the country. Could […]

Hi, I am evicting a tenant who has been verbally abusive and threatening, and generally uncooperative. His rent is £795 pcm, and the arrears are £1,756.94. He is not the worst tenant I have ever had and the arrears are not the worst either. But he is getting to be a problem that I do […]