The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted unanimously to maintain the Bank Base Rate at 0.1% and for the quantitative easing stock to remain unchanged. Economic outlook is particularly uncertain, but the bank’s central growth projections still assume the direct impact of Covid-19 on the economy will dissipate gradually and assume an immediate, […]

The latest market research from Rightmove may suggest that if you want to sell a property quickly you should set a realistic asking price and stick to it. Rightmove reported on over 300,000 properties listed for sale between 13th May and 31st July looking to see if the price was reduced or if they were […]

Businesses will be protected from the threat of eviction until the end of year, providing commercial tenants with greater security, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced. The government will also extend the restriction on landlords using Commercial Rents Arrears Recovery to enforce unpaid rent on commercial leases, until the end of the year. The government […]

I have a flat to rent and had an enquiry from a single lady (with son aged 13) who will be working, but whose rent will be topped up by the DWP. All of my tenants to date in the area have never worked at all, so I have a few questions I hope my […]

Proposals by the Mayor of London for rent controls in the capital would be a disaster for tenants. As Sadiq Khan once again seeks the powers to introduce them, the National Residential Landlords Association is pointing to a report published by The Treasury in 2010 under the last Labour Government, of which the Mayor was […]

We have a tenant who has just been raided for the third time in six months and who is noisy, deals drugs, leaves crap everywhere, and we need them gone. In the current circumstances what are our best options? Section 8 Ground 14? Any advice gratefully received. Jon Editors Note: Housing Act 1988 >> https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/50/schedule/2 […]

A survey of 1200 landlords carried out by Hamilton Fraser has revealed that since March 2020, when COVID-19 lockdown rules were introduced, 43% of landlords have been contacted by their tenants to say they will struggle to pay rent and only 49% of landlords have received full rent payments. More than a quarter of landlords […]

The current ban on repossessions in the residential rental market in England and Wales is due to end on Sunday 20th This follows a U-turn on the 21st August which saw the Government extend the ban by a further month in chaotic, last-minute circumstances.  At the time the Master of the Rolls described the nature […]

When Robert Jenrick made his shock announcement on the 21st of August of a new 6-month notice period in England (copying ‘socialist’ Wales) he further abrogated the state’s responsibility. How could it be right that private citizens are now made to house non-paying tenants whom they ordinarily would have been able to evict after ‘only’ […]

This story concerns two slum-like death trap HMOs which had both been granted recent HMO Licences by Lincoln City Council and condemned as unsafe for habitation by an independent expert. One such HMO Licence was granted as recently as January 2020 and even after inspection by one of Lincoln City Council’s supposedly expert Housing Officers, […]

The FCA has published additional guidance for firms, to ensure that consumers who have benefited from payment deferrals under the current guidance who still face financial difficulties, as well as those whose financial situation may be newly affected by coronavirus after the current guidance ends, continue to get the support they need. The measures mean […]

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced further measures to protect renters. Law Society of England and Wales president Simon Davis said: “Possession hearings restart on 21 September, meaning that landlords are able to commence hearings to evict tenants. However, in areas where a local lockdown is implemented, enforcement of any possession […]

A tenant that has recently vacated one of our properties left the place in such a state that we said we would need to keep some of his deposit to cover deep cleaning and removal of many items left behind. His deposit is with ‘My Deposit’ – all arranged by the agent that lets out […]

Hello,  I have a number of properties where the fuse board/CCU is not in a metal cabinet or metal frame. In fact on some certified electricians have over the years replaced the old board with plastic boards to include circuit breakers etc. I not convinced that in any circumstances – or particularly plastic boxes need […]

On the 5th of June 2020, the UK Government announced that it would be suspending all housing possession cases in the courts for a further 2 months. Recently, this was extended again taking the total ban on legal evictions to 6 months. The Government have confirmed that the new 6-month notice period will be in […]

Hello, Please can anyone point me where to look on the internet (or Property118) where I can read up about how to turn a Freehold Property ie a property with just 1 Land Registry Title into two titles i.e. A Leasehold and a Freehold. I would also like to be able to read up about […]

The new government Green Homes Grant will give up to £5,000 in vouchers to landlords to make their homes more energy-efficient. This scheme is part of a £3b investment in green technology to promote energy efficiency, as well as to help boost the economy during the coronavirus pandemic by creating jobs. If you are looking […]

Renters affected by coronavirus will continue to be supported over autumn and winter through comprehensive measures confirmed by Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick. The government has changed the law to increase notice periods to 6 months meaning renters now served notice can stay in their homes over winter, with time to find alternative support or accommodation. The only exceptions […]

22% of private landlords with properties in England surveyed have lost rental income as a result of COVID-19 according to new polling. The research, conducted online by YouGov for the National Residential Landlords Association, found that whilst 19% of those questioned had lost up to half of their usual rental income as a result of […]

Our Hon. Legal Counsel, Mark Smith, Head of Chambers at Cotswold Barristers will be presenting an overview of several landlords tax strategies at the pin Oxford property networking event Tuesday 15th September The events will be held Online and Attendees can expect first-class speakers and great networking opportunities. For any Property118 readers looking to attend […]

It may seem like it just ended, but the Premier League returns this weekend. While there’s a long road ahead before the champions are crowned, estate agent comparison site, GetAgent.co.uk, has revealed which teams take the top spot for buoyant house price growth. They pulled house price data surrounding every Premier League stadium to look at […]