British house prices would need to plummet by a staggering 19.3% to reach their pre-pandemic levels as fears rise over a cooling market, research suggests. The findings from property purchasing specialist, House Buyer Bureau, show this decline is more substantial than the -12.9% contraction seen during the global financial crisis of 2008/09. It says that […]

Hi All. I am the landlord of a property, I applied for a repossession order through the court as my tenant would not move out after eviction notice. The hearing was on 16th August, my  appearance was by video link (Tenant was a no show and did not send in the defence form either). I […]

Hello, I’m thinking of looking outside England for rental opportunities but not Wales or Scotland. I would be interested in anyone who currently lets in Northern Ireland to determine what differences there are to England. I’m guessing all the basics are the same, like gas certs/elec certs and EPC’s but are there any specifics I […]

Do you want to become an award-winning property investor? Get your nominations in fast as the final deadline for the Property Investors Awards is closing soon! The extended deadline for submitting nominations is Friday the 8th of September. The awards celebrate excellence in the property industry and offer the chance to become recognised as a […]

In a bid to safeguard tenants facing potential homelessness when a landlord falls into BTL mortgage arrears, one tenants’ rights group is urging mortgage lenders to uphold their ‘moral obligation’ not to evict tenants. The call comes from Generation Rent and its chief executive, Ben Twomey, has written an open letter to the chief executives […]

Hi, Does anyone know currently the time frame for a bailiff eviction date in Manchester? The letting agents told me it used to be 4 to 6 weeks. I have been waiting nearly 4 months now and have still not received the notification. Thank you, Aki

Hello, I own three fairly typical mid terrace solid-brick houses. All have double glazing, loft insulation and gas central heating. Over the last year I have had Positive Input Ventilation (PIVs) installed in all three. These have been great in reducing condensation and mould, and the tenants and I are very happy with them. I […]

Hello, I have a tenant that wants to leave at the end of month 8 of a 12 month tenancy as he has bought somewhere. What should I do? He is offering to make a settlement to cover costs. I self manage and don’t really want the work, although I can probably get 8% more […]

The government needs to offer more details about its proposed Renters (Reform) Bill to landlords and agents so they can prepare for its impact. That’s the call from the managing director of payment specialists PayProp, Neil Cobbold, who says there are too many unanswered questions that could threaten the future of private rented sector (PRS) […]

Hello, Our block of flats is owned by the leaseholders, except one which has a long lease pre-dating self-enfranchisement. According to this lease, ground rent should be reviewed every 21 years, which falls in December. This requires an expensive valuation of the whole block. Given the recent change in law, and government’s apparent intention to […]

The UK housing market is facing a slump in 2023 with the number of sales expected to drop by 21% compared to 2022 and reach the lowest level since 2012, according to a new report by Zoopla. Its latest House Price Index data predicts that only one million homes will be sold in 2023, which […]

It’s not often that two separate stories manage to tell the unfolding horror of what is happening to the private rented sector – and both involve so-called tenant activist groups. This is a story about unintended consequences and the sting in the tail that is coming to tenants everywhere. First out of the blocks are […]

The buy to let sector is facing a lot of challenges in the UK, from tax changes to higher mortgage rates – but there’s another factor affecting the reputation and morale of landlords: the media. According to Stuart Haire, the chief executive of Skipton Building Society, the private rental sector is being ‘demonised’ by the […]

Hello, I am a student landlord, student dwellings are exempt for council tax. However, Lancaster Council appear to be making up rules to increase their revenue take. Can anyone help? 1) When a student decides not to take up his/her place on the lease, most people try to replace that student, usually with another student. […]

Cash buyers are taking advantage of their stronger negotiating position over their mortgage-reliant investors because they can secure prices lower than those financed through mortgages, research reveals. Octane Capital sees the trend is now becoming apparent and in June 2023, cash buyers finalised property transactions that were £27,600 below the prices negotiated by mortgagees. This […]

Hello everyone, I have a student tenant who moved in on July 1st and as soon as little more than 2 weeks later he was already threatening legal action against me and going to the council for alleged mould issues. He also had made complaints about various non-issues such as a thermostat that was said […]

Hello, I own a flat in a block of 15 flats. Some of them are rented and some of us live here. We own the freehold. I am a shareholder and was a director at one point. I didn’t resign as a director. Ever. I never signed anything. Nothing. I was told by the managing […]

Hello everyone, My son bought a leasehold flat in North West London and the freeholder has been sending him numerous letters from his solicitor alleging the flat is not maintained etc. All untrue as my son spent £20,000 on refurbishment The freeholder is trying to get my son to sell the flat to him. He […]

Hello, I have a prospective tenant who wants to rent my property. They are actually friends of mine. They are from Lithuania and have passed all necessary checks. I have only ever let before using Assured Shorthold Tenancies. However, they have informed me that this will NOT be their main home as this is in […]

Tenant activist groups have helped the Metropolitan Police rewrite its guidance and training for officers dealing with housing evictions. The Met says the changes are ‘reflective’ of a tenant’s needs and now include a presumption in favour of the tenant against eviction. Generation Rent and Safer Renting have helped with writing the guidance and the […]

Hello, I am aware in properties such as blocks of flats it is now required to have a six monthly safety test on the fire alarm, which includes the control panels, sounders, call points and emergency lighting batteries, tested with a drain down. However, the local fire officer told another local agent that they must […]