A charity is urging the government to unfreeze Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates, warning that housing costs have become increasingly unaffordable. In response to government statistics showing that older private renters are spending more than a third of their income on housing costs, Independent Age has called on ministers to raise LHA levels. The news […]

A Freedom of Information response from MHCLG, published last week, revealed that the government’s mandatory Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet was downloaded just 153,000 times in the first four weeks after publication. There are 2.3 million private landlords in England. Even allowing for agents downloading once and distributing across portfolios, those numbers do not come […]

When the Tories’ Renters’ (Reform) Bill was progressing, I was among the very first to sound the alarm about the effective handing over of a property’s control to the tenant. I also argued that removing Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions was never about there being ‘no-fault’ but it was used as a reason for a quick […]

The government has confirmed it is considering giving leaseholders the right to keep a pet. In response to a written question, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook said the government was considering the issue as part of its wider leasehold reforms. The news comes as, under the Renters’ Rights Act, tenants now have the right to request […]

Potential Labour Party leader and Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called on the government to crack down on the private rented sector by using compulsory purchase orders. Speaking on the Social Housing Podcast, the Manchester Mayor said landlords who fail to bring their properties up to a decent standard should have their homes compulsorily purchased. […]

While the Q1 Ministry of Justice figures released today do not currently show a dramatic spike in landlord possession claims overall, the data does suggest that pressure within the private rented sector remained elevated ahead of the Renters’ Rights changes. However, we believe it is still too early for the figures to fully reflect the […]

Two industry bodies have joined forces to offer a “more impactful voice on behalf of the private rented sector”. The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) will now take over responsibility of The Lettings Industry Council (TLIC). The NRLA will take charge of the TLIC secretariat, which brings together a wide range of lettings professionals, including […]

Six in 10 tenants say they understand the Renters’ Rights Act and what it is meant to do, a sharp rise since the bill became law this month. Barclays’ Property Insights says awareness among tenants has risen from 19% in October to 60% since the Act came into effect. Plus, 62% believe it will improve […]

A homeless charity is urging the next Scottish government to set out plans to end homelessness in its first 100 days. Crisis Scotland is calling on the next First Minister of Scotland to tackle the rising use of temporary accommodation and rough sleeping. The news comes as John Swinney, the leader of the SNP, was […]

The number of people looking for rooms to rent in London has fallen sharply as rising rents push renters to look elsewhere, new research reveals. According to data from SpareRoom, demand for rooms in the capital has dropped by almost a fifth since 2020. The flatshare website says commuter towns outside of London have seen […]

I purchased a 250-year leasehold studio apartment in a Liverpool city centre development in 2018 as an investment. The development was marketed as student accommodation with a guaranteed rental income. Since purchase the building has been through several changes of use and management, and I have experienced significant issues, including void periods with no rental […]

The Prime Minister claimed the new renters’ rights laws would “rip up the status quo” as tenant groups and politicians gathered to celebrate the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force. At an event at Number 10 Downing Street this week, groups including Generation Rent and the Renters’ Reform Coalition gathered to welcome new protections for […]

For many Property118 readers, becoming a landlord began as a route to financial security, long-term wealth and greater independence. The formula appeared relatively straightforward: acquire good quality properties, build reliable rental income and allow capital growth to do much of the heavy lifting in the background. For a great many people, that strategy worked exceptionally […]

I saw a post on a landlord’s group from someone who is a landlord and works in housing for the local council and could not ignore it. During a Zoom meeting, Shelter advised that they should advise tenants that if they are faced with eviction due to rent arrears under section 8, to offer a […]

Landlords look set to bring in tougher tenant checks as new Renters’ Rights Act rules ban advance rent payments of more than one month. Research from LRG found that fewer than a third of landlords are fully aware of the restriction, while 43% know the rules have changed but remain unsure of the details. A […]

Landlords in London entered the new Renters’ Rights Act regime with supply above last year and tenant demand rising into spring. Foxtons’ Lettings Market Index for April shows new listings were 3.7% higher year on year, although they fell 6% compared with March after the early spring peak. The figures provide the final market snapshot […]

The average UK private rent was £1,381 in April after a 3.5% annual increase, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals. It says that annual rent growth edged up from 3.4% in March, with rents rising across all four UK nations. In England, average monthly rent reached £1,438 in April, up 3.5% or £48 from […]

Commonhold is an alternative form of property ownership to freehold and leasehold. Whilst commonhold has existed since 2002, it has proved to be hugely unpopular, with only 20 commonhold buildings currently existing in England and Wales. Perhaps the greatest issue with commonhold, however, is a lack of understanding. Not all mortgage lenders, for example, will […]

Landlords watching the sales market face another warning sign, with failed house moves now estimated to be costing the UK economy almost £2bn a year. Research from the Open Property Data Association found that 58% of property transactions collapse after an offer has been accepted. The findings point to a home-buying process in which buyers […]

What if your existing rental property portfolio could generate up to 50% more cashflow, without increasing rents or buying more property? Many landlords have been telling us recently they “don’t know what to do for the best“. The reasons most often cited are; increasing compliance, taxation, and thoughts about retirement, succession planning and inheritance tax. […]

Ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act coming into effect, landlords sold up as rental demand continued to outstrip supply, according to a new survey. Propertymark’s Housing Insight report found that concerns over the incoming regulation prompted many landlords to exit the market before the changes took effect. The industry body warned that reduced supply is […]