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 […]

If you’re a landlord who’s been in the business for around 10 to 15 years, you’ll know the market isn’t exactly in our favour right now. It’s the stark reality facing many landlords considering selling. The pace of rent rises across the UK slowed in August, with average monthly rents growing by 5.7% to £1,348 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

This piece is part of our International Bizarre Landlord Stories series. Today’s story was first reported in Ireland. A landlord inspecting their property in County Cork was stunned to find that their tenant had filled the flat with chickens. Over 100 birds were roaming freely through the living room, kitchen and even the bedrooms. The […]

Up to six million tenants could be preparing to take their first step onto the property ladder as 29% of them have explored whether they can afford to buy a home in the past year. According to Pegasus Insight, many tenants are now also saving for a deposit with those aged between 25 and 34 […]

A referencing platform warns landlords will scrutinise tenant applications more carefully as they list tips to navigate the Renters’ Rights Bill. Canopy says the new rules will rebalance the rental market and give stronger protections to tenants. The referencing platform says whilst the reforms are designed to make renting fairer, it could cause confusion and […]

When I published my recent article on equity recycling and leverage, the level of engagement surprised even me. Several readers took the time to share thoughtful comments, ranging from detailed number-crunching to personal reflections on risk, retirement and legacy. What struck me most was the common theme running through those responses: building wealth through property […]

Ahead of the Budget, a left-leaning think tank claims “landlords should face the same tax rates as tenants,” calling for changes to Section 24. In a report, the Resolution Foundation urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves “to level the playing field” with a 2p cut in National Insurance (NI) matched by a 2p rise in income tax, […]

A landlord legal firm is calling on landlords to fit window restrictors across every floor of their rental properties, after recent data shows the dangers of failing to install them. Landlord Licensing & Defence has made the plea after statistics reveal 13 children under the age of 11 have died from falls out of windows […]

Many landlords are feeling the squeeze. Rising interest rates, tighter stress testing, and tougher lending criteria mean that refinancing is no longer as straightforward as it once was. When high street banks say “no”, landlords need to know what other options exist. Commercial finance offers a broader set of solutions that can ease cash flow, […]

Good transport links boost London house prices, according to a new report. Nationwide’s report reveals that 80% of Londoners said living near a station was either ‘fairly important’ or ‘very important’ when choosing to buy or rent their current property. The report also shows transport links are important not just in London, but in Manchester […]

For many landlords, securing commercial finance can feel like a mysterious process. Unlike a standard buy to let mortgage, the steps are more detailed, the information requested is broader, and lender decisions depend on the overall strength of the case. Understanding the lifecycle of a commercial finance deal helps landlords prepare, avoid delays, and achieve […]

Cleaning charges are the main reason tenants lose part of their deposits, a new survey reveals. Research by Go.Compare home insurance found that nearly two-thirds (63%) of renters who saw money withheld in the past two years pointed to cleaning fees as the cause. This was higher than any other category recorded. Also, younger tenants […]

Inflation continues to climb faster than rent and house rises, Home.co.uk’s latest Asking Price Index reveals. In August, the annualised rent growth fell deeper into negative territory at -2.2%, a result of rising availability, which is up 12.5% compared with last year. The downturn is largely linked to London, though Scotland, Wales and nearly every […]