As university students prepare to start the next academic year, some students will have to spend a record amount on rent. According to Rightmove, St Albans has been named Great Britain’s most expensive city to rent outside London, with costs 71% above the UK average, at £2,307 per calendar month (pcm). The national average rent […]

Hi, my letting agent has instructed and charged me for cleaning and repairs without prior agreement and my authorisation, when finding a new tenant. They just sent me the statement with a deduction of the costs. I’m not even sure all the work was actually carried out. I asked them to get my authorisation prior […]

As more private landlords decide to exit the rental market, local authorities across the UK are stepping in with initiatives to purchase tenanted properties. These moves are aimed at both preventing homelessness and increasing the availability of social housing in an increasingly challenging market for tenants. Here’s an overview of some key local authority initiatives […]

Is the supposed landlord exodus just a myth? In an exclusive interview with Property118, property expert Julie Ford says the doom and gloom of the media is exaggerated and landlords are still continuing to invest in property. Julie also tells Property118 about the risks of e-bike fires and how a few disposable vape batteries led […]

Damp and mould in rental properties is usually caused by tenants, say letting agents. A survey by the Property Ombudsman shows that most letting agents believe condensation caused by actions like drying clothes on radiators and cooking without using extractor fans are the main cause for damp and mould. The study reveals the Property Ombudsman […]

Landlords and letting agents are being urged to carry out property inspections to avoid problems with damage or deposit disputes. A poll by Inventory Base found that 30% of tenants didn’t get an inventory done before moving into their current rental property, and of those, less than 9% arranged one themselves. For the 70% who […]

Hello everyone, My letting agent found a tenant for me and they took a one-week Holding deposit from the new tenant. The tenant then pulled out at the last minute, which created a rental void for me. When I asked the letting agent about the one-week Holding deposit they received to cover my void period, […]

BTL lenders have announced rate cuts as the market shows signs of improvement. Aldermore and CHL mortgages are among a slew of lenders that have cut rates in their buy-to-let mortgage products. These rate cuts come as lenders aim to boost activity in the buy-to-let market. Lively mortgage market Aldermore has introduced a range of […]

The impact of the cost-of-living crisis has reduced renters’ aspirations to own their home, according to a new report. A survey by firm MRI Software reveals a staggering 80% of renters feel priced out of the housing market. Nearly half of younger renters aged 18-24 (48%), say they are still continuing to live with their […]

A leading industry body is demanding that the Scottish government offer more support to landlords dealing with anti-social behaviour. Propertymark points out that the rise in anti-social behaviour (ASB) is linked to the ongoing shortage of social housing, which is pushing more vulnerable people with complex needs into the private rented sector (PRS). Propertymark’s policy […]

DEBATE: We have a tenancy deposit scheme (GREAT) However I believe there should be a renters’ deposit scheme. If a tenant has repairs and the landlord fails to amend these repairs, the tenant could pay the rent into a renters’ deposit scheme rather than withholding rent. If the repairs are done in good time then […]

Unlock the secrets of the property market with our latest video: Dive into the the intricate world of property investment, uncovering the loopholes in the new Renters’ Rights Bill that could shift the balance in favor of tenants. You’ll gain insight into property trends, understand the implications for landlords, and explore the strategies rogue tenants […]

A property expert warns of “bad news for landlords” as Labour reforms could see tenants who don’t pay rent stay for three months. Paul Shamplina from Landlord Action told the Daily Telegraph that under the Renters’ Rights Bill, tenants can miss up to three months of rent before a landlord can start the process of […]

Hi, I’ve had a protected tenant living in the same property for over 20 years, part of that time as a widow. I’m allowed to apply to the Valuation Office for a rent increase every two years, but occasionally, it’s been after three years, meaning the rent is significantly below the current market rate. Earlier […]

The London rental market has become a hub of fraudulent activity, according to one estate agent. Benham and Reeves report that many London letting agents face significant challenges with tenant screening. Last month the estate agent encountered issues such as forged passports, digitally altered documents, and undeclared CCJs. Landlords must be on guard The firm […]

Hi, we are a block of 15 flats, each flat has either one parking bay or a garage. There are also three designated visitor bays, which are clearly marked with a ‘V’ and, according to the lease, are strictly for visitors. One of the directors, who owns a flat here, has given his tenant access […]

Another Scottish council has declared a ‘housing emergency’ making it the 12th local authority in Scotland to declare a housing crisis. East Renfrewshire council says challenges in the local housing market have made it difficult to keep up with demand. East Renfrewshire has the lowest percentage of social housing in mainland Scotland, with only 11.4% […]

We have recently heard that landlords should set themselves up as a Limited Liability Partnership in case they should ever have someone claim against them, which could lead to bankruptcy and we would lose everything we have? While we have landlord insurance and maintain our properties well, there is always the risk that if a […]

My tenant’s been paying me £1,200 a month, but the market rent now is £1,500 – and with my mortgage rates going up, it’s hard. On top of that, he owes me £7,000 in rental arrears. You’re probably wondering, why haven’t I just increased the rent, evicted him, or gone for possession? Well, the truth […]

A common question I get asked after a disaster like a fire or flood is whether a landlord is obligated to re-house a tenant. The straightforward answer is “no.” However, a related question is whether the landlord must “pay” for alternative accommodation. This is a distinct issue, but first, let’s address the duty to re-house. […]

As a new or inexperienced investor, it’s crucial to avoid certain types of properties that may seem appealing at first glance but could present significant risks. Here are ten types of properties you might want to steer clear of to ensure your first investment is solid, sound, and secure. Non-Standard Construction Properties Non-standard construction refers […]