When tenants left in January 2024, I used a local estate agent to find a new tenant, but after ten viewings, there were no takers, despite this being a very desirable flat. I went to inspect it and found it covered in black mould. While cleaning it up, a single lady asked to rent it, […]

Estate agents are predicting a “Boxing Day bonanza” as pent-up demand after months of Autumn Budget uncertainty drives sellers to put their homes on the market. Parkers Properties believes that this year’s Boxing Day could see an influx of homes coming onto the market that is “greater than the norm.” Traditionally, Boxing Day marks the […]

A charity is calling for the Scottish government to do more to tackle rising rents, as private renters’ debt is on average £4,000. Research by Citizens Advice Scotland reveals that private renters’ debt is twice that of social renters. The charity claims rent controls alone won’t solve the housing crisis and says the Scottish government […]

The private rented sector is heading into a turbulent 2026, with the Renters’ Rights Act set to drive sweeping operational change across the market, according to Allison Thompson at Leaders. The firm’s national lettings managing director warns that timing will matter as much as intent once the next phase begins. She says: “From an operational […]

Hi Everyone, With the Renters’ Rights Act stating that all tenancies are to be periodic from May 2026, how will that affect Buy to Let mortgages that have terms that condition the tenancy must be an AST? Are we being forced by the Act to breach mortgage Terms and Conditions? Is there a provision in […]

We all know that the prohibition of rent in advance is going to make life really hard for tenants who, for whatever reason, can’t pass normal referencing and until now would have paid rent up front to get the place they want. So it’s natural that people are looking for ways to get around this. […]

One of the worst-case scenarios for landlords is discovering that tenants have used a rental property for illegal activity. Cannabis farms, unlicensed HMOs, or even organised crime can leave behind major damage, loss of income, and potential legal consequences. The immediate question for most landlords is: does my insurance cover this? The answer depends on […]

With the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 approaching, I’m interested in what landlords are actually changing in practice, rather than what the headlines suggest we should be doing. Much of the commentary focuses on the end of Section 21, but I’m not convinced that’s the most significant shift for landlords who already run their portfolios professionally. […]

A new Generation Rent survey reveals a decline in Section 21 notices and a drop in rent increases. In a poll of 711 renters about the upcoming Renters’ Rights Act, despite a drop in Section 21 notices, the number of Section 8 notices has risen. The survey comes ahead of the implementation of the Renters’ […]

The government claim they have taken action to remove barriers for those on the lowest incomes to access social housing. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook says they will review and update statutory guidance on social housing allocations. The news comes after research reveals housing associations in England are increasingly rejecting applicants following affordability checks carried out […]

An industry body is urging the government to provide clearer guidance to landlords on the checks they need to carry out to avoid rental discrimination. Under the Renters’ Rights Act, it will be illegal for landlords and letting agents to discriminate against prospective tenants who receive benefits or have children, with fines of up to […]

Hello, I’m looking for some advice here. The property is let to a mum and daughter on a single tenancy agreement. Recently, the daughter asked if her boyfriend could move in. In general, I do not have anything against it. And as per my understanding, even with her boyfriend moving in, they are still classified […]

Next year will see more small landlords leaving the private rented sector as younger landlords will shape the market, claims firm. Goodlord predicts 2026 will see some landlords throw in the towel as the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force on 1 May 2026. The lettings software company says preparation is key to navigating the […]

Shelter is calling on the government to deliver 90,000 social homes a year for ten years, as new research reveals that more than half of teachers in state schools in England have worked with children who are homeless. Findings by the housing charity and charity Teacher Tapp reveal a record 175,025 children stuck in temporary […]

An organisation is calling for empty homes to be brought back into use to ease Scotland’s housing crisis. Figures published by the Scottish government reveal a total of 44,453 privately owned homes have sat empty for more than six months, an increase of 915 compared to the previous year. Of these, 32,337 have been vacant […]

Shelter claims “unaffordable private rents and the freeze on housing benefit” are pushing more people into temporary accommodation. According to the housing charity, 382,618 people are now homeless, including 350,480 people homeless in temporary accommodation, the highest since records began. The news comes as the government have pledged to prevent homelessness by the end of […]

Every mortgage has an end date. For landlords, what happens when a buy-to-let deal expires is one of the most important financial decisions in portfolio management. In 2025, with thousands of fixed-rate products maturing, understanding your options is crucial. A clear exit strategy can save thousands of pounds annually and protect portfolio cashflow. What Happens […]

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill has received Royal Assent and will soon become law. The Act aims to speed up the delivery of new homes by slashing red tape in the planning system to meet Labour’s target of 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament. Propertymark welcomes the Act but warns the 1.5 […]

Why leasehold reform doesn’t have to mean commonhold As the government, in its imminent Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill, prepares to mandate commonhold as the default tenure for new flats, one developer is already offering an alternative that balances consumer control with the impetus for change. The government’s intention to legislate for commonhold as the […]

Most landlords using limited companies to borrow in 2025 will encounter the requirement to sign a personal guarantee (PG). Even though the borrowing is through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), lenders want additional security that ties directors and shareholders personally to the loan. For landlords, understanding how PGs work – and the risks involved – […]

Reform of the leasehold system is long overdue. It’s broadly agreed that the current model, with its layers of complexity and its potential for abuse, has required reform for some time. The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act (LAFRA), which was enacted in a rush under the last government, represents a major step towards fairer ownership […]