Page 294 – Property118

‘Real risk’ of landlords fleeing BTL as profits plunge to 2007 levels

15th June 2023

Mortgaged buy-to-let investors’ net profits plunged below 4% in the first quarter of the year – a level not witnessed since 2007, one real estate firm reports. And Savills warns that there is a ‘very real risk’ that landlords may now sell up and leave the private rental sector (PRS). The firm’s research reveals that […]

Increased demand has resulted in much improved choice of Ltd co Buy to Let options

14th June 2023

As often discussed on Property118, owning rental properties through a limited company offers full tax relief on finance costs such as mortgage interest and mortgage arrangement fees, access to potentially lower tax rates and flexibility for planning, including inheritance tax. Owning rental properties in your own name, the rental income is added to your personal […]

Property Investors Awards – Co-Living Deal of the Year winner

14th June 2023

Scott Baker Properties was founded in 2017 by Niall Scott and Matt Baker, who, as working professionals spotted a need in the community for quality shared accommodation for like-minded people. In recognition for being community driven and achieving first-class results with their development in Portsmouth, they were honoured with the 2022 Co-Living Deal of the […]

Landlord stressed over paperwork and new rental legislation at his desk

Letting agents voice concerns over Renters Reform Bill

14th June 2023

Half of letting agents say the abolition of Section 21 evictions is their biggest worry, according to a new survey. A survey of 690 letting agents by Goodlord reveals the concerns among letting agents about the Renters’ Reform Bill. The majority of agents are also concerned about the move to periodic tenancies and the bill’s […]

Revealed: The most affordable regions to rent

14th June 2023

The North East is the most affordable region to rent in the UK, according to new data. Figures from Paragon Bank reveal that rental affordability ratio, which is average earnings divided by mean rent, found that the ratio in the North East was 23.5%. Paragon’s Rental Affordability Index uses recently published government data on the […]

Rental demand remains high in London

14th June 2023

Limited supply continues to impact the lettings market in London, according to new data. Research by independent property analysts, LonRes reveals rental demand remains high in the capital due to limited supply and high demand.  Rental values across prime London locations such as Kensington are around 25 to 30% above where they were pre-pandemic. Strong […]

Close-up detail of engraved eye from British currency representing financial focus and interest rate changes

BOE beyond reproach?

13th June 2023

Dear P118, I don’t want these words to come across as a rant. I just want some peace of mind that the BOE is right in their approach to the current financial situation and that they’re not profiteering like everyone else (banks not passing rates to savers to name but one). When something doesn’t quite […]

Mobile phone mast lease expired and I want to terminate?

13th June 2023

Hello everyone, A company put a mobile phone mast on the flat roof of my property which has been there for a number of years. However, this has caused the roof to leak and now the company is trying to use new legislation, treating the mobile phone mast as a utility, to dramatically reduce the […]

pic of a rented room without any windows tenant question london property118

Rented bedroom with no windows?

13th June 2023

Hello, A friend of mine has been renting a room in London for £1,250 a month and he has just told me it hasn’t got any windows – which I told him is illegal. What is the best way to handle this situation as he wants to move out before the tenancy ends? Is there […]

Home energy efficiency rating scale with house icon

Commercial EPC – do I need a new one?

13th June 2023

Hello, I have a commercial EPC rated as a ‘B’ that expires in September. A new tenant has just taken over a new lease on a fixed term 2 year contract and has a copy of the current EPC. Do I need to have another new EPC done in September or do I only need […]

Renters Reform Bill is a ‘golden opportunity’ for the PRS

13th June 2023

Property sector leaders say the Renters’ Reform Bill is a ‘golden opportunity’ for the private rented sector (PRS) However, they caution the government from introducing ‘piecemeal legislation’ so that landlords are not over-burdened. The legislation is seen as the most transformative overhaul of the PRS in decades and encompasses various proposals including the abolition of […]

Professional landlords tackle debt and optimise portfolios

13th June 2023

In the face of economic uncertainty, large portfolio professional landlords are focusing on reducing debt and optimising their portfolios, one study reveals. The research from Handelsbanken shows that investors who own a portfolio with an average of 29 properties worth around £14 million, are keenly aware of the risks and obstacles in the current market. […]

professional headshot of a man representing commentary on UK tenants facing upfront rent pressures

Landlords eye portfolio expansion

13th June 2023

One in 10 landlords is currently looking to buy additional investment properties, a survey reveals. The findings from The Deposit Protection Service (The DPS) found that 60% of those landlords anticipate buying within the next two years. And that’s despite regular media stories speculating over whether landlords are selling up and leaving the PRS. The […]

landlord news rents tenant affordability property118.com

Rising house prices force people to rent for longer

13th June 2023

Millions of couples are left facing being unable to afford rent due to house price rises outstripping wages, according to new research. The data from the Guardian and Twentyci reveals the massive difference between people’s earnings and the cost of properties available to buy and rent. Figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) reveal […]

The times newspaper logo

The Times wants to speak to people gifting holiday homes to their children

13th June 2023

Are you gifting your holiday home to your children? Then, the chief money reporter for The Times and The Sunday Times, Ali Hussain would like to speak with you. Mr Hussain is looking for case studies to interview about families passing on wealth to younger generations in a tax-efficient way including holiday homes. He would […]

Good landlords have nothing to fear – Polly Neate

12th June 2023

Polly Neate, the chief executive of the housing charity Shelter, says that good landlords have nothing to fear from the Renters’ Reform Bill which could ‘transform the lives of millions’. Writing in the Sunday Times, Ms Neate says that since the deregulation of private renting in the Housing Act of 1988, the balance of power […]

Professional woman standing outdoors, illustrating commentary on pressures facing renters and landlords

The perfect storm for landlords and tenants has arrived

12th June 2023

A financial expert is predicting misery for the property market in the months to come with rising interest rates hitting both landlords and potential first-time buyers. Sarah Coles, the head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown, says that with house prices and sales falling, plus the potential for mortgage rate hikes, the sector will be […]

Woman in red dress smiling while seated in an office chair.

Rental market cools down – and first-time renters stay at home

12th June 2023

In May, the rental market experienced a slowdown in price growth across Great Britain, research reveals. The average rent for newly let homes increased by 9.1% year-on-year, a drop from April’s 11.1% growth. The report from Hamptons also reveals that the slowdown was seen in every region, except the South West. London, previously home to […]

Paragon unveils exclusive BTL mortgage deals for landlords

12th June 2023

To cater to the diverse needs of landlords, Paragon Bank has introduced a series of limited edition buy-to-let mortgage offerings. The new options include five-year fixed-rate deals with no fees or flat fees, as well as discounted standard variable rates. The lender’s decision to offer these mortgage options was influenced by broker feedback, underlining its […]