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 […]

Hi, I have a guaranteed rent agreement aka rent-to-rent which ends in five months on a fixed end date. I am afraid I won’t get vacant possession on the end date as the agency I signed with has said they will put a new sub tenant in shortly before the agreement end date. This means […]

Property investors are betting on interest rate cuts to fuel market optimism rather than worrying about political change or global tensions, according to a new report. Handelsbanken’s latest survey of landlords with an average of 35 properties each reveals more than half are buoyed by the prospect of base rate reductions in the coming months. […]

Hi, How can my agent think emails between myself and my tenant are sufficient when agreeing an early release from a tenancy? My tenant has been obstructive with regards access and I’ve had numerous issues, property damage etc. I will be happy to agree an early release (with a deed of surrender) and will self […]

The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 is a cornerstone of English property law, providing essential guidelines for the maintenance and repair obligations of landlords. One of the most critical sections of this Act is Section 11, which outlines the specific duties landlords must adhere to regarding the repair and upkeep of rental properties. This article […]

After gaining a section 8 hearing on 16 July .. the defendant didn’t attend – the judge awarded 14 days notice for the tenant to leave. The rent, my court expenses and the tenant’s deposit to me. That was 11 days ago! The PCOL system isn’t running. I haven’t received anything in writing to confirm […]

Foundation Home Loans has unveiled a new limited-edition HMO product and reduced rates across its ‘Buy to Let’ and ‘Solutions by Foundation ranges, while The Mortgage Lender has also reduced its BTL offering. Foundation’s ‘Buy to Let’ brand has introduced a new five-year fixed-rate HMO product available up to 75% Loan-to-Value (LTV) at 5.74% with […]

Only 37% of homes for sale will qualify for stamp duty relief when the current threshold of £425,000 reverts to £300,000 from April 2025, a study reveals. Rightmove says this offers a bleak outlook for first-time buyers in England and is a sharp decline from the current 58% of homes that qualify. The South West […]

An industry body wants letting agents to be included in Andy Burnham’s Good Landlord Charter. The charter aims to “empower renters” and drive up standards in the private and social rented sectors. Propertymark argues that the charter should include a clearer role for property agents and allow agents to be members of the charter. According […]

I own a freehold property and I am thinking of getting a lodger, but my restrictive covenant against the property states: “Not to use the property or any part thereof for any purpose whatsoever other than as a private dwelling” That’s all the covenant says in this regard i.e. there is no wording in the […]

A council admits more households than ever are being put in temporary accommodation, with a landlord blaming selective licensing for the increase. Nottingham Council’s housing strategy report reveals that the council has increased the amount of temporary accommodation for families five-fold since 2017. Mick Roberts, one of Nottingham’s largest landlords of benefit tenants, tells Property118 […]

There are always two sides to every story, this is ours. Following the triumph in our legal action against the West Brom Mortgage Company, a wave of euphoria and satisfaction swept through the landlord community. The justice system had prevailed, and common sense had won the day. We were weary yet elated, comforted by the […]

Landlords could face bans on renting out their property if they do not meet EPC C targets by 2030, claims the NRLA. Ed Miliband, energy security and net zero secretary, told the House of Commons that landlords must meet energy efficiency targets by 2030 but gave no further detail on how this will be achieved. […]

A survey has found that 43% of the UK’s landlords are optimistic that Labour’s General Election victory will benefit them. However, the survey also reveals that 34% of landlords believe the election victory will be bad for landlords, while 48% of landlords felt that a Conservative victory would have been a better result. The findings […]

Since letting agents have crucial knowledge about the private rented sector (PRS), they must push for its improvement and support the proposed Renters’ Rights Bill. That’s the view of Neil Cobbold, PayProp’s commercial director, and he says agents must engage with MPs to achieve this. He warns though that landlords need to be confident they […]

Just one in eight potential first-time buyers can afford the average property in their area, with the situation even more dire for lower earners, research reveals. The Skipton Group Home Affordability Index also highlights that the figure drops to one in 100 for renters earning less than £22,850. Also, nearly 80% of aspiring homeowners lack […]

Half of all complaints lodged with the Housing Ombudsman in the past year originated from the capital, a new report reveals. The stark figure from the Housing Ombudsman underlines a deepening crisis in London’s social housing market where residents face disproportionate challenges. While fewer than one in six social homes in England are in the […]

In this insightful episode, Ranjan Bhattacharya analyses the potential impact of the recent election on property prices. How will the new political landscape affect the real estate market? Join Ranjan as he breaks down expert predictions, discusses key factors influencing the market, and offers guidance for buyers, sellers, and investors. Don’t forget to like, comment, […]

Hi, My wife and I are keen to sell our final rental property. We are now fully retired, aged 78 & 66, and wish to sell so we can recover the cash to cover our retirement plans. Our tenant has been in the house since we bought it around 12 years ago.  Her family have […]

Buy to let lender Landbay has unveiled a fresh suite of non-portfolio products, alongside rate cuts and new offerings. Designed for landlords owning three or fewer mortgaged properties, the new range features five-year fixed rates up to 75% loan-to-value (LTV) starting from 4.39%. Landbay has also introduced two standard five-year products at up to 55% […]