Page 272 – Property118
Chief executive commenting on falling rent prices in England’s private rental sector

Rising tenant demand and property scarcity plague the UK’s PRS – report

12th September 2023

In response to growing media speculation over whether landlords are leaving the private rented sector (PRS) and if tenant demand is reaching an all-time high, one survey says it has definitive proof of what is happening. The findings from RentTech firm Goodlord and Vouch show that a staggering 78% of letting agents have witnessed a […]

EPC

The Times is looking to speak to landlords who are making eco upgrades to their properties 

11th September 2023

Are you a landlord who has already started making your properties energy-efficient? Then Rachel Mortimer, Assistant Money Editor, at the Times would like to speak with you. Rachel is looking to speak with landlords who have already begun making eco upgrades to their rental properties, despite the government proposals on minimum EPC ratings being uncertain. […]

Woman in red dress smiling while seated in an office chair.

Rents predicted to rocket 25% by 2026

11th September 2023

A housing market forecast is offering an alarming prediction that rents could rocket between 2023 and 2026 by 25%. The prediction is being made by estate and lettings agents Hamptons which says that both London and Great Britain tenants will see rents rise by the same figure. It says that this year in Great Britain […]

pic of arrears payment s21 tenants says he paid property118

Defendant lied in his S21 defence – what to do?

11th September 2023

Hi, I have a PCOL (Possession Claim Online) claim for a failed section 21 in progress. The defendant filed his defence but it is not the truth. He claimed he had paid rent arrears, but the payment was never received. He also claims section 21 was never received – I have proof of postage and […]

joint tenancy agreement contract property118.com

Joint tenancy agreement?

11th September 2023

Hi, my tenants have a joint tenancy agreement (4 of them), 6 months then rolling on contract. One of the tenants wants to move out before the 6 months expires. If they find another tenant, do they need a new agreement for another 6 months or can the new one be added to the agreement […]

Pic of woman landlord tearing up an ast contract property118

Problem with AST when it’s an Airbnb?

11th September 2023

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 […]

45% of tenants are struggling to pay rent – ONS

11th September 2023

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 […]

Portrait of a business leader in suit and tie

Despite rent cap, Scotland’s rents rocket

11th September 2023

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 […]

Black mould growing on a window frame in a damp home.

Government reveals damp and mould figures in the PRS

11th September 2023

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 […]

Houses of Parliament in London viewed from across the River Thames

Landlords could go to prison if they don’t meet new energy rules

8th September 2023

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, […]

Record number of UK landlords opt for limited companies when investing – Paragon

8th September 2023

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 […]

Considerations for UK Landlords: A Guide to Business Transfers, Professional Fees, and Capital Withdrawal

8th September 2023

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 […]

Tenants – Here’s how much a 100% mortgage will cost you

8th September 2023

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 […]

Woman on phone under umbrella in kitchen during water leak

Is my letting agent responsible for a poor repair?

8th September 2023

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 […]

Knight-themed Landlord Crusader logo symbolizing landlord advocacy

If renting out a home is so easy, why don’t you have a go?

8th September 2023

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 […]

The government are on cloud nine when it comes to selective licensing

7th September 2023

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 […]

The best way to keep up to date with property market changes

7th September 2023

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 […]

Angela Rayner – Will rent controls and tax rises for landlords be on the agenda?

7th September 2023

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 […]

UK house prices see the largest slump since 2009

7th September 2023

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 […]

Provide a fire extinguisher or no fire extinguisher?

7th September 2023

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 […]