Page 97 – Property118
Photo of Sophie Lang with the words Renters Right Bill crushes student landlords

Renters’ Rights Bill will leave students worse off warns industry expert

22nd May 2025

As more student landlords exit the market, the Renters’ Rights Bill risks leaving students worse off, warns a leading industry figure. In an exclusive video interview with Property118, ARLA Propertymark regional executive for Cornwall, Sophie Lang, warns more student landlords are leaving the market than ever before. Sophie also explains that it’s unfair for purpose-built […]

A person at a laptop with the words AI projecting out of the screen

LendlordAI launched to help boost landlord investment decisions

22nd May 2025

A platform dedicated to property investment and finance has introduced LendlordAI, an innovative suite of artificial intelligence tools crafted to assist landlords and investors. The technology from Lendlord is accessible to all registered users and it streamlines tasks from identifying promising deals to overseeing property portfolios. The AI-driven features aim to save time and enhance […]

Scottish flag, model house and money bag

Scottish property taxes soar to £699.1m

22nd May 2025

Scotland’s property taxes have surged to £699.1 million in the year ending April 2025, marking an 18.6% increase from the previous period. That’s according to DJ Alexander, the lettings and estate agency, who say the spike has been driven by the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT). That’s added £109.4 million to Scottish government coffers […]

Street of houses in London

London’s PRS stabilises as supply grows and tenant competition eases

22nd May 2025

London’s rental market is showing signs of stabilisation, with increased property supply and reduced competition among tenants, according to Foxtons. Its latest data for April 2025 highlight a 5% month-on-month surge in new listings, contributing to a 9% year-to-date increase compared to 2024. This growth in available properties to rent has alleviated concerns about landlord […]

small wooden house with a picture of a soaring rocket on a yellow background, Office for National Statistics

Average rents rocket by 7.4% to £1,335 per month – ONS

22nd May 2025

Rents grew by 7.4% to reach £1,335 in the 12 months to April 2025, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) says. This marks a slight slowdown from the 7.7% growth recorded in the year to March 2025. In England, the North East experienced the steepest rental inflation at 9.4%, while Yorkshire and The Humber saw […]

A couple sitting on a sofa together with a house in a bubble and Spare room logo

Renters struggle with homeownership dreams amid rising costs

22nd May 2025

A quarter (25%) of renters under 30 are considering moving back in with their parents to save money so they can buy a house – but this ambition to buy fades with age, a survey reveals. According to SpareRoom, there are mounting challenges facing renters in achieving homeownership. Its survey of 6,524 renters, found that […]

A vape with a background of fire and smoke and text saying invalid

Fires from disposable vapes could impact landlord insurance claims

21st May 2025

Warnings over the dangers of incorrectly throwing away disposable vapes could invalidate home insurance. But what does this mean for landlord insurance? Disposable vapes contain lithium batteries, which pose a serious fire risk. Previously, a property expert told Property118 about an incident where one landlord’s house was destroyed after a tenant had a serious issue […]

Person with eviction notices floating above their hands and Generation Rent logo

Generation Rent demands eviction records and rent data in landlord database

21st May 2025

Generation Rent is calling for the new private rented sector database to include records of any previous eviction notices issued by landlords. The tenant group claims the database should include when a landlord has served a Section 8 eviction notice, which Generation Rent argues could be open to exploitation. Under the Renters’ Rights Bill, all […]

City of London with a pig and an arrow pointing down, London Councils text.

London boroughs face £264m council housing budget crisis

21st May 2025

London’s local authorities say they are facing a severe financial challenge, with a new report projecting a £264 million reduction in council housing budgets over the next three years. London Councils says there is growing pressure on boroughs as management costs for social housing soar while revenue lags. It has published a report, ‘Crunch Point […]

Wooden houses around a percentage sign and text saying What's New

BTL lenders offer new mortgage options and rate cuts

21st May 2025

Foundation Home Loans, MT Finance and Molo have announced enhancements designed to meet the evolving demands of landlords and intermediaries, by introducing new products, flexible criteria and competitive rate reductions. Foundation has expanded its Property Plus range to include short-term lets (STL), such as properties listed on Airbnb or used by contractors and remote workers. […]

