Manchester City Council has announced that its selective landlord licensing scheme has expanded this week to cover 700 more rented homes. There are five new licensing schemes in four neighbourhoods and landlords will now need to be licensed. The council says that selective licensing will ‘address the impact of poor-quality homes and management standards’. Selective […]

Tenant demand in the first three months of the year rocketed by 41%, but fewer rental properties came onto the market, a survey reveals. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) residential market survey for April found that 24% of members saw fewer landlord instructions. And RICS says that with demand continuing to outstrip supply, […]

This is a friendly reminder that the Virtual Property Exhibition, brought to you by the property investors network, is happening tomorrow (Friday 12th May 2023). Why not join 9 industry experts from all over the UK? This FREE 1-day event is designed to help property investors like you, stay ahead of the game and gain […]

In news that will not surprise anyone, the government has revealed that ‘procedural issues’ have delayed the publication of the Renters Reform Bill that is poised to shake up the private rented sector, the Mirror reveals. It is now more than four years since the government first unveiled its plans to improve renters’ rights – […]

The cost-of-living crisis is still being felt by renters around the country after research reveals that one in 20 tenants didn’t pay rent in April. The Which? Consumer Insight Tracker highlights that 700,000 households missed either their rent or mortgage payment last month. The research also points to soaring mortgage rates that have led to […]

From finance to the property world, Xuan Meng’s journey has seen her build a £10 million property portfolio since 2018. Her company, Cozy Hauz, buys run-down properties and then pushes up the value through renovation, refurbishment and extension to release the initial investment. Winning not just one but two awards, Xuan was the only multi-award […]

Hello, upon visiting my local council in London to discuss the lawful eviction of a tenant due to selling up because of eye-watering landlord costs (now £3500 p/m), I have been informed that the council has instructed the tenant to remain until bailiffs arrive. Upon challenging this and referring to the Homelessness Reduction Act as […]

Hello, I have a leasehold property which I rent out, the freeholder being the local council. My tenant, a single lady in her 60s, obviously has mental health problems which were not apparent when she took over the flat. The flat is filled to the brim with clothes, books and things bought at car boot […]

Hello, in one of my tenanted properties, there was a flat-to-flat water leak (from my flat) – there are 80 flats in total. The managing agents were advised by the flat below mine and it was classified as an urgent water leak. A specialist company was instructed but at no time did they contact me, […]

Hello, my tenant tried to sue me to get compensation for one month’s rent and interest – £1,000 in total. She started to complain about damp and mould last October. According to her, water was pouring down from the ceiling. My builder and I went to check, we saw water condensation on the ceiling but […]

Research from a campaign group shows that nearly 20% of Conservative MPs are landlords as the Renters’ Reform Bill nears publication. The findings from 38Degrees highlight that MPs who own rental homes in England earned at least £1.67m last year in rent. The group says that the private rented sector (PRS) is not ‘respectful’ or […]

Tenant demand has reached an all-time high, according to new research. A survey of 700 landlords by Paragon Bank reveals that 67% of landlords experienced increased tenant demand during the first quarter of this year. Landlords in the East of England saw the highest levels of tenant demand with nine in 10 seeing an increase. […]

Hello, What is the recommended approach for notifying a tenant about an upcoming rent increase after the fixed term of a tenancy agreement (AST provide by Openrent)? Considering that the agreement will continue as a monthly contractual periodic tenancy until terminated in accordance with the agreement. Would it be appropriate to reach out to the […]

The first 100% LTV mortgage in the UK aimed at renters ‘trapped in the rental cycle’ has been unveiled by the Skipton Building Society. It says the mortgage is a ‘lifeline’ to renters that will help them get onto the property ladder. And while other lenders offer no-deposit deals that need family or friends to […]

After a strong performance in March, the UK’s annual house price growth was just 0.1% in April, Halifax reports. Its house price index highlights that three months of growing prices have come to an end after March’s 1.6% rise. Prices dipped by 0.3% between March and April. The lender says that in April, the UK’s […]

Hello, a simple question hopefully! I have issued an S21 to my tenant and expect to have to apply for possession on form N5B. (Accelerated possession) I believe that the N5B MUST be sent with: 1. Tenancy Agreement 2. The S21 notice (and proof of service) 3. TDS proof 4. Property licence from council My […]

The Deposit Protection scheme reveals some of the unusual tenancy deposit disputes that they have come across relating to gardens. One case saw a tenant pulling up thousands of pounds worth of exotic plants believing they were weeds. Only a small proportion of landlords and renters register a dispute over the return of a deposit […]

Inventories play a key role in protecting tenants from house fires, according to an industry figure. The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC) believes running through safety protocols and properly monitoring during tenancies can prevent fires and save lives. Rescue services attended 33,390 domestic fires in Britain last year. ‘Inventory process is the ideal opportunity […]

Payments on account are advance payments towards your tax bill for the following year based on the tax you owed in the previous year. These payments are due in two instalments, one on January 31st and the other on July 31st. If you expect your tax bill to be lower in the current tax year […]

Hello, we moved to Dubai and rented out our property in Peterborough appointing an estate management company. One tenant left the property and a new tenant moved in. The estate agent sent a cleaner to clean the property and on the same day, they notified a leak in the en-suite. This flooded the en-suite which […]

Hello, I have come across a few leases now which have the ground rent clause: “The rent shall be subject to review on each twenty-first anniversary of the commencement date. And then shall (if appropriate) be increased to such sum as is the same percentage of the review value of the block but so that […]