We all know that the prohibition of rent in advance is going to make life really hard for tenants who, for whatever reason, can’t pass normal referencing and until now would have paid rent up front to get the place they want. So it’s natural that people are looking for ways to get around this. […]

One of the worst-case scenarios for landlords is discovering that tenants have used a rental property for illegal activity. Cannabis farms, unlicensed HMOs, or even organised crime can leave behind major damage, loss of income, and potential legal consequences. The immediate question for most landlords is: does my insurance cover this? The answer depends on […]

With the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 approaching, I’m interested in what landlords are actually changing in practice, rather than what the headlines suggest we should be doing. Much of the commentary focuses on the end of Section 21, but I’m not convinced that’s the most significant shift for landlords who already run their portfolios professionally. […]

A new Generation Rent survey reveals a decline in Section 21 notices and a drop in rent increases. In a poll of 711 renters about the upcoming Renters’ Rights Act, despite a drop in Section 21 notices, the number of Section 8 notices has risen. The survey comes ahead of the implementation of the Renters’ […]

The government claim they have taken action to remove barriers for those on the lowest incomes to access social housing. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook says they will review and update statutory guidance on social housing allocations. The news comes after research reveals housing associations in England are increasingly rejecting applicants following affordability checks carried out […]

An industry body is urging the government to provide clearer guidance to landlords on the checks they need to carry out to avoid rental discrimination. Under the Renters’ Rights Act, it will be illegal for landlords and letting agents to discriminate against prospective tenants who receive benefits or have children, with fines of up to […]

Hello, I’m looking for some advice here. The property is let to a mum and daughter on a single tenancy agreement. Recently, the daughter asked if her boyfriend could move in. In general, I do not have anything against it. And as per my understanding, even with her boyfriend moving in, they are still classified […]

Next year will see more small landlords leaving the private rented sector as younger landlords will shape the market, claims firm. Goodlord predicts 2026 will see some landlords throw in the towel as the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force on 1 May 2026. The lettings software company says preparation is key to navigating the […]

Shelter is calling on the government to deliver 90,000 social homes a year for ten years, as new research reveals that more than half of teachers in state schools in England have worked with children who are homeless. Findings by the housing charity and charity Teacher Tapp reveal a record 175,025 children stuck in temporary […]

An organisation is calling for empty homes to be brought back into use to ease Scotland’s housing crisis. Figures published by the Scottish government reveal a total of 44,453 privately owned homes have sat empty for more than six months, an increase of 915 compared to the previous year. Of these, 32,337 have been vacant […]

Shelter claims “unaffordable private rents and the freeze on housing benefit” are pushing more people into temporary accommodation. According to the housing charity, 382,618 people are now homeless, including 350,480 people homeless in temporary accommodation, the highest since records began. The news comes as the government have pledged to prevent homelessness by the end of […]

Every mortgage has an end date. For landlords, what happens when a buy-to-let deal expires is one of the most important financial decisions in portfolio management. In 2025, with thousands of fixed-rate products maturing, understanding your options is crucial. A clear exit strategy can save thousands of pounds annually and protect portfolio cashflow. What Happens […]

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill has received Royal Assent and will soon become law. The Act aims to speed up the delivery of new homes by slashing red tape in the planning system to meet Labour’s target of 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament. Propertymark welcomes the Act but warns the 1.5 […]

Why leasehold reform doesn’t have to mean commonhold As the government, in its imminent Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill, prepares to mandate commonhold as the default tenure for new flats, one developer is already offering an alternative that balances consumer control with the impetus for change. The government’s intention to legislate for commonhold as the […]

Most landlords using limited companies to borrow in 2025 will encounter the requirement to sign a personal guarantee (PG). Even though the borrowing is through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), lenders want additional security that ties directors and shareholders personally to the loan. For landlords, understanding how PGs work – and the risks involved – […]

Reform of the leasehold system is long overdue. It’s broadly agreed that the current model, with its layers of complexity and its potential for abuse, has required reform for some time. The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act (LAFRA), which was enacted in a rush under the last government, represents a major step towards fairer ownership […]

Despite Awaab’s Law already being in place for social housing landlords, many are still failing in their duties, including incidents such as a ceiling collapsing onto a child’s bed. A report by the Housing Ombudsman reveals severe maladministration among a number of social housing landlords. Awaab’s Law requires all social housing landlords to fix dangerous […]

As more than 200,000 Londoners will be homeless and living in temporary accommodation on Christmas Day, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has vowed to tackle homelessness. Data from London Councils reveals that more than 100,000 children will be in temporary accommodation on Christmas Day, an 8% increase since last year and a 35% rise compared to […]

The number of homes and buildings in England and Wales owned through overseas companies has almost doubled in a decade, even as the pace of new acquisitions slows, research reveals. Figures compiled by Search Acumen indicate that 91,791 properties are now registered to overseas entities, up from 47,787 in 2015, a rise of 92%. Those […]

The government has warned that all landlords will need to meet Awaab’s Law requirements, as tenants will be able to challenge landlords in court over breaches. Under the Renters’ Rights Act, Awaab’s Law will be extended to the private rented sector (PRS), where landlords will have to fix damp and mould within strict timeframes. Awaab’s […]

Hi, I’ve served a Section 21 notice on a tenant and I’m getting conflicting advice regarding the EPC validity and when it should be served on the tenant to validate a Section 21. The AST began six years ago. I didn’t have or serve a valid EPC at the time. I commissioned and served/shared with […]