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House model on unstable wooden blocks with a broken chain and question mark symbolizing collapsing property chains

Renters’ Rights Act breaching Buy to Let mortgage terms and conditions?

23rd December 2025

Hi Everyone, With the Renters’ Rights Act stating that all tenancies are to be periodic from May 2026, how will that affect Buy to Let mortgages that have terms that condition the tenancy must be an AST? Are we being forced by the Act to breach mortgage Terms and Conditions? Is there a provision in […]

Cash being exchanged for a house to illustrate debates over rent-in-advance rules

Rent in advance – why you shouldn’t accept it?

23rd December 2025

We all know that the prohibition of rent in advance is going to make life really hard for tenants who, for whatever reason, can’t pass normal referencing and until now would have paid rent up front to get the place they want. So it’s natural that people are looking for ways to get around this. […]

Landlord Insurance Blog featured image showing a house, shield, umbrella, policy document, tick and pound coins on a teal background.

Illegal Activity by Tenants – Are You Covered?

23rd December 2025

One of the worst-case scenarios for landlords is discovering that tenants have used a rental property for illegal activity. Cannabis farms, unlicensed HMOs, or even organised crime can leave behind major damage, loss of income, and potential legal consequences. The immediate question for most landlords is: does my insurance cover this? The answer depends on […]

Model house on rental paperwork with pens, representing the Renters’ Rights Act and professionalism in the private rented sector.

Renters’ Rights Act 2025: What are landlords actually changing now?

23rd December 2025

With the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 approaching, I’m interested in what landlords are actually changing in practice, rather than what the headlines suggest we should be doing. Much of the commentary focuses on the end of Section 21, but I’m not convinced that’s the most significant shift for landlords who already run their portfolios professionally. […]

Removal van loaded with boxes and furniture outside a rented home, illustrating tenant moves and eviction trends

Fewer renters moving as section 21 notices decrease – Generation Rent

23rd December 2025

A new Generation Rent survey reveals a decline in Section 21 notices and a drop in rent increases. In a poll of 711 renters about the upcoming Renters’ Rights Act, despite a drop in Section 21 notices, the number of Section 8 notices has risen. The survey comes ahead of the implementation of the Renters’ […]

Social housing application rejected, symbolised by house keys blocked by a prohibition sign

Government to tackle restrictions after affordability checks lead to social housing rejection

23rd December 2025

The government claim they have taken action to remove barriers for those on the lowest incomes to access social housing. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook says they will review and update statutory guidance on social housing allocations. The news comes after research reveals housing associations in England are increasingly rejecting applicants following affordability checks carried out […]

Wooden letter blocks spelling “BYE!” in front of a small model house, symbolising landlords leaving the rental market

Small landlords likely to exit as Renters’ Rights Act looms

23rd December 2025

Next year will see more small landlords leaving the private rented sector as younger landlords will shape the market, claims firm. Goodlord predicts 2026 will see some landlords throw in the towel as the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force on 1 May 2026. The lettings software company says preparation is key to navigating the […]

Empty unfurnished room with a blue and white Scottish saltire painted across the floor, symbolising unused housing

Push to unlock empty homes amid Scotland’s housing crisis

23rd December 2025

An organisation is calling for empty homes to be brought back into use to ease Scotland’s housing crisis. Figures published by the Scottish government reveal a total of 44,453 privately owned homes have sat empty for more than six months, an increase of 915 compared to the previous year. Of these, 32,337 have been vacant […]

Small decorated Christmas tree beside a person sleeping on a city street, highlighting homelessness during winter

Shelter blames rising rents and housing benefit freeze for driving homelessness

22nd December 2025

Shelter claims “unaffordable private rents and the freeze on housing benefit” are pushing more people into temporary accommodation. According to the housing charity, 382,618 people are now homeless, including 350,480 people homeless in temporary accommodation, the highest since records began. The news comes as the government have pledged to prevent homelessness by the end of […]

BTL Mortgage Blog featured image showing a house, key, calculator, percentage sign and pound coins on a teal background.

