Page 59 – Property118

Encore Bonus: The Alligator in the Bathroom

8th October 2025

This encore piece follows our International Bizarre Landlord Stories series. Today’s story was first reported in the United States. Evictions are never pleasant. This one was unforgettable. A Florida landlord arrived with paperwork and a locksmith, expecting a standard changeover. Instead, they found a six to seven-foot alligator relaxing in a hot tub inside the […]

Digital tax on a laptop and a businessman

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Landlords: How to Avoid or Exit the Regime

7th October 2025

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD ITSA) is set to transform how landlords report their rental income to HMRC. From April 2026, individuals with more than £50,000 of self-employment and/or property income will be required to submit quarterly digital updates. The threshold then drops to £30,000 in April 2027, and again to £20,000 from […]

National Insurance tax concept with miniature houses representing property and rental income.

Landlord national insurance would be a “tax on working people”

7th October 2025

A prominent housing committee has warned Chancellor Rachel Reeves that rumoured plans to make landlords pay National Insurance on rental income could lead to higher rents for tenants and act as a “tax on working people.” The comments by Sir Vince Cable, chair of the Independent Housing Policy and Delivery Oversight Committee, warn rumours of […]

Small house model with pound sign tag symbolising UK house price decline.

UK house prices dip as market stabilises – Halifax

7th October 2025

House prices across the country saw a small dip in September, pointing to a housing sector that remains balanced despite economic headwinds. Figures from Halifax reveal a 0.3% or £794 monthly drop, reversing the slight price rise in August. The average home now costs £298,184, while the annual rate of increase slowed to 1.3%, down […]

Landlord Insurance Blog featured image showing a house, shield, umbrella, policy document, tick and pound coins on a teal background.

Case Study: A Burst Pipe in Winter – Who Pays?

7th October 2025

Winter is one of the riskiest times for landlords. When temperatures drop, pipes can freeze and burst, causing widespread water damage. These claims are among the most frequent and costly in landlord insurance. But who actually pays – the landlord, the tenant, or the insurer? This case study looks at how a typical burst pipe […]

Yellow figure symbolizing landlords leaving the rental market amid financial pressures.

One in three landlords quit as renters struggle to find homes

7th October 2025

A third of landlords have either sold or tried to sell their rental properties in the past year, a survey reveals. That’s according to Goodlord’s latest State of the Lettings Industry report, which highlights a sector under strain. Most of the issues are down to mounting financial and regulatory pressures affecting landlords, agents and renters […]

White hard hat on architectural plans symbolizing new housing planning rules.

Councils tighten rules on HMO conversions

7th October 2025

Two councils have taken steps to tighten control over Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in their areas. They say they are aiming to protect local communities and ensure higher standards in shared housing. In North Lincolnshire, councillors have approved an Article 4 Direction that will close a loophole allowing family homes to be converted into […]

New housing development under construction in Scotland with foundations and scaffolding visible

Shelter Scotland calls on government to build 15,000 new social homes

7th October 2025

Shelter Scotland has announced the launch of its ‘Delivering Homes, Delivering Rights’ plan, which calls for the Scottish government to end the inequality in the housing system. The housing charity is also demanding the Scottish government build more than 15,000 social homes a year. The news comes after a poll by YouGov and commissioned by […]

Falling limited company buy to let mortgage rates and growing product choice for landlords

Limited company BTL choice doubles as rates fall ahead of Budget speculation

7th October 2025

PRS landlords are benefiting from a wider choice of limited company buy to let products and falling rates, research reveals. According to the latest figures from Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, the rise in mortgage options comes as speculation grows that the next Budget could bring new tax measures targeting rental profits. The number of fixed-rate BTL products available […]

Energy efficiency rating chart with coins stacked to show housing costs in Wales

NRLA urges Welsh government to provide funding support for landlords to meet EPC C targets

7th October 2025

Ahead of the Welsh government’s draft budget 2026-27, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is calling on the government to support landlords in meeting EPC C targets. The NRLA warns without funding support to meet energy-efficiency targets, such as low-cost loans, landlords will simply sell up. The government have proposed, but not yet made law, […]

