Page 238 – Property118
Business leader discussing UK property market outlook amid Budget uncertainty

BTL mortgage products surge while first-time buyers struggle

31st January 2024

There’s a growing disparity between the mortgage options for landlords and first-time buyers in the UK with the number of buy to let mortgage products rising by 8.8% in the last quarter. But the number of products for first-time buyers dropped by 3.4%. That’s according to research from Octane Capital which analysed the current availability […]

Property expert outdoors discussing rising UK rent prices

Young renters priced out by deposit and rent costs

31st January 2024

The harsh reality of renting in the UK for young people has been revealed by a report which highlights that just 7% of the rental market is affordable for under-30s. The research from Zero Deposit is based on the combined cost of a five-week deposit and the first month’s rent. The firm also looked at […]

Anti-social gang drinking and smoking police council property118.com

“Three strikes and you’re out” rules to crackdown on anti-social tenants in social housing

31st January 2024

Tenants engaging in anti-social behaviour could face being disqualified from social housing. The proposals by the government in a bid to shake up the social housing sector could see a “three strikes and you’re out” policy implemented to tackle anti-social behaviour. Those who engage repeatedly in anti-social behaviour could face being disqualified from social housing […]

pic of man with a dilemma about a b2l mortgage for a leasehold property property118

Facing rent freeze dilemma?

31st January 2024

Hello, some background the property is based in the London/South East region. Tenants were struggling historically and large arrears built up during covid. Eventually, the tenants recovered and have been paying rent on time during the past year but made minimal (as in near zero) effort to deal with the arrears until the issue was […]

Propertymark policy head highlights concerns over the Renters’ Rights Bill’s impact on landlords and tenants

Rents fluctuate amidst supply shortages in PRS

31st January 2024

Tenant demand is still continuing to outstrip supply with letting agents seeing a reduction in stock levels. The latest figures from Propertymark’s Housing Insight report reveal a 16% fall in the number of new tenancies signed in December. According to the report, rents continue to “ebb and flow” with some agents reporting a rent increase. […]

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NRLA partners with Title Guardian to safeguard landlords against property fraud

31st January 2024

The NRLA have teamed up with a property fraud service to help protect landlords from tenant subletting. Title Guardian monitors Land Registry title documents and other digital sources and is designed to meet the rising threat of property fraud for landlords. According to Direct Line Business Insurance, nearly half of tenants (48%) who sublet do […]

Celeb doctor suffers eviction nightmare and warns: ‘Don’t be a landlord’

30th January 2024

A BBC presenter and GP has revealed how a ‘friend’ of 25 years turned into a nightmare tenant who trashed her flat and refused to pay rent or leave. Dr Renee Hoenderkamp, known to many as Dr Renee, regularly appears on BBC Radio London and Inside Out, rented out her one-bed flat in Hendon, northwest […]

Opportunities for UK property investors in 2024

30th January 2024

Join us for a live talk from The Baker Street Property Meet with renowned property expert, Andrew Roberts, as he shares invaluable insights into the dynamic landscape of the UK property market in 2024. From emerging trends to unique investment opportunities, Andrew will guide you through your window of opportunity for success in the ever-evolving […]

Scotland PRS landlords agents tenants property118.com

Scotland – Tenant bringing up notice after I failed to sell?

30th January 2024

Hi, I served notice to my tenant last year and she gave me 28 days notice and vacated. I wanted to sell the property and tried to sell it. But since then, in last 6 months I didn’t get any offers. So I’m putting the property back on the market for rent. The rent increase since […]

Landlord reviewing a property management contract before signing termination terms.

High agency fees when terminating property management contract?

30th January 2024

Hello, We signed a contract with an agency for them to manage our relationship with the tenants back in 2019. They oversaw tenant referencing, rent collection and contract. Since 2020/21, the fixed term tenancy agreement ran out and ever since the agent was not able to get a new fixed contract signed by the tenants. […]

Pic of a leasehold hall being flooded landlord leaseholder property118.com

A cautionary tale of not having landlord insurance?

30th January 2024

Hello, Nice and simple, just visited a friend who got flooded out and is now in temporary accommodation. He tells me his next door neighbour was working abroad and decided to rent out the property. It got flooded ! – but he hadn’t told the insurance he was renting it out, so they returned his […]

Professional woman standing outdoors, illustrating commentary on pressures facing renters and landlords

House price slump threatens homeowners with negative equity and mortgage woes

30th January 2024

Homeowners could be in for a rough ride as UK house prices are expected to fall 5.9% this year, according to the latest Hargreaves Lansdown Savings and Resilience Barometer. The report warns that falling prices could push many homeowners into negative equity, make remortgaging harder and more expensive, and erode their retirement savings. The firm […]

No difficulty renting for First Minister during housing crisis

30th January 2024

Despite Scotland facing a housing emergency, First Minister Humza Yousaf spent £6,000 a month of taxpayer’s money on a rented flat in Edinburgh. The Scottish Tories slammed the eye-watering cost of the three-bed flat, which the SNP leader used while Bute House (the official residence of the First Minister) was undergoing an £825,000 refurbishment. This […]

More first-time buyers aged over 50 as house prices soar

30th January 2024

Many people are delaying their first home purchase until their 50s or beyond, as house prices have rocketed in recent years, one firm reveals. Tembo Money, a mortgage specialist, analysed data from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and found that the number of first-time buyers aged 50 or older increased by 29% between 2018 and […]

Majority of letting agents find the Renters (Reform) Bill unfair

30th January 2024

Letting agents believe the consequences of the Renters (Reform) Bill could significantly harm the private rented sector.   A Propertymark survey reveals a massive 94% of letting agents believe more landlords will leave the PRS if the bill becomes law. A further 83% of agents were concerned that the Bill would also result in fewer […]

pic of tenements in Glasgow landlords tenants Scottish government property118

Scotland’s housing crisis deepens as chronic undersupply of homes is to blame

30th January 2024

Scotland’s housing emergency worsens as more than a quarter of households are in housing need. A report by Homes for Scotland (HFS) reveals 15,000 households are living in temporary accommodation. Last year, housing emergencies were declared in Edinburgh, Argyll and Bute and Glasgow. Living in ‘unfit’ properties According to the report, 123,000 households in Scotland […]

Tories to Launch 99% Mortgages? Impact on Property Investors Unveiled

29th January 2024

99% mortgages are on the horizon! Join Ranjan Bhattacharya as he dives into the details of this groundbreaking development and explores its potential impact on property investors. What does this mean for those looking to enter the property market or expand their portfolios? Our analysis will provide valuable insights, considerations, and strategies to navigate this […]

Survey reveals what UK renters want from their homes

29th January 2024

A new survey has revealed the top features that UK renters look for in a property and how much they are willing to pay for them. The survey from Molo, asked renters to select their top five most important property features from a list of 18 options. The most important feature for tenants is the […]

Setting up a Limited Company for a shared family holiday cottage?

29th January 2024

Hello, I am planning to set up a Limited Company to enable shared ownership of our family’s holiday cottage and would like some advice. I’ve set out the context first and then given a specific question. Any info is gratefully received! 1. CONTEXT My mum and her two siblings own a holiday cottage in the […]

Pic of mould problem in a leasehold flat landlord freeholder property118.com

How to avoid damp and mould in homes this winter

29th January 2024

It’s a common issue for landlords around the country – dealing with tenants who are reporting issues with damp and mould. Now researchers share eight tips for the 73% of Brits experiencing condensation on their windows and nearly half (45.1%) who suffer from mould outbreaks in their homes during winter. These problems are caused by […]