Now that Making Tax Digital (‘MTD’) for Income Tax is live, the question we hear from landlords more than any other is some version of this: “What happens if I get a quarter wrong?” People picture one slip of the keyboard locking them into a mistake, or a penalty landing because a figure was out […]

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’ll have seen the news that Keir Starmer has announced he will resign as Labour leader. Predictably, speculation has already begun about who will replace him and what it might mean for the economy, housing market and property investors. But as property investors, I think there is a […]

The Mortgage Works is offering free property assessments and cut-price borrowing to help landlords prepare for the proposed Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) standards from 2030. For many of them, the first job may simply be working out what needs fixing. The buy to let lender, which is part of Nationwide, will fund 1,000 assessments through […]

I have found myself in an interesting situation and would appreciate your thoughts. In April this year, new tenants moved into one of our rental properties. At the time of application, they advised the letting agent that they expected to remain at the property for one to two years, that they did not have any […]

The government has confirmed the Housing Ombudsman can not take enforcement action against social housing landlords. In a written Parliamentary question, Labour MP Neil Coyle asked whether the government would consider allowing the Housing Ombudsman to issue fines for maladministration by housing providers. He suggested this could compensate tenants, require implementation of recommendations, and help […]

Hi, I wrote a while ago about the tenant wanting compensation for mould. >> https://www.property118.com/tenant-wants-compensation-for-mould/  I have since sold the flat, but have been informed by the letting agent who were managing the flat that the tenant has been into the office with his mother. They said they are likely to take matters further if […]

Landlords buying, refinancing or reviewing existing borrowing have been offered lower BTL mortgage rates across standard, HMO, limited company and expat products. Landbay, Kensington Mortgages and Dudley Building Society have all cut pricing, with the largest reduction reaching 110bps. Landbay has reduced its rates by up to 17bps across its Premier range, the second round […]

Landlords are the life blood and custodians of a fragile ecosystem, who left alone, largely solve and don’t create problems. Nobody likes admitting they are wrong, but housing minister Matthew Pennycook’s claim that the Renters’ Rights Act (RRA) has maintained stability in the rental market is delusional and dangerous. Here is why I think so. […]

The Northern Ireland Executive has announced its first-ever affordable rent programme for lower-income households. Under the scheme, homes will be offered at rents set 20% below local market rates, helping people struggling with the cost of private renting and those saving towards home ownership. Eligibility will be based on household income, with a net income […]

London’s landlords saw more properties reach the market in May, while competition between prospective tenants fell compared with both April and last year. The data from Foxtons reveals a 5.7% monthly rise in new listings across the capital, putting supply 3% above its May 2025 level. The number of new renters registering increased by 13.7% […]

The government has announced landlords will face on-the-spot fines of £7,000 for severe damp and mould, as well as for broken-down boilers during freezing temperatures. Housing Secretary Steve Reed has written to England’s councils calling on them to use the powers at their disposal to tackle poor conditions in the private rented sector and protect […]

Whether you’re an accidental landlord with a single property, or an owner with 100 properties, we’re all in the same boat. And I don’t just mean exasperated by the constant challenges and adaptations we’re having to make. This year has been challenging. There’s no denying it. With the Renters’ Rights Act coming into play, and […]

Am I reading this right? Am I hallucinating? I can’t be the only small landlord learning about the government’s plan for £7,000 on-the-spot fines and think, ‘Oh, do #### off‘. This is a rushed column, so I’m shooting from the lip, and it’s in response to the outrageous news that councils can impose immediate fines […]

News that landlords could face instant fines of £7,000 for failing to deal with poor conditions has led the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) to question the government’s enforcement plans. It says that the said tougher penalties would achieve little unless councils collect the fines, they have already issued. The proposed fines come as part […]

Hello, This is a just launched consultation on government plans to increase protection to those who have retrograde EPC work done. This is it: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/greater-protections-to-restore-families-trust-in-home-upgrades I am assuming this has come off the back of the nightmare ECO4 upgrade works that have proven disastrous in many properties. Be good to get LL’s views captured in […]

The Property Ombudsman has expelled five firms from the scheme after they failed to comply with binding decisions for awards ranging from £75 to £7,400. Devon Block Management Limited, Pro Investment Properties Ltd, RPS Estates, Samuel Francis & Co and We Sell Lets were removed after reviews by the scheme’s independent Finance, Performance & Compliance […]

Hello, I recently went through a frustrating experience with trying to obtain a Certificate of Lawful Existing Use or Development (CLEUD) on an existing HMO in a newly designated Article 4 Directions area. I would like to share my experience in case this is of assistance to other landlords. A growing number of councils across […]

An industry body has warned that self-managing landlords are increasingly turning to letting agents to manage their properties in the wake of the Renters’ Rights Act. Propertymark’s latest Housing Insight Report includes feedback from member agents across England, painting a stark picture of continued pressure in the rental market. According to the report, demand continues […]

An organisation is warning social housing landlords that Awaab’s Law should not be viewed through a lens of damp and mould. Inventory Base says new requirements coming into force later this year will expand legal duties to cover a much wider range of housing hazards. The news comes as Awaab’s Law has already taken effect […]

Should you evict or wait for a tenant to leave, then sell? Or sell first to find out if you even need vacant possession? In the past, landlords could be forgiven for assuming selling with vacant possession was the obvious answer. After all, an empty property usually appeals to a wider range of buyers and […]

I would be interested to hear from Property118 readers who have experience of selling HMOs, particularly larger portfolios. Over the years, I have built up a substantial property portfolio in the South East, including several HMOs. I have reached a stage where I would like to take a step back from the day-to-day management involved, […]