Date

Library

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Leading landlord warns over property portal proposals

Leading landlord warns over property portal proposals

News

One of the key provisions of the Renters (Reform) Bill was the provision of a portal to register all landlords. In effect a licencing system for every landlord in England and Wales and something Labour has said it would like to resurrect if it wins the General Election.

£45 billion! Report champions economic contribution of landlords

£45 billion! Report champions economic contribution of landlords

News

A report published today attempts to counter the ‘anti-landlord’ rhetoric that has gathered pace in the UK recently by revealing that the private rented sector supports some 390,000 jobs and makes a £45 billion contribution to its economy.

Short-lets licencing in Scotland has been 'disastrous' says Tory MSP

Short-lets licencing in Scotland has been 'disastrous' says Tory MSP

News

A Conservative MSP has slammed Scotland’s short lets licensing scheme for its negative impact on thousands of businesses.

FIVE housing ministers to quit, but which one nailed the job?

FIVE housing ministers to quit, but which one nailed the job?

News

Five former housing ministers are among the 77 Conservative MPs standing down at the next election, leaving behind a mixed legacy.

Rugby star launches letting agency for landlords

Rugby star launches letting agency for landlords

News

Welsh rugby star Gareth Davies is trying his hand at a career in lettings as he considers life after playing for the national team.

COMMENT: What has gone wrong, when a typical buy-to-let landlord makes a loss?

COMMENT: What has gone wrong, when a typical buy-to-let landlord makes a loss?

News

Tom Entwistle asks the question, what’s gone wrong with the buy-to-let market, why has government policy been so much against it?

Social tenants pay £847 a month less in rent than private ones

Social tenants pay £847 a month less in rent than private ones

News

Social rents are 64% more affordable than private rents, with social tenants in England paying about £828 less each month than private tenants, according to new analysis by Shelter.

John Lewis tells next Government to take lead on build-to-rent

John Lewis tells next Government to take lead on build-to-rent

News

John Lewis has urged future governments to develop a clear national strategy around the need for build-to-rent developments.

Landlord fined for squeezing tenants into illegal HMO

Landlord fined for squeezing tenants into illegal HMO

News

A rogue landlord has been ordered to pay more than £23,000 after he admitted operating an unlicensed and unsafe HMO.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

NEW: Councillors vote through selective licensing and higher fees

NEW: Councillors vote through selective licensing and higher fees

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Burnley councillors have recommended that its three selective licensing schemes covering some 2,000 homes be extended for another five years following a three-month-long consultation. The schemes in Burnley Wood and Healey Wood, along with the Leyland Road area of the town, were

NEW: Royal family make £1.4m a year from holiday lets

NEW: Royal family make £1.4m a year from holiday lets

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Royal Family could be raking in £118,775 each month from their holiday let portfolio, adding up to a lucrative annual rental income of more than £1.4 million.

3,000 landlords are under 21 years old, reveals finance data

3,000 landlords are under 21 years old, reveals finance data

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Gen Z are rushing to invest in buy-to-let property, with more than 3,000 buy-to-let landlords in the UK now under the age of 21.

Landlord given police caution after assaulting tenant over 'arrears'

Landlord given police caution after assaulting tenant over 'arrears'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A landlord who reportedly attacked a tenant after he complained about serious disrepairs has been handed a police caution.

Rent controls reduce supply and housing quality, says new report

Rent controls reduce supply and housing quality, says new report

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A new report that evaluates the dozens of rent control schemes implemented over the past 60 years across the world has concluded that overall they are harmful to rental homes supply.

COMMENT: Did you know that tenants can claim compensation over disrepair?

COMMENT: Did you know that tenants can claim compensation over disrepair?

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Tenants can claim compensation from their landlord for repairs that are not done in a reasonable time; repairs that are of bad quality and do not fix things

EXPERT: 'Now is the time to convert from commercial to residential'

EXPERT: 'Now is the time to convert from commercial to residential'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

There’s never been a better time for landlords to convert a commercial building to residential use, according to a leading architect.

'Dont be afraid of the future' Zoopla boss tells landlords

'Dont be afraid of the future' Zoopla boss tells landlords

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Zoopla boss Richard Donnell has urged landlords and investors to steer clear of misinformation about the PRS and focus on the positives.

