Page 225 – Property118

Landlords are feeling the squeeze with inflation and recession fears

15th March 2024

Landlords in the UK are facing a variety of challenges, with a new survey revealing worries about inflation, the cost-of-living crisis, and a potential property market downturn, a survey has found. The research from property finance broker Finbri, found that 85% of landlords are worried about inflation, while 77% are concerned about the cost-of-living crisis. […]

Precise Mortgages reveals its new brand identity

15th March 2024

Precise Mortgages has unveiled a new brand identity, characterised by a fresh and distinctive look and the makeover coincides with the launch of its redesigned broker and customer websites. The popular lender will now be called Precise, and its broker platform has received a significant overhaul, featuring a complete rebuild with new tools designed to […]

RICS logo representing the organisation behind the latest UK housing market survey

Tenant demand grows as landlord instructions decline

15th March 2024

The lettings market continues to see high tenant demand, albeit at a slower pace – but a dwindling number of landlord instructions means there’s a shortage of rental properties. The latest Residential Survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) says this imbalance is expected to push rents up in the coming months. RICS’ […]

Tenants in arrears need protection under the Renters (Reform) Bill – debt charities

15th March 2024

Debt advice charities have written to the Housing Secretary Michael Gove urging him to push the Renters (Reform) Bill through Parliament – and add stronger protections for tenants in rent arrears. The debt advice organisations — StepChange, Money Advice Trust, Citizens Advice and Christians Against Poverty — say that the new Bill offers a ‘repeat […]

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

London rents slide as landlords adjust to new market reality

15th March 2024

London’s tenants are seeing rent prices fall with three firms highlighting the trend – and how landlords are responding. Estate agent Chestertons reports a significant increase of 125% in landlords lowering their asking rents, with some areas experiencing rent drops of up to 10% compared to February 2023. This trend is down to a near […]

Book your free tickets for Property Investor Show

15th March 2024

A popular landlord show is returning to London in April 2024. The Property Investor Show is the largest and longest-running property investment expo presented in the UK each year with hundreds of people attending each event. The show caters for all levels of property investor experience – so whether you are a property novice or […]

Tory Budget Squeeze: Why Small Landlords Are Feeling the Pinch

14th March 2024

Join Ranjan Bhattacharya in his latest video as he dissects the Conservative Party’s latest budget and its profound consequences for small-scale landlords. He uncovers the harsh realities facing property owners in the wake of these policies. Dive deep into the intricacies of the Tory agenda and how it’s reshaping the landscape of rental housing. Whether […]

Landlords renewing their mortgage are expecting a £615 rise

14th March 2024

Nearly half of UK landlords with mortgages are preparing for a rate renewal within the next year – and they are expecting their mortgage to rise by a whopping £615, on average. The research from The Mortgage Lender (TML) shows that another 41% of landlords will be renewing in the next two to three years. […]

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Renters (Reform) Bill will ‘demonise landlords and bankrupt councils’

14th March 2024

A Conservative commentator says that the Renters (Reform) Bill can best be described as a ‘wholesale and fundamental invasion’ into the principle of private property. Tim Briggs goes on to say that the Bill ‘will demonise landlords – and bankrupt councils’. Writing on Conservative Woman, he says that the Bill ‘insinuates that all tenants are […]

Council unveils improvement grants to help landlords offer affordable homes

14th March 2024

An affordable rented housing initiative has been unveiled by one council with grants for landlords of up to £15,000 to carry out home improvements. The aim is to boost the number and quality of affordable rented homes for tenants. The programme has been launched by Cherwell District Council in Oxfordshire and is open to any […]

Landlord fined £4,700 for ignoring council’s property inquiries

14th March 2024

A landlord has been ordered to pay a fine for failing to respond to council inquiries about his rented property.  Simon Williams, from Manchester, was fined £1,000, along with a £400 victim surcharge and court costs of £3,360.85, totalling £4,760.85. The charges stemmed from Mr Williams not responding to inquiries about a property he owns […]

Pic of EPC dial being moved landlord property118.com

Tenant allowed to challenge new EPC rating?

14th March 2024

Hi, we purchased a property in 2.5 acres of land from a company that owned it as well as other adjacent land including a quarry. There was a tenant in situ on a periodic AST. The tenant had been left for years basically doing what they wanted with no management and only one rent rise […]

Academic research project – looking for landlord participants

14th March 2024

The University of York and the University of Sheffield are carrying out a research project looking into the experiences of landlords as they relate to the law and housing regulations. The project is specifically looking to understand the pressures landlords face in relation to adhering to legal and regulatory obligations. We’re interested in hearing from […]

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Council to crackdown on landlords with poor EPC ratings

13th March 2024

Landlords in one city who rent out homes that don’t meet energy efficiency standards and fail electrical safety rules will face fines. The council says that homes with low EPC ratings take longer to warm up and lose heat quicker, meaning energy bills can be higher and residents are exposed to cold-related illnesses. Gloucester City […]

Landbay's sales and distribution director, Rob Stanton wearing a light blue suit and white shirt

Landbay cuts interest rates for HMO and MUFB properties

13th March 2024

Landbay has unveiled a reduction in interest rates for its five-year fixed loans, specifically targeting houses in multiple occupation (HMO) and multi-unit freehold blocks (MUFB). The revised rates start at 4.89%, marking a fall of up to 0.25%. The products are aimed at small scale HMOs and MUFBs, accommodating up to six bedrooms or units […]

Service charge

Service charge estimate and spend not adding up?

13th March 2024

Hi all, does anyone have any knowledge regarding service charges and monies spent in a financial year? Last year’s projections came in at £55,300. After a battle with the managing agent and requesting accounts through section 21 and 22 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, they came back in the end. The accounts showed […]

Andy Hulme of Hyde Housing Association responding to Housing Ombudsman report

Housing Ombudsman prepares for a surge in social housing tenant complaints

13th March 2024

The Housing Ombudsman has launched a consultation on its business plan following a record year of complaints. Compared to the same period last year, the first nine months of 2023-24 saw a 91% increase in cases, a 72% maladministration rate (up from 59%) and £3.7 million awarded in compensation – compared to £1.1 million for […]

AI-powered project will help PRS landlords improve their properties

13th March 2024

A new project aims to revolutionise the private rented sector (PRS) by using artificial intelligence (AI) to help landlords upgrade their properties. The Let Zero project, funded by Innovate UK with £2.4 million, will develop an AI-powered solution to guide landlords on renovations that benefit tenants, particularly vulnerable residents. The 18-month pilot project will focus […]

Council encourages landlords with its ‘Repair and Rent’ scheme

13th March 2024

A council has relaunched its ‘Repair and Rent’ scheme with big improvements to incentivise landlords to bring empty properties back into the rental market. The plan will see the council handle the entire process and boost housing supply for those on its housing waiting list. Plymouth Council says it wants to address the city’s housing […]

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Non-qualifying leaseholders impact on portfolio landlords?

13th March 2024

Hi, I’ve recently come across this in a property talk, and am very concerned about the implications of this to portfolio landlords who have more than 3 leasehold properties by April 22. I’d like your views and clarification on this. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/remediation-costs-what-leaseholders-do-and-do-not-have-to-pay Non-qualifying leaseholders 30. Non-qualifying leaseholders are only protected from the costs of historical safety […]

The critical role of accurate rebuild values for landlords

12th March 2024

 If your rented property is damaged beyond repair in a fire or flood, then it’s important to look at rebuild values. You’ll be asked for your property’s rebuild cost when taking out buildings insurance which covers the structure of your home. Finding the correct rebuild value for your insurance can be tricky, and here at […]