Page 26 – Property118
Stacked coins forming the word RENT to illustrate rising UK rental costs

Landlords raise rents due to legislative uncertainty

20th February 2026

More than half of landlords (51%) raised rents during the last 12 months as many consider leaving the market, according to a new survey. Findings by The Deposit Protection Service (DPS) reveal that upcoming legislative changes are a key factor behind landlords considering selling their properties. The data also shows that some landlords are taking […]

Leasehold housing reform concept with icons representing property law and ownership changes

Leaseholders hesitant to escalate complaints due to redress system

20th February 2026

The current leasehold redress system is deterring leaseholders from pursuing and resolving complaints, an organisation has warned. The Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) has revealed that leaseholders are not escalating complaints because the process appears too time-consuming and stressful. The news comes as the government have announced plans to cap ground rents to £250 a year […]

Red percentage blocks being cut away from blue blocks, symbolising buy-to-let mortgage rate reductions

Pepper Money among BTL lenders cutting rates

20th February 2026

Pepper Money has reduced its buy to let (BTL) mortgage rates by 0.50% across its 70%, 75% and 80% loan-to-value tiers, covering both Pepper 48 and Pepper 36 products. This includes Houses in Multiple Occupation, and the reductions apply to two- and five-year fixed terms. The lowest rate now stands at 3.94% on the Pepper […]

Rising London rents highlighted by pound symbols and upward arrow over city skyline

London rents climb as supply stays tight

20th February 2026

London’s PRS has started the year on a firm footing, with restricted stock and steady renter interest continuing to drive rental growth, Chestertons reveals. It says that activity across the capital remains robust and tenant enquiries in January were 6% lower than the same month in 2025. However, the figure is 81% higher when compared […]

Man clutching cash in front of Lady Justice statue, symbolising alleged landlord overcharging

Landlords challenged at Tribunal found to be overcharging on service charges

20th February 2026

A left-wing group claims social and private landlords are “getting away with large-scale financial exploitation” over service charges. A survey by Social Housing Action Campaign (SHAC) claims that in cases where service charges were challenged at the First-tier Tribunal (FTT), more than 63% of landlords were found to be overcharging. The figure rises to more […]

Fire-damaged rental property highlighting concerns over housing standards and safety

726,000 PRS homes may fail the Decent Homes Standard 2035 deadline

20th February 2026

Around 726,000 privately rented homes in England could fail the Decent Homes Standard (DHS) by 2035, research reveals. Inventory Base says that another 87,000 homes in the social sector could fail too. Publication of the new Decent Homes Standard last month followed a lengthy consultation, and landlords have up to 10 years to comply. The […]

Danger Zone road sign in front of rental homes with To Let boards

Tenant group claims PRS is a ‘danger zone’ but critic warns of RRA consequences

19th February 2026

Generation Rent claims the private rented sector was a “danger zone” due to an imbalance of power between landlords and tenants. Speaking to Matt Allwright on Channel 5 about the Renters’ Rights Act, the group’s chief executive, Ben Twomey, argued that many renters were living with insecurity and poor-quality housing. However, a broadcaster on the […]

Stressed landlord reviewing rental finances outside terraced homes with let agreed signs

Landlords devote 31 hours of ‘sweat’ every month to property management

19th February 2026

Letting property is proving far from passive, with landlords dedicating huge amounts of time alongside financial investment to keep portfolios running. According to Pegasus Insight’s latest Landlord Trends report, landlords now spend an average of 31 hours each month managing rental homes. That equates to almost four working days, and the firm calls it ‘sweat […]

UK private rents rise 3.5% as house price growth slows across England, Wales and Scotland

UK rents rise 3.5% as house price growth slows

19th February 2026

Private rents across the UK continued to climb at the start of the year, though the pace of growth has eased. The latest Office for National Statistics data show average monthly private rents rose 3.5% to £1,367 in the 12 months to January 2026. Last month, the annual increase was 4%. In England, average rents […]

Dog and kitten resting together on a sofa, symbolising responsible pet ownership in rental housing

Social housing landlords urged to be fair on pet requests

19th February 2026

Social housing landlords will not be legally forced to grant pet requests, but the government urges them to be fair and considerate. In a letter to social housing landlords, the government claims tenants in social housing do not experience the same barriers as tenants in the private rented sector (PRS) to keeping a pet. Under […]

