Millions of renters in England are suffering from poor mental and physical health, according to new research by Shelter. The charity claims 40% of renters in England have experienced poor health as a result of poor property conditions in the last year. Nearly two-thirds of tenants said their mental health had worsened due to housing […]

As many people face difficulties in finding affordable housing, a new study reveals that England has 676,000 empty homes worth £212 billion. These properties account for 2.7% of the nation’s housing stock, which is already in short supply. The study was conducted by House Buyer Bureau, which found that the North East has the highest […]

Bristol is the most expensive city to rent a property in England with tenants paying 41% more than they did in 2018, a study reveals. The research from Zero Deposit looked at how rents have changed across the country in the past five years. It found that the average rent in Bristol is now £1,513 […]

Hello, I have a flat that I am now selling to raise funds for other flats I rent. I should have completed it on the 12th September, but due to the delay in getting the management pack, that sale will probably go through the first week of October. I have just received the service charge […]

Renting a home in the UK has become more expensive than ever, as a new report reveals that the average rent for a new tenancy has risen by 10.3% in the past year. According to Zoopla, renters now pay £1,164 per month on average, which is £1,320 more per year than in September 2022. The […]

A consultation in Northern Ireland seeks to change fire safety measures to local buildings. The Department of Finance has issued proposals for new requirements for fire suppression systems and the duty to share fire safety information for buildings over 11 meters. One industry body is urging the consultation that guidance should be provided on how […]

Nearly 50% of private renters are reluctant to apply for grants that would make their homes more energy-efficient and reduce their bills, research reveals. The findings from Generation Rent show that tenants are afraid of rent increases and evictions if they ask for energy performance certificate (EPC) improvements. This affects 48% of tenants – and […]

Landlords and property professionals face a daunting array of laws and regulations that can lead to hefty fines, prosecutions, and disputes with tenants and councils – and the Compliance Event promises a crash course to stay on top of the latest changes in the sector. The Compliance Event is a one-day intensive training course that […]

In a speech to the Conservative Party Conference, Michael Gove made no mention of the Private Rented Sector or the Renters’ Reform Bill. Instead, the Housing Secretary focused on resisting plans to build on the green belt and plans to build more homes. Mr Gove also mentioned building new homes to energy efficiency standards. A […]

Hello, I have a fantastic tenant on a two-yearly AST and in February 2024 she would have completed 10 years, without a single problem, and the rent always paid on time (save for a short term during the covid period) In those 10 years, I have never increased the rent I never used an agent […]

Hello, why doesn’t compliance with Building Regs in 2020 automatically result in an EPC C rating? I converted a derelict Mixed Use building in Hastings into four new flats which involved a complete strip out including new floors and internal walls, double-glazed windows, UFH etc. Plans were approved in 2017 and the flats were signed […]

Kings Counsel has confirmed the correctness of our approach to incorporation. Why we have only published a holding response to Dan Neidle’s articles (until now!) Given the extremely damaging nature of Mr Neidle’s article, and the distress it has caused to our existing clients and their trusted advisors, we knew we needed to seek professional […]

The Government has promised to speed up the court process for landlords who want to evict their tenants as part of the proposed Renters (Reform) Bill. The bill, which will abolish Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, was discussed by Housing Minister Rachel Maclean at a Conservative Party conference event. The event, hosted by the think tank […]

A Welsh government consultation presents plans to create an independent unified court system. The proposals by the Welsh government set out plans to consolidate nine devolved tribunals into a single coherent system which includes both First-Tier and Appeal tribunals. The Welsh government say the court reforms are intended to create a structure that is easier […]

Renters in London and the South East saw record-breaking rent rises in September, one rental index reveals. According to Goodlord, the average rent in England was £1,346.28 last month, a slight decrease of 91p from August. However, this figure masks the regional variations that occurred during the month. London and the South East were the […]

Hello, I need some advice from Property118 readers. I don’t want to come across as the evil landlord here but…… 1. A tenant died the day the rent was due 2. Police were called because friends hadn’t heard from the tenant The police turned up and kicked the front door in breaking not only the […]

The Housing Minister Rachel Maclean has insisted that not all tenants are ‘bad people’ who are in gangs or smoke weed as she championed the abolition of section 21 as part of the Renters (Reform) Bill. Speaking at a fringe event at the Conservative Party Conference on Monday night, Ms Maclean said the Renters (Reform) […]

Hello, I am looking for some advice from Property118 readers. A tenant left without serving a notice, which was required in the AST. My question is: Can I claim the deduction from their deposit for the rent they are still liable for? I did find a new tenant shortly later to move in. Am I […]

Last week the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced plans to scrap energy-efficiency targets for landlords – showing, one organisation says – that the Conservatives are on the side of landlords rather than renters. However, with the prospect of landlords of not having to spend thousands of pounds to get their properties to EPC C standard, […]

One district council is offering incentives to landlords to help Ukrainians find privately rented homes. South Cambridgeshire district council is offering payments of more than £4,000 to landlords to help Ukrainians find affordable accommodation. The scheme will provide private landlords with an incentive payment for offering a tenancy at either market rent or local housing […]

Landlords and tenants in Scotland are being urged to have their say in a consultation on a number of proposals including rent controls. The Scottish government say the proposals aim to improve the way the private rented sector operates. The consultation is open until the 29th October 2023. Scottish ministers would have the final say […]