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 […]

A new housing enforcement policy has been adopted by North Yorkshire Council to ensure that all private rented sector (PRS) housing in the county meets high standards. This unified approach replaces the previous seven separate policies used by the district and borough councils. The new policy strengthens the council’s ability to proactively tackle substandard housing. […]

The number of properties for sale in London that were previously rented has surged, according to research from TwentyCi. The analytics firm found that in July, 22% of all the 8,006 newly listed homes for sale in Inner London had been available to rent at some point in the last decade – a 10-year high. […]

I’m just reposting this in the hope someone can advise further. In the case ‘ROBINSON AND GREEN VS SIMARC’, the tribunal ruled that sublet fees are registration fees not admin fees and could not comment on their reasonableness. The full First-Tier Tribunal ruling can be seen here >> https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/619ea554e90e070446653c0e/21_Calder_Halifax.Adminfee.pdf >> https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/619ea554e90e070446653c0e/21_Calder_Halifax.Adminfee.pdf Please also see >> […]

A council looks set to extend its additional licensing scheme for five more years until 2030. The scheme, which grants the council additional powers to regulate HMOs, follows a consultation earlier this year that found both tenants – and apparently – landlords support the tougher measures. Coventry City Council says its scheme, which was brought […]

The NRLA is calling for a regular Welsh housing survey to help future housing policy decisions. The NRLA says there should be a Welsh housing survey similar to the English Housing Survey that has been run annually in England since 1967. The last Welsh Housing Conditions survey was carried out in 2017/18. Welsh private rented […]

Renters are having to find an extra £312 per year to cover the cost of rent that exceeds their budget, according to a new survey. Research by SpareRoom shows a big gap between what renters plan to spend on rent each month and what they actually end up paying. Across 216 towns and cities in […]

With rental demand soaring, competition for properties is fierce and data from OnTheMarket highlights the extreme disparities in how quickly rental homes are being snapped up. The platform’s new ‘Transaction Speed Index’ has Gloucester as the fastest market, with properties being let in just 14 days. However, Middlesbrough is the slowest market, with tenants taking […]