Void costs are rising across England by up to 64%, with landlords absorbing growing losses as both rents and letting gaps increase. The research from Dwelly shows the average financial hit linked to empty properties has climbed 13.8% over the past year. In some areas, the increase is much steeper, with one region recording a […]

A landlord expert has accused councils of “double jeopardy enforcement against landlords” by fining them twice for the same offence. Phil Turtle, licensing expert at Landlord Licensing & Defence, has warned councils are creating two routes to prosecution or financial penalty for the same alleged failing, such as selective, additional or HMO licensing. Mr Turtle […]

The Law Society has warned that court backlogs will be unavoidable and access to justice will be limited unless the government invests in the court system. The association warns that the abolition of Section 21 under the Renters’ Rights Act is likely to lead to an increase in contested repossession cases. Figures from the Ministry […]

The government claim the county courts will have the capacity to deal with the Renters’ Rights Act and urges tenants to attend possession hearings. In answer to a written question, the government say tenants must have access to justice, and the government will launch a new digital possession service. The news comes as Landlord Action […]

A Scottish council is calling on landlords to provide temporary accommodation for vulnerable families. The council has launched a partnership encouraging landlords to offer properties for short-term use to help support families facing homelessness across the area. The Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) is backing the scheme, saying it will help provide vital accommodation for […]

Buy to let lenders have stepped up competition across both mainstream and specialist sectors, unveiling fresh products, rate cuts and cashback incentives. Landbay has rolled out five new five-year fixed remortgage deals under its Premier range, each with £500 cashback alongside a free valuation. The products target borrowers with portfolios of up to 15 properties […]

More social homes are being sold or demolished than they are being built, according to government figures. Data by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government reveals in England, 16,291 social homes were either sold or demolished last year, yet just 10,807 social homes were built. Housing charities Crisis and Shelter have called for […]

MPs have called for the government to go further to clamp down on short-term lets by changing data-management rules. Labour MP for Westminster and Cities of London, Rachel Blake, has introduced a Ten-Minute Rule bill to keep track of how many nights a home is rented out as a short-term let. In London, short-term lets […]

After 31 years of living in the UK, I have decided to leave shortly before 6 April 2026. I am a full-time landlord with a portfolio of 20 properties in London. These are personally held (a few in joint ownership with my wife), and all residential. I manage the properties myself, including managing repairs, insurance, […]

The government claim they are working with the software industry to make Making Tax Digital (MTD) compatible products available for landlords. In answer to a written question, the government claim they are ramping up their campaign to inform landlords about Making Tax Digital. Under the controversial scheme, from April this year, landlords earning more than […]

While it’s always good to check that tenants are not allergic to animals, it is the treatment of landlords as being non-human that grates me more and more. Has no one considered the landlord’s allergies!  People say inspect your properties regularly, make sure everything is in order, but I can’t if there is or has […]

A council has doubled the size of its staff to deal with selective licensing. Westminster council claims it has recruited 52 new posts to its Private Renters Team to process selective licensing applications and move from “reactive enforcement to a more proactive approach”. The licence costs nearly £1,000, and an online reporting tool has been […]

Three-quarters of tenants in England say they are happy with their renting experience, with only a small minority reporting dissatisfaction, research reveals. According to Pepper Money, it found 74% of private renters describe themselves as happy in their current home, while 11% say they are unhappy. Satisfaction levels remain steady across the country, although some […]

Professional landlords remain the engine behind buy to let borrowing and mortgage advice activity, although sentiment has dipped as regulatory pressure builds, research suggests. Foundation Home Loans’ latest Landlord Trends study indicates experienced operators continue to refinance, raise capital and restructure debt. That’s despite growing unease over how the Renters’ Rights Act will affect day […]

A council has targeted more than 550 private rented properties rated EPC F or G and issued £5,000 fines. Wandsworth council says it has contacted more than 150 private landlords whose properties fail to meet energy-efficiency standards. Under government rules, it is currently illegal to rent out properties rated EPC F or G without a […]

The average UK renter paid £10,580 in rent during 2025, swallowing 41% of their take home pay, research reveals. According to Canopy’s Rental Affordability Index, that share has climbed sharply from 36% a year earlier, underlining the growing financial strain facing tenants. Individual rent contributions rose by £684, a 6.9% increase, while net earnings edged […]

Given the Renters’ Rights Act becoming statute on the 1st May 26, I’m interested to ask how landlords will be referencing their prospective tenants, please? Personally, I will be asking for at least 10 months’ bank statements, National Insurance (NI) number, previous landlord’s reference (cross-checked the landlord’s name and address on HMLR title register (£3.00) […]

A council is urging landlords to rent out their properties to tenants in receipt of housing benefits. Sheffield city council is looking for landlords to lease their properties through its private rented sector (PRS) scheme. The news comes as last month, Exeter city council urged landlords to fill vacant homes via a free scheme. Guaranteed […]

I, having left the PRS, would not be putting my home address on Labour’s ill-thought-out and honestly quite dangerous publicly accessible Landlords Database. Even more so, as it would appear when no longer a PRS landlord, you cannot be removed. Yes, tenants have, as legally required, an address for their PRS Landlord if the landlord […]

Landlords are panicking and exiting the market before the Renters’ Rights Act, a new report has claimed. Propertymark’s Housing Insight report features comments from member agents across the country who warn that landlords are hesitant to re-let or expand their portfolios. Propertymark is calling for more clarity around rental reform to reassure landlords. Landlords are […]

The North West holds the largest concentration of HMO homes anywhere in Britain, underlining the region’s growing importance for landlords targeting higher-yielding assets. According to the property management platform, Lendlord, the area accounts for 17.9% of all Houses in Multiple Occupation, placing it ahead of every other region. Greater London follows at 16.5%, reinforcing the […]