Hello, I own a couple of semi-detached properties on a housing estate built in the mid-70s all of which have an EPC rating of D. All properties have modern double glazing, adequate loft insulation, LED lights, and a modern combi gas boiler with TRVs on radiators. To achieve a C it would require cavity wall […]

Hello, a tenant wants to exchange a (working) electric cooker with a gas cooker. She has says she will pay to have it installed and the necessary certification. A couple of points, would it become her responsibility to maintain it (and replace if necessary) and also provide annual gas safety certification? Grateful for any thoughts […]

In the face of economic uncertainty, many professional landlords and investors are continuing to grow their property portfolios, according to one estate agent. Local estate agents in Leeds HOP say they have agreed to more than £1.5 million worth of investment sales in the area. The estate agents say Leeds is becoming an investment hotspot […]

The UK’s house prices grew by 1.9% year-on-year in May – a slowdown from the 3.2% growth recorded in April, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports. The average house price was £286,000, up by £6,000 a year ago, but down by £7,000 from the peak reached in September 2022. According to the ONS, house […]

Growing demand and low supply leaves renters in limbo, according to new data. The latest figures from Propertymark’s Housing Insight report reveal in June this year an average of 13 new prospective tenants registered per available property over the month. A 57% increase in the mismatch between supply and demand compared to June 2022. According […]

First, it was a claim by Generation Rent that families are being evicted every 15 minutes – but now Shelter has gone one better by saying a family is evicted every EIGHT minutes in England. The charity says it has calculated the figure by using the number of families living in the private rented sector […]

Energy efficiency improvement costs for some private rented sector homes could cost nearly £15,000. The English Housing Survey for 2021-2022 reveals 19% of PRS homes could cost between £10,000 and £15,000 to improve to at least an EPC rating of C. A further 5% of homes could require £15,000 or more to improve their energy […]

Landlords in the private rented sector and local councils are being urged by the government to help house Afghan refugees who are living in hotels and costing taxpayers £1m every day. Speaking in Parliament, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer called on local authorities to make use of the Government’s £285 million package of […]

Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) across the South West have united to lobby landlords and letting agents to identify and report suspected cannabis farms. The PCCs from Wiltshire, Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Dorset and Gloucestershire have also contacted national bodies for landlords and agents in a bid to raise awareness. They say they […]

Worried landlords should consider inventories as a defence should the Renters (Reform) Bill become law and tenants get a legal right to keep a pet in their home, one expert says. Daniel Evans, the chair of the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC), says that tenants will only need written permission from a landlord – […]

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Hello, solicitors forgot to add the statement of truth to my witness statement for a possession claim. This has led to a 10 week delay in gaining possession. Can I litigate the firm due to their negligence and duress under the circumstances? I couldn’t move to another firm due to the extra costs of transferring […]

Renters attempting to challenge rent increases are discovering that tribunals often grant landlords even higher rents, one newspaper reveals. One newspaper investigated tenants in England who received a section 13 notice to increase their rent and then contested the proposed hike at a First-tier Tribunal. However, one issue looked at by a tribunal is whether […]

Rising interest rates threaten to slash the value of homes by up to 25% in the biggest drop in wealth seen since WW2, one think tank warns. A new report by the Resolution Foundation and the abrdn Financial Fairness Trust found that higher borrowing costs have already wiped out £2.1 trillion of household wealth in […]

A tenant activist group is making a wild claim that renters face being unfairly evicted from their homes this summer because of Government inaction. The claim is being made by Generation Rent which says that the delayed Renters (Reform) Bill will lead to ‘unfair evictions’ despite a government pledge to outlaw them. The group says […]

Hello, I recently undertook a rent review, the first in years and it was challenged. The original rent was all-inclusive, and the contract noted bills, utilities and council tax is the responsibility of the tenant. Whilst the landlord is liable to ensure it is paid. If the landlord is liable what does this mean for […]

A report reveals that in one area of London, the chances of a renter finding somewhere to rent are ‘almost non-existent’. And with just 4% of the capital’s rental properties currently available for new tenants, the market is tough for most renters. According to a new report by Benham and Reeves, there are just 40,500 […]

I am an avid reader of Property 118 and a large portfolio owner. I have owned a 3 bedroom flat for 23 years and I turned it into 3 separate units as soon as I completed the purchase. I didn’t apply for planning permission. Although I feel I should be able to achieve an Established […]

Once a year, we award a fully paid scholarship to one lucky person, to join our 12-month Property Mastermind. Today the search has begun, for the 2023 Scholarship winner, and it could be you. I have recorded a short webinar for you, to explain what is involved in this life-changing scholarship, how you can increase […]

The private rented sector (PRS) needs to prepare for more than one million tenants being over the age of 65 by 2033, a report reveals. The findings from Hamptons highlight that a major shift is underway as older generations are increasingly opting for or staying in rented accommodation. According to the data, the proportion of […]

Hi all – newbie here and what a mess I’m in! I stupidly rented my house out feeling sorry for a single parent on benefits. The rent is £550 pcm and has not been increased over the 6 years as her benefits would not cover it. I asked for a £50 increase per month in […]