England’s housing stock has expanded by 9% over the past decade, reaching 25.4 million dwellings by 2023, outpacing the 7% population growth, the English Housing Survey reveals. An analysis of the report’s data by Nationwide’s senior economist, Andrew Harvey, found that a key driver of this transformation is the improvement in energy efficiency. That’s particularly […]

A council has issued £450,000 in penalties to landlords operating rental properties without proper licences, as part of its clampdown on the safety and quality of the city’s PRS. Birmingham City Council is now urging landlords to secure the necessary licenses or risk fines of up to £30,000 per non-compliant property. In June 2023, the […]

Scotland’s PRS is coming under intense scrutiny as data reveals a rent adjudication system which sees tenants being hit with higher rents than landlords have asked for. An investigation by The National newspaper found that tenants were left with big rent rises after they had applied for a rent adjudication. Now, the Scottish Greens are […]

A neighbour contacted me to say that the police attended my property, arrested the tenant for growing cannabis, and disconnected the electricity. I’ve tried calling the police, but they wouldn’t confirm anything and said they would only contact me if necessary. As the landlord, I’m unsure of the proper steps to take next. Can I […]

Most tenancies end without major dispute, but when a tenant breaks their contract early the question is always the same: who pays for the fallout? A recent tribunal case shows how landlords can recover reasonable costs – and where the line is drawn. The case Tenants had signed for a fixed term but gave notice […]

The Renters’ Rights Bill may have triggered a surge in rents across England, claims a comparison website. Research by Go.Compare reveals more than half (53%) of tenants have seen rents rise since the Renters’ Rights Bill was announced. The comparison website warns costs could increase ahead of the Renters’ Rights Bill entering its final stages. […]

North East Lincolnshire Council has approved a selective licensing scheme in targeted areas in one ward. Following a 10-week public consultation which revealed lots of tenant support but little from landlords, the scheme will launch within six months. The ward, East Marsh, ranks in the top 1% for deprivation. It has low life expectancy, high […]

Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy prime minister and housing secretary, has sparked controversy after purchasing a three-bedroom seaside flat in Hove for £800,000. Newspapers report that the acquisition, made earlier this year, adds to her property portfolio, which already includes a constituency home in Ashton-under-Lyne, valued at £650,000, and access to a grace-and-favour apartment in Westminster’s […]

UK landlords have been at the receiving end of tax increases since 2021, when full mortgage interest relief was scrapped. This essentially means that landlords are now keeping less of their profits while also grappling with increased costs to maintain and run properties. Just when things couldn’t be more bleak, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is looking at […]

Every landlord knows the risks of late rent, but sometimes the issue is far more brazen. Imagine finding out that the person living in your property was never a legitimate tenant at all, but a scammer who had quietly taken over and paid nothing. The story A landlord was shocked to discover that their flat […]

Case Study: Rebuilding a Property Business for Retirement, Control and Family Flexibility Planning the Next Phase With Purpose Mark and Emma had built their property business steadily over two decades. With a portfolio of fifteen rental properties, ten residential and five commercial, the income supported their lifestyle, and the routine gave them purpose. They were […]

Landlords face the longest wait for possession in over two years, according to figures published by the Ministry of Justice. The average wait for a landlord in the second quarter of this year was 33.8 weeks – almost eight months, up from 32.5 weeks in the first quarter, marking the longest average wait since early […]

A leading lettings agency says it has seen no evidence of a landlord exodus from the PRS – but that might change when the Renters’ Rights Bill becomes law. Currently, England’s rental sector is showing remarkable resilience, with a significant increase in available properties, Benham and Reeves says. It has found that rents across England […]

Despite concerns from landlords and tenants over the cost of selective licensing and its impact on rents, the council has decided to press ahead with the scheme. North Lincolnshire Council has announced plans to introduce selective licensing in part of the East Marsh ward in Grimsby. The local authority claims the scheme is necessary because […]

Finding a place to live while at university is a big challenge for many UK students, leaving some feeling scared or anxious. According to a report by rent guarantee firm Housing Hand, there’s a landscape of uncertainty and anxiety for those navigating the rental market for the first time. Its Understanding Renters in 2025 survey, […]

Selling can be the right move. The mistake is deciding based on the headline sale price rather than the true cash you will bank after mortgage redemption costs and Capital Gains Tax. This practical calculator shows you how to work out your net sale proceeds and compare them to a refinance or partial sell-down that […]

Post-tenancy inspections usually mean meter readings, keys, and an inventory check. This one was different. Behind the kitchen door of a recently vacated rental, the landlord found an elderly dog, confused but friendly, waiting for someone to come back. The discovery The property had been cleared in a hurry. Food cupboards were half empty and […]

In what seems like a change to the tide, the property market showed signs of swinging in favour of landlords this month. Following what looked like a tricky time for landlords to sell, it seems that buy-to-let properties are back in demand, and they’re selling fast. Last week we shared the news that a landlord […]

Something new is about to sparkle across Property118 every Friday. Starting on 29th August 2025, our very own star-gazer Mystic Mortar will be publishing a weekly horoscope written especially with UK landlords in mind. Expect playful predictions, a dash of property wit, and just enough cosmic mischief to make you wonder if Mercury really is […]

Selective licensing was introduced as a tool to raise standards and tackle poor management in the private rented sector. In practice, many schemes have led to conditions that some landlords believe go far beyond what Parliament intended in the Housing Act 2004. Wirral’s latest selective licensing scheme is a prime example – and it is […]

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is calling on the government to use the Autumn Budget to support long-term investment in new quality rented housing. It points to fresh data from the Office for National Statistics which shows that private rents across the UK increased by 5.9% in the year to July 2025. That’s a […]