Page 210 – Property118
To Let sign outside rental flats illustrating high demand in Wrexham’s rental market

Lewisham’s selective licence scheme?

13th May 2024

Hello, I understand why Lewisham want to clamp down on rogue landlords – but it is so unfair on those of us who aren’t. This is a sledgehammer/nut scenario. And those of us who use a reputable agent, will have to pay twice to have our documentation checked, as the agent will want to do […]

Unraveling the Role of Property118: Empowering UK Landlords

13th May 2024

This weekend I asked Chat GPT to “draft a blog to explain the role of Property118 for UK landlords”. The following is what it came up with (unedited) … In the dynamic landscape of property investment in the United Kingdom, landlords often find themselves navigating through an array of challenges, from regulatory compliance to financial […]

Renters Reform Bill – Podcast update

13th May 2024

This podcast is the second in a series about the Renters Reform Bill. This episode predicts when the bill will take effect and brings more clarity around some specific parts of the changes with real-life examples, like how this could impact student landlords. Good Landlording is a new podcast hosted by Richard Jackson of Alphaletz […]

A park in London

London’s rents are cheaper than mortgages

13th May 2024

The financial challenges being faced by aspiring homeowners in the capital have been revealed by a study which shows a significant gap between mortgage payments and average rents. The research by SBA Property Management shows that the difference makes buying a property in London a less attractive option compared to other UK cities. Across London, […]

Business professional in blue suit representing NRLA leadership on housing crisis.

NRLA slams councils’ handling of criminal landlords

13th May 2024

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has hit out after research reveals that councils have collected less than half of fines levied against criminal landlords in England. According to the NRLA, just £6 million out of £13 million in civil penalties imposed on landlords between 2021 and 2023 have been collected by councils. This means […]

Jersey landlords ‘disappointed’ by new rented dwelling licensing scheme

13th May 2024

The Jersey Landlords Association (JLA) says it is disappointed with the implementation of the island’s new rented dwelling licensing scheme. It believes the rushed rollout has created confusion for landlords, tenants and letting agents. The JLA is criticising the 124-page technical code of practice, arguing it isn’t user-friendly and lacks clear guidance for landlords to […]

Indemnity insurance claim on contractor, surveyor or managing agent?

13th May 2024

Hi everyone, I own a leasehold flat in a building (total 5 flats) and I also own a share of the freehold. We appointed a contractor via our managing agent to carry out major external works in the building including to the roof, electric writing, water pipes etc. This work was being overseen by a […]

An Introduction To Strategic Tax Planning For UK Property Investors

10th May 2024

Before you buy another investment property you need to understand this … The correct ownership structure is a vital ingredient to your success as a property investor. The following Case Study and explanatory notes explain why, by comparing a property private rental property business owner with a private hotelier. Let’s assume that both businesses own assets […]

Glasgow faces major student accommodation shortage

10th May 2024

Glasgow has the worst student accommodation shortage in the UK and needs an extra 22,000 beds to meet demand, a report by Savills reveals. It also says that Edinburgh is following closely behind with a need for an additional 17,000 beds. The high student population in Glasgow, with more than 77,000 students across its universities, […]

Do I really need sealed light units?

10th May 2024

Hello, We have a small portfolio of properties and for various reasons, one of which is managed for the last five years, via a property agency, where the others are managed by ourselves. The tenant has been the same tenant over the same duration. Following this year’s inspection, the agency have reported that none of […]

Heritage Wills – The Importance of Lasting Power of Attorney

10th May 2024

Amidst the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it’s important not to overlook planning for the unexpected. It’s essential to protect our personal affairs and portfolio with measures such as Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) Here at Property118, we have worked for over 15 years with award-winning legal service Heritage Wills which can help […]

Welsh flag featuring the red dragon symbol of national identity

Rent controls in Wales opposed by letting agents

10th May 2024

Propertymark members in Wales have made their disapproval of rent controls clear after the Welsh government published a summary of responses to their Green Paper on housing. The government wants to improve housing affordability in Wales, and it received more than 300 responses to a consultation. It covered issues like rent costs, tenant behaviour, and […]

The Bank of England, London, and a Union jack flag

BoE holds interest rates – but hints at a cut soon

9th May 2024

The Bank of England (BoE) has kept interest rates at a 16-year high of 5.25%, as expected, in a bid to control inflation. With inflation nearing the bank’s target of 2% – it is currently at 3.2% – a rate cut is anticipated in the coming months. One member of the nine-person Monetary Policy Committee […]

Landlord stressed over paperwork and new rental legislation at his desk

Help with leasehold dilemma!

9th May 2024

Hi, all our twenty private management company shareholders are owners of their flats, and hold them on Leasehold Title Absolute. Collectively (as our company) we own our entire property on Freehold Title Absolute. The twenty shareholders are of equal status, each of us holding 200 shares in our property. Our governing legislation is the Companies […]

Modern Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh with Calton Hill in the background

Scotland’s new leader urged to tackle housing crisis

9th May 2024

Propertymark is urging Scotland’s new First Minister, John Swinney, to prioritise ending the housing crisis after five Scottish councils declared a housing emergency and Mr Swinney blamed the UK government for budget cuts. The resignation of the previous First Minister, Humza Yousaf, has thrown the future of rent control into question. The Scottish Greens, who […]

Property Investors Awards – Property Deal of the Year

9th May 2024

Proving every property has its own unique flavour, Arcvelop Investor Group (AIG) scooped the Property Deal of the Year at the 2023 Property Investors Awards.  The conversion of a former rock sweet factory in Ramsgate saw the Arcvelop team transform the vacant 1800s factory into eight stunning modern apartments. Founded in 2020, Arcvelop Investor Group […]

Fleet unveils new BTL deals for landlords

9th May 2024

Landlords are being offered greater flexibility with new product launches and reduced rates on existing deals by Fleet Mortgages. The buy to let mortgage specialist is offering two new five-year fixed-rate mortgages, both with a 65% loan-to-value (LTV) limit. Borrowers can choose a lower rate of 5.64% with a £1,999 fee or opt for a […]

Buy to let landlords adapt to rising costs

9th May 2024

Many buy to let landlords in the UK have adjusted their finances in the past 18 months to deal with rising costs, according to a new report. The research from Foundation Home Loans found that landlords are taking various steps to deal with growing overheads, including renegotiating mortgages, increasing rents and even selling properties. The […]

Matt Hutchinson discussing the government’s second homes policy and housing shortage

London’s renters head to the suburbs

9th May 2024

There has been a shift in London’s rental landscape, with renters increasingly looking beyond the city centre for cheaper options and better transport connections, data reveals. According to SpareRoom, which has analysed tenant search trends, there has been a surge in popularity for areas further out from central London – and this trend includes other […]