The cost of renting a home in London is now on average four times more expensive than some parts of northern England, new research shows. Renters now face having to fork up to £1,757 per month on average to secure the keys for a pad in Greater London. However, in the North East average rents […]

The Property Ombudsman (TPO) scheme, which offers an independent and impartial dispute resolution service to consumers who have been unable to resolve their disputes with a registered property business, has appointed a new Deputy Ombudsman, Lesley Horton, who will work alongside Property Ombudsman, Rebecca Marsh. Lesley joins TPO as a skilled compliance and regulatory specialist, […]

Research undertaken on behalf of Paragon Bank has revealed that the strong tenant demand seen during last year has continued into 2022 after growing to the highest level recorded since 2011, when research agency BVA BDRC started tracking the metric. Figures for the first quarter of the year suggest that numbers of people seeking privately […]

Homeowners left in the shadows by neighbouring sheds, fences and home extensions could claim for compensation or have them removed – help for these homeowners is set out in a new consumer guide published by the RICS. Click here to download the guide. With a mini-boom in new home extensions following the pandemic, (Savills found […]

Uk searches for “energy saving tips” have seen a 175% increase in the past 12 months, and after global gas prices resulted in an energy price cap rise of 54%, GTSE has revealed seven ways to help make properties more efficient. Maximise heat from radiators: It’s worth ensuring you’re maximising the work radiators are doing […]

With the increase of electric and hybrid cars replacing both petrol and diesel vehicles, it is only a matter of time before tenants will start to ask landlords to install wall mounted home chargers on their properties. So, whose responsibility is it to pay for the installation of these devices? Tenants will argue that home […]

Hi, my name is Melissa Lawford and I am the property correspondent at The Telegraph. I have heard from some lettings agents that the shortage of rental properties is so extreme that in some cases tenants are refusing to leave properties because they have nowhere to move to. I’m keen to talk to landlords who […]

If we’ve learnt anything over the last few months, it’s that now is the time to sell our property portfolios. The market is high, prices may not be this high again for another 7 years, and there are regulations and tax bills around the corner telling us: we need to cash in and get out. […]

The repeal of Section 21 is a game-changer and I`d like to know how other landlords are planning to deal with it. I`m not talking about the reasons for evicting a tenant which are in the current Section 8, but situations such as retirement, a wish to leave the problems behind, realising the equity etc […]

Listed property EPCs – Whilst having a Listed property is not an automatic “get out of jail free card” it seems to be a rather complex matter as to whether or not a specific Listed property will be exempted. Even on government sites, it is far from clear, with various suggestions for what might be […]

Hi, I’m in the process of purchasing a mixed-use commercial premises. It consists of a leasehold 3 bed maisonette. The Freehold title includes a barbershop below. The vendors are a father (freeholder) and a son (leaseholder). Their solicitor is asking to split the transfer deed to divide the purchase price between the leasehold and freehold […]

The tenants in the Recarrell v Rouncefield case, who lost their appeal at the High Court, have now had their bid to have the case heard at the Supreme Court declined on the basis that it was not a point of general public importance. The case won by the landlord was a landmark decision confirming […]

The latest RICS Residential Market Survey reports the number of new homes listed for sale has risen for the first time in twelve months with the start of spring, this despite ongoing caution over the rising cost of living and higher interest rates. In March, +8% of respondents reported a rise in the volume of […]

Can anyone advise how to heat water for an all-electric flat to comply with a reasonable EPC rating? The previous EPC stated ‘Hot Water- Electric Immersion, off peak – Average. But recommended an insulation blanket on an already insulated tank. The blanket was added & the ‘Hot Water’ part of the assessment went to ‘Very […]

Hi everyone, I let all my properties on an unfurnished basis. However, someone has now told me that I am required to always provide at least an electric cooker and hob? Is this correct? Is there legislation to confirm this and would it be a requirement by a local authority? Many thanks DSR

Last year I had 2 properties vacated and decided to sell them both. I have owned both for around 16 years and they have been tenanted during that time To improve the resell value, I had both redecorated and new carpets throughout Normally I would put both the redecorating and replacement carpets as a revenue […]

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Michael Gove have revealed an agreement that will see industry contribute £5 billion to address the building safety scandal. Michael Gove has agreed a solution with the housing industry that will see developers commit a minimum of £2 billion to fix their own buildings. Industry will […]

Would an extra £10,000 per year help your tenants pay their rent? If any private landlords still have (or accept) tenants in receipt of welfare benefits, or on low incomes, it is in your interest to ensure that your tenants are receiving the maximum benefits that they are entitled to. Why? so they: Have more […]

Do you have to use an Agents own AST for a tenant find service? For a tenant find service it is normal to reference the applicant you select and prepare the tenancy, arrange signing, collect deposit and lodge with the DPS as well as serving all compliance documentation. I have used a very good agent […]

Having had a Fire Risk Assessment a few months ago, it seems the first since the building was completed (a conversion of an office block), we now find that apart from the usual rubbish fire stopping, possible cladding issues we are also facing a huge bill for non-compliant fire doors. Some doors have been made […]

The House of Commons Committee have today 13th April 2022 released their report investigating the regulation of the Private Rental Sector (PRS). This includes recommendations to the government that they have two months to respond to. Click here for the summary and to download the full report. The summary concludes that: “The sector is failing […]