Up to one in three buy-to-let landlords are struggling to remortgage after failing their lender’s affordability test, a BTL mortgage broker has revealed. The research from Mortgages for Business shows that some buy-to-let investors are being forced to accept variable rates as high as 9.5% because they have failed remortgaging affordability. The broker also reveals […]

A property expert has slammed the government’s ‘indifference’ for the growing crisis in the private rented sector (PRS) as landlords flee and fewer investors step in. That’s the view of Jonathan Rolande of the National Association of Property Buyers. He said: “Landlords are in the peculiar position of being a minority apparently hated by all […]

Scotland’s average house price is flattening – but some property types have not yet peaked, one firm of lettings and estate agents says. DJ Alexander says that Land Registry data for last year show that while average house prices began to flatline at the end of 2022, there are geographic areas and property types which […]

Tax incentives that would help landlords deliver energy efficiencies in private rented housing should be introduced in Wales, a report by MSs urges. That’s according to a new report from Members of the Senedd on decarbonising private housing. The Senedd’s Climate Change Committee argues that the Welsh Government should look at how to use Council […]

We’ve all seen the news, with changes in regulations and tax and interest rate rises, landlords have been flocking to sell their property portfolios. But with so many properties, all full of tenants, some of them with problems, low rents or even rent skipping, how can you get out fast? The answer is: Landlord Sales […]

Landlords should be educating their tenants and inspecting properties regularly in a bid to combat the issues that come with dangerous mould, one organisation says. No Letting Go also points out that ‘proactive ventilation’ can help reduce the risk of damp and mould in rental properties. The inventory specialists warn that letting agents and landlords […]

Build to rent (BTR) is growing more rapidly than any other housing sector, according to a new report. The British Property Federation (BPF)’s Build to Rent Q3 2022 report revealed growth of 15% year-on-year, with more than 240,000 homes either in planning, under construction, or completed. BTR began in urban areas, but regional growth has […]

Letting agents can now access the mediation and conciliation service from TDS Resolution that landlords and tenants already enjoy. The free service offers an impartial and fair mid-tenancy dispute resolution in England and Wales for tenants and landlords. TDS’ chief executive, Steve Harriott, said: “TDS Resolution is a key part of our work, enabling landlords […]

A landmark ruling from the Supreme Court has been welcomed by the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) that delivers clarification about the responsibilities of so-called ‘rent-to-rent’ companies. These companies take over the running of a property for a landlord. And the landlords’ organisations says that the ruling in the case of Rakusen v Jepsen will […]

Landlords in England are seeing rising tenant demand pushing up rents with voids plummeting by an average of 26%, Goodlord reveals. Its rental index shows that rents grew by 1% to hit a four-month high to reflect strong renter demand. And the proptech firm warns that landlords leaving the private rented sector is also a […]

The UK’s house prices have recorded their first annual fall since June 2020 after dropping by 1.1% year-on-year in February, Nationwide reports. It is also the ‘weakest performance’ for prices since November 2012. Prices between January and February fell by 0.5% – that’s the sixth month in a row – and prices are now 3.7% […]

More than 75% of landlords expect to opt for a fixed rate deal when it is time for them to remortgage, a survey reveals. The lender Landbay has revealed that five-year fixed rates are still the most popular option for landlords. More than half (46%) preferred five-year fixed rates, however this has fallen from 68% […]

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has revealed that it is to investigate the consumer rights of tenants and explore what can be done to help landlords and intermediaries to understand their obligations. The organisation is also launching a market study into housebuilding amid concerns that housebuilders are not delivering the homes people need at […]

Landlords in the private rented sector (PRS) have reportedly driven a 165% increase in the number of homes that have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of A to C. The findings from Paragon Bank show that over the past 10 years, a focus on the energy performance of rented property by landlords has seen […]

Landlords will have to carry out maintenance or repair work on a buy-to-let property 72 times during their ownership – costing them more than £34,000, research reveals. And, according to lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, the most common maintenance issue facing landlords are plagues of pests. The firm says that roofing repairs are […]

The UK Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme ‘is failing to deliver’ – and many landlords and agents are unaware of it. The House of Lords’ Built Environment Committee Inquiry has found public awareness of low-carbon heating systems is very limited, and promotion of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme has been ‘inadequate’. The scheme provides grants to cover […]

Hello, I know I may be jumping the gun somewhat but if the proposed minimum EPC rules are sanctioned, and also a ban on Section 21 comes into force, what are the likely outcomes? We will be able to evict on EPC grounds? I know it’s a lot of conjecture, but interested in other landlords […]

Home sellers are having to slash asking prices in a bid to find a buyer, one house price index reveals. Zoopla says that home sellers are accepting an average 4.5% discount on the asking price – that’s the highest amount in five years. And, as the buyer’s market takes hold, price inflation has slowed down […]

A survey has revealed that 83% of renters want to buy their own home but more than 75% believe that they won’t be able to do so in 2023. Unsurprisingly, the main reason for 54% is an inability to save for a deposit. And now the Finbri ‘UK Renters’ Report 2023′ also highlights that 32% […]

Hi, I do 6 monthly checks on my tenant and have never had any issues previously. They have been in my house for 18 months and there are no rent arrears. I have been trying to go around since Nov 2022 to fit a fence panel but kept being cancelled due to covid/illness/funeral/illness again etc. […]

Landlords might be interested to hear that the cost of upgrading an old property is more than £70,000 – with EPC costs accounting for a third of that bill, research reveals. The Home Builders Federation’s (HBF) says that most potential homeowners are underestimating significantly the costs of doing up an existing property. In a report, […]