Landlord's rental properties seized in UK regulation 'first'

Landlord's rental properties seized in UK regulation 'first'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A rogue landlord who persistently failed to license several rented properties has had them seized by Merton Council in one of the first actions of its kind in the country.

Summer retainer fees charged to students by landlords are 'unlawful'

Summer retainer fees charged to students by landlords are 'unlawful'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Rent Smart Wales is challenging letting agents and landlords over the widespread practice of charging student tenants summer retainer fees which it claims are unlawful under Welsh legislation. It says a retainer is an additional fee which is unlawful under the Renting Home

What is the difference: Lease, Licence or Tenancy-at-Will?

What is the difference: Lease, Licence or Tenancy-at-Will?

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Owners (landlords) of commercial (business) premises and sometimes residential premises want to let to a tenant on a short term basis, but are fearful of creating a long-term arrangement such that the tenant cannot be removed if the landlord wants it.Basically, there are three ways to do that whi

As the regulations mount up, should landlords self-manage or not?

As the regulations mount up, should landlords self-manage or not?

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

When it comes to owning a buy-to� let property, the decision as to whether to use an agent or not is a big one. It is estimated that more than half of landlords self-manage their rental properties, believing it to be the best way to maintain control over who lives there and how

Commercial property offers three times greater yield than residential, says research

Commercial property offers three times greater yield than residential, says research

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Commercial investments produce an average yield of 10.7% while residential properties offer just 3.7%, new research has claimed. Scotland is home to the highest commercial yield at 20.4%, along with the South West (13.7%), while Scotland is also where investors can find the high

Yes minister, there’s already a ‘lifetime deposit’ to offer tenants

Yes minister, there’s already a ‘lifetime deposit’ to offer tenants

Opinion
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

While the cost of renting continues to increase across the UK, the Government continues to grapple with the issue of making renting more accessible and secure, especially for

Bold action needed to save the PRS

Bold action needed to save the PRS

Opinion
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Covid-19 restrictions are easing, so now is the time to take decisive action to support la

What are 'Deemed Contracts' and how do they affect Landlords?

What are 'Deemed Contracts' and how do they affect Landlords?

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Especially at a time like this, in the middle of a pandemic, when good commercial tenants are hard to find, landlords dread the time when a lease comes to an end, or their tenant goes into administration. When a commercial landlord loses a tenant, not only do they lose regular r

Government to spend �13 million helping prison leavers rent from private landlords

Government to spend �13 million helping prison leavers rent from private landlords

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The government is pouring �13m into a homelessness reduction initiative to fund long-term accommodation for prison leavers in the private rented sector. More than 140 councils across England will share out the cash to pay for landlord incentives and loans for rent deposits, spe

ANALYSIS: Are heat pumps a viable option for rental properties?

ANALYSIS: Are heat pumps a viable option for rental properties?

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

We know that households across the UK will need to adopt a low carbon alternative to traditional heating solutions such as oil, gas, coal or wood burning in the future. Air source or geothermal ground source heat pumps are being touted as just such an alternative to help the UK

A legal case that took vacant possession a step too far'�

A legal case that took vacant possession a step too far'�

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

During these difficult times many tenants have found themselves in the position of wanting to divest themselves of surplus property, to reduce rental commitments by ending a lease agreement before it full term has expired. Perhaps the only way of doing this from the tenants p

BREAKING: Thousands of landlords released from 'cladding hell' after EWS1 forms scrapped

BREAKING: Thousands of landlords released from 'cladding hell' after EWS1 forms scrapped

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords who own leasehold properties in low and medium-rise apartment blocks affected by the cladding scandal will no longer have to supply an EWS1 form when selling or remortgaging their properties, the government has announced. Thousands of landlords who have been unable to

BREAKING: Housing benefit fraud and overpayments now 'rife' says National Audit Office

BREAKING: Housing benefit fraud and overpayments now 'rife' says National Audit Office

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Spiralling fraud and overpayments in the benefits system now stand at the highest rate ever recorded, admits the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), as it identifies housing payments as an area of concern. Housing benefit fraud is particularly rife after the pandemic resulted

Private rented properties cost on average �7,600 to upgrade to EPC Band C - official

