Page 3 – Property118
Scottish housing tribunal delays leave landlords waiting up to a year to regain possession of rental properties.

Housing tribunal delays deepen Scottish housing emergency

15th July 2026

Scottish landlords are having to wait up to a year to regain possession of their properties as housing tribunal delays cause chaos in the rental market. Data from the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) reveals the average time between an eviction application being lodged and a tribunal decision has more than doubled, from around three […]

Welsh tenant rights legislation concept showing Wales flag, legal documents, family protection shield and housing justice.

Welsh government plans stronger tenant rights

15th July 2026

The Welsh government is preparing legislation to strengthen the rights of private tenants, with further restrictions on no-fault evictions expected later in the Senedd term. First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth included the proposed bill in the first phase of the government’s new legislative programme, outlined in a statement to the Senedd. The initial legislation will […]

Buy-to-let mortgage rates cut as percentage symbols fall above UK homes, highlighting new landlord mortgage deals.

More landlord mortgage rates cut by lenders

15th July 2026

Landlords have a fresh round of mortgage rate cuts to explore, with Dudley Building Society reducing selected buy to let and holiday let deals by as much as one percentage point. InterBay, Aldermore and Coventry Building Society have also changed their landlord mortgage ranges, cutting rates or adding new options for specialist and larger loans. […]

Illustration of Awaab’s Law highlighting stricter housing safety rules for social landlords and rental property standards.

Government expands Awaab’s law for social housing landlords

15th July 2026

The government has announced stricter rules for social landlords under phase two of Awaab’s Law. Coming into force on 30 November 2026, social housing landlords will now be required to fix more dangers like electrical faults, pest infestations and unsafe stairs to quicker timeframes. Under the Renters’ Rights Act, Awaab’s law will be extended to […]

Flat entrance fire door with inspection checklist highlighting common FD30 compliance issues after a fire door survey.

Fire door survey, how reliable are they?

15th July 2026

Hello, I am looking for advice on how to proceed regarding my flat’s main fire door. Our managing agent recently arranged for fire door surveys to be completed by an agency for all flats in our building. ​The report requested that I complete the following repairs: replace the hinges and letterbox, ensure the gaps around […]

Housing crisis concept showing homes trapped in a large pit beside stalled new-build developments.

Housing crisis deepens as new build developments drop

15th July 2026

Despite the government’s pledge to deliver 1.5 million homes, the number of new-build housing developments coming to market is at its lowest level since January 2017. Findings by Rightmove reveal that not enough affordable homes are being built, while high mortgage rates are adding to the challenges facing buyers and developers. The property platform is […]

Court fees increase notice on gates outside a UK court building, highlighting higher landlord possession claim costs.

Landlords face higher court costs as possession claim fees increase

14th July 2026

The government has announced that court fees for landlords will rise this week. However, fees for tenants to challenge a rent increase will remain frozen at £47. The news comes as the government claims the justice system “is well prepared” to handle the Renters’ Rights Act. Rise due to inflation Annual price rises linked to […]

HMO rental property with target board and bullseye graphic illustrating landlords targeting specific tenant groups.

Landlords target HMO investment at specific tenant groups

14th July 2026

Students remain the main target for HMO landlords, but they are far from the only group in landlords’ sights, research reveals. Paragon Bank found that 92% of landlords actively prepare or present their rental properties to attract a particular type of tenant. It adds that 36% of landlords operating houses in multiple occupation target students, […]

Jar with a model house and pound notes illustrating rent controls reducing housing costs for private tenants in England.

Greens welcome claim that rent controls could save tenants £2,400 a year

14th July 2026

Rent controls could save the average private tenant in England £2,400 a year, according to a report welcomed by Green Party leader Zack Polanski. The report, published by the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, argues that controlling rents could reduce housing benefit spending while improving affordability for lower-income households. It was written by […]

Paper fish representing UK housing legislation consuming smaller regulations, illustrating unintended consequences of tenant law reform.

Survival of the fittest?

14th July 2026

We have seen tenant bodies jumping up and down, demanding, lobbying and creating over grievances with landlords. They have achieved major reform but it appears the results are so detrimental to tenants, they are already calling for more major reform. When you try and put a fire out by pouring liquid on it, if you […]

Temporary accommodation modular home lifted by balloons with rising cost tag, illustrating soaring council housing costs.

Temporary accommodation costs soar as councils warn of mounting pressure

14th July 2026

An association has warned the use of temporary accommodation is becoming “financially unsustainable” as they call on the next Prime Minister to offer long-term solutions. Data by the Local Government Association (LGA) reveals council spending on housing homeless families in temporary accommodation has surged by more than 1,000% over 13 years. Councils have spent more […]

Exterior of a terraced house illustrating an unlicensed HMO targeted by Coventry City Council enforcement action.

City’s HMO inspections uncover unlicensed properties

14th July 2026

Landlords operating HMOs in one city are being warned that unlicensed properties and safety breaches are now firmly in the sights of council enforcement teams. Coventry City Council’s Safer Housing and Communities team carried out a series of targeted visits across the city, alongside police and immigration officers. They uncovered multiple suspected unlicensed houses in […]

Signposts pointing to commercial and residential property, illustrating investors shifting towards commercial real estate.

