Page 76 – Property118
Wooden house icon on a document showing monthly budget figures from the Office for National Statistics.

England’s renters face growing affordability challenges – ONS

19th August 2025

Renters in England faced growing budget pressures last year, with tenants on a median household income having to spend 36.3% of their earnings on an average rent of £1,232, the Office for National Statistics reveals. That’s much higher than the 25.9% tenants who spent in Wales with rent at £702 and 25.3% in Northern Ireland […]

House with a “For Sale” sign and a red “NO” symbol representing drop in landlord property purchases.

Landlord purchases drop by 85,000 amid Renters’ Rights Bill concerns

19th August 2025

There’s been a big drop in landlord purchasing activity which has reshaped the UK’s buy to let landscape, with 85,000 fewer properties acquired over the past year. That’s according to Dwelly, a letting agents software firm, which has analysed data from The Mortgage Works and HMRC figures. It shows that only 170,520 landlords purchased properties […]

Red downward arrow over wooden houses symbolising falling UK house prices.

House prices continue to decline as interest rate cut eases pressure on buyers

19th August 2025

House prices fell in July but interest rate cut offered some relief for first-time buyers, claims e.surv. The House Price Index for July by e.surv revealed the housing market remained subdued during the summer, but there were signs of a gentle recovery. E.surv claimed lower interest rates through the second half of the year would […]

Landlord opening a rental property door to find 22 tarantulas in tanks

Tenant Abandons 22 Tarantulas in Salford Rental Property

19th August 2025

The Tenant Left Without Warning… and Took Only Their Clothes Most landlords have dealt with late rent or minor damage. But sometimes, the surprise left behind is more… alive. In Salford, a landlord inspecting a recently vacated property found something no one expects: 22 pet tarantulas, abandoned in tanks and containers. Local authorities and animal […]

Visual framework showing landlord options to sell, refinance, or rebalance a property portfolio

Sell, Refinance or Rebalance: Landlord Decision Framework

18th August 2025

There is nothing wrong with selling. The key is to sell with your eyes open. Before you decide to market your properties and definitely before you accept an offer, check the true net proceeds after mortgage redemption costs and Capital Gains Tax, then compare that figure to a refinancing or partial sell-down plan that might […]

Judge’s gavel in front of courthouse symbolising landlord’s legal victory over council decision

When Councils Get It Wrong: Two Recent Landlord Victories You Should Know About

18th August 2025

Every landlord has heard stories about heavy-handed enforcement. It is much rarer to see clear, documented wins where a council decision is overturned or criticised. The two cases below show it does happen. Both are recent, both are credible, and both contain practical lessons for the rest of us. Case One: Ombudsman raps council over […]

Landlord examining a model house with a magnifying glass, symbolizing property inspections and compliance checks.

Landlords urged to prepare for Decent Homes Standard as stricter enforcement looms

18th August 2025

A letting agency is urging landlords to prepare for the Decent Homes Standard by carrying out regular inspections and reviewing EPC ratings. Leaders Roman Group (LRG) warns landlords that there will be greater enforcement when the rules come into effect, with civil penalties of £7,000 and possible prosecution. LRG also says tenants will gain stronger […]

Woman holding sale sign under beach umbrella symbolising summer property discounts

Summer sales surge as interest rate cut boosts market confidence

18th August 2025

Agreed sales hit their highest July level in five years, as lower prices drove an 8% jump in activity, according to Rightmove. Its House Price Index reveals the number of homes for sale is now 10% up on this time last year, muting the annual price increase to just 0.3%. The property portal says the […]

Damaged window frame with condensation and peeling paint highlighting poor housing maintenance

Housing Ombudsman criticises social housing landlords over delays in fixing faulty windows

18th August 2025

The Housing Ombudsman has slammed housing associations and councils for having “no justification for the conditions some residents have endured” when failing to repair faulty windows. A new report revealed widespread failures to carry out risk assessments, with one case involving a London council that left multiple windows unrepaired for three years, including one in […]

Concept image highlighting Scotland’s housing shortage with DJ Alexander logo and Scottish flag house

Housing shortage in Scotland would be far worse without PRS – claims estate agent

18th August 2025

The Scottish government must recognise the vital role the private rented sector (PRS) plays in the housing market, says leading estate agent. DJ Alexander Scotland says the Scottish PRS has played a crucial role in providing homes in Scotland. The estate agent is now urging the government to work with the PRS to tackle Scotland’s […]