Tenant Turns Garden into a Private Zoo (Australia)

7th October 2025

As landlords, we learn to expect the unexpected, but some tenant stories truly stretch the limits of imagination. In Sydney, Australia, one landlord discovered their property had been turned into a miniature zoo. Neighbours raised alarms after spotting unusual animals being kept in the back garden, including exotic birds, reptiles, and even a small crocodile. […]

ATM dispensing cash symbolising high profit machines in property investment strategies

How to turn non-profitable headache portfolios into high profit machines

6th October 2025

As a private landlord of over 20 years, plus the founder of Landlord Sales Agency, which has helped over 4,000 people needing assistance with their properties over the last 15 years, I’ve seen it all. In the last five years, I’ve had the opportunity to try every single strategy to squeeze the most out of […]

Model house in a shopping cart with coins and keys, symbolizing first-time homebuyer reforms

Labour announces major overhaul of homebuying system to cut costs and delays

6th October 2025

The Labour government has announced the biggest shake-up to the homebuying system in decades. Under the proposals, which aim to cut costs and stress for homebuyers, sellers and estate agents will be required to provide buyers with vital information about a property upfront, including the condition of the home, leasehold costs, and any chains of […]

Red figure labeled “landlord” beside a sign reading “abolish” symbolizing Green Party housing reform.

Landlords to be abolished by the Green Party

6th October 2025

Green Party members have voted to ‘seek the effective abolition of private landlordism’ at their autumn conference in Bournemouth, signalling a sharp shift in the party’s housing stance. The motion, ‘Abolish Landlords’, won strong backing from delegates and now forms official party policy. It pledges to curb private renting through heavy regulation and higher taxes, […]

BTL Mortgage Blog featured image showing a house, key, calculator, percentage sign and pound coins on a teal background.

Why Specialist Lending Matters: HMO, Holiday Lets, and Semi-Commercial

6th October 2025

Not all buy-to-let properties fit neatly into the category of a single-family rental on a standard assured shorthold tenancy. Many landlords own or are considering Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), holiday lets, or semi-commercial properties. These assets often deliver stronger yields, but they also come with different risks and complexities. That’s why specialist lending exists. […]

The 40 Per Cent LTV Rule of Thumb | Landlords

6th October 2025

If you remember only one number for a calmer landlord life, make it this: around 40 per cent loan-to-value (LTV). It isn’t magic and it isn’t a promise—just a practical rule of thumb that keeps lenders comfortable, cushions rate shocks and gives you choices. Get close to 40 per cent (or step down via 45% […]

Green house symbol on grass with pound currency icons, representing cost of eco-friendly home upgrades

Cost remains biggest barrier to green home upgrades

6th October 2025

Cost is holding back homeowners from making green upgrades, according to a new report. Findings by Natwest reveal nearly three-quarters (74%) of homeowners without upgrade plans cite expense as the main hurdle. Other obstacles include a reluctance to take on debt (38%), disruption caused by the work (32%), and limited financing options (27%). Clear divide […]

Black mould spreading on interior wall in Scottish social housing

Scottish social housing landlords urged to tackle damp and mould

6th October 2025

Social housing landlords in Scotland could be leaving tenants at risk due to a lack of mould training. A survey reveals one-third of Scottish social housing tenants lack confidence their landlords will resolve ongoing issues. Awaab’s law will come into effect in England with Scotland to follow at a later date to be confirmed. The […]

Business people discussing UK property investment with global market backdrop

Overseas BTL firms expand as investors tap UK lending

6th October 2025

The proportion of foreign-owned buy to let businesses in the UK has grown significantly, with research revealing one in five new companies was founded by overseas investors this year. That compares with 13% in 2016 as Indian investors lead the way, setting up 684 new firms, followed closely by Nigerians who launched 647. Now specialist […]

Property investment concept with pound symbol and houses in businessman’s hand

Housing market sees September surge

6th October 2025

September sees the highest number of homes listed this year, according to a new report. Data by estate agency eXP reveals September saw a notable surge in market activity with the firm recording an average of 81 new properties listed every day over the course of the month, the highest daily level seen across each […]