The Welsh government has outlined plans to overhaul how Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) are treated for council tax, confirming that property owners, not tenants, will be liable. Also, HMO properties will be valued as a single dwelling. The proposals will bring the system into line with the approach used in England, where most HMOs […]

Volatility in the wholesale markets, caused by the conflict in the Middle East, has triggered Buy to Let mortgage lenders to respond rapidly to the movements in Swap rates. Swap rates are rates based on what markets think interest rates will be in the future. If Swap rates go up, mortgage lenders look to increase […]

Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED) is an annual tax payable by companies (or partnerships where any of the partners is a company) that own UK residential property valued at more than £500,000. Filing penalties start at £100 for initially missing the 30th of April deadline, increasing to £1,600 if the return is 12 months […]

What exactly is Shelter? Most donors believe they know the answer. The name itself suggests a simple mission: providing shelter to people who need it, but organisations evolve, campaigns expand, roles change. Over time, the question becomes less straightforward. Several years ago, David Knox FCA asked whether Shelter had become something more than a traditional housing […]

UK house price growth is holding at 1.3% year-on-year, with sales volumes steady but buyer demand is weakening, Zoopla has revealed. However, buyer enquiries fell by 13% year-on-year in March, adding to a softer trend seen since the start of the year. The property platform also says that agreed sales are down by just 2%. […]

Letting agents risk falling into a compliance gap under the Renters’ Rights Act unless responsibilities are made explicit, according to guidance issued alongside the government’s tenant information sheet. The document confirms landlords must provide their tenants with a Renters’ Rights Act information sheet for new tenancies from 1 May, with failure to do so carrying […]

A tenant group is urging the Mayor of London to create a legal fighting fund to support councils in taking action against rogue landlords ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act. Generation Rent argues that councils across London will play a vital role in enforcing the reforms, but are already struggling to uphold existing housing rules […]

The government has announced emergency measures to tackle London’s housing crisis. Under the measures, sites will now qualify for a fast-track planning route if they deliver 20% affordable housing, down from the previous 35% target. The City Hall Conservatives say these measures are “a damning indictment of the Mayor of London’s record on housing”. Mayor […]

Foundation has returned to the buy to let market after pulling products last week, relaunching a refreshed range that covers standard lending alongside HMOs, MUFBs, short-term lets and expat cases. The lender said the withdrawal followed market tensions because of the Middle East conflict. However, its BTL products are now back with revised pricing and […]

Rent controls do not work for landlords, but they do work for tenants, claims a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Northern Ireland. Speaking during Members’ Statements in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Gerry Carroll MLA claimed the Minister for Communities has failed to tackle the housing crisis in Northern Ireland and called for rent […]

Buy to let borrowing costs have rocketed since the start of March, with fixed mortgage rates reaching their highest levels in over a year as market volatility intensifies. Data from Moneyfactscompare.co.uk shows the average two-year fixed rate has risen to its highest point since February 2025 at 5.40%. The average five-year deal now stands at […]

A £400,000 fund will help London’s renters challenge landlords and understand their rights when the Renters’ Rights Act takes effect on 1 May. The cash will back advice services, renter groups and training for borough officers who pursue criminal landlords. The mayor, Sadiq Khan, launched the enforcement fund with a call for rent cap powers […]

The government has confirmed that just 51 rogue landlords and letting agents are listed on the official database. Launched in 2018, the database is accessible only to councils and includes those who have received banning orders or multiple serious penalties. The figures come as landlords face rising penalties under the Renters’ Rights Act, while councils […]

Average house prices remain above their pandemic peak six years on from the first Covid lockdown, an analysis of national and regional data reveals. Figures from Yopa show values rose by 26.5% during the pandemic followed by a period of cooling before prices moved back towards previous highs in early 2025. The average house price […]

A third of letting agents say more landlords are now insisting on rent guarantors before agreeing tenancies, research reveals. According to Alto, 33% have seen an increase in guarantor requirements over the past year, while 11% report a marked rise across their portfolios. The lettings management platform questioned 250 estate and letting professionals and found […]

Landlords who own just one property are nine times more likely to say they do not expect to remain landlords by the time the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force, according to a survey. Data from the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) reveal that single-property landlords are more likely to leave the market than larger-portfolio […]

The government is urging industry bodies and landlords to provide evidence on funding options for energy-efficiency improvements. A consultation on the Warm Homes Fund aims to explore how government finance could accelerate the rollout of domestic solar, batteries, clean heat, and other energy-efficiency measures. The news comes as the government has announced all private rented […]

Exclusive video interview with John Blackwood from SAL: “Anti-landlord rhetoric from Scottish politicians is causing landlords to leave the private rented sector”. The chief executive of the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL), John Blackwood, warns that the Scottish government must change their attitude towards landlords with the Scottish elections coming up in May. In an […]

The government has claimed it “wants to ensure justice is protected for all” after announcing a £47 fee for tenants challenging a rent increase through the first-tier property tribunal. In a written question, Justice Minister Sarah Sackman confirmed that the government has put forward legislation to begin implementing a new fees framework in the Property […]

The government is urging landlords to upgrade their properties to the Decent Homes Standard at “the earliest opportunity”. While the deadline for the private rented sector to meet the Decent Homes Standard is 2035, the government is encouraging landlords to make improvements before the deadline. Under the new standard, landlords will need to meet certain […]

Two councils are offering landlords financial backing and guaranteed rent support as part of wider efforts to reduce homelessness and limit reliance on temporary accommodation. Mansfield District Council has confirmed it will extend its private rental access scheme, which helps people move out of temporary housing by covering the upfront costs required by landlords. The […]