Self-management of your property business is as cheap or expensive as you want it to be. In loose financial terms, it is down to the level of your knowledge and the systems you want to use to manage your properties. As we’ll learn in this post though, the costs of self-management go beyond money. Here […]

New research reveals a huge decline in profits for buy to let landlords in the UK, raising concerns about a worsening rental crisis. According to a study by Finder, a personal finance website, annual returns for landlords taking out new BTL mortgages have dropped by a staggering 45% compared to April 2020. This dramatic fall […]

The Housing Ombudsman has published a scathing report highlighting the failings of 27 social housing landlords in their response to leaks. It says that leaks lead to issues with damp and mould which is a ‘significant driver’ of complaints from tenants. The ombudsman detailed cases where tenants faced years of inaction from landlords, with leaks […]

In this episode, Ranjan Bhattacharya explores an exciting opportunity for property investors: generating higher cashflow with serviced accommodation and short-term lets. Are you curious about how these rental strategies can outperform traditional long-term leases? Ranjan breaks down the benefits, potential risks, and key considerations to help you decide if serviced accommodation and short-term lets are […]

I am considering expanding the property portfolio in my UK based Limited Company. I currently live in Portugal and rental properties are in high demand here. Property prices are dropping slightly at the moment and I was wondering if it would be possible for my Limited Company to purchase a property in Portugal. The company […]

Offa, the UK’s first Sharia-compliant bridge finance fintech company, has launched a buy-to-let (BTL) service. Its new offering aims to shake up the traditional Islamic finance market with quicker approval times and a digital application system. Offa’s BTL service leverages cutting-edge technology to cater to both Muslim and non-Muslim property investors. ‘Modern service and speed […]

Salford City Council is seeking residents’ opinions on a plan for private landlords in parts of Broughton and Kersal to join a selective licensing scheme. The proposed scheme would cover around 1,340 properties across Broughton and parts of the Kersal and Broughton Park wards. It would cover the same area as a previous licensing scheme […]

Hi, I need some advice. My ex-tenant damaged my property, identified during the check-out inspection. The deposit scheme doesn’t cover the full cost and has declined to negotiate a settlement. Since the damages exceed the deposit, adjudication won’t help. I’ve spent 1.5 months trying to negotiate with the tenant via email and the deposit portal, […]

Despite a sluggish housing market, a post-election bounce could boost optimism as a new government brings fresh hope for recovery. The survey by RICS reveals buyer numbers dropped for the third consecutive month (-7%), and agreed sales fell again. The number of new sellers also declined, after rising for six months. However, a RICS survey […]

Hi, I have a property in a Selective License area and my property was licensed. I have just been checking the paperwork and noticed that my licence expired 2 years ago. I have been renting during this period and obviously need to get a new licence. My question is the best way to go about […]

Hi, hope this post comes as helpful and can kick off some useful discussions. It’s about damp and mould, the risks, and mitigations as well as a (my current) case study. I own and self-manage an ex-local authority flat in South East London and it’s been fine (concerning damp and mould) for years. A new […]

Landlords across the UK are planning to raise rents in the next year, with nearly 85% expecting to do so, research reveals. A new survey by Landbay reveals a big shift from previous years, where rent rises were primarily driven by high demand for rented homes. However, rising interest rates and operational costs are now […]

Metro Bank has launched its first mortgage product specifically designed for limited companies looking to invest in buy to let properties. This move aligns with the bank’s strategy of becoming a leading specialist lender in the UK market. Traditionally, owning property through a limited company offers potential tax advantages for landlords. It can also provide […]

Generation Rent and Shelter are slamming landlords for “draconian rules” that ban tenants from working from home (WFH). An investigation by The Independent reveals a trend in SpareRoom adverts specifying that a tenant must not work from home. Ben Beadle has hit back, pointing out that landlords can’t simply hand over the keys and ignore […]

When shopping around for landlord insurance, it’s important to take a look at buildings insurance. Buildings insurance shields your property from various risks that could affect your rental property. Here at Property118, we’ve teamed up with The Home Insurer for building insurance that could save you money. What does building insurance cover? Building insurance covers […]

The housing market in England and Wales is showing signs of recovery, according to new data from e.surv. The average sale price of a home climbed nearly £1,500 (0.4%) to £360,175 in June, the strongest performance for almost a year. This follows a period of decline, with house prices down 1.6% year-on-year. However, this decrease […]

Hi, I have a tenant who is a professional psychiatrist. She has been weirdly difficult to deal with, and I had to serve her a Section 21 notice for being consistently a month behind on rent. She has claimed she will be on holiday when she needs to move out, at the end of the […]

The average rent in the UK has reached a record high of £1,299, although growth has slowed to just 0.2% in June. That’s according to the latest HomeLet rental index which highlights that in June 2023, the average rent was £1,229. Despite the slowdown, rents remain a major pressure point for many tenants. Excluding London, […]

Welcome to another episode of Property Breaking News! In today’s video, Ranjan Bhattacharya and Andrew Roberts dive into the significant impact of the 3% Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) surcharge on rental supply in high-value areas.  This surcharge, introduced to curb property speculation, has had unintended consequences on the rental market. Join Ranjan and Andrew […]

The Conservative party has announced its new shadow cabinet, appointing Kemi Bandenoch as the housing secretary. She replaces Michael Gove, who stepped down as an MP in the 2024 election. Ms Badenoch will now shadow Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who also handles the housing brief. Strong contender to replace Rishi Sunak In the election, […]

Landlords need to be cautious over the growing numbers of council-promoted ‘Safer Renting’ schemes, one legal expert warns. Phil Turtle, of Landlord Licensing & Defence, says that while the schemes appear to be aimed at improving tenant safety, they may have a hidden agenda. That is to collect information from landlords they are not obliged […]