Page 62 – Property118
Declining rental housing supply in Scotland shown by falling houses and downward red arrow

Scotland’s Shrinking Private Rented Sector – The Numbers Tell the Story?

29th September 2025

My latest Freedom of Information request reveals a striking trend: the number of landlords owning just one rental property is continuing to fall, substantially since last year, and dramatically since 2019. In May 2019, there were 228,212 registered single-property landlords. By June 2024, this had dropped to 179,516. As of August 2025, the figure stands […]

Landlord restricted by red tape as rental costs rise in the UK

Rules and red tape for landlords fuel rising rents

29th September 2025

An industry body warns landlords should be encouraged to invest in the private rented sector rather than be “penalised by a continuous bombardment of financial and regulatory hurdles.” A Propertymark report reveals that although rental prices have peaked and dropped slightly, this reduction is not enough to make rents more affordable, as the average salary […]

Eviction deadline reminder in Scotland with warning symbol and Scottish flag

Generation Rent slams Scottish government over ‘backward step’ on eviction notice periods

29th September 2025

Generation Rent claims Scotland will have the worst eviction notice periods in Britain under the Scottish Housing Bill. The bill, which faces its final stage tomorrow (Tuesday 30 September) before becoming law, has seen hundreds of amendments submitted, including several from the Scottish Greens, such as proposals to prevent evictions in the first 12 months […]

The Tenant Who Turned Their Flat into a Boxing Gym

29th September 2025

This piece is part of our International Bizarre Landlord Stories series. Today’s story was first reported in Australia. It is not unusual for tenants to rearrange furniture or redecorate, but one Australian landlord was stunned to discover their flat had been converted into a fully operational boxing gym. When the tenant was finally evicted for […]

Housing Secretary Steve Reed accused of blocking development despite pro-building stance

Housing Secretary accused of hypocrisy over blocking flats in his own constituency

26th September 2025

Despite the Housing Secretary’s mantra of “build, baby, build,” the Telegraph reveals Steve Reed tried to block a housing development last year in his own constituency. Steve Reed, who took over the housing brief from Angela Rayner after she resigned over failing to pay enough stamp duty, shared a now-deleted social media post calling on […]

Landlord walking away with briefcase marked PRS toward exit sign

Renters’ Rights Bill forces small private landlords to exit the market

26th September 2025

More individual private landlords are leaving the private rented sector ahead of the Renters’ Rights Bill, according to a new survey. Data by Dwelly reveals a significant drop in the number of landlords, which fell by 1.04%, driven primarily by individual landlords leaving the sector. The letting agency says the fall in the number of […]

Scottish Parliament building with Housing Bill banner in sky

Industry body warns rent controls could hit investment as Scottish Housing Bill nears final stage

26th September 2025

An industry body is warning of the potential consequences of introducing rent controls in Scotland as the Scottish Housing Bill nears its final stages before becoming law. Propertymark cautions that such measures could deter investment but welcomed the Scottish government’s efforts to provide clarity. Under the bill, in designated rent control areas, annual rent increases […]

London Mayor advocates rent controls as government rejects policy

Labour rules out rent controls despite Sadiq Khan’s push

26th September 2025

Despite London Mayor Sadiq Khan saying that powers to cap rents are “at the top of his list,” the Labour government insists it has no plans to introduce them. In answer to a written question, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook claims he has not discussed rent controls with Mr Khan. As previously reported by Property118, Mr […]

Fire engines respond to a false alarm at a block of flats in England

BTR urged to act after 22,000 false fire alarm callouts

26th September 2025

Fire crews in England were dispatched to more than 22,000 false fire alarms in medium and high-rise blocks of flats over the last year, new figures reveal. The number of incidents rose by 10% compared with the previous year, equating to an average of 61 unnecessary callouts every day. On more than 2,000 occasions, between […]

