It will be impossible for Labour to build 1.5 million homes over the next Parliament, according to new data. Research by estate agents Yopa reveals Labour’s pledge will be extremely hard to achieve as the average number of new homes delivered each year since 2014 is 188,194. Labour’s manifesto pledges also include abolishing Section 21 […]

While a sitting tenant in a property can be a dream for buy to let investors, offering immediate rental income and peace of mind, finding such an opportunity is a challenge. Lomond, a buyer of estate agencies, reveals that just 2.8% of properties on the market currently have tenants in situ. However, for those who […]

Hi, I have tenant who has been served a Section 21 (mortgage increases have taken the profit away and I’m too concerned about the influence of the Labour government to continue in the PRS) The tenants have told me (told me not requested) that they will be paying rent fortnightly (not as agreed monthly) I’m […]

Rents in England have continued their upward trend in June – rising by 6.7% year-on-year, according to the Goodlord rental index. This increase puts the average rent at £1,225 per property, compared to £1,149 in June 2023. The South West witnessed the biggest annual rise, with rents jumping 13% to £1,347. London also reached a […]

Hi, we have an AST commencing 22-March-24 finishing on 21-March-25 (and monthly periodic thereafter) with a 6-month break clause (which should start from 22-September-24). This is not the original AST with our tenants as they started renting our property from February 2020 and we still have copies of those previous ASTs. The Break Clause on […]

Are you a landlord who is rushing to sell before an incoming Labour government? Then, Lucy Alderson, The Times and The Sunday Times money reporter would like to speak with you. Data shows the number of rental properties that are being put on the market is increasing. The Times are looking for landlords who have […]

In a heated interview on BBC Radio 5 Live, Keir Starmer declared, “not all landlords are evil,” but slammed some for driving up rents through bidding wars. The Labour leader took questions from listeners and presenter Nicky Campbell on various issues including housing. Labour’s manifesto pledges to abolish Section 21 immediately and strengthen tenants’ rights […]

It’s a classic debate – resi versus commercial. I’ve been involved in it a whole number of times over the years. This one had a third flavour though – stocks and shares. I was invited by Manish Kataria CFA to appear on his podcast alongside (or against?) Natasha Collins MRICS to debate the merits, and […]

The UK’s house prices showed modest growth in June as prices edged up by 0.2% in June compared to May, resulting in an annual increase of 1.5%, Nationwide reports. Its latest house price index also reveals that prices are still 3% below the record high reached in the summer of 2022. The building society’s chief […]

Hi, probably an apt question at this time of the year. Student tenancy agreements can run until late June, July, August or even September. Students become liable for council tax from the day after they formally stop being a student. This could be when their course officially ends, some as early as mid May, or […]

As a landlord, ensuring your property is attractive to potential tenants is vital to ensure you are not left with voids and you attract the right kind of tenant. But something as simple as the advert now involves more than just highlighting the properties aesthetic and functional features. An essential aspect of advertising process is […]

A legal expert is warning that some landlords are still not aware that they are unwittingly breaking the law in selective licensing areas because they don’t know they need to have a license to operate. And ignorance is not a defence should the council find out, says Jane Anderson, of law firm Irwin Mitchell. She […]

The NRLA has slammed political parties’ failure to address housing benefit rates. More than 1.5 million households rely on Local Housing Allowance (LHA) to help pay rent. According to the NRLA, 65% of these households struggle with a gap between their LHA payments and monthly rent. 5% of PRS properties being affordable In April 2024 […]

It’s time to cut to the chase. We’ve all been thinking it: is property becoming more hassle than it’s worth? If you’re questioning your property portfolios, you’re not alone. With persistent high interest rates, constant bombardments of tax warnings, the risk of Capital Gains Tax rising and a new Labour government with a super-majority talking […]

When thinking about your future, two things that might not be at the forefront of your mind but are incredibly important are writing a will and setting up Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). The consequences of not having a will or LPA can be devastating but as Heritage Wills explains to Property118 in a video […]

On Thursday we get to vote in the General Election to decide which political party will lead the country for the next 5 Years. I am still not sure who I am going to vote for, so I have been reading the political party Manifestos, and have pulled together an election special episode of my […]

Housing Ministers need to stay for the long haul to tackle the housing crisis, insists a property expert. Jonathan Rolande, the founder of House Buy Fast, is encouraging the next government to prioritise housing from day one. Since 2010, there have been 16 housing ministers, with seven of them coming into office since 2020. Countless […]

Mortgaged properties with low energy efficiency ratings can achieve EPC C targets easily, according to new data. Technology company Kamma says despite scaremongering four out of five inefficient mortgaged homes can easily achieve EPC C. The Prime Minister announced plans last year to scrap EPC requirements for landlords. The legislation would have required landlords to […]

Demand for rent arrears advice has dramatically increased in Scotland, according to new research. Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) reveals a 53% increase in demand for rent arrears advice in social housing. The Scottish government and six other councils in Scotland recently declared a housing emergency. Protections for tenants Citizens Advice Scotland has also seen an […]

House prices remain flat in May but look set to be 1.5% higher by the end of 2024, Zoopla reports. According to its latest House Price Index, house prices are currently 8% ‘over-valued’ but will be ‘fairly valued’ by the end of the year due to rising incomes. Zoopla’s data shows that despite the election, […]

Hi, I have a top floor 1 bed flat in a Victorian house converted into 8 flats. The freeholders who have issued to me all the correct section paperwork, obtained quotes for the rear garden (totally run down, overlooked and rarely used due to poor access) to be cleared and paved and for a new […]