A consultation that could lead to a new law to crack down on landlords demanding ‘sex for rent’ has been unveiled. The Home Office is now starting a consultation on its plans – and asking whether current laws are effective enough. The Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, says the law would bring to justice predatory landlords […]

Hello, a large London letting agent found and gave a glowing reference for a tenant, so we took her on. They stated that she was in a £90,000 pa job. It transpired that she was out of work. They stated that she had only been late paying rent by one day on one occasion. Later, […]

The housing secretary, Michael Gove, says he is ‘outraged’ over a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) investigation into broker commissions on multiple-occupancy buildings insurance which found that leaseholders are paying rocketing premiums – fuelled, in part, by hefty commissions being paid to freeholders, landlords and managing agents. Last Friday, the FCA revealed that an investigation would […]

There’s never been a tougher time for the private rented sector (PRS) with demand soaring and stock dwindling tenants are struggling with finding a place to live. This leaves tenants battling it out for properties but some face extreme vetting procedures to access homes to rent. However, with tenancy fraud applications on the rise, there […]

Hi, I own a ground floor flat that is mortgage free, along with the freehold of the building. The upper flat is owner occupied. The deeds state a peppercorn rent of £10pa from the upper flat to me, and a 999 yr lease was created in 1990 by the elderly owner. We share specific repair […]

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has revealed that it is going to reform the multi-occupancy leasehold insurance market which will see landlords and leaseholders getting the right to sue insurance firms. The move will, the FCA says, help leaseholders get new protections and rights to improve transparency. The Daily Telegraph reports that the city regulator […]

Hello, I have obtained an eviction order giving my tenants 14 days to leave. I do not expect them to do so, so will need the bailiffs. They are £8,100 in rent arrears. How can I get my money? If they leave, how can I trace them? They are on Universal Credit. UC have not […]

Hello, As you will all know, being conscientious landlords, there is currently an evictions and rent freeze in Scotland since last year and will continue currently until September 2023 with the option of SNP and the Greens to continue it for a further six months. Although Harvie (Greens ) has let it be known he […]

The most appealing cities for young renters to enjoy jobs, socialising and low rents have been revealed – and there are some unlikely destinations in the top 10. The research from Comparethemarket found that Nottingham, Southampton and Coventry are the UK’s most appealing cities for young adults. The firm created a way to rank the […]

The UK’s private rents rose in the year to March by 4.9% – which is still below the rate of inflation. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) says the annual figure is a slight increase on February’s 4.8%. The average rent in England grew by 4.6%, in Wales it rose by 4.4%, but Scotland saw […]

Hi all, I have 3 bedroom house with a self contained unit. I want to let each one separately but lenders say I have to have one AST for both. The self-contained unit has its own electricity meter and no gas. It also has a separate entrance from the main house. My question is, how […]

A manifesto calling on the government to rapidly step up its support for the lettings sector has officially been launched. It’s the brainchild of rentech firm Goodlord and is called Renting Done Right. The firm says the manifesto has been created after discussions with focus groups and roundtables involving more than 1,500 agents, landlords and […]

The UK’s house prices fell for the third consecutive month as prices slumped 0.3% between January and February, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) says. Its data also reveals that average house prices grew 5.5% in the year to February – that’s down from January’s figure of 6.5%. That is the lowest annual rise since […]

Hello, I have recently received a satisfactory electrical certificate. However, one recommendation is to change all the sockets due to age. The flat was built during the copper problems with aluminium conductors (still in very good condition) as I am going to change my tenant I am hoping to do all the recommendations. Can I […]

Hello, I have been given by X council a list of contracted suppliers they are using in order to secure temporary accommodation for them. The contracted suppliers have tendered and won contracts for a period of 6 years. The council provide the tenants from their housing lists – not asylum seekers, nor single people who […]

One leading property expert says the government is ‘looking to destroy’ the private rented sector (PRS). Iain McKenzie, the chief executive of the Guild of Property Professionals, was speaking during the latest episode of ‘The Home Stretch’ podcast. The podcast is put together by the Guild and when asked to describe the government’s plans for […]

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and Generation Rent have smeared private landlords in a demand for an immediate Government crackdown on those who provide homes for tenants on housing benefit. Mr Khan says it is ‘a scandal’ that billions of pounds is being paid in rent to private landlords who he alleges are letting […]

From a lack of affordable homes to rising rents, Scotland is facing a housing crisis that affects everyone. Growing numbers of businesses cannot open due to a lack of staff, whilst 30,000 people in Scotland are stuck on social housing lists waiting for a home. Landlords in Scotland are leaving the sector in their droves […]

Property118 Founder, Mark Alexander and Hon. Legal Counsel for Property118, Mark Smith, Head of Chambers at Cotswold Barristers, will be presenting in person an overview of several landlord tax strategies at the Baker Street Property Meet this Wednesday. Are you looking for ways to structure your property business in the most tax-efficient way to minimise […]

The cost for landlords to upgrade their rental properties to meet a minimum EPC rating of C by an expected deadline of 2028 will see two-thirds (59%) sell up and leave the sector. That’s according to the Mortgage Advice Bureau which says that more clarity regarding the help that is available to landlords is needed. […]

Hello, I own my leasehold flat in a block of 14 apartments. The management company has hiked the service charge from £2,500 to £6,500 pa. There is some work to be done on the garden due to land slip but we’ve had no section 20 notice. Do we have to pay this in advance of […]