The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has released its annual report on the private rental market summary statistics England for April 2019 to March 2020. Click here This report shows the median monthly rental prices for the PRS in England using data from the Valuation Office Agency: The median monthly rent was £700 for England, […]

The latest research by, Howsy, has found that one-bed properties are now proving the best financial investment when it comes to buy to let rental yields across the UK’s major cities. Previous research from Howsy found that three was the magic number for rental yields, offering the highest return with a rental yield of 4.3%. […]

I recently agreed to purchase a new property with Miller homes and part of the agreed purchase price was some additional work. The contracts were signed on that basis. 5 days later the sales agent reverted to say this work was not possible and that I would have to buy the property as is or […]

Research from Belvoir, including the Q1 rental index, and a lockdown survey of franchisees, provides an insight into the changing world of tenant demands, with demand for outdoor space becoming more of a priority. “The Belvoir Q1 rental index was prepared for us by industry expert Kate Faulkner, who began by looking at a breakdown […]

I have two small flats in a small development of 7 which I rent out privately. A couple of years ago we got a new Freeholder who appointed a new Property Services Management Company. Every year the prices are increasing especially regarding admin fees and buildings insurance. This year they wanted to increase the admin […]

Please could someone offer advice on the best way to remove someone from ownership on a property. I own 2 x buy to let’s with a family member. They are in our personal names. They are small HMOs with 4 tenants sharing. They are of equal value/ equity / mortgage give or take. The fellow […]

The decision to extend the ban on evictions in rented housing will compound the suffering of victims of domestic violence and anti-social behaviour says the NRLA As a result of the decision by the Government to prevent any evictions taking place until the end of August, landlords are powerless to take action against tenants committing […]

Is there anything that prevents a landlord from charging the full Local Housing Allowance (LHA) to DSS claimants? The LHA is the amount that the DSS will pay in rent for a benefit claimant in a particular area, dependant on the number of rooms that they are entitled to. This LHA used to be capped […]

I know I can’t charge for an annual Gas Cert to be carried out, BUT … What if after having given adequate notice to the tenant that the engineer is coming, but when he gets there there is no actual credit on the gas meter? In some cases it is not as simple as just […]

I signed a Terms of Business contract with a letting agent in 2014 for let only on an assured shorthold tenancy agreement for 3 years. At the end of the term my tenants and I wished to renew. The agency demanded 3 years at a negotiated 5% + tax and admin fees plus a tenancy […]

I have now released the latest Shamps and Quirky Property Odd Bods Weekend Property Show Episode 4 on YouTube. We are giving all the up to date weekly news, banter, arguments and a prised ‘Property Plum’ of the week. There is also a £200 bet which I’m confident I’m going to win! Please catch up […]

In this video interview with Mark Alexander, founder of Property118, we explore the opportunities afforded to landlords with no mortgages or low mortgages in regards to transitioning their ownership structure to a Limited Company. This is also known as ‘incorporation’ It is widely acknowledged that more than half of the UK’s wealthiest residential landlords have […]

The Northern Ireland Executive announced in yesterday’s Covid-19 press conference it was opening up the remainder of the Housing Market from Monday 15th June. This amendment enables house sales and moves and covers the end to end process such as viewing, securing a mortgage and moving house. The Department for Communities has developed guidance on […]

Action for private sector residential landlords It is the responsibility of building owners in the private residential sector to carry out necessary measures to ensure the safety of their residents. Since June, the government has been urging owners of private residential buildings over 18 metres to make urgent use of the free ACM screening tests, […]

I seem to be caught between two systems. I sold a property in February 2020 and made a small loss. I sold another in May 2020 and made a gain which is not completely cancelled out by the previous loss plus my allowance. I need to pay some CGT but with the recent change in […]

I have lost my job, because of the coronavirus lockdown recently. I had a two year fixed term on a BTL property with Precise Mortgages which ran out on 1st of April and instead of giving me a new fixed term (which they refused) they put me on variable rate doubling my interest payment. I […]

Let’s get cracking and all submit a question (as a member of the public) for the Government to answer at their daily briefing. I’ve not seen one from a landlord yet, so lets flood the system with them! Its not like we have nothing to ask is it??? https://www.gov.uk/ask Ask a question at the coronavirus […]

Had a few issues with my current tenant (Mr X), but it has all kicked off tonight. The other tenant nextdoor tells me the Police have been called to flat as Mr X kicked off and threatening to kill himself after a drink and drugs combo mixed with existing meds he has to take for […]

Can anyone advise on the periodicity / frequency with which Fire Assessments and Health and Safety Assessments should be undertaken? We own two maisonettes in a development of 8 – there are 4 ground floor apartments and 4 first floor apartments – all of which have their own entrances and there are no internal communal […]

Over the past year we have seen Mandatory HMO licensing increased in scope to include all properties with 5 or more occupants, where they belong to two or more households. Since this we have seen a dramatic increase in the use of prosecutions, civil penalty fines and Rent Repayment Orders against Landlords. Many landlords, doing […]

Landlords of private rented homes and their agents are urging the Scottish Government to consider the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic on Scotland’s ongoing efforts to improve the energy efficiency of Scotland’s private rented homes. Four membership organisations representing the private rented sector have joined forces and written an open letter to Kevin Stewart, Minister […]