When a tenant pays a deposit, it is a legal requirement that it must be registered with a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme. Failure to do so can result in the tenant reclaiming up to three times the value of the deposit, plus the original amount. For landlords, this is a serious risk if they rely […]

The Renters’ Rights Bill is expected to become law shortly after the Commons approves the final version of the bill. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook says the government will set out, as soon as possible, a plan for the bill’s implementation, but gave no specific date for when this will happen. Under the bill, Section 21 […]

If you’re a landlord or homeowner looking to sell, you’re probably noticing the market is pretty dire right now. Great if you want to buy – houses are going at a pinch –  but not so great for those looking to sell. Whatever your reasons for selling, you’ve no doubt gone through the same journey […]

The rumoured proposal of introducing National Insurance on rental income could benefit older landlords. Media reports suggest Chancellor Rachel Reeves could announce in the Autumn Budget that millions of landlords may be hit by plans to impose National Insurance contributions on rental income, generating around £2 billion in additional revenue. However, PropTech firm Reapit claims […]

An MP has called for greater eviction protection for tenants from landlords who have received grants to improve a rented property’s energy performance certificate (EPC) rating. In a written question, Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP Jim Shannon asked whether the government “has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing tenants’ protections from eviction, […]

Social housing landlords must not blame tenants’ lifestyles for damp and mould problems, and private rented homes could be used as alternative accommodation if they fail to fix hazards under Awaab’s law. The government has published guidance for social housing landlords ahead of the law coming into effect on Monday, 27 October, where social housing […]

I recently left a court hearing somewhat bemused after a rapid-fire interrogation of the bundle provided. It appears I hadn’t ticked the right box on a form, and with the hearing now adjourned for two months, I’m left in a difficult position with tenants wanting to move in, yet I can’t get rid of the […]

For landlords looking to add value, development finance is a crucial tool. Whether converting a house into an HMO, redeveloping flats, or upgrading a mixed-use property, these projects often require funding beyond the scope of a standard mortgage. Development finance provides the bridge between vision and completion – but it comes with its own rules, […]

Imagine signing a tenancy agreement for a flat you’ve never seen, only to discover that the property doesn’t even exist. That is exactly what happened in this unbelievable letting agent fail. A tenant, desperate to secure accommodation quickly, relied on the agent’s assurances and photos of a “newly refurbished one-bedroom flat”. After paying rent in […]

With rents climbing by nearly £80 a week over the past five years and as more than a third of Brits live in rented homes, the best cities for renters have been revealed. Landlord insurance firm Alan Boswell Group says it has found where tenants have it easiest to find a new home in the […]

A major new selective licensing scheme to cover a fifth of Leeds’ private rented sector has been approved by councillors, despite landlords voicing strong opposition to the plans. The scheme will launch in February next year, with the council saying it will tackle poor housing standards and improve tenants’ quality of life. Covering around 12,500 […]

Right to Rent fines have soared, with landlords and letting agents facing a big rise in enforcement since late 2024. Home Office data shows that fines reached £4.2 million, compared with £596,400 in the previous period. That’s a sevenfold increase that signals a tougher stance on landlords and agents failing to carry out tenant verification, […]

Buy to let lending has taken a sharp fall, with Bank of England figures showing a 12.5% drop in loans agreed between June and August. The slump follows three consecutive quarters of growth and signals a sudden loss of confidence among landlords as speculation mounts over possible tax hikes in the upcoming Autumn Budget. Peter […]

The government has declined calls for a full review of the County Court system, despite the Commons Justice Committee condemning what it described as “a dysfunctional operation that has failed to adequately deliver civil justice across England and Wales.” The Labour government has responded to the committee’s report, claiming a review is not needed, as […]

One of the most misunderstood areas of landlord insurance is the difference between malicious damage and accidental damage. Landlords often discover the distinction only when making a claim — and by then it can be too late. Insurers treat these categories differently, and cover is not always automatic. This article explains how the two are […]

The Renters’ Rights Bill has not yet become law, but it is progressing through Parliament and is expected to take effect from next year. Landlords now have a short window to prepare before the key changes begin. Section 21 is expected to be abolished once the Bill becomes law. Possession will move to Section 8 […]

The Renters’ Rights Bill will return to MPs in the Commons tomorrow (Wednesday 22 October) for final approval before Royal Assent. The government has confirmed any outstanding issues of the bill will return to the Commons for consideration this week. The news comes after despite last-minute attempts to add more amendments to the Bill, Peers […]

An online tenant-based website claims a stark difference in renter satisfaction and deposit protection across the UK. Research by Marks out of Tenancy, which allows tenants to review landlords, analysed 2,299 tenant reviews and found that in some areas, such as the North West, deposit protection rates were under half, at 42.1%. However, the study […]

Competition in the buy to let sector continues to heat up as three major lenders – Landbay, Paragon Bank and Market Financial Solutions – have announced fresh rate cuts, new product launches and improved features designed to help landlords refinance or expand portfolios. Landbay has reduced rates across its five-year fixed Premier range, with pricing […]

Students are feeling the strain of rising rents as they struggle to afford purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). A new report from real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield reveals growing demand for student housing across the UK. The research estimates that even if demand for accommodation increases by just 1% per year over the next five […]

Private rented sector (PRS) listings have climbed across every UK region for the first time in years, according to TwentyEA’s. It’s latest Property & Homeowner Report found that supply is up 6.9% compared to 2024, with more than one million homes entering the rental market so far this year. Despite the rental home supply uptick, […]