Mystic Mortar landlord horoscope featured image for Friday, 26 September 2025

Mystic Mortar Landlord Horoscope – 26 Sep 2025

26th September 2025

🔮 Cosmic Commentary: Business Property Relief Under the New Stars The skies are shifting: from 6 April 2026, Business Property Relief (BPR) will be capped at £1,000,000 per individual. Any qualifying business property value above that will only get 50% relief. This change affects traders, developers, and farmers — anyone whose business qualifies as “relevant […]

The Tenant Who Kept a Crocodile in Their Rental Home

26th September 2025

This piece is part of our International Bizarre Landlord Stories series. Today’s story was first reported in Kenya. Landlords often expect the occasional maintenance surprise, but one Kenyan property owner could never have predicted what awaited them. During a routine inspection, they discovered a fully grown crocodile living inside their tenant’s home. The reptile, weighing […]

Scales of justice balancing landlords and tenants in Wales housing debate

Shelter Cymru demands politicians give stronger renters’ rights

25th September 2025

Shelter Cymru urges Welsh politicians to end the “imbalance of power between landlords and tenants” and calls for restrictions on landlords increasing rent. In the run-up to the Senedd elections in May next year, the housing charity is calling on every political party to commit to ending the housing emergency. Shelter Cymru claims a lack […]

Student holding drill and hammer, choosing the right tool for home maintenance

Students rely on landlords to fix minor DIY issues

25th September 2025

Despite students claiming living in HMOs has taught them basic home maintenance skills, many still contact their landlord for minor fixes. The report by Aldermore bank also reveals 44% of students say their parents pay part or all of their rent. The news comes as young people prepare to head to University for Freshers Week. […]

Five-year fixed rate mortgage concept shown with lock and chain

Majority of BTL landlords choose five-year fixed-rate mortgage for stability

25th September 2025

More than half (57%) of buy-to-let (BTL) landlords are set to choose a five-year fixed rate when they come to remortgage. The research by Lender Landbay reveals this is a drop from 71% this time last year, as two-year fixes gain greater interest. Tracker mortgages have also grown in popularity, offering landlords more flexible options […]

Plane on runway symbolising impact of second Gatwick runway on house prices

Second Gatwick runway could slash house prices by £40,000

25th September 2025

Plans approved by the Labour government for a second Gatwick runway could see house prices plummet by up to £40,000, according to new data. Research by estate agents Yopa reveals that the £2.2bn privately financed project is likely to cause short-term dips in property values for those living in the so-called ‘Gatwick Diamond’, which includes […]

Damp and mould on a wall highlighting poor housing conditions

Social housing landlords fail to tackle repairs ahead of Awaab’s law

25th September 2025

The Housing Ombudsman reveals social housing landlords are still failing in their duties ahead of Awaab’s Law coming into effect next month. The organisation’s Annual Complaints Review 2024–25 shows complaints continue to rise, with 71% of complaints upheld. Awaab’s Law will require all social housing landlords to fix dangerous damp and mould within set timeframes […]

elegraph logo used in rebuttal to article on landlord tax structures

HMO agents offering lucrative five-year contracts to house asylum seekers? 

25th September 2025

There is a question Property1118 members might be able to help with. I am hearing that landlords are being approached by HMO agents and being offered lucrative five-year contracts to house asylum seekers. I am very interested in finding out how what they’re being offered compares to market rents in their area and if they’re […]

Golden retriever sitting between yes and no signs about pet ownership decisions.

Half a million renters denied pets by landlords – claim

25th September 2025

Half a million renters claim their landlord unfairly rejected their request to keep a pet, new research claims. According to Go.Compare, more than three-quarters (79%) of tenants who had a pet request turned down felt the decision was unreasonable, equivalent to around 590,592 households across the country. Under the Renters’ Rights Bill, landlords will no […]

Wood-burning stove with a ban symbol highlighting council restriction

Council bans wood-burning stoves over environmental concerns

25th September 2025

A council has banned wood-burning stoves in its council properties due to health and safety concerns. Angus council in Scotland says it will not permit the installation or replacement of solid fuel heating systems in its properties, except in exceptional circumstances. The council say this will not apply to private homeowners or private landlords. Our […]