Citizens Advice has conducted a survey into the PRS and concluded renters do not receive the same level of protection as in other essential consumer markets. Click Here to view the full survey. Therefore they are calling for a ‘National Housing Body’ to set consistent standards, providing more protection for tenants and make it easier […]

A well known London letting agent found us a tenant, but subcontracted the referencing to a Referencing Agency. The reference report recommended that we accept the tenant and was a glowing report. After 6 months she stopped paying the rent, but the agent failed to inform us and we only discovered this when our Bank […]

I am currently a private tenant, renting via a lettings agency, with my partner. We’re coming to the end of our contract (13th July) and have a couple of questions on our ‘rights’ and what’s acceptable. Over the last few weeks there have been lots of viewings arranged by the agent. Monday to Saturday, often […]

David Cox, Chief Executive, ARLA Propertymark responds to the Government’s Selective licensing review commenting: “It’s disappointing that the long-awaited review on Selective Licensing recommends the continuation of the schemes. Licensing schemes do not work, and never will. They are not an effective way of promoting higher quality accommodation and introducing landlord registration will not be […]

The Selective Licensing Review report demonstrates the Government’s unwillingness to listen to landlords, the National Landlords Association (NLA) says. The report, which was released today, ignores the NLA’s suggestion of requiring local authorities to conduct an annual assessment to demonstrate the effectiveness of the schemes against the rationale for their introduction. Currently, although it is […]

HM’s Treasury this week made a potentially life changing announcement to those who suffer from debt/negative equity issues. From 2021, people struggling with serious debts are too benefit from a new two month “breathing space” scheme during which they cannot be hassled by debt collectors and bailiffs. The scheme will cover a variety of debts, […]

The Government’s Selective Licensing review, updated today, recommends a proposed National register of Landlords. Click here to download the document: ‘An independent review of the use and effectiveness of selective licensing.’ Point 6 of the recommendations summary states: “Government should consider introducing a national registration scheme for landlords to support and complement selective licensing.” This […]

Recognising the professional, efficient and calm way the company responded to a catastrophic fire, Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) has been awarded ‘Most Effective Recovery’ at the CIR Business Continuity Awards in London. Now in its 21st year, the awards celebrate achievements in ‘business continuity, security and resilience’. Despite its entire headquarters in Hemel Hempstead being […]

Studies suggest that you should only be spending 30% or less of your monthly income on rent in order to maintain a good standard of living. Those spending more than this amount are said to be ‘cost burdened’. Comparethemarket.com have looked into the cost of rent across The UK. This study reveals that many don’t […]

I have now sold my main residence home and have given my son the cash from the sale. I will now be moving into one of my rental properties which I have never lived in previously. Once I have lived there it then becomes my main residence and as my principal residence for 12 months […]

The latest experience if of a 22 year old couple with a young baby seeking a house, but there is non available. Left Wing journalists and organisations such as Shelter, no matter how well intended, need to understand and assimilate the information before rushing into print and allocating blame! The average landlord owns just one […]

It’s a topic I have spoken about many times before, but sadly it doesn’t appear to be improving. Councils are still being forced to respond to Britain’s housing crisis by telling tenants who have been asked to leave by their landlords, to stay put until they are evicted. In many cases, landlords are left with […]

Conservative Party leadership candidates Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt are being urged to scrap the controversial Right to Rent scheme. A coalition of organisations made up of the Residential Landlords Association, the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants and the 3million, which represents EU citizens in the UK, have united in calling on both […]

Are you looking to raise finance for a property project? Do you fancy pitching for funding on a ‘Dragons Den’ style television show on Sky? If so email me and I will send you the application form. (Filming starts next week and I understand there are a few pitch slots available.) Do remember, that once […]

I own the house I currently live in as a sole owner. I am a higher rate tax payer, while my wife currently has nil income. We are looking to move to a another property and rent the one we are in right now on a AST. I’d like to split the rental income in […]

Brooklands Commercial Finance Ltd one of Property 118’s founding sponsors, has acquired The Mortgage Explorer Ltd as part of their continuing expansion plans. The Mortgage Explorer has recently celebrated its 20th birthday and is located down on the south coast, whilst its clients are spread throughout the UK. The company was incorporated with the intention […]

I have a tenant that is refusing to pay their rent directly to my bank account. He is paying through our letting agent who we do not have a managing agreement with. The tenant insists on not dealing with us and the letting agent just pay the rent on the tenant’s behalf. My question is […]

I have been a private landlord for approximately 30 years and am now looking to retire. I would prefer to sell my houses as a going concern as most of my tenants have been with me for up to 25 years and look upon their rented property as their forever homes. My portfolio is based […]

The Private Landlord Registration Regulations were approved by Scottish Government on 30 May 2019, requiring affirmation amongst other items of legislative compliance. Thankfully the regulations have not imposed the requirement to submit copies of the compliance documents, so the feedback from the prior consultation was effective. Although not evident from the Regulations it is understood […]

Finally “The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (Scotland) Regulations 2019” to be laid before the Scottish Parliament later this year were published on 17th June 2019 . As expected, no changes to the proposed minimum ratings and deadlines, which are min E for new leases/all properties by Apr 2020/2022 and min D by Apr 2022/2025. […]

I took a tenant and wife who were good payers. The man was arrested and received a custodial sentence! Why I do not know! The lady was to be paid by Housing Benefit. At the end of the day the money was paid. No arguments, no problems, just a heavy workload. We will get it […]