The government’s push to tighten EPC standards in the private rented sector is set to intensify pressure on DIY landlords, says one leading letting industry figure. The rules will also create fresh opportunities for managing agents. Ian Macbeth, the co-founder and managing partner of Avocado Property, spoke out after the government revealed details about its […]

Leaseholders have warned the government not to betray them by watering down promised leasehold reforms. Press reports suggest a growing Labour rebellion over the issue, amid rumours that Chancellor Rachel Reeves is concerned that capping ground rents could deter pension fund investment. However, a leaseholder campaign group has pushed back strongly, saying there is no […]

When applying for a buy-to-let mortgage, one of the most important steps is the valuation. Lenders need to know both the market value of the property and the expected rental income. In 2026, with affordability tighter and specialist properties more common, valuations are under greater scrutiny than ever. Understanding how valuations work helps landlords avoid […]

It goes without saying, and certainly judging by the amount of landlords we’re speaking to, that many of you are exiting or getting ready to exit the sector. It’s a smart decision. With the Renters’ Rights Act coming into play this May 1st, the end of Section 21 and the raft of tax penalties and […]

Our glorious energy secretary, Ed Miliband, stood on a rooftop surrounded by solar panels this week, declaring the affordability crisis is the main worry for families. Then he unveiled the Warm Homes Plan and, I’m guessing, most private landlords across the country watched in disbelief. The lunatic’s scheme demands that every rented property hit the […]

A government consultation document admits landlords may sell up or increase rents due to EPC rules. The Improving the Energy Performance of Privately Rented Homes impact assessment document reveals the wider impact of the government’s rules to have all private rented sector (PRS) properties meet EPC C targets by 2030. The government has also announced […]

Despite a growth in the number of properties available to rent, demand continues to outstrip supply as the Renters’ Rights Act creates uncertainty for landlords. Propertymark’s Housing Insight November report reveals that the average number of properties available to rent has grown slightly, reaching 10.82 per member branch. However, demand remains high, with an average […]

Most councils will pay the first month’s rent and deposit for someone they deem to owe a housing duty to. In return, the landlord must offer up a min 12 month contract. The Renters’ Rights Act will change all that. So what happens after May 1st? How will the council end that duty? A quick […]

The Scottish government has announced a new national housing agency to tackle the housing crisis. More Homes Scotland agency will operate from 2028-29, subject to the results of the Scottish election, and aims to deliver more affordable homes. However, the Scottish Conservatives claim the agency is “just another quango” that will fail to fix Scotland’s […]

Paragon has widened its buy to let mortgage line-up, adding six two-year Bank Base Rate tracker products following broker feedback and renewed landlord demand for flexibility. The new deals sit alongside the lender’s existing five-year trackers linked to the Bank of England Base Rate and are available up to 75% loan-to-value. All come without early […]

Despite rents stabilising across the UK, some areas are seeing prices skyrocket, prompting calls for increased housing supply to tackle rising rents. A report by SpareRoom reveals the steepest average rent increases were recorded in towns and cities across northern England, the Midlands and Scotland. The report reveals that the UK average rent continued to […]

I own a small detached freehold building which contains two self-contained flats, which I purchased eight years apart. I put both flats on the market last year, but failed to find buyers, so I re-let them. The building is in a rural market town, and the local agent was worried that when I offered each […]

Four in 10 landlords say they feel negative about the outlook for their buy to let businesses following the Autumn Budget but remain active in the sector, research suggests. The findings are in the first revamped landlord survey from Landbay which says landlords are adjusting to various pressures to maintain their business. Carried out at […]

The government has U-turned on its plans and scrapped the 2028 deadline for new tenancies to meet EPC C targets, though the cost cap has been reduced. The government has published its Warm Homes Plan, which will require landlords to ensure their rental properties meet minimum energy-efficiency standards. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband says the plan […]

A landlord association has warned that new regulations on damp and mould must not impede landlords in Scotland. The Scottish government has announced plans to extend Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector. However, the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) says its members are committed to the highest standards, and the government must strike a […]

The government has confirmed it will introduce a mandatory collection of private rented sector (PRS) enforcement data, including information on staffing levels within local authorities. In response to a written parliamentary question, ministers said they are currently developing systems to gather the data. The news comes ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force […]

Private rents across the UK continued to rise, though the pace eased towards the end of 2025. New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show average monthly rents climbed 4% over the year to December, reaching £1,368, down from 4.4% growth a month earlier. England recorded typical rents of £1,424, up 3.9% annually. […]

Landlords are entering 2026 with reduced confidence following the November Budget and the impending Renters’ Rights Act, research reveals. According to a survey by Savills, the Act is prompting many landlords in the prime sector to reassess their outlook as regulatory pressure builds. Jessica Tomlinson, a research analyst with Savills, said: “A fundamental reset of […]

Tenant demand across the private rented sector has eased slightly over the past year but remains strong by long-term standards. The Landlord Trends data from Pegasus Insight shows that 68% of landlords still describe tenant demand in their area as strong. That’s despite an 11 percentage point drop compared with a year earlier. Of those […]

Hello readers: Is it acceptable for us to chase an ex-tenant for rent, damaged items and cleaning bills after the deposit proportion has been paid to us by the holding company? The deposit repaid was not enough to cover the costs and debt. The tenant also owes £1200 for an early non-agreed exit by 2 […]

New buy to let lending rose sharply in the third quarter of 2025, with 59,467 loans completed across the UK, together worth £10.9bn. The data from UK Finance reveals that the total marked a strong annual uplift, climbing 22.7% by volume and 28.2% by value compared with the same period a year earlier. It also […]