Hi, I wrongly used an AST in an agreement to allow someone to use my property as an Airbnb. She is not resident there and signed the agreement as xxx trading as xx – a business. Does this make the AST void? I would like to end the agreement as I cannot get her to […]

An Office for National Statistics (ONS) survey has revealed that 45% of renters and homeowners say they are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage.  It also found that 52% are not having problems paying and 2% didn’t know. However, 2% of respondents said they were behind on rent or mortgage payments and 97% were […]

Private rent prices in Scotland have soared to unprecedented levels, marking a significant surge in the housing market, one firm reveals. Scotland’s largest estate and letting agents, DJ Alexander Ltd, says there has been a 5.7% year-on-year increase in rents to July 2023. That’s the highest monthly figure recorded since the firm began data collection […]

Only an average of 3.6% of private rented sector (PRS) properties were estimated to have dangerous types of mould and damp, according to new government figures. That’s in stark contrast to the popular belief by tenant activist groups and the media that most PRS homes are riddled with mould. The figure comes after the Housing […]

The government is considering imposing prison sentences on landlords and property owners who do not comply with stringent new energy efficiency regulations – a move that has infuriated some MPs. In a bid to meet its net-zero targets, ministers want the authority to establish fresh criminal offences and escalate civil penalties. Under the proposed rules, […]

As a UK landlord, you might not be overly excited about tax regulations, but there’s one set of rules that could significantly impact your financial future: transferring your property business to a company. This move could help you save on taxes and streamline your operations, but it’s essential to understand the rules outlined in the […]

Three-quarters of landlords are planning to acquire a new rental property in the next year and intend using a limited company structure to do so – a record high. The findings from Paragon Bank, which surveyed nearly 1,000 landlords, found that 74% of investors said they would do it – that’s up 62% of landlords […]

Being a landlord in the UK comes with various financial responsibilities and considerations. This blog post will explore three crucial areas, as outlined in HMRC manuals, that landlords should be aware of: transferring your rental business to a company, professional fees linked to your business’s structure, and withdrawing capital from your rental business. Business Transfer […]

Skipton Building Society has announced that it will extend its 100% mortgage offering to tenants and existing homeowners in the UK. However, a new study by property lending experts at Octane Capital shows the monthly expenses that potential borrowers are facing. The firm looked at the costs for first-time buyers and existing homeowners, compared with […]

Hello, I’m looking for advice from Property118 readers regarding a situation I have with my letting agent in Scotland, and I live in England. At the beginning of the year, my tenant complained there was a leak each time it was rainy and windy outside. I treated it as an emergency repair and asked my […]

Many people think that being a landlord in the private rented sector (PRS) is easy money. They assume that all you have to do is buy a property, find a tenant and collect the rent every month. They think that landlords are greedy, exploiting tenants and contributing to the housing crisis. Unfortunately, they also listen […]

I recently wrote a letter to the Housing Minister regarding the selective licensing scheme in Nottingham. I received a reply from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Private Rented Sector department. I’ve replied to their letter which you can read below: Dear Rachel Maclean MP and Private Rented Sector Division, Thank you for […]

Now the kids are back to school, and the summer holidays are officially over despite the heatwave this week, it’s time to refocus on your property investing to make the most of the remaining part of 2023. There have been a lot of changes in the property market over the past nine months, so it’s […]

The appointment of Angela Rayner by the Labour Party as Shadow Housing Secretary means that landlords might have a Jeremy Corbyn supporter keen to bring in draconian laws for landlords in the private rented sector (PRS), one landlords’ organisation warns. Ms Rayner’s appointment this week by Kier Starmer follows the surprise demotion of Lisa Nandy […]

The UK’s house prices have seen their biggest decline since 2009, with the average home dropping in value by 4.6% or £14,000 over the past year, Halifax reports. Last month, prices fell 1.9% – the biggest monthly fall since November 2022. The price falls chime with those revealed by Nationwide last week with its research […]

Hello, what are Property118 readers thoughts on letting agents requesting a fire extinguisher and fire blanket to be fixed in a new 3-bed single let.? Also, asked for them to be fitted in the kitchen rather than on the exit route. Personally, I have no problems with the fire blanket and always fit one. Fire […]

An industry body warns that capping rents will only deepen the current rental crisis. The National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB) says capping rents would lead to a “stampede” of landlords quitting the sector. They are urging the Government to look at increasing Local Housing Allowances to ease pressure in the sector. Capping rents isn’t […]

The Scottish Government has announced plans to introduce ‘long-term’ rent controls among a raft of new housing laws that will also tackle homelessness and boost renters’ rights. The country’s First Minister, Humza Yousaf, told the Scottish Parliament that a major new housing bill would be introduced to regulate landlords and provide funds for housebuilding. The […]

With just three months to go until the year ends, and talk of another property market drop come December, it’s time for landlords to sell. There’s still time to complete before Christmas with cash in the bank ready for the New Year, but you need to act fast. If you’ve been thinking about the pros […]

Shelter claims that tenants over the age of 55 are being served with a section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction notice EVERY 16 minutes. Its latest anti-landlord onslaught is being used to urge the government to scrap s21 evictions as part of its Renters (Reform) Bill. The charity says that s21 is harming the health of […]

Hello, I have a tenant of 7 years that I served formal landlord-tenant notice along with a section 21. The 2-month period has passed & the tenant is refusing to leave so my question is now the tenancy contract has expired & whilst I pursue the legal route to have the tenant evicted can I […]