More than half of the UK’s housing stock—around 18 million homes—currently has an EPC rating of D or lower. According to Rightmove, homes with the lowest EPC ratings can see their energy bills differ by thousands of pounds compared to those with higher ratings. A survey by the property portal reveals the main reason people […]

Hi, I’m currently waiting for a Section 21 possession order, with my solicitor actively chasing the court for updates. The council advised the tenants to remain in the property until eviction. The tenancy ended in July last year. The management company conducted an inspection in February 2023 and addressed necessary repairs. I requested another inspection […]

It has now been nearly five years since we first published our eBook “The Ultimate Guide To Landlord Tax Planning“. The World of tax planning has moved on significantly since then, so our latest update is an essential read for all UK property business owners as well as those providing services to the UK Private […]

I had a new tenant on Universal Credit in September 2000. He accepted a rent increase of £200 in September 2022, which was not signed. He remained on the rollover periodic AST and paid this increased rent for one year. Due to the current economic and market situation, the market rent value has increased by […]

I own one small flat which I rent out. I paid off the mortgage and was planning to retire. Fed up with constant issues paying out for roof and other maintenance I recently have decided to sell. I looked at my documents and was shocked to find that my lease only had 51 years left. […]

Scottish Housing Minister vows to work with landlords to make rent controls work. In a housing emergency debate, Paul McLennan says he will meet with the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) but gave no further details on when this will take place. However, a coalition of housing organisations, including Shelter Scotland, warned they have no […]

The Bank of England’s recent rate decision was “finely balanced,” as noted by Faisal Islam, BBC Economics Editor. The decision not to cut rates this time leaves the door open for a possible rate cut in August. This has significant implications for the property market and broader economic landscape in the UK. Property Market Snapshot […]

Green Party co-leader admits she has a gas boiler despite telling landlords to focus on energy efficiency improvements. Carla Denyer told ITV’s The Leader Interviews, “she was in the process of getting quotes for a heat pump” but had to pause the process during the general election campaign. The Green Party’s manifesto pledge includes EPC […]

The UK property market is constantly evolving, and 2024 has seen a surge in a familiar strategy: flipping. But what exactly is flipping, and why is it suddenly trending? In essence, flipping involves buying a property below market value, renovating it to increase its worth, and then selling it for a profit. This rapid turnaround […]

While renting costs continue to rise, a new analysis reveals that buying a home with a 5% deposit is currently more expensive than rent for most tenants in the UK. This is due to high mortgage rates, making the government’s Mortgage Guarantee Scheme fall short for many. The report by Hamptons found that potential buyers […]

As we edge closer to the next general election, housing has become a pivotal issue in the political arena – beyond our usual daily bubbles. The housing crisis, affecting millions across the country, is set to be a significant talking point, with each party vying to present the most compelling solutions (of course). Do you […]

Hi all. I’ve been offered a flat where the tenants have been renting for more than 3 years on a rolling periodic agreement. However, the existing owner/manager has not protected the deposit. Is this the current landlord’s problem? Do I set up a new AST agreement with my solicitor or take over the existing agreement […]

I raised the rent by £140 a month in November 2023 after facing mortgage increases three times that. The tenant didn’t pay the increase or tell me he had involved the tribunal service. It was nearly six months before the tribunal service contacted me. In the meantime, the tenant denied access for maintenance or inspections. […]

In this episode of Property Answers, we explore the potential impact of the upcoming general election on UK house prices. Join us as we analyse the key factors at play, including policy changes, economic forecasts, and market sentiment. Whether you’re a homeowner, buyer, or investor, understanding how political shifts can influence the property market is […]

The Association of Short Term Lenders (ASTL) has a new name from this week when it rebrands as the Bridging & Development Lenders Association (BDLA). A new website and LinkedIn page will also be unveiled. The organisation’s chief executive, Vic Jannels, said: “Quite simply, rebranding to The Bridging & Development Lenders Association (BDLA) enables us […]

Amateur landlords are being warned about the dangers of new selective licensing schemes which could lead to hefty fines. The councils of Brent, Lambeth, Lewisham and Islington have all recently unveiled plans to introduce or expand licensing schemes for private rented properties. Landlord Licensing & Defence says these schemes unfairly target ‘accidental landlords’ who might, […]

The Liberal Democrats vow to ban no-fault evictions to stop the housing emergency. In a video interview with Shelter, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey says far more needs to be done to end the housing emergency and help “renters who have had a tough time.” Housing charity Shelter met Mr Davey in Eastleigh on […]

Tenants in the private rented sector (PRS) want the next government to focus on controlling the pace of rent rises, a survey has found. The research from Zoopla and Ipsos says this demand is closely followed by the need for increased home construction and enhanced rights and protections for renters. While all political parties agree […]

Precise Mortgages, which is part of the OSB Group, has revamped its buy to let product range, offering landlords greater flexibility and access to larger loans. The lender’s key changes include: Reduced rates starting from 4.49% Reintroduction of higher loan-to-value (LTV) options for qualified borrowers Introduction of new fee products to increase borrowing potential. There […]

In 1988 Thatcher reformed the property market opening the way for BTL mortgages. She created new legislation and new tenancies were formed. Old contracts were not touched just new offerings introduced. At that point, 7% of property was rented through the private sector. This grew to 20% of property by 2021 and with 5 million […]

Renting your property to charities that sublet to vulnerable tenants can seem like a benevolent and socially responsible thing to do, coupled with the reassurance of ‘hands off’ passive income guaranteed for a number of years. However, landlords must be cautious and well-informed about the potential pitfalls. Inadequate and outdated tenancy agreements, improper subletting arrangements, […]