The landlord thought they were being flexible. They allowed tenants to pay rent by cash, bank transfer, or even occasionally by cheque, depending on convenience. Over time, arrears built up, and it became unclear what had been paid and what had not. Receipts weren’t always issued, and payments came from different accounts. When the landlord […]

First-time buyer affordability has improved over the last year, but rent costs continue to rise, according to a new report. Data from Lloyds Bank reveals the typical first-time buyer property price is now 5.9 times average earnings, down from 6.2 last year. The report shows a typical first property now costs £237,518, up 2.4% over […]

Landlords are being urged to look out for letters about faulty insulation and upcoming repair plans. As previously reported by Property118, the National Audit Office (NAO) found that 98% of homes fitted with external wall insulation under the government’s ECO4 scheme need remedial work to fix serious issues that could cause damp and mould. Despite […]

The government have announced a consultation on new powers for regional Mayors to impose an overnight levy on holiday lets. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have confirmed any new levy would apply to visitors at accommodation providers, including hotels, holiday lets, bed and breakfasts, and guesthouses. However, Propertymark warns an overnight levy […]

Not all rental properties are created equal in the eyes of insurers. New builds and older properties carry very different risks, and those differences directly affect the type of cover you need and the price you pay. Understanding these contrasts helps landlords avoid underinsurance, declined claims, and unexpected premium hikes. Why Property Age Matters to […]

New PRS listings continued to climb in October as the capital’s rental market showed no sign of weakening, even as demand began to ease ahead of Christmas. Foxtons’ data reveals that supply stayed strong throughout the month, extending a trend seen since the start of the year. Listings slipped 7% compared with September, yet still […]

The Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) is warning the Scottish government not to impose a tax hike on landlords in the upcoming Scottish Budget. The Autumn Budget in England saw Chancellor Rachel Reeves increase tax rates on dividends, property, and savings income by two percentage points. According to the Scotsman, the UK government said it […]

Say your flat’s rent is due to increase on 1 January 2027, and you serve a Section 13 notice on 1 November 2026 (providing the required two months’ notice). If the tenant contests the increase and the matter goes to the First-tier Tribunal, with a hearing on 1 September 2027, the tribunal may approve the […]

The Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s Budget move to increase tax on landlords’ rental income is set to push up rents and force landlords to sell, one mortgage expert is warning. Simon Gammon, the founder and managing director of Knight Frank Finance, told The Independent that the 2% uplift will be the ‘last straw’ for many landlords. […]

Frustrated by months of rent arrears, the landlord decided to take matters into their own hands. They changed the locks while the tenant was out, leaving belongings inside. The tenant returned, called the police, and later pursued a civil claim. The court found the landlord guilty of unlawful eviction, awarding the tenant thousands in damages […]

Section 24 left a scar on the private rented sector that has never fully healed. It arrived fast. It arrived without consultation. It arrived in a way that many landlords still describe as a betrayal. The shock changed the psychology of investment for a generation. The result is predictable. Every time a tax announcement surfaces, […]

Landlords continue to wait weeks to gain court hearings to regain possession, as the Renters’ Rights Act could trigger an avalanche of claims. Under the current Section 21 route, landlords can repossess a property without the need for a court hearing. However, if a tenant challenges the claim or the application is incomplete, a hearing […]

Increased costs for landlords in the Autumn Budget will push rents higher for tenants, claims mortgage lender. A poll by mortgage lender Together suggests Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ decision to raise tax rates on dividends, property, and savings income by two percentage points in the Autumn Budget will force landlords to either raise rents or sell […]

Rents continue to rise in Scotland as the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) warned this was inevitable due to landlords leaving the sector and anti-investment rhetoric. According to new data from the Scottish government, rents have climbed across property sizes. The news comes as the Scotland Housing Act gained Royal Assent and will see ministers […]

Despite rental arrears falling, tenants may face stricter referencing checks ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act. Data by Reposit reveals the value of rent arrears has fallen for the third consecutive quarter of 2025, at £1,824 in Q3 25, 13% lower than in Q2 25 and 23% lower than in Q1 25. However, the firm […]

The government has warned landlords they could face fines of up to £40,000 under the Renters’ Rights Act. The government has issued guidance for landlords on what constitutes an offence, with £40,000 penalties for serious or repeated breaches and £7,000 fines for other breaches of the rules. Under the Renters’ Rights Act, councils will gain […]

Many landlords in 2025 are considering moving their portfolios from personal ownership into limited companies. The drivers are varied: restructuring for succession planning, creating refinancing flexibility, or managing long-term liabilities. While incorporation can deliver commercial benefits, the mortgage implications are significant. Lenders treat company structures differently, and planning ahead is essential to avoid being caught […]

I can’t get my head around how this Mansion Tax can ever work in practice. HMRC can surely only work with agreed valuations from the District Valuer, not the likes of Rightmove / Zoopla. If there is no surcharge council tax payable at £1.999m and £2m pays an extra £2500, anything up to say £2.25m […]

What started as a routine maintenance job quickly escalated. Contractors repairing a ceiling identified asbestos insulation board. Work stopped immediately, and the property was deemed unsafe until a licensed removal team could be brought in. The landlord had not carried out an asbestos survey and was unaware of the material. The result was weeks of […]

Chapter 5 … The candles flicker against the glasses. Laughter fills the room. Grandad sits at the head of the table, surrounded by his family, four generations, one story. The roast has long been finished, the plates pushed aside, the smell of red wine and wood smoke mingling in the air. His eldest grandson stands, […]

Making Tax Digital for landlords is getting closer, and many landlords tell me they still feel uncertain about what will actually change in practice. The worry is not technology. It is the fear of making mistakes, missing deadlines and losing control of records at a time when everything else in the rental market already feels […]