If you were looking for a sign on whether or not to downsize or expand your property portfolio, this weeks’ news provided mixed messages on how landlords might be affected by Buy-to-let (BTL) mortgage rates. Despite the possibility of some light at the end of the tunnel, overall the picture is understandably causing concern. After […]

What can landlords in the private rented sector expect from the new Labour government? Remember, the party’s fans are bandying about the term ‘the grown-ups are back in the room’ without anything to back it up. Also, remember that this government has a ‘mandate’ on one of the lowest ever electoral turnouts, where Reform came […]

Hi, I understand that local authority housing departments routinely advise tenants issued with Section 21 to stay in the property. Obviously, this reducing even further expense to the landlord having to pay for court eviction proceedings, balliffs etc. How can this be fair or right? They know that ultimately they are going to end up […]

Despite ongoing affordability issues, tenant demand for rented properties in England has climbed slightly in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter, research reveals. According to Zero Deposit’s rental demand index, demand reached 33.3% in Q2, meaning a third of all rental properties found a tenant. While this is 1.5% higher than […]

Foundation Home Loans, through its arm ‘Buy to Let by Foundation’, has announced a series of price cuts on a range of BTL mortgage products. The move comes after the launch of a new limited-edition product in June. The most significant reductions are for two-year fixed-rate products, with rates dropping by 15 basis points for […]

A council says it is looking for more private landlords to partner with to offer stable housing to those in need – and it has thanked those landlords who have already signed up. The call is being made by Shropshire Council which is also promising financial rewards and extensive support after it made an initial […]

An industry body is warning the government that banning Section 21 could overwhelm the court system. According to Propertymark, the abolition of Section 21 will be the ‘final nail in the coffin’ for many landlords due to costs and lengthy court delays. The Labour government also plan to introduce Awaab’s Law to the private rented […]

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has found serious issues impacting tenant safety and living conditions by five social housing landlords. The report identified problems in Bristol City Council, Guildford Borough Council, Octavia Housing and Sheffield City Council. All four failed to meet the RSH’s new consumer standards, introduced in April. These standards aim to […]

Research from Barclays offers valuable insights for both renters and landlords navigating today’s competitive private rented sector (PRS). The study reveals the top priorities for each group, providing guidance on what makes a property or tenant more attractive. For renters, avoiding damp and mould is the absolute deal-breaker, with nearly half (46%) stating it as […]

Hi, I am in progress of evicting my unpaying tenants and still waiting for high court enforcement order to come through. My tenants haven’t paid rent for over seven months now, claiming they have no money. However, in their own statement, they admitted they’re paying rent to someone else. I’m taking them to the money […]

Self-management of your property business is as cheap or expensive as you want it to be. In loose financial terms, it is down to the level of your knowledge and the systems you want to use to manage your properties. As we’ll learn in this post though, the costs of self-management go beyond money. Here […]

New research reveals a huge decline in profits for buy to let landlords in the UK, raising concerns about a worsening rental crisis. According to a study by Finder, a personal finance website, annual returns for landlords taking out new BTL mortgages have dropped by a staggering 45% compared to April 2020. This dramatic fall […]

The Housing Ombudsman has published a scathing report highlighting the failings of 27 social housing landlords in their response to leaks. It says that leaks lead to issues with damp and mould which is a ‘significant driver’ of complaints from tenants. The ombudsman detailed cases where tenants faced years of inaction from landlords, with leaks […]

In this episode, Ranjan Bhattacharya explores an exciting opportunity for property investors: generating higher cashflow with serviced accommodation and short-term lets. Are you curious about how these rental strategies can outperform traditional long-term leases? Ranjan breaks down the benefits, potential risks, and key considerations to help you decide if serviced accommodation and short-term lets are […]

I am considering expanding the property portfolio in my UK based Limited Company. I currently live in Portugal and rental properties are in high demand here. Property prices are dropping slightly at the moment and I was wondering if it would be possible for my Limited Company to purchase a property in Portugal. The company […]

Offa, the UK’s first Sharia-compliant bridge finance fintech company, has launched a buy-to-let (BTL) service. Its new offering aims to shake up the traditional Islamic finance market with quicker approval times and a digital application system. Offa’s BTL service leverages cutting-edge technology to cater to both Muslim and non-Muslim property investors. ‘Modern service and speed […]

Salford City Council is seeking residents’ opinions on a plan for private landlords in parts of Broughton and Kersal to join a selective licensing scheme. The proposed scheme would cover around 1,340 properties across Broughton and parts of the Kersal and Broughton Park wards. It would cover the same area as a previous licensing scheme […]

Hi, I need some advice. My ex-tenant damaged my property, identified during the check-out inspection. The deposit scheme doesn’t cover the full cost and has declined to negotiate a settlement. Since the damages exceed the deposit, adjudication won’t help. I’ve spent 1.5 months trying to negotiate with the tenant via email and the deposit portal, […]

Despite a sluggish housing market, a post-election bounce could boost optimism as a new government brings fresh hope for recovery. The survey by RICS reveals buyer numbers dropped for the third consecutive month (-7%), and agreed sales fell again. The number of new sellers also declined, after rising for six months. However, a RICS survey […]

Hi, I have a property in a Selective License area and my property was licensed. I have just been checking the paperwork and noticed that my licence expired 2 years ago. I have been renting during this period and obviously need to get a new licence. My question is the best way to go about […]

Hi, hope this post comes as helpful and can kick off some useful discussions. It’s about damp and mould, the risks, and mitigations as well as a (my current) case study. I own and self-manage an ex-local authority flat in South East London and it’s been fine (concerning damp and mould) for years. A new […]