Housebuilding in Scotland has taken a significant hit since rent controls were introduced. According to Scottish government figures, only 16,404 new homes were started in 2023/24, which is 3,000 fewer than the previous year. In the private sector, the number of new homes started fell to 12,904, down 16% and the lowest number since 2014/15. […]

Hi, if you have seen my previous posts you’ll know my experience with a bad tenant with my very first BTL has been horrendous! Please see post here >> https://www.property118.com/who-pays-for-damaged-door-after-police-welfare-call/comment-page-3/#comments The tenant has requested an early release to secure a larger property, but there are still unresolved property damages. My confidence in the agent is […]

Hi, I own a leasehold flat in a block that became derelict in 2021 after the flat above failed to repair the roof. To compensate for this, the freeholder, whom I knew, agreed to pay my rent with the understanding that once the roof was repaired, my property would also be reinstated. Now the property […]

A deposit alternative specialist says it has seen a big rise in the take up of deposit-free tenancies, with a 30% year-on-year increase in May. This surge comes as students prepare for the new academic year, facing a combination of rising rents and a shortage of rented accommodation. Flatfair says one agent processed 170 student […]

Labour’s plan to make bidding wars illegal contains a loophole, warns critics. The Labour party has clarified it will stop letting agents and landlords from pushing bidding wars, but tenants can still make ‘voluntary’ higher offers above the asking price. Tenant union group Acorn warns the loophole will make the policy “useless” and hurt tenants. […]

The Bank of England’s monetary policies, specifically Quantitative Easing (QE) and Quantitative Tightening (QT), have profound implications for the UK economy and property market. A critical yet often overlooked aspect is the rate paid by the Bank of England to commercial banks for their deposits. Various policy ideas have emerged to address this, including those […]

The Scottish Conservatives claim the SNP have caused a housing emergency in Scotland. The party’s manifesto says the rent cap introduced by the SNP “has backfired and made landlords leave the market”. The Scottish Conservatives pledge to oppose rent controls and introduce a rent-to-own model. Landlords leaving the market The SNP claim in their manifesto […]

Fewer landlords feel negative about the buy-to-let market, according to a new study. The research by Landbay reveals that 27% of landlords surveyed felt negative about their buy-to-let business, compared to 37% at the end of last year. However, the study also reveals some landlords still feel anxious about the abolition of Section 21 and […]

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. […]