Page 282 – Property118
Pic of frustrated woman landlady dealing with UC helpline property118

Tenant in rent arrears and universal credit denied?

11th October 2023

Hello, this a case whereby I have served a section 8 to my tenant and at the same time tried to negotiate with Universal Credit if they could pay the tenant’s rent. Unfortunately, I received an email from the Universal Credit team that the tenant does not qualify for Universal Credit and will not be […]

Upgrading – what options are there?

11th October 2023

Hello, to reduce paperwork/printing etc, I’m looking at options (like DocuSign as just one example) where my own docs/contracts etc plus copies of gas certificates and the like can be sent through to the tenant to be marked as received, signed for and copies of the same returned electronically. Also, need the ability to send […]

Finance expert warns Budget tax raid could drive landlords from the private rented sector

BTL mortgage market recovers with lower rates and more options

10th October 2023

The buy to let mortgage sector has bounced back from the pandemic slump with lower fixed rates and more product options, according to the latest analysis by Moneyfactscompare.co.uk. The comparison site found that the overall BTL product availability – both fixed and variable – has improved month-on-month by more than 100 deals. There are now […]

Housing market shows resilience amid high interest rates

10th October 2023

The UK housing market is proving resilient in the face of high interest rates, according to Nicky Stevenson, the managing director of Fine & Country. She says that the market is recalibrating to a higher interest rate environment, and that sentiment should slowly improve as buyers and sellers increasingly know where they stand. Ms Stevenson […]

Chancellor delivering a speech on Britain’s economic future

NRLA welcomes promise to boost home supply by Labour

10th October 2023

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has welcomed plans by Labour to boost the supply of homes in the UK should it be returned to power. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves had told the Labour Party conference in Liverpool that the party would ‘rebuild Britain’. That would see the speeding up of the planning for critically […]

ECO 4 Anyone

Insulation and fire exit challenges?

10th October 2023

Hello, I have a building control issue whereby the extension was built and not enough insulation was put in the cavity wall by the builder who was not aware. Building control wants this done as per the required amount. They have been advised that the whole property is an old one and no cavity wall […]

Government calls on social housing tenants to take action for improved living standards

10th October 2023

Social housing tenants are being urged to put pressure on landlords to improve their living conditions in a new campaign. The government has launched the next phase of the ‘Make Things Right’ campaign, which aims to empower residents to report issues and make complaints to improve social housing conditions. The government wants to inform social […]

eviction notice opened envelope landlords property118.com

Eviction notice cancelled?

10th October 2023

Hello, I tried to evict a tenant in 2022 and got a possession order asking the tenant to leave on 1st December 2022. Got bailiffs involved but we cancelled the bailiffs as the tenants paid the majority of the debt. Now the tenant has not finished paying the old debt, but we agreed to let […]

Engineer performing maintenance on a home boiler system to ensure safe winter operation

No Gas and No gas certificate?

10th October 2023

Hello, what do you do as a responsible landlord when your plumber arranges an appointment not once but twice to visit your tenant’s flat on the anniversary of your gas safety check to be greeted by the tenant/contract holder (Wales) with there is no gas running to the boiler. The tenant hasn’t paid the bills […]

Labour's Angela Rayner promises rental reform and the abolition of Section 21 'no-fault' evictions at the party conference.

Angela Rayner: Labour will deliver rental reform and abolish Section 21

9th October 2023

Landlords in the private rented sector (PRS) will have rental reform – including the abolition of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions – imposed on them, Labour’s Angela Rayner has promised. The deputy Labour leader was speaking at the Party’s conference in Liverpool where she told delegates: “We will provide stability and certainty for the affordable and […]

Student properties in the North and Scotland offer the best returns for landlords

9th October 2023

Landlords looking for a lucrative investment opportunity should consider buying student properties in the North of England and Scotland, research reveals. The data from easyMoney ranks the top 100 UK universities based on the average yields of properties in their postcodes, using house price information and rents from various sources. The findings show that the […]

Tenant deposit values and disputes on the rise

9th October 2023

The UK’s private rented sector (PRS) has seen a significant increase in both the number and value of deposits protected by tenancy deposit schemes in 2022-23, according to the latest briefing by TDS Group. The report compiles data from various sources, such as Freedom of Information (FOI) requests and the Office for National Statistics (ONS). […]

Business professional in blue suit representing NRLA leadership on housing crisis.

Rental market crisis: NRLA urges Government to act

9th October 2023

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has called on the Government to take urgent action to address the supply crisis in the rental market. The call comes after new figures from Rightmove revealed that there are 25 tenants enquiring about each available rental home. According to the data, which covers newly let properties, rents in […]

Mayor of West Yorkshire blasts landlords for raising rents

6th October 2023

The mayor of West Yorkshire has launched a scathing attack on landlords, in a new interview. Labour mayor Tracy Brabin has criticised landlords who raise rents in a cost-of-living crisis. However, she does not advocate for the use of rent controls and instead wants to focus on building more affordable homes.  Avaricious and greedy Mayor […]

Knight-themed Landlord Crusader logo symbolizing landlord advocacy

The Conservatives hate landlords – Pass it on

6th October 2023

The Conservative Party used to be the party of property ownership and free enterprise, but its recent policies on housing have betrayed its core values and its loyal supporters. The Tories have broken their promises to reform the private rented sector (PRS), and have instead punished landlords with unjust taxes, soaring costs and stalled legislation. […]

UK house prices continue to slide in September

6th October 2023

The UK’s housing market showed further signs of cooling in September with the sixth consecutive monthly fall, Halifax says. The average house price fell by 0.4% month-on-month, and the annual rate of house price growth also slowed to -4.7%, the lowest since April 2021. Halifax said that house prices were still supported by the low […]

Scottish government rent control proposals slammed by expert

6th October 2023

The Scottish government’s recently launched consultation on a range of issues affecting the private rented sector (PRS), including rent controls and tenant eviction protections, has been slammed by one leading property expert. Neil Cobbold, the managing director of automated rental payment specialists, PayProp UK, says the consultation being carried out, is ‘not fit for purpose’. […]

Pic of fire hose and extinguisher tenant communication fire safety property118

New fire safety laws introduced in England

6th October 2023

Business premises including holiday lets and small blocks of flats are being affected by new fire safety measures in England. All businesses must record a fire risk assessment and fire safety arrangements in full. The Home Office has published guides which will help anyone who has a legal duty for fire safety in a relevant […]

Current pet confusion – pre tenancy?

6th October 2023

Hello, as it is not possible to ask for more than a 5 week deposit, and other fees are banned, what are the options available to a landlord if they are considering allowing a pet in the property? Is it actually ok to turn around and say a pet may be accepted BUT that as […]