Hand holding model house and keys with sold sign against Scottish flag backdrop

Scotland’s landlord sales outpace those investing

19th February 2026

More landlords in Scotland sold property than bought over the past year, underlining the direction of travel across the nation’s private rented sector. Research from SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust found 14% of landlords disposed of rental homes in the last 12 months. That compares with just 5% who expanded their portfolios. The Trust’s Voice of […]

Map of the UK with Glasgow highlighted, symbolising top residential investment returns

Glasgow named top UK property investment city

19th February 2026

Glasgow has taken the top spot for the first time in a major real estate firm’s league table of residential investment hotspots. The latest edition of Colliers’ Top UK Residential Investment Cities Report places Scotland’s largest city ahead of long-established frontrunners. The firm points to standout results across economics as well as property and environmental, […]

Red “To Let” sign in front of house with downward arrow highlighting rising rental void costs

Void costs surge for England’s landlords

19th February 2026

Void costs are rising across England by up to 64%, with landlords absorbing growing losses as both rents and letting gaps increase. The research from Dwelly shows the average financial hit linked to empty properties has climbed 13.8% over the past year. In some areas, the increase is much steeper, with one region recording a […]

Landlord facing fines under housing licensing enforcement rules

Landlords could be fined twice for same offence warns licensing expert

19th February 2026

A landlord expert has accused councils of “double jeopardy enforcement against landlords” by fining them twice for the same offence. Phil Turtle, licensing expert at Landlord Licensing & Defence, has warned councils are creating two routes to prosecution or financial penalty for the same alleged failing, such as selective, additional or HMO licensing. Mr Turtle […]

Lady Justice statue with scales and stacked law books, symbolising court backlogs and housing disputes

Law Society urges government to invest in courts ahead of Renters’ Rights Act

18th February 2026

The Law Society has warned that court backlogs will be unavoidable and access to justice will be limited unless the government invests in the court system. The association warns that the abolition of Section 21 under the Renters’ Rights Act is likely to lead to an increase in contested repossession cases. Figures from the Ministry […]

Lady Justice statue and gavel symbolising county court possession hearings under the Renters’ Rights Act.

Government claims courts will be ready for Renters’ Rights Act

18th February 2026

The government claim the county courts will have the capacity to deal with the Renters’ Rights Act and urges tenants to attend possession hearings. In answer to a written question, the government say tenants must have access to justice, and the government will launch a new digital possession service. The news comes as Landlord Action […]

Family sitting with belongings in front of a Scottish flag during housing crisis in Fife

Council urges landlords to help amid housing emergency in Scotland

18th February 2026

A Scottish council is calling on landlords to provide temporary accommodation for vulnerable families. The council has launched a partnership encouraging landlords to offer properties for short-term use to help support families facing homelessness across the area. The Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) is backing the scheme, saying it will help provide vital accommodation for […]

Buy-to-let mortgage rate cuts and cashback deals for landlords

BTL lenders cut rates and launch cashback remortgage deals

18th February 2026

Buy to let lenders have stepped up competition across both mainstream and specialist sectors, unveiling fresh products, rate cuts and cashback incentives. Landbay has rolled out five new five-year fixed remortgage deals under its Premier range, each with £500 cashback alongside a free valuation. The products target borrowers with portfolios of up to 15 properties […]

Demolition of former social housing as sold signs stand outside terraced homes

England loses thousands of social homes as building fails to keep pace

18th February 2026

More social homes are being sold or demolished than they are being built, according to government figures. Data by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government reveals in England, 16,291 social homes were either sold or demolished last year, yet just 10,807 social homes were built. Housing charities Crisis and Shelter have called for […]

Short-term let sign outside a London home highlighting 90-day rental limit debate

Labour MP introduces bill to track short-term lets

18th February 2026

MPs have called for the government to go further to clamp down on short-term lets by changing data-management rules. Labour MP for Westminster and Cities of London, Rachel Blake, has introduced a Ten-Minute Rule bill to keep track of how many nights a home is rented out as a short-term let. In London, short-term lets […]

Leaving the UK - Statutory Residence Test?

Leaving the UK – Statutory Residence Test?

18th February 2026

After 31 years of living in the UK, I have decided to leave shortly before 6 April 2026. I am a full-time landlord with a portfolio of 20 properties in London. These are personally held (a few in joint ownership with my wife), and all residential. I manage the properties myself, including managing repairs, insurance, […]