More landlords than ever are stopping to take stock. The days of constant expansion are giving way to careful evaluation, because the cost of standing still has started to feel as risky as the cost of growth. Legislation, regulation, and taxation now shape almost every decision. A single oversight can turn a profitable portfolio into […]

Nearly one in three private renters in Scotland has struggled to pay their rent over the past year, research reveals. According to the SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust’s latest tenant survey, 29% had difficulty paying. However, 35% said their rent was easy to afford. Pressure on household finances is feeding into spending decisions with 47% of […]

The government has confirmed floor coverings will not be mandatory under the Decent Homes Standard due to cost pressures. Many social homes do not come with floor coverings, with research by End Furniture Poverty showing more than 1.2 million people in the UK live without floor coverings, with 66% of those affected living in social […]

The UK’s longest-running tenancy deposit protection scheme claims it has resolved more than 33,000 disputes and protected £2.45 billion in deposits. Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) Social Impact report 2024/25 claims it has supported tenants and landlords by resolving disputes and reducing court demand by diverting disputes from the courts. The news comes as the government says […]

In a victory for student landlords, the government has confirmed changes to the student possession ground under the Renters’ Rights Act. The government has introduced a new ground for possession to ensure properties rented to students are available for new tenants from one academic year to the next. Under the new ground, landlords must provide […]

A coalition of 25 housing bodies has written to Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook, calling for a national plan to return more than 300,000 empty homes in England to use. The alliance, brought together by social impact fund manager Resonance, spans charities, investors and council leadership. Among the signatories are Shelter, Big Issue, Refuge, Women’s Aid […]

Several buy to let (BTL) lenders have introduced a fresh round of pricing reductions, cutting fixed rates across standard and specialist ranges as product repricing continues. Landbay has lowered rates by up to 20bps across its Premier, Core and Specialist lines, covering purchases, remortgages and product transfers. Within Premier, two- and five-year fixes have fallen […]

When Martin Lewis recently described marriage as the “ultimate inheritance tax hack”, he was making a technical point rather than a romantic one. The same principle applies equally to civil partnerships. If you are legally married or in a registered civil partnership, you can leave your entire estate to your spouse or civil partner free […]

Reform UK will pledge to scrap the Renters’ Rights Act if it wins the next general election, with deputy leader Richard Tice arguing the law is already reducing supply and pushing up rents. The Act secured Royal Assent in October after it was introduced by former housing secretary Angela Rayner and builds on the earlier […]

Demand has soared in commuter towns such as Esher as renters are priced out of cities, according to a new report. Findings by SpareRoom reveal renters are seeking more affordable options as rent prices have risen sharply in recent years. However, the flatshare website warns that as more renters migrate to cheaper towns, those areas […]

A council will go ahead with its selective licensing scheme set to come into force in April, requiring landlords to pay a £1,000 licence fee. North East Lincolnshire Council has confirmed it is in the process of entering into a contract with a delivery partner to implement the scheme in part of the East Marsh […]

Landlords and residents are being asked to comment on proposed planning restrictions targeting shared housing in Kidderminster. A six-week consultation has now begun with Wyre Forest District Council seeking views on introducing an Article 4 direction for HMOs there. Anyone who lives, works or owns property locally, alongside landlords and sector groups, can submit an […]

The government admits the higher rates of stamp duty on additional dwellings are designed to penalise landlords while supporting first-time buyers. In the 2024 Autumn Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that the stamp duty surcharge on additional homes would rise from 3% to 5%. The Budget also lowered Stamp Duty thresholds in England, with the […]

February is on track to record the highest number of new home listings in a decade as the housing market continues to rebound, according to a new report. Zoopla’s house price index reveals there are currently 6% more homes for sale than a year ago, with the property portal expecting this number to rise in […]

Landlord possession claims dropped 7.8% in 2025 despite the approaching removal of Section 21, research reveals. According to Inventory Base, there were 91,093 claims issued during the year, compared with 98,766 in 2024. The fall comes ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act taking effect on 1 May. The Act will ban Section 21 ‘no-fault’ repossession. […]

A wealth and investment management company says wealthy UK investors are pivoting to buy to let. Research by Rathbones reveals many investors are willing to embrace complexity and risk, in turn for higher returns, despite legislative uncertainty. The Renters’ Rights Act, Making Tax Digital, and selective licensing are just a few of the challenges landlords […]

A Nottingham landlord claims the city council has ‘washed its hands’ of a vulnerable tenant it placed in his property nearly two decades ago. As a result, he has been left facing mounting costs, enforcement action and a potential £30,000 fine. Mick Roberts, the largest landlord of benefit tenants in the city, says the tenant […]

Landlord demand for rent insurance products rose sharply in the final months of 2025 as agents and landlords prepared for the Renters’ Rights Act. The analysis from lettings platform Goodlord recorded a 41% increase in demand between September and December. That came after the Act was signed into law on 27 October. Alarm sounded The […]

Young people attempting to move from homelessness accommodation into private rented housing are facing widespread landlord discrimination, charities warn. Organisations in the EveryYouth Network argue that the Renters’ Rights Act fails to address housing access barriers. It is now calling for financial penalties to be introduced for landlords and agents found to be discriminating against […]

Firefighters in London are attending an e-bike or e-scooter fire every other day, as the London Fire Brigade calls on landlords to raise awareness of its campaign and store e-bikes safely. The London Fire Brigade has launched its #ChargeSafe campaign to raise awareness to landlords, housing associations and councils about the risks associated with owning […]

Two councils in Suffolk that manage 700 homes have failed to meet targets for addressing damp and mould, according to a BBC report. Under Awaab’s Law, social housing landlords must investigate any significant hazards, including damp and mould, within 10 working days of becoming aware of them. However, Mid Suffolk District Council resolved only 63% […]