Page 270 – Property118
Hands handing over keys with renters agreement paperwork on a table

Tenants forced into signing ‘rent tracker’ contracts

6th September 2023

Letting agents say they are being asked by landlords to offer tenants a ‘rent tracker’ agreement – which enables rent rises that follows a rise in the Bank of England base rate. Research by the i newspaper highlights that the trend appears to be on the rise as landlords pass on the cost of their […]

pic of house and tag saying for rent as rents reach new hights in the uk property118

‘Madness’ as rent prices in the UK soar to record highs

6th September 2023

The average rent price in the UK for July 2023 was £1,243 – that’s a whopping 10.3% increase from the same month last year and 1.1% higher than in June. That’s according to the latest data from HomeLet, a tenant referencing firm. The new average rent is the highest average rent price ever recorded by […]

New property purchase – is it a HMO?

6th September 2023

Hi, I’m new here. Please be gentle. I am a BTL investor of 25 years, so not a complete newbie, but have only ever invested in single occupancy ASTs. My eldest child is off to University this month and I am considering purchasing a property as an investment that would also save them a lot […]

Deprived areas hit hardest by shortage of rental stock

6th September 2023

People living in the most deprived areas of the UK have seen their rents skyrocket this year, according to new data. Research by estate agents Hamptons reveals in 2019, renters in the most deprived regions were paying an average of £499 a calendar month – by 2023, that had shot up to £759. In contrast, […]

More decisive action needed to tackle rough sleeping warns charity

6th September 2023

The government has announced millions of pounds in funding to help rough sleepers off the street. The new Rough Sleeping Initiative allocations totalling £34.6 million will go to areas most in need of support to help get people off the street more quickly. However, one charity warns that this funding is not enough and spiralling […]

Tax-Efficient Ownership Structures: Mitigating Risk for Business Owners and Financiers

5th September 2023

Managing risk is a fundamental concern for both business owners and financiers. A well-thought-out ownership structure can significantly reduce risk and enhance financial stability. One key element in this risk management strategy is adopting a tax-efficient ownership structure. In this blog post, we’ll explore why having a tax-efficient ownership structure is essential for mitigating risk […]

Landlords leaving in droves due to tax policies

5th September 2023

An industry body is urging all politicians to have an urgent re-think on tax policy for landlords. The Association of Inventory Clerks claims the recent tax rule changes are a major reason why landlords are leaving the private rented rector. The industry body argues that landlords are being treated unfairly over current tax arrangements. In England […]

Paragon Bank cuts buy to let mortgage rates for landlords

5th September 2023

Paragon Bank has unveiled a major product refresh that has seen rates reduced across 22 buy to let mortgage products, with fixed deals now starting at 4.59%. The rate cuts apply to a range of loan-to-value (LTV) bands for both portfolio – landlords who own four or more buy-to-let properties with mortgages – and non-portfolio […]

Landlords need to be incentivised and not driven from the PRS – Propertymark

5th September 2023

The government needs to focus on its tax policies so that landlords in the private rented sector (PRS) are incentivised to remain and help house people and not be forced out. That’s the verdict of Propertymark which is highlighting the steps that need to be taken now to boost investment and help reduce rents. And […]

Pic of Birmingham on a map where council wants landlords top licence their rented properties property118

Birmingham landlords urged to get licensed or face penalties

5th September 2023

Birmingham city council says that 80% of landlords in its private rented sector (PRS) covered by the new selective and additional licensing schemes have not yet applied for a licence. The city’s new licensing scheme came into effect on 5 June 2023 to improve the standards and management of PRS properties. The scheme covers between […]

Landlords doubt Government’s planning reforms will deliver 1 million new homes

5th September 2023

After the government announced a review of permitted development rights in a bid to shake up planning rules and build one million new homes in England by the end of the current Parliament, landlords say they doubt the move will deliver the homes. Permitted development rights allow certain types of building work to be carried […]

elegraph logo used in rebuttal to article on landlord tax structures

Daily Telegraph wants to speak to landlords who have built successful portfolios 

4th September 2023

Are you a landlord or holiday let owner who has built a successful portfolio and want to share your story? Then, Alexa Phillips, the personal finance reporter, for The Telegraph would like to speak with you. Alexa wants to speak to landlords and holiday let owners who have built successful portfolios and would be happy […]

Chief executive commenting on falling rent prices in England’s private rental sector

August sees rents remaining red hot

4th September 2023

The rental market remained ‘boiling hot’ in August, with the cost of rent up 10% year-on-year, according to the latest rental index from Goodlord. Despite average rents dropping slightly after a record-breaking July – where average prices went over the £1,300 mark for the first time – tenants continue to face high prices. Void periods […]

Illustration of houses with the word eviction, symbolising Section 21 rental evictions

Council advice to tenants nearing S21 date – Help!

4th September 2023

Hello, our situation we have had a tenant in place at one of our properties for around 5 years – never increased the rent (single mum – two kids – you try not to make people’s lives harder than they need to be) – always done repairs – always acted as a model landlord. The […]

electric heating, gas shortage supply this winter, gas rationing

Gas shortage supplies this winter?

4th September 2023

Hello, just watched a video by Nigel Farage who was talking about Europe filling up its gas tanks with LPG from Russia. A big point was we haven’t in the U.K. filled those tanks. So it got me thinking. What if we have a cold winter and we get gas rationing? In my house we […]

Tenant caused Fire – Can I sue for damages?

4th September 2023

Hello, I have recently had a house fire caused by a tenant. The fire investigators deemed it was an accident so no malice was involved. Can I sue the tenant for damages for any costs that I might be liable for that the insurance company may not pay? I don’t know what these may be […]

One Property two related families – HMO?

4th September 2023

Hi everyone, I need some advice, please. I am in search of new tenants for a 3-bed house and have been approached by a tenant who says they are looking for a property for two related families. They have two brothers, their wives, and 2 small children. I am aware that the definition of HMO […]

RAAC, social housing

Social housing could be at risk of crumbling aerated concrete

4th September 2023

Housing associations are being urged to check building specifications for reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) The call comes after some schools in England have been forced to close because they contain the dangerous concrete. One social housing law firm warns that RAAC poses a serious risk to social housing tenants. Act on RAAC for tenant […]

Rocky housing market will pick up in Autumn

4th September 2023

While it’s been a tough year for the property market, activity is likely to pick up in the coming Autumn months, according to new research. A study by property lending specialists Octane Capital reveals mortgage approval rates have fallen dramatically but an ‘autumn boost’ is beginning to improve things. Over the past five years mortgage […]

Has Paragon Bank Advised You To Consider Incorporation?

1st September 2023

We understand that Paragon Bank is now interviewing some if not all new clients who are applying for new BTL mortgages and that one of their questions is whether incorporation has been considered. We want to understand this better, so if you’ve had one of those interviews please reach out to us in the comments […]

House prices fall 5.3% year-on-year in August

1st September 2023

The Nationwide House Price Index for August indicates a monthly fall in prices of 0.8% feeding through cumulatively to an annual drop of 5.3%. The average price of a property (not seasonally adjusted) now stands at £259,153 down £14,600 from the last August peak in 2022. Market activity in the first 6 months of 2023 […]