Of the landlords who have poured money into refurbishing their rental portfolios over the past few years, many say they regret making the investment, research reveals. According to Nationwide, the rush to upgrade kitchens, bathrooms and energy efficiency features has delivered uneven outcomes, but some projects have boosted yields. It says that nearly nine in […]

A Labour councillor in charge of housing at Southwark council has resigned over breaking selective licensing rules, the very rules Chancellor Rachel Reeves also broke. Councillor Michael Situ, admitted in a letter, two of his properties in Peckham did not have a selective licence. The news comes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves broke the rules in […]

The Prime Minister claims the Renters’ Rights Act will “put more power into the hands of renters who have had to stand for unfair behaviour for too long.” Writing in the Big Issue, Sir Keir Starmer, says the “vast majority of landlords provide a respectable and reasonable service” but claims the system needs to be […]

Average seller asking prices for homes have slipped by 1.8% this month, dragging the national figure to £364,833 and signalling an unusually sharp November slowdown, Rightmove reveals. It says the drop is the steepest November house price fall since 2012 with a crowded market and nervousness over the coming Budget affecting confidence. Sellers are cutting […]

Scottish landlords are increasing rents at a faster pace than anywhere else in Great Britain because of rent controls reshaping the market, Hamptons reveals. Its analysis suggests the policy designed to restrain price growth has instead encouraged annual increases. Drawing on data from across the Connells group, it found that 67% of Scottish landlords with […]

The buy to let mortgage market is still seeing major specialist lenders unveiling rate cuts, revamping criteria and fresh lending structures. Foundation Home Loans is rolling out new two-year discount products and trimming prices across its existing range. The lender has introduced no ERC discounts linked to Bank Base Rate and reduced the cost of […]

One of the biggest hurdles landlords face in 2025 is passing lender stress tests. Even if your property generates a solid rental profit, the way lenders calculate affordability can make or break a mortgage application. The key factor is whether the lender uses a 145% coverage rule (common in personal borrowing) or a 125% coverage […]

About two weeks ago, one of my HMO tenants messaged to say they kept hearing movement in the loft in the middle of the night. I told him it was probably birds or mice and that I would check it on my next inspection. Then, two days ago, another tenant sent me WhatsApp message saying […]

An industry body is urging landlords and tenants to test their carbon monoxide alarms to save lives. Ahead of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week next week, Propertymark has created a checklist to help households stay safe and compliant. Known as the “silent killer” due to having no smell, taste, or colour, even a small amount of […]

Hello, I own a block of 6 flats and have managed to get solar to 3 flats under a grant scheme due to the tenants being in receipt of PIP. I had an EPC on my own property due to trying to sell, and talking to the gentleman carrying out the survey, we got around […]

Chapter 3 … It’s late. The house is quiet. The only light still burning is from your laptop screen, the faint glow reflecting off half-empty coffee cups and piles of property files. Bank statements, refinance calculations, insurance renewals. All neatly ordered, all endlessly repeating. You pause for a moment and glance at the family photo […]

Selling a rental property is rarely a tidy, linear decision. Most landlords reach this point after years of pressure, rising costs and a sense that life might be easier with fewer moving parts. Others arrive here because retirement is close, or because family priorities have shifted. Whatever the trigger, the moment you decide to explore […]

It’s finally arrived, the Renters’ Rights Act, one of the biggest overhauls of the private rental sector, will come into force on 1 May 2026. The Act, which, amongst other things, includes tighter regulations, the banning of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions, and the ability for tenants to request pets, whether or not landlords are comfortable […]

For many landlords, the aim of reducing or clearing debt feels like the natural next step. After years of toil and layers of additional legislation, the appeal of reducing exposure to hassle and risk, and becoming mortgage-free, is undeniable. The decision often appears straightforward: sell a few properties with strong equity, pay off the loans, […]

England’s private rented sector will undergo its biggest overhaul in years, as the government confirms the Renters’ Rights Act will come into force on 1 May 2026. The plan sets a firm timetable for landlords, agents and tenants ahead of what ministers describe as a generational shift in housing rights. From that date, private renters […]

This isn’t the article I had planned but I couldn’t decide after waking up today whether I was caught in some weird fever dream now that we know when the Renters’ Rights Act will come in. I might be shooting from the lip here but don’t believe anyone who says the Act is a triumph […]

There has been a strong reaction to the government announcement that England’s rental market will see the Renters’ Rights Act taking effect on 1 May 2026. The move ends months of speculation and gives the sector a clear countdown to what is the biggest change to letting rules in a generation. The confirmed date signals […]

The landlord was dealing with persistent arrears and wanted a quicker route to possession. A Section 8 notice was served, citing grounds for rent arrears. But when the case reached court, the judge threw it out. The notice had been completed incorrectly, with the wrong grounds ticked and insufficient evidence to prove persistent late payment. […]

The landlord was confident they were compliant. Gas and electrical checks were up to date, deposits protected, and tenancy agreements in order. What they missed was that their local council had introduced a selective licensing scheme covering all rented properties in the area. When the omission was discovered, the council issued a civil penalty notice […]

Hello. I’ve got a potential tenant that is claiming UC. His BAP period is 17 – 16th of the month. Normally for tenancies I ask for the first month’s rent in advance and the 5 week equivalent deposit and the tenant pays this themselves (as they are working). In this case the council will be […]

There was a time in Scotland when owning your own home wasn’t a distant aspiration, it was an achievable goal. If you worked hard, paid your taxes, saved what you could, you could build the foundations to become a homeowner. That used to be the story for so many Scots people like my parents and […]