Hi, it would appear that gaining an HMO licence is bringing a number of unintended consequences, making being a landlord more difficult than usual. In Sheffield, the waiting time to renew is meant to be 13 weeks. I am now in my fourth month and have not received any replies to my emails asking where […]

London’s prime property market displayed subdued activity in May, with rental growth moderating and sales transactions notably low, according to LonRes data. The lettings sector saw a slight uptick in new instructions, while the sales market grappled with cautious buyers and elevated stock levels. The data shows that the capital’s prime rental growth eased to […]

Hi everyone, I’d appreciate some advice from landlords with experience renting to benefit claimants, especially older tenants. I’ve been offered a prospective tenant who is pension-age, receiving a mix of benefits — mainly Local Housing Allowance (LHA), Pension, and PIP. To summarise the situation: • LHA covers about 70% of the rent • They have […]

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is warning that the Welsh government’s homelessness bill will put greater strain on landlords and local authorities. The organisation welcomes the Welsh government’s proposals to improve access to social housing but warns the bill could create “more problems than it solves”. The bill brings major changes by scrapping the […]

Hi, my daughter-in-law owns a flat in a block of four. She and another owner are Directors, the other two are not. All four own the freehold between them. They employ a Management Company (MC) to oversee the running of the block. The MC has just contacted her, saying the Directors’ Liability insurance is due […]

A massive knowledge gap among PRS landlords about energy performance certificates (EPCs) could undermine the government’s push to improve the energy efficiency of rented properties, a survey reveals. According to a new report from The Mortgage Works, a survey of 1,000 landlords found that 62% are unaware that holding an EPC is a legal obligation. […]

The Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has again denied a landlord exodus is underway and claims the private rented sector remains “broadly stable”. In answer to a written question, asking about the number of small landlords leaving the private rented sector, Mr Pennycook, claims “good landlords have nothing to fear”. To back up his claims, Mr […]

Houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs) in England are selling for significantly higher prices than standard homes, offering substantial profits for investors, research reveals. The findings from investment firm Excellion Capital, show that HMOs command an average sale price of £334,260, a 13.1% premium over the national average house price of £295,654. The higher value stems […]

It’s a story we’re hearing over and over again this month, and in the upcoming weeks, we expect no different. Enter the unexpected wealth boom transforming smart landlords’ fortunes and, you guessed it, the game is in getting out, not getting further in. For many landlords, including Nigel and Carol, who recently reached out to […]

Labour’s proposed amendment to the Renters’ Rights Bill has stirred controversy by placing the financial burden of pet-related property damage squarely on landlords. The changes, set to be debated in the House of Lords next week during the Bill’s Report stage, reverse earlier plans that allowed landlords to mandate pet insurance for tenants. Previously, the […]

Hi, I am looking for members of the Property118 forum to back me up on this. My agent has charged me for an oven deep clean, costing £98, at the end of a tenancy. This tenancy was with tenants who were never very happy during their stay. However, it was my understanding that this is […]

Portfolio landlords in the UK could see their mortgage costs soar by more than £23,000 over two years if they fail to refinance, research reveals. According to property finance firm Rangewell, those landlords who act swiftly could reduce their expenses by £8,563 over the same period due to improved mortgage conditions. Its analysis examined the […]

Generation Rent claims “it’s no problem if landlords want to leave the market,” despite the ongoing housing crisis. Chief executive, of the tenant group, Ben Twomey, made the bold claim during a Work and Pensions Committee session on local housing allowance rates. Previously, Property118 reported the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) spoke at the same […]

Fleet Mortgages has announced a series of rate reductions across its five-year fixed-rate products, alongside a new £1,000 cashback incentive for 55% loan-to-value (LTV) deals. Also, Aldermore has bolstered its buy to let proposition, focusing on houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) with improved affordability measures and tailored support. Fleet’s rates have been lowered across various […]

Mortgage brokers warn of property influencers promoting mortgage fraud that could land people with criminal records. A news story by This is Money, reveals influencers on social media are telling their followers they could become landlords of two properties while putting down a five per cent deposit on each. The method involves taking out a […]

The property is a small commercial let and the current lease ends in December 2025. The tenant wants to renew on the same terms. Other than a new rent amount and the dates involved, everything else is to stay the same. Originally went through a solicitor to agree the lease details, and both parties signed. […]

Scenario: I’ve had a tenant for 10 years with significant special needs. They are supported by a specialist housing association, to whom I send all paperwork for onward transmission to the tenant. 20 years ago, I put the name of the tenant AND the name of the special housing association on the AST. It would […]

Tenants have lost a legal challenge against a Labour-run council after they were served eviction notices to make way for homeless families. Earlier this year, Lambeth Council decided to reclaim over 160 homes on council estates. These properties, previously rented out through the private rented sector by Homes for Lambeth, a private company wholly owned […]

Over the past two years, a council’s pilot scheme targeting landlords has racked up £1.5 million in fines, The Times reveals. That’s a big rise from the £1 million recorded in the previous two years. The initiative by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), representing the region’s 10 councils, equips housing officers with enhanced authority […]

A council is urging residents, landlords and tenants to share their views on a proposed additional licensing scheme. The proposed Additional Licensing Scheme targets small Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), where three or more individuals from different households share facilities like kitchens and bathrooms. The scheme will, Woking Borough Council claims, raise living conditions in […]

A coalition of housing campaigners is appealing to England’s mayors to push for authority over rent controls for private tenants to help alleviate cost of living issues. The Homes for Us alliance, comprising 20 charities, trade unions and grassroots organisations, has written to regional mayors, urging them to press the government for rent control powers. […]