Page 62 – Property118

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 […]

The Tenant Who Turned Their Flat into a Chicken Coop

25th September 2025

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 […]

Happy young couple planning their first home purchase with “First Time Home Buyers” text.

Six million renters want to be first-time buyers

25th September 2025

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 […]

Person using laptop with digital rental documents and approval checkmark

Landlords to scrutinise applications more closely under Renters’ Rights Bill

25th September 2025

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 […]

Illustration of the landlord’s journey from growth to legacy, showing three stages of property investment and family succession.

The Landlord’s Journey: From Aggressive Growth to Happy Retirement and Secure Legacy

24th September 2025

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 […]

House-shaped block with tax letters symbolizing property tax reform

Left-wing think tank claims landlords should face same tax rates as tenants

24th September 2025

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, […]

Child trying to open window with safety restrictors installed

Landlords warned to install window restrictors on every floor to prevent tragedy

24th September 2025

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 […]

Trains passing Battersea Power Station at dusk with city lights and cranes in the background

Good transport links drive up house prices across UK cities

24th September 2025

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 […]

Commercial Finance Blog featured image showing buildings, factory, handshake, loan document, calculator, pound sign and growth bars on a teal background.

The Lifecycle of a Commercial Finance Deal – From Enquiry to Completion

24th September 2025

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 […]

Person holding cleaning supplies, symbolizing deposit deductions for cleaning fees

Cleaning costs top the list of tenancy deposit deductions

24th September 2025

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 […]

Stacks of coins rising with an arrow and hourglass symbolizing inflation growth over time

Inflation rises faster than rent and house prices

24th September 2025

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 […]