The vitriol directed at landlords has resulted in laws that protect rogue tenants to a quite remarkable degree, delaying their inevitable removal, often at the expense of the landlord’s health and well-being. The truth is rogue tenants, people who disrespect the contract, then use the law to support their errant behaviour, are better served now […]

Average house prices in Scotland rose by £3,532 over the past year, according to analysis of the latest index by DJ Alexander. The figures show average prices grew from £183,152 in March 2025 to £186,684 in February, a rise of 1.9%. That rise still leaves Scotland ahead of England and Wales, where average prices fell […]

Landlords with mortgages could face a busy year of refinancing as thousands of them plan to review their buy to let loans in the face of higher costs and regulatory change. Pegasus Insight’s latest Landlord Trends research found that 39% of landlords plan to remortgage within the next 12 months. Larger portfolio landlords are expected […]

Tackling unfair rent increases is central to the success of the Renters’ Rights Act, while fees to challenge them risk creating a significant barrier for tenants, a charity has claimed. Anti-poverty charity Z2K says the act will give tenants the chance to challenge unfair rent increases and gain stronger protections. However, as previously reported by […]

Landlords facing remortgage decisions have been handed fresh buy to let options as lenders cut rates, restore higher-LTV products and widen criteria for more specialist cases. The Mortgage Lender, Molo, Fleet Mortgages and Coventry for Intermediaries have all announced changes aimed at brokers working with landlord clients, with new rates and products covering standard buy […]

An industry body has warned that hefty tribunal fees must not detract from wider court reform as the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force. Propertymark has told letting agents and landlords about a new tiered fee framework for the Property Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal, introduced under the Renters’ Rights Act which will see landlords […]

Many landlords asking whether to sell are starting with the wrong question. They ask: Should I sell anything at all? Often, the better question is: If I were to sell one property, which one should it be? That shift in thinking can be powerful because it moves the conversation away from emotion and towards strategy. For years, many […]

There is a lot to read about the Renters’ Rights Act, and not much of it is calm. Law firms write for landlords who already have a solicitor. Software companies write to sell software (yes, OK, fair cop, but we were landlords first!). The trade press writes for clicks. The result is that a piece […]

As the dust begins to settle on the 2026 Scottish elections, landlords, tenants, and everyone involved in the private rented sector (PRS) in Scotland are wondering what the results actually mean. At the time of writing, there has been no new Scottish government formed, but it seems likely at this stage that John Swinney will […]

A left-wing think tank has called on the government to introduce rent controls to tackle “unaffordable housing costs”. The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) warns more than 2.5 million renters could end up living in unaffordable housing without government intervention. The call comes as the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has urged the next […]

The government has published guidance for councils on when it is illegal for a landlord or letting agent to ask for rent in advance. Under the Renters’ Rights Act, landlords and agents can no longer accept large amounts of rent in advance. As previously reported on Property118, landlords can only accept rent in advance in […]

Higher-rate Stamp Duty receipts from landlords and second-home buyers now account for the majority of takings in more than half of English local authorities, research reveals. According to Paragon Bank’s review of government data, it found that higher-rate additional dwelling (HRAD) transactions generated at least 50% of total stamp duty receipts in 164 local authorities […]

Security was always meant to be the end goal. For many landlords, that meant building a portfolio large enough, and stable enough, to provide long-term income and financial independence. Over time, that goal has been achieved. Debt has been reduced, equity has accumulated and risk has been managed. What follows is not always what people expect. Instead […]

Buy to let landlords are paying up to £5,839 more over a two-year mortgage term than they were a decade ago, research suggests. And, tucked behind the headline figure, the sharper squeeze is being felt by those on interest-only loans, where monthly costs have climbed by nearly two-thirds. The analysis by Benham and Reeves found […]

England’s tribunal and court system is already struggling with case delays as the Renters’ Rights Act adds fresh pressure to rent appeals and possession cases. The warning comes from Real Estate:UK which submitted Freedom of Information requests to the five Tribunal Property Chambers. It asked for the number of tenant rent appeal cases over the […]

Despite the government’s claim that the private rented sector has doubled in size, research reveals a decline in supply. Analysis by Savills for The Telegraph shows a drop in the number of homes to rent in London, which has fallen by 21.7% compared with two years ago. The data also reveals that, at the same […]

Scotland, Northern Ireland and London recorded some of the largest monthly rent rises in April, while Wales and parts of northern England moved the other way, Propertymark says. The organisation’s latest rent and salary tracker shows Scotland’s average monthly rent rising from £1,123 in March to £1,167 in April, a 3.9% increase. Northern Ireland saw […]

Hinckley & Rugby for Intermediaries has launched new buy to let (BTL) products up to 80% loan-to-value. The mutual has introduced two-year discounted products for landlord borrowers buying or refinancing, with rates starting from 4.99%. The lender says the higher LTV range gives brokers more options in a section of the market where choice has […]

Second home council tax premiums are costing the public purse an estimated £383 million a year, according to research from Colliers. The business rates specialist says councils trying to double bills on second homes are instead pushing more owners into the business rates system, where many then pay nothing. Colliers says 85% of local authorities […]

The government has announced new reforms to Right to Buy as part of efforts to overhaul and support councils. The flagship policy, introduced by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s, was designed to give council tenants in England and Wales the right to purchase their homes from local authorities. However, the scheme has proven […]

Social housing landlords will need to carry out mandatory electrical safety checks or face a £40,000 fine. Under new legislation, social housing landlords will need to have electrical installations, as well as any electrical equipment they supply, inspected and tested at least once every five years to confirm they are safe. Landlords in the private […]