Page 218 – Property118

YBS Commercial Mortgages unveils new tracker product for landlords

12th April 2024

YBS Commercial Mortgages has unveiled a new tracker product for portfolio landlords and reduced rates across its range. The tracker offers a variable rate of 6.75% (BBR + 1.50%) for a three-year term. It’s available on either a capital-and-interest or an interest-only basis. The lender says it is open to considering loans up to £20 […]

Neil Cobbold discusses impact of Renters’ Rights Bill on letting agents

Renters (Reform) Bill changes make ‘little difference’ to most landlords

12th April 2024

An industry expert is downplaying the impact of recent amendments to the Renters (Reform) Bill, claiming they will have minimal impact on most landlords and tenants. Neil Cobbold, the managing director of PayProp UK, argues the changes announced before Easter ‘amount to very little in real terms’. He suggests the core of the Bill remains […]

Pic of a B&B sign as London landlords leave the temporary accommodation sector property118

Council urges private landlords to help ease housing crisis

12th April 2024

A council is appealing to private landlords to help a growing number of residents in need of housing assistance because its homeless bill is ‘no longer financially sustainable’. It says there are several reasons for the rise in demand, including flooding, the cost-of-living crisis, and the recent end of Ukrainian host placements. This surge in […]

confused

What to include in letter of consent to let as joint freeholder?

12th April 2024

Hello, as one of three joint Freeholders and a leaseholder of one of the three flats, I’ve been approached to provide ‘consent to let’ to another leaseholder who is currently selling their flat. I’m unsure about what to include in my letter of consent to safeguard the future use of the flat.  Does anyone on […]

Lendlord logo representing property finance and landlord tools.

Unlock Financing Potential: Obtaining finance with Lendlord

12th April 2024

Any property sourcer or property investor knows the value of a smart investment strategy. But securing the right financing sometimes can feel like an obstacle course. The Lendlord software is here to help you navigate the terrain, bringing a suite of tools and resources designed to simplify property financing and empower your portfolio growth. Introducing […]

Property Investors Awards – Young Property Investor of the Year

11th April 2024

At the age of just 28 years old Emma Fielding has created a property empire. From working in Morrisons as an accountant, to now looking for the best property deals, Emma caught the property bug and has built a successful property-flipping business in her hometown of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. This dynamic young woman is now […]

Mobile phone mast lease dilemma?

11th April 2024

Hi, a phone mast on the flat roof was installed of my commercial property over a decade ago before I purchased the property. The phone company is forcing me to sign a new lease with very low rent, which does not cover the amount I spend on maintaining the roof. Does anybody on the Property118 […]

Renters are still financially squeezed – FCA

11th April 2024

New research by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) suggests there has been an improvement in the financial well-being of Brits, though challenges remain, particularly for renters. The FCA analysis reveals a significant burden on renters who are disproportionately affected compared to other demographics. Its survey shows that the percentage of tenants struggling financially has dipped […]

Estate agent boards outside rental properties in London highlighting demand in the private rental sector

Council to revamp its landlord incentive scheme to help Ukrainian refugees

11th April 2024

A council has revealed that it will revise its ‘Homes for Ukraine – Landlord Incentive Scheme’ after finding the initial financial offerings were not attractive for landlords. That’s because just one landlord signed up to the scheme – after 25 had contacted the council for more information. South Cambridgeshire Council’s scheme was launched in October […]

UK rental yields are on the rise – Fleet

11th April 2024

There has been a 0.4% rise in the total average yield for England and Wales, reaching 7.1% in the first quarter of 2024, a buy to let rental index reveals. According to Fleet Mortgages, despite a 0.4% drop in yield for landlords in the North East, rented properties there still deliver an impressive average rental […]

UK housing market shows signs of improvement

11th April 2024

There has been a positive shift in the housing market with buyer demand and expectations for future sales on the rise, one survey has found. According to RICS, house prices also appear to be stabilising. There has also been a modest rise in tenant demand at +19% – up from +16% previously – but landlord […]