Private rented properties cost on average �7,600 to upgrade to EPC Band C - official

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The private rented sector wont meet new energy efficiency targets unless the government stumps up more cash for any replacement to the Green Homes Grant, it has been claimed. Latest https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/english-housing-survey-2019-to-2020-private-

LATEST: Another council brings in big fines for landlords who ignore electrical safety standards

LATEST: Another council brings in big fines for landlords who ignore electrical safety standards

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Bury Council in Manchester has adopted new measures to fine landlords up to �30,000 if their properties dont meet the recently-introduced electrical safety standards. Although the standards came into force in June 2020, they had not been adopted and implemented by the counci

Landlord given suspended sentence over property fires at notorious property

Landlord given suspended sentence over property fires at notorious property

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A commercial landlord whose building was damaged by two fires has been handed an 18-month suspended prison sentence, it has been reported. Wayne Braund, 52, owner of the former Strachan and Henshaw building in Foundry Lane, Bristol (pictured), admitted six fire safety breaches i

'Get rich slow': Landlord who went from one to 430 properties in 13 years

'Get rich slow': Landlord who went from one to 430 properties in 13 years

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

GUIDE: What responsibilities do landlords have for fire door safety?

GUIDE: What responsibilities do landlords have for fire door safety?

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

They may look the same but there is a big difference between a standard door and fire door.A fire door is an engineered safety device, designed to save lives and protect property. Unfortunately, it is only once a fire has broken out that we see the dangers of poorly-installed and maintained fire...

Rod Turner: My journey from doing up grotty flats to a major landlord portfolio

Rod Turner: My journey from doing up grotty flats to a major landlord portfolio

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Property investor Rod Turner didnt find the thought of having tenants and being a landlord very appealing, but the turning point came in 2014 when he realised the London market wasnt proving positive for developments and that he needed to hold onto properties long term. As

EVICTIONS LATEST: EPC and gas safety certificates are NOT needed if AST began prior to October 1st, 2015

EVICTIONS LATEST: EPC and gas safety certificates are NOT needed if AST began prior to October 1st, 2015

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Court of Appeal has ruled that landlords are able to evict a tenant whose Assured Shorthold Tenancy commenced before 1st October 2015 even if the prescribed paperwork such an EPC or gas safety certificate have not been served. Most solicitors and landlords h

Tragic death of tenant in house fire is wake-up call to landlords

Tragic death of tenant in house fire is wake-up call to landlords

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The tragic death in a house fire of a tenant who was undergoing daily care for complex health conditions, has highlighted the need for landlords to comply with fire regulations. LandlordZONE insurance partner, https://hamiltonfraser.co.uk/landlordzone-landlord-insuranc

Can I invest in commercial property through my pension?

Can I invest in commercial property through my pension?

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Using a SIPP to invest in commercial property is perfectly possible and many business owners include their business premises in their pension pot, say Tom Entwistle.</h4>The Self-invested Personal Pension (SIPP) rules are quite complex so you need professional advice before embark

Number of landlords asking for six months rent in advance is rising, claims BBC

Number of landlords asking for six months rent in advance is rising, claims BBC

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A Radio 5 podcast claims that growing numbers of landlords are asking tenants with a lack of renting history or poor credit score to stump up six months rent in advance, exacerbated by the climate of Covid-hit incomes. While the Tenant Fees Act bans most letting fees and caps

Harrow dismisses landlord objections and proceeds with selective licensing

Harrow dismisses landlord objections and proceeds with selective licensing

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Harrow council has renewed its selective licensing scheme in a key ward despite opposition from landlords and the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA). Under the scheme, all private rented properties in the London boroughs Wealdstone ward will have to pay �580 f

Buying a rental property with a sitting tenant - what do I need to know?

Buying a rental property with a sitting tenant - what do I need to know?

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

If you buy a rental property with a tenant in place, a sitting tenant�, there are some important issues you need to address.</h4>When a landlord decides to sell a rental property, they have two options: give notice to the tenant and obtain vacant possession before selling, or

Three steps to maximising return on investment!

Three steps to maximising return on investment!

Opinion
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords who invest in Buy to Let properties will be keen to maximise the return on their investments (sometimes referred to as rental yield). But how can you best achieve th