The landlord managed their portfolio casually. Rent came in, expenses were paid, and tax returns were filed each January. But when HMRC opened an enquiry, gaps appeared. Receipts had been misplaced, mortgage interest had been miscalculated, and repair costs were confused with improvements. The result was an unexpected bill for underpaid tax, plus penalties and […]

Do any landlords know why several former tenants (who each rented a self-contained flat within a very large house) might each receive a “rent refund” from the letting agency years after their AST tenancies ended (and given that rent wasn’t actually overpaid)?! A vulnerable friend, who has learning difficulties, rented one of these flats from […]

A council is urging landlords to help people who are struggling to secure a home because of rising rents. Powys County Council is promoting its Powys Bond Scheme, a package that replaces a traditional upfront deposit with a Paper Bond. It covers damage and rent arrears to the same value as a standard deposit. Also, […]

Landlord Action has reported its busiest month in more than two years, with instructions from landlords to serve eviction notices up 62% year-on-year in September 2025. Landlord Action recorded significant growth in both Section 21 notices and combined Section 21 and Section 8 instructions as landlords sought clarity and control ahead of the upcoming Renter’s […]

The Mortgage Works is shaving rates again, announcing reductions of up to 0.20 percentage points across several buy to let (BTL) deals. Its refresh brings a one-year fixed at 2.49% with a 2% fee at up to 75% LTV for both purchases and remortgages, trimmed by 0.20%. The two-year fixed shifts to 2.71% with a […]

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, many landlords have expressed concerns about how deposits will affect their ability to regain possession of their properties. Property118 received Readers’ Questions and comments on deposits under the Renters’ Rights Act about a particular part of the government guidance, which says: “If your tenant paid you a deposit, a court […]

The government has admitted it does not know how long the rent appeals system takes to handle cases, raising concerns that the Tribunal could be flooded with challenges when the Renters’ Rights Act takes effect. That’s on 1 May next year and a Freedom of Information response sent to property lawyer David Smith confirms that […]

Every year I see the same divide. Some investors position themselves early, stay switched on and secure opportunities that move them forward faster than anything else they do all year. Others wait until the noise begins, only to discover the strongest offers have already disappeared. This year, Black Friday runs from Friday 28 November to […]

The government has issued guidance for landlords on rental discrimination under the Renters’ Rights Act. Landlords are prohibited from taking any action that could prevent a tenant from renting because they have children or receive benefits. Those who break the rules even without their knowledge could face fines of up to £7,000 for each offence. […]

Mystic Mortar’s Landlord Horoscope Edition: Friday 21 November 2025 Welcome, star-gazers and key-holders, to a week where the stars draw you into bold changes, magnetic encounters, and important decisions for your landlord path. The skies promise sparkle, yet whisper gently: charm without caution may prove costly. This week the Sun completes its journey through Scorpio […]

Looking at the .gov – Renter’s Rights Act: An overview for Landlords, I saw this under ‘Evicting Tenants’. (After 01 May 2026) If your tenant paid you a deposit, a court will only give a possession order to evict them if you have put the deposit into a government approved tenancy deposit scheme. A possession […]

More than half of landlords admit they are not ready for the Renters’ Rights Act and expect letting agents to take the lead as the sector prepares for the legislation. Research from Dwelly shows 57% of landlords feel unprepared for the new law, despite months of political debate and a deadline for the law’s implementation. […]

Long waits for landlords to carry out repairs are piling pressure on renters, with many saying the delays are more stressful than the fault itself. Adiuvo, a property management support platform, surveyed 1,013 tenants and found that 62% had dealt with a maintenance problem in their home. While many renters praised quick action, a significant […]

Lowering the VAT threshold. Why I believe it will make FHL (Furnished Holiday Let) and other small businesses more profitable and increase GDP. “After all the FHL changes, if I have to go VAT registered and give away tax on turnover to the VAT man, that will be the final nail in the coffin of […]

Housebuilders will receive automatic approval to construct homes near train stations under new government plans. Housing Secretary Steve Reed has announced updates to planning rules that will streamline development on land within a 15-minute walk of train stations, including some green belt areas. Councils in England will also be required to notify the government when […]

The UK’s private rents grew by 5% in the year to October, although the pace of growth has begun to ease, the Office for National Statistics says. The annual rise seen in September was 5.5% and the average monthly rent is £1,360. England’s average was up 5% to £1,416, Wales saw a stronger 6.7% increase […]

The BBC has admitted to skewing evidence to give an exaggerated or false picture of Trump. Unfortunately, the desire to follow a set narrative appears to be a cancer in organisations such as the government, courts and the Ombudsman, where populist agendas are followed and evidence is ignored. The Renters Rights Act is a shining […]

A London council has revealed a clamp down on the spread of HMOs by bringing under full planning control any bid to convert family homes into a house in multiple occupation. The shift marks a significant change in how the borough manages shared housing, and officials say it is aimed at protecting neighbourhoods without shutting […]

The buy-to-let looked like a solid investment. The figures stacked up, tenants paid on time, and the landlord assumed service charges were routine admin. But after ignoring several demands from the freeholder’s agent, arrears mounted. A county court judgment followed, along with legal costs and interest. The landlord’s entire year’s rental income was swallowed by […]

Landlords will have until 30 April 2026 to serve Section 21 eviction notices in England. The government has published guidance on the Renters’ Rights Act for landlords and letting agents, including a guide on evicting tenants and key dates. Property118 has picked out the key parts of the guidance to help landlords. Section 21 claims […]

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (RRA) has received Royal Assent and will be implemented in stages starting on 1 May 2026. Landlords need to be aware of a new risk, and those who try to protect themselves by taking the maximum permissible tenancy deposit need to check their procedures, as they may already be in […]