Pic of wooden house insurance tenant letting agent landlord property118.com

Protect your property portfolio with multi-property landlord insurance

11th April 2024

Managing multiple rented properties can be time-consuming and challenging for landlords, so the last thing you need is to worry about organising different insurance policies for each home you rent out. This is where multi-property landlord insurance can help by insuring your properties in one single policy, saving you the hassle of managing multiple policies. […]

Exclusive: Universal Credit payment delays leave landlords in limbo

11th April 2024

Landlords renting to Universal Credit tenants are being warned of potential payment inconsistencies in light of recent changes by the government. The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled plans to unfreeze Local Housing Allowance (LHA) which will increase to the ‘30th percentile of local market rents’. Despite promises of increased housing support for low-income renters starting from […]

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

Scottish landlords exploit SNP rent control loophole to increase rents

11th April 2024

Scottish landlords are capitalising on a loophole in the SNP’s rent control laws, leading to a 12% increase in rents, the Daily Telegraph reports. The rent cap legislation which restricted rent rises ended on March 31. However, new plans to bring in permanent rent controls are not expected to come into force until 2025, following […]

Key resting on tenancy agreement paperwork relating to a rental arrangement for multiple occupants

Easy rent review without S13 – approved by Citizens Advice?

10th April 2024

Hello, I am thinking of granting an AST for three years. It will have a tenant’s break clause on the first anniversary and at any time thereafter by three months notice The rent would be initially x and become x plus 5 per cent on the anniversary x plus 10 per cent on the 2nd […]

Multiple estate agent boards showing rental properties let in the UK housing market.

Rent rises start to ease – but renters still worry

10th April 2024

Tenants are experiencing some relief as the rate of rent rises slows down significantly, new data from Barclays reveals. The bank says that renters spent just 1.8% more on rent last month than in March last year. It has analysed millions of its customers’ current accounts and found the 1.8% extra being spent on mortgages […]

London’s councils hit landlords with record fines

10th April 2024

Councils in London are tightening their grip on landlords and letting agents who fail to comply with selective licensing rules as fines have already broken through the £10 million barrier this year, research reveals. This surge comes alongside a predicted record number of new licensing schemes aimed at improving tenant rights and housing standards. A […]

Professional woman in office representing landlord compliance and referencing services

Tenant application fraud rockets by 140%

10th April 2024

A sharp rise in rental market competition is fuelling a surge in tenancy application fraud, according to new data.  An analysis by tenant referencing firm Goodlord found a staggering 140% increase in fraudulent applications between 2022 and 2023. The most common tactic involves manipulating payslips, with applicants either inflating their income or altering the source […]

pic of man adding loft insulation as private renters need protecting from eviction if the work is carried out property118

Organisation warns of surge in heating costs for poorly insulated homes

10th April 2024

Poorly insulated homes will cost £340 more to heat from April, according to new research. Data by the Energy and Climate Change Intelligence Unit (ECIU) reveals homes with an EPC rating of F will face the biggest increase with a 50% rise in gas bills. Even homes rated as D will face a 15% hike […]

Real estate Sales manager giving keys to customer after signing rental lease contract of sale purchase agreement, concerning mortgage loan offer for and house insurance.

Renting my property to insurance companies?

10th April 2024

Hi, 18 years ago, we managed to rent our three bedroom, end of terrace property to the council but it left us with a financial burden. The council did the original contract and over the years the price of bills, and market rates all increased except our rental income. We ended up with a huge […]

‘Media frenzy’ fuels distrust between landlords and tenants

10th April 2024

A leading firm of property solicitors is reporting a rise in disputes between landlords and tenants – and points to a ‘media frenzy’ as being partly responsible. Dutton Gregory Solicitors says that media focus on disrepair complaints – particularly over damp and mould – and a lack of government support for the buy to let […]