There needs to be a shift in government policy to stop ‘grandstanding’ and recognise landlords’ rental income as business income for tax purposes, one firm warns. The call comes from Andy Halstead, the chief executive of HomeLet, after its latest rental index revealed an annual 7.52% rise in UK rents. Tenants are now paying an […]

Hello, I have had a great tenant for the last 16 years, always paid on time, he kept the place reasonable tidy, always phoned if there was a leaking tap etc and I would repair it within a couple of days. I have not hiked his rent massively, just the odd £10 or £20 over […]

Landlords have seen a 6% drop in the average buy to let property’s total return over the past two years as costs rise, research reveals. Octane Capital says the profits fall is down to rising mortgage costs, rising agent charges and lower capital growth – despite rental income rising by 19%. The firm looked at […]

The government is set to tweak its Renters (Reform) Bill in England, aiming to address concerns from landlords while still delivering security for tenants. Critics say the changes will create ‘a landlords charter’ but ministers are responding to criticism from Conservative MPs who say the Bill is too burdensome for landlords. The revised proposals include […]

Landlords in the UK should ignore what the likes of Shelter and Generation Rent say since most tenants say they have a good landlord, research reveals. The findings from Aldermore challenge the stereotype of what those organisations and the media portray as tense relationships. The majority (69%) of private renters report having a positive experience […]

Hello, Does anyone have experience of claiming on tenant default insurance? I have had a tenant default claim refused since they say that as the tenant does not have any money that they could recover, they consider the case does not comply with their policy. Seems weird as I would have thought that that is […]

Hi, I want to make a 5% rent increase for tenants who are on assured shorthold periodic tenancies. I have never increased rent but have a clause in the tenancy agreements which states: “If the tenancy continues beyond one year and is an Assured Periodic Tenancy then the rent will be reviewed annually on or […]

Hi, despite my repeated emails to my block managing agent, my freeholder is not providing the block’s building insurance certificate. I am entitled to a copy by law. But what law? How do I identify the individuals who own the freehold (I have the company name) and their addresses in order to write to them […]

I am exasperated by my situation and navigating the never ending legislation forcing landlords to evict, sell or face a criminal conviction. The great majority of landlords, to my knowledge, are normal caring people. We want to help others by providing accommodation for a fair price. We want to treat tenants fairly and we want […]

The UK’s house prices rose by 1.6% in March compared to the same period last year, following a 1.2% growth in February, according to Nationwide. This represents a modest increase but there was a 0.2% dip in prices on a monthly basis when adjusted for seasonal variations. The lender’s chief economist, Robert Gardner, said: “Activity […]

After the trauma of my first section 8 eviction, I finally enter the house to find the tenant, has let rabbits and a bird run loose in the house. As a pensioner I am left with clearing up this disgusting mess and trying to repair the property, gnawed balustrades, doors, gas fire insulation, scratched carpets […]

First-time buyers are a driving force in the housing market this year, making up a record one-third (33%) of all purchases in Great Britain during the first quarter, Hamptons reveals. This marks a significant jump from 29% in 2023, the previous high point. Lower mortgage rates compared to last year have improved affordability, enticing many […]

Hi, I have a block of 10 small studios, all long term and lovely tenants – one of my lovely tenants has become tricky since his girlfriend moved in – his shower leaks into the studio downstairs, a couple of repairs have been made over the last couple of years as there was nowhere for […]

A landlord has warned that “tenants will suffer the most” if new legislation and regulations get the green light. Mick Roberts, one of Nottingham’s largest landlords told Property118 about the harsh realities facing both sides of the rental divide. He also says selective licensing is causing chaos for landlords in Nottingham. Help tenants find a […]

Landbay has introduced new five-year fixed-rate offerings at an 80% loan-to-value (LTV) ratio, catering to both standard properties and small houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and is the latest among several BTL lenders announcing product changes. In addition, the lender has implemented numerous rate reductions. Its new 80% LTV five-year offering for standard properties is […]

Hi, I’m very much an accidental joint landlord with my brother. The flat we had was rented through a letting agent however at the beginning of the year our tenant sadly passed away. The church acting on behalf of the tenant’s estate has now cleared the flat and handed back the keys. I was told […]

Following the Non-Qualifying Leaseholders Campaign Groups member representations including correspondence to their MPs and case studies reported by media, the government are considering an amendment to the Leaseholder Protections in the Building Safety Bill to give parity to those holding properties jointly. Currently the act deems innocent leaseholders to be liable for some remediation costs […]

Hello all, my father is a portfolio landlord who wants to retire. He doesn’t want the hassle of managing property anymore, but has very little interest in the stock market as to him it’s not a tangible option. My suggestion to him for his peace of mind if he were to sell up would be […]

The average UK rent has climbed by 46% in the past decade thanks to surging tenant demand and limited rented home supply, research reveals. According to Zero Deposit, it is the lack of available rental properties that is a key driver of this surge. While the total number of rental homes reached an estimated 5.22 […]

Yorkshire Building Society (YBS) has unveiled a groundbreaking £5,000 deposit mortgage specifically designed for first-time buyers. The unique product allows potential homeowners with the deposit to buy a property valued up to £500,000. The building society’s research has identified £5,000 as the crucial amount that could dramatically reduce the time needed to save for a […]

The Scottish government has published its new housing bill which claims to prevent homelessness and strengthen tenants’ rights. Proposals in the new bill include bringing in long-term rent controls for private tenancies and new rights to keep pets. The Scottish Association of Landlords warns the proposals will “exacerbate Scotland’s housing crisis”. Create rent control areas […]