Sold sign with houses in the background

Right-to-Buy sales set to reach highest level in 20 years

21st May 2025

The number of council homes being sold under the Right-to-Buy scheme is set to hit its highest level in two decades. More than 18,500 homes are expected to be sold off in 2025/26, the highest figure since 2005, according to analysis by the i newspaper. The Local Government Association has warned that this “mass sell-off […]

Elizabeth Line train and green arrow pointing updates from smoke

Elizabeth Line sparks soaring rents across London and beyond

21st May 2025

Since the Elizabeth Line opened in May 2022, the cost of renting homes near its stations has rocketed, with an average increase of 31% over three years, Goodlord says. Its analysis of more than 80,000 tenancies across 32 stations highlights how the new rail link has transformed the rental landscape in London and surrounding areas, […]

3 small Model houses sitting on a calculator, an arrow pointing right and left

House prices stagnate as landlords selling fuels surging property supply

21st May 2025

The UK housing market is experiencing a slowdown in price growth despite a brighter interest rate outlook, as a surge in available properties gives buyers the upper hand. That’s according to property consultancy Knight Frank, which says part of the supply imbalance is due to landlords selling to avoid the Renters’ Rights Bill. It has […]

A commercial high-rise property sitting on a clipboard with a person pointing towards it and a blue question mark sign

Should we reinvest in commercial property?

21st May 2025

Hello, we need some advice on commercial investment, please. We are in the process of selling a long-held residential property and would appreciate the guidance of someone who knows the ins and outs of commercial property. We are based in North Hampshire and we have seen advertised industrial units on an established local industrial estate […]

Courtroom justice hammer, on court papers and a green tick inside a box

Landlord thwarts £17,000 tenant rent repayment claim

20th May 2025

A £17,000 rent repayment claim against a private landlord has been overturned, thanks to the intervention of Landlord Licensing & Defence. The case, initiated by Justice for Tenants, alleged that the landlord failed to secure a necessary selective licence for the property. However, the claim unravelled before it could proceed to a Tribunal, marking a […]

A man sitting at a laptop, looking confused and a green question mark

What are the MCOL pre-action protocols for rent arrears?

20th May 2025

S21 accelerated proceedings are in hand, and the tenant is refusing to move. The council have offered him alternative accommodation options both of which he has refused. Council have told him the financial/legal implications if he stays until the bailiffs arrive. I am now considering Moneyclaim online service (MCOL) as I know his current address […]

Gold percentage and scissors

Landbay and Aldermore cut BTL mortgage rates for landlords

20th May 2025

Specialist lenders Landbay and Aldermore have announced reductions in their buy to let mortgage rates, boosting affordability for both new and existing investors. The moves come amid favourable market conditions, including lower swap rates and the recent Bank of England base rate cut. Landbay has lowered rates across its entire BTL range, with reductions of […]

Man scratching his head while holding a laptop with a turquoise background

Tenants need a new source for housing advice to tackle landlords

20th May 2025

There’s a big gap in tenants’ understanding of their legal protections when facing poor housing conditions, research reveals. According to the TDS Charitable Foundation, many renters across England are unaware of how to address issues with landlords or letting agents. And, it claims, the Renters’ Rights Bill will be ineffective if tenants don’t know where […]

Fairies, a mystical night sky with the moon in the background

Some people believe in fairies but can we afford fantasy in government?

20th May 2025

If you are not competent, or perhaps if you are dishonest or delusional, then you may not realise that you have to face the consequences of your actions. That in the end, you must face the facts of life, but if you are in a ministerial position, other people really do have to face the […]

A homeless person sitting down holding a piece of cardboard with a Scottish flag

Propertymark warns against rent caps as Scotland’s housing crisis worsens

20th May 2025

An industry body is calling for action to tackle Scotland’s housing crisis. Propertymark is warning the Scottish government not to rely on rent controls and instead focus on investment in the private rented sector. The news comes after Shelter Scotland reveal Scotland’s housing emergency is impacting 2.3 million adults. More than four in ten adults […]

A person with a safety vest on with a safety orange helmet working on a smart meter and the word cancelled

Edinburgh landlord struggles with RTS switch off delays

20th May 2025

A retired Edinburgh schoolteacher is grappling with repeated setbacks in upgrading a soon-to-be obsolete meter at his rental property, raising concerns that his tenants may lose access to heating and hot water. The Daily Record says that David Bateman, an 80-year-old landlord from Leith, has faced five failed attempts to install a smart meter to […]