Landlord advocating for stricter letting agent regulation after dispute

Landlord launches petition for letting agent reform after year-long battle

18th August 2025

Fed-up landlord Wilson Chowdhry has launched a petition on the UK Parliament website, urging the government to introduce stricter regulations for letting agents. His petition calls for an independent regulator with enforcement powers, mandatory licensing, recognised qualifications and transparent fee structures to protect landlords and tenants. The move follows Mr Chowdhry’s year-long battle against an […]

Man reviewing property incorporation documents with financial charts and legal files on desk

Why Landlord Incorporation Became Popular But Now Demands Extreme Caution

16th August 2025

The Rise of Landlord Incorporation and Why It Became So Popular Landlord incorporation is not a new concept, but the past decade has seen it move from a niche planning strategy to a mainstream conversation. Thousands of portfolio landlords who had operated successfully as individuals or partnerships suddenly began asking the same question: Should I […]

Couple receives eviction notice as housing charity Shelter warns of rising no-fault evictions

Shelter blames delayed Section 21 ban for thousands of evictions

15th August 2025

Despite pledging to ban no-fault evictions on day one of a Labour government, new figures reveal 11,400 households were removed by bailiffs due to Section 21. According to figures from the Ministry of Justice, 30,000 Section 21 no-fault eviction notices were issued by private landlords in England during July 2024 and June 2025, meaning around […]

Landlord worried about tax and Renters’ Rights Bill impact on property investment

Tax burdens and Renters’ Rights Bill discourage investment in PRS

15th August 2025

Landlords remain apprehensive over the impact of the Renters’ Rights Bill and don’t plan to invest in the private rented sector (PRS) in the short-term, according to a report. Findings by JLL, a property consultancy firm, reveal that half of landlords (50%) say the Renters’ Rights Bill will discourage them from investing. The firm also […]

Modern leasehold flat with EPC energy efficiency rating graphic

Landlords avoid leasehold flats over EPC C targets and service charges

15th August 2025

A letting agency warns landlords avoid letting out leasehold flats due to EPC C targets and service charge challenges. A survey by Leaders Roman Group (LRG) reveals that 58% of flats let by landlords are leasehold, but over a third of landlords (34%) now say they actively avoid letting leasehold flats because of leasehold-related issues […]

Council officer knocking on a resident’s door during tenant safety awareness campaign

Fake council officers knock on doors in scam targeting council tenants

15th August 2025

A council has warned its council tenants about ‘cold-callers’ attempting to enter properties by pretending to be council officers. Mansfield District Council claims it has seen evidence of door-knocking cold-callers touting for business on behalf of law firms, targeting tenants on council estates. The callers falsely claim they are from the council and say they […]

Landlord overwhelmed by endless legal paperwork symbolising rent repayment order challenges

Defending a rent repayment order alone is ‘financial suicide’, claims legal expert

15th August 2025

A legal expert warns landlords who “go it alone” in defending a rent repayment order risk financial and reputational disaster. That’s the view of Des Taylor from Landlord Licensing & Defence, who says that without rock-solid evidence and specialist representation, defending a rent repayment order is a recipe for disaster. The firm warns that losing […]

Pink piggy bank wrapped in metal chains symbolising secure tenant deposit protection

The facts challenge misconception that landlords routinely withhold deposits unfairly

14th August 2025

New data released by mydeposits, shared with and in part produced by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) every six months across all three government-backed schemes, offer a transparent picture of how tenancy deposits are managed and returned. The statistics show that tenants receive all or part of their deposit back in […]

Landlord reviewing property investment data and financial charts on a computere

Whole of Life Insurance for Landlords | Keep Your Portfolio Bankable

14th August 2025

Whole of Life Insurance for Landlords How to keep your portfolio bankable when life happens. Picture the scene. Your portfolio is humming along, rents are in, the portfolio is running smoothly, and your family is comfortable with the plan. Then life happens. A key owner dies, lenders want clarity, cash is tight while probate drags […]

Inheritance tax advice for landlords with focus on paying IHT on time and maintaining control of property portfolios

Inheritance Tax for Landlords | Pay the Bill Without Breaking Up the Portfolio

14th August 2025

Inheritance Tax is a permanent risk for landlords, and it tends to strike at the worst possible time. Executors face tight deadlines, lenders look for repayment plans, and families are asked to make big decisions without cash. The goal is not to “beat” IHT. The goal is to pay it on time without selling good […]