Investors shift from residential to commercial property amid regulatory burden

14th July 2026

Investors are turning to commercial property rather than residential property due to government regulation, claims an industry body. According to NAEA Commercial Propertymark’s Advisory Panel, increasing taxes and regulations are prompting investors to consider commercial property. The news comes as the Renters’ Rights Act came into force in the private rented sector on 1 May […]

Cracked house exterior with a high thermometer during a UK heatwave, highlighting the need for landlords to prepare rental properties.

Heatwave mounts pressure on rental properties as landlords urged to prepare

13th July 2026

With the UK’s heatwave set to continue, estate agents are urging landlords and tenants to take action as homes heat up with the scorching temperatures. Estate agents are calling on landlords to check ventilation and airflow systems and for tenants to use fans safely and efficiently. The news comes as London Mayor Sadiq Khan unveiled […]

Illustration of rising UK rental costs with a house labelled “Rent” growing from stacked coins above terraced homes.

Renters face rising costs as rents climb again

13th July 2026

Rents continue to rise across the UK as renters struggle with affordability, according to new data. Figures by SpareRoom reveal renting a room in the UK now costs £761 per month on average, a 0.5% increase on the previous year. Across the UK, rents have risen almost 7% in the past three years. Year-on-year rent […]

Older couple viewing a rental property, illustrating the rise in pensioners renting in retirement.

Surge in pensioners renting expected as homeownership declines

13th July 2026

One in three pensioners could be renting by 2044 as falling homeownership leaves more retirees facing housing costs in later life, according to a new report. Research from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the Pensions Policy Institute (PPI) warns the number of pensioners renting is set to more than triple over the next […]

Shared ownership home with sign highlighting subletting rights for properties affected by building safety issues.

Government clarifies subletting rules for shared owners facing building safety issues

13th July 2026

The government has claimed shared owners who are unable to sell their homes due to building safety issues should be allowed to sublet their properties. Shared ownership leaseholders are people who have bought a share of their home through a shared ownership scheme while paying rent on the remaining share owned by a housing provider. […]

Hourglass with a house and for sale sign symbolising landlords delaying property sales after the Renters' Rights Act changes.

Landlord sales slow as 12-month re-letting ban makes selling more difficult

13th July 2026

For the first time in seven years, landlord purchases exceeded landlord sales as 12-month re-letting ban deters landlords from selling, according to new research. Data from Hamptons reveals the share of homes listed for sale that were previously rented dropped to 9.2% nationally in June, down from 11.3% last year and below the 2021-2022 peak. […]

RESULTS of the Property118 Landlord Sentiment Survey (Q2 2026)

10th July 2026

2,096 landlords completed our second quarterly Property118 landlord survey. If you were one of them, Thank You. Following the record-breaking response to our Q1 survey earlier this year, this second quarter gives us something we have never had before: a like-for-like comparison. For the first time we can show not just what landlords think, but […]

Buy to let mortgage rates being reduced by major UK lenders including Paragon, Landbay, Shawbrook, Coventry and Accord.

More landlord lenders cut their buy to let mortgage rates

10th July 2026

Paragon Bank, Landbay, Shawbrook, Coventry for intermediaries and Accord Mortgages have all announced changes across landlord or property investor ranges. The changes cover Bank Base Rate trackers, five-year fixes, commercial bridging and limited company buy to let products. Paragon Bank has expanded its BTL Bank Base Rate tracker range with new two-year options and a […]

The government claim Making Tax Digital works “well for those who need it”, despite ongoing criticism over the scheme. The controversial scheme came into force in April this year, with landlords earning more than £50,000 required to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC using authorised MTD-compliant software. Landlords earning between £30,000 and £50,000 will join the scheme in April 2027. Can apply for an exemption In a written parliamentary question, Liberal Democrat MP James MacCleary asked: “what assessment has the government made of the potential impact of Making Tax Digital on those over-70?” In response, Labour MP Dan Tomlinson said: “The government has worked with taxpayers, representative bodies and software developers to ensure Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax works well for those who need to use it. “The government has worked with the software industry to ensure a wide range of options are available to suit different needs and budgets, including low-cost and free software, supporting those with the simplest affairs. Many products are designed for users who manage their own tax affairs or those new to digital tools. “Where a taxpayer cannot use MTD for Income Tax, for example due to age or disability, they can apply for exemption from the MTD requirements.” No advantage to Making Tax Digital As previously reported by Property118, despite the government claiming Making Tax Digital will help landlords, an accountant says this is not the case. Simon Misiewicz previously told Property118: “There’s no real benefit beyond maybe streamlining some of the work you already do, does it help with tax returns and submissions? The truth is, I can’t see how. “There’s no advantage for the individual in submitting quarterly returns, because HMRC doesn’t do anything with them until the end of the year. You don’t pay your taxes any earlier, and there is no real cash-flow benefit for the government”. The government admitted in the Making Tax Digital impact assessment that landlords earning £50,000 could incur an average transitional cost of £285 and an average annual additional cost of £115.

It’s me again getting in a state about MTD?

10th July 2026

I’ve been thrown into a flat spin once again after reading that those poor sods who are already caught up in the MTD sh*tsh*w are fast approaching their first submission date and, knowing that will be me too in 2027, I was reminded that I have done nothing about getting myself ready for it I […]