Exit Strategies: What Happens When a Buy-To-Let Mortgage Term Ends

22nd December 2025

Every mortgage has an end date. For landlords, what happens when a buy-to-let deal expires is one of the most important financial decisions in portfolio management. In 2025, with thousands of fixed-rate products maturing, understanding your options is crucial. A clear exit strategy can save thousands of pounds annually and protect portfolio cashflow. What Happens […]

Royal Assent approval seal symbolising the Planning and Infrastructure Bill becoming law

Planning and Infrastructure Bill receives Royal Assent

22nd December 2025

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill has received Royal Assent and will soon become law. The Act aims to speed up the delivery of new homes by slashing red tape in the planning system to meet Labour’s target of 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament. Propertymark welcomes the Act but warns the 1.5 […]

Leasehold reform – a third way for flat ownership

22nd December 2025

Why leasehold reform doesn’t have to mean commonhold As the government, in its imminent Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill, prepares to mandate commonhold as the default tenure for new flats, one developer is already offering an alternative that balances consumer control with the impetus for change. The government’s intention to legislate for commonhold as the […]

BTL Mortgage Blog featured image showing a house, key, calculator, percentage sign and pound coins on a teal background.

Buy-To-Let Mortgages and Personal Guarantees – What You Need to Know

22nd December 2025

Most landlords using limited companies to borrow in 2025 will encounter the requirement to sign a personal guarantee (PG). Even though the borrowing is through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), lenders want additional security that ties directors and shareholders personally to the loan. For landlords, understanding how PGs work – and the risks involved – […]

Property law expert discussing cautious leasehold reform

Why rushed leasehold reform could destabilise the housing market

22nd December 2025

Reform of the leasehold system is long overdue. It’s broadly agreed that the current model, with its layers of complexity and its potential for abuse, has required reform for some time. The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act (LAFRA), which was enacted in a rush under the last government, represents a major step towards fairer ownership […]

Collapsed ceiling exposing beams above a child’s bed in a social housing property marked as failed

Failures by social housing landlords continue even with Awaab’s Law

22nd December 2025

Despite Awaab’s Law already being in place for social housing landlords, many are still failing in their duties, including incidents such as a ceiling collapsing onto a child’s bed. A report by the Housing Ombudsman reveals severe maladministration among a number of social housing landlords. Awaab’s Law requires all social housing landlords to fix dangerous […]

Rough sleeper curled up on a snowy London pavement at night, highlighting the dangers of homelessness during winter

London’s homelessness crisis worsens as Sadiq Khan vows to end rough sleeping

22nd December 2025

As more than 200,000 Londoners will be homeless and living in temporary accommodation on Christmas Day, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has vowed to tackle homelessness. Data from London Councils reveals that more than 100,000 children will be in temporary accommodation on Christmas Day, an 8% increase since last year and a 35% rise compared to […]

Aerial view of a suburban housing estate with a plane flying overhead, symbolising overseas property ownership

Overseas-owned UK property doubles in value as volumes fall

22nd December 2025

The number of homes and buildings in England and Wales owned through overseas companies has almost doubled in a decade, even as the pace of new acquisitions slows, research reveals. Figures compiled by Search Acumen indicate that 91,791 properties are now registered to overseas entities, up from 47,787 in 2015, a rise of 92%. Those […]

Blindfolded Lady Justice statue standing in a damp, mould-affected rental property

Tenants will be able to challenge landlords over Awaab’s law and could win compensation

19th December 2025

The government has warned that all landlords will need to meet Awaab’s Law requirements, as tenants will be able to challenge landlords in court over breaches. Under the Renters’ Rights Act, Awaab’s Law will be extended to the private rented sector (PRS), where landlords will have to fix damp and mould within strict timeframes. Awaab’s […]