Landlords are unwittingly putting their tenants at risk of fire hazards due to a flawed approach in hiring electricians for Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR), one firm warns. Landlord Licensing & Defence says the current EICR regime is failing to ensure tenant safety as landlords opt for cheaper alternatives when seeking inspection services. Under the […]

Hello, I have a property which has been let on an AST for a number of years and now looking for a new tenant. I have several rent-to-rent companies interested and am keen to get feedback from learned readers on this forum. Queries as follows: 1)Presently the property is unencumbered but should I decide to […]

Property investment is an attractive avenue for building wealth and generating passive income. However, success in property requires more than just purchasing properties; it necessitates effective cash flow management. Maintaining a steady income stream is crucial to ensure your property investment endeavors remain profitable and sustainable. In this article, we will explore essential strategies for […]

Hi, We have a tenant who was served a section 21 back in April which expired on 26 June 2023. They were in arrears of over £6k. Due to the tenants’ health issues we were regularly in contact with their partner who was also the carer, so they have all copies of communication regarding rent […]

Hello, I have had a tenant for three years and since Covid, she finds it difficult to pay her rent and is now in arrears of £5,000. We have issued section 21 for her to vacate the property but she said that the council told her not to leave otherwise she will be homeless. So, […]

With A-level results due this week many students could be left facing a battle in finding accommodation. According to the Times, undergraduates at some universities could be temporarily housed in hotels or offered bunk beds in shared rooms. Low supply and high demand in the student private rented sector has seen many students left struggling […]

A consultation on EPC reform proposals is taking place in Scotland. The Scottish government say EPCs are not appropriate to drive energy-efficiency improvements and meet net-zero targets. The new proposed plans include the use of an emissions rating display along with an energy use indicator. Current metrics do not support our transition to net zero […]

Hello, we have a student HMO property in Camden; unfortunately due to an administration error the license wasn’t renewed and the tenants are taking us to a tribunal for a penalty of one year’s rent. The property is fully HMO compliant, we have gas & electric certs, fire alarms & fire extinguishers serviced and certified. […]

Paragon Bank has reduced its core two-year fixed rate buy-to-let mortgages starting at 4.85% for a maximum 70% Loan to Value (LTV) dependent on EPC rating Rates on the two-year fixes are priced at 4.85% for single self-contained properties with EPC ratings of A-C and 4.90% where the EPC is rated D or E. Interest […]

Having nearly got sucked in by fake gurus and property sourcers I decided to write and submit this article to Property118 to help others … When navigating the world of property investment, it’s essential to distinguish between genuine experts and those looking to capitalize on your enthusiasm. Here’s your detective toolkit to help identify and […]

Average weekly rent in London rises again, according to new figures. The latest figures from Foxtons lettings index reveal average weekly rent in July was £597 per week, slightly lower than the £599 recorded in June, but up 12% compared to July 2022. The letting agents say competition is still fierce when looking for a […]

Hello everyone,could I please have some help from the Property118 forum? I would like to know the best way to rent a flat for one year only as my wife and I are planning to sell our home and we will want to move into it next year.  We are trying to avoid any problems! […]

Landlords who have sold up this year have seen their capital gains take a hit – they are making £10,000 less than they did last year, research reveals. According to real estate firm Hamptons, the average BTL landlord who sold a property this year made £95,000. The firm says that of the buy to lets […]

Tenant abandonment is a serious problem for landlords, who may face legal and financial risks if they try to regain possession of their property without following the correct procedures. And that’s why Propertymark has joined forces with other housing sector stakeholders, including Property118 to urge the government to introduce stronger rules on abandonment. In a […]

Landlords in Wales are being urged to have their say on the Welsh Government’s green paper on fair rents and adequate housing – which could see rent controls in the private rented sector. To help, the National Residential Landlords’ Association (NRLA) has put together a toolkit to help landlords understand the consultation and respond appropriately. […]

It’s hard not to come to the conclusion after reading the most popular articles, discussions and comments in multiple landlord news portals that landlords are being blamed, disregarded and punished from all sides; being squeezed out of the market, blamed for all wrongs and paying costs that are simply unfair. Join the thousands of landlords […]

Hi, I had to take my tenants to court as they wouldn’t leave once I’d given them notice. I wanted the property back to live in – it’s just my daughter and I. After a long drawn out process, I finally got my property back. However, it’s been left in an awful state. I’m now […]

Hi fellow landlords, we have one BTL and I wonder if it’s getting to the point where it’s better sold and money placed in a 5% savings account, especially when you consider the yield at the moment. Here are some more details below: Purchase price: 128k Current value: approx 260k Let for: £1150 per calendar […]

Hello, Our tenant stopped lines of communication in March. We were communicating by way of email and text, occasionally we tried a phone call but she texted us and said use email and text as her preferred method. It says on her contract we can email etc. Well, we served a section 21. The notice […]

Hello, regarding the proposals to upgrade all properties to an EPC ‘C’ rating, where are the tenants of a two-bed back-to-back going to live whilst the work is carried out? Don’t forget that pets are as important as kids in many families. Where will the mum/dad go during the day when the property is full […]

Growing numbers of landlords are struggling to pay their mortgages and are having their rental homes repossessed, official figures reveal. According to UK Finance, there were 440 buy to let landlords who had properties repossessed in the second quarter of 2023 – that’s up 7% from the first quarter. And the number of BTL mortgages […]