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EXCLUSIVE: More tenants failing reference checks as cost-of-living bites

EXCLUSIVE: More tenants failing reference checks as cost-of-living bites

News

The number of tenants passing referencing checks has dropped off drastically as the cost-of-living crisis bites. Rent guarantee firm Housing Hand reports that about 35% previously passed checks, but that the number is dropping and could now be as low as 25%. Another 40% will get

UPDATED: consider these things before you increase your tenant’s rent

UPDATED: consider these things before you increase your tenant’s rent

Information

With interest rates rising and this reflected in mortgage rates, landlords are being forced to contemplate rent increases. If you go down this road you need to be aware and follow the rules.

Powerless councils could make or break reforms, says Labour MP

Powerless councils could make or break reforms, says Labour MP

News

A Labour MP has called on the government to extend notice periods from two to four months to prevent landlords from unjustly evicting tenants. <figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type- " data-rt-type="" data-rt-align=""><div><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63bef2f3c329eff8e3

Licencing scheme off to weak start after only a third of landlords register

Licencing scheme off to weak start after only a third of landlords register

News

Only one-third of Oxfords private rental properties have been registered for its city-wide selective licensing scheme and could soon face steeper fees or a hefty fine. The scheme, which launched last September, has received more than 10,500 licence applications from the 3

Landlord pleads with council to consider HMO tenants as housing shortages bite

Landlord pleads with council to consider HMO tenants as housing shortages bite

News

An https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/braverman-under-pressure-to-reverse-outrageous-new-hmo-rules-for-asylum-seekers/" HMO landlord says desperate new tenants are moving in hours after the previous tenants leave due to a dearth of available properties. In he

'Despicable fraudster' gets eight-year ban for stealing landlords' deposits and rent

'Despicable fraudster' gets eight-year ban for stealing landlords' deposits and rent

News

A letting agent who ripped off dozens of landlord clients has been banned from being a company director for eight years. https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/letting-agent-who-stole-80000-from-dozens-of-landlords-admits-fraud/" Frank Smart , 46, the owner of Sma

UPDATED: consider these things before you increase your tenant's rent

UPDATED: consider these things before you increase your tenant's rent

News

With interest rates rising and this reflected in mortgage rates, landlords are being forced to contemplate rent increases. If you go down this road you need to be aware and follow the rules.As landlord you can't legally increase your rent whenever you like, or by any amount you see fit. You need

Landlords encouraged to sell this month as property prices rise by 0.2%

Landlords encouraged to sell this month as property prices rise by 0.2%

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In a market where interest rates are sky high, tax bills are extortionate and mortgage payments are higher than rents, coupled with a backlog of refurb costs and difficult tenant situations, landlords are rushing to cash in and sell their property portfolios. If you were a landl

REFORM: 'We need legislation that works with landlords, not against them'

REFORM: 'We need legislation that works with landlords, not against them'

News

With one in five households now renting, the private rented sector is an essential part of the housing market. As the government has reduced its housebuilding strategy for all local authorities from mandatory to advisory, with some councils scrapping targets all together, the ho

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Tenants in England now pay half their income in rent

Tenants in England now pay half their income in rent

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Rightmove says the average rent in the UK now eats up 50% of the net income of those living within the private rented sector where the monthly rent per property is now £1,526.

Housing quality in rented sector rising - but so's damp

Housing quality in rented sector rising - but so's damp

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News
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Numbers of non-decent homes and Category 1 hazards in the PRS have fallen in recent years, although problems with damp are on the rise.

Rent controls in Scotland 'favour landlords' says Generation Rent

Rent controls in Scotland 'favour landlords' says Generation Rent

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News
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The Scottish government’s proposed rent control formula is generous to landlords but would leave tenants vulnerable to unaffordable rent rises, says Generation Rent.

Big council urges public to report rogue HMO landlords

Big council urges public to report rogue HMO landlords

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News
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Croydon Council is calling on local residents to report concerns about unauthorised HMOs as it ramps up action against errant landlords.

Landlords 'bewildered and frustrated' by Scotland's latest rent controls

Landlords 'bewildered and frustrated' by Scotland's latest rent controls

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News
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There is still widespread frustration and bewilderment among landlords and agent that rent controls are the only policy intervention to help tackle affordability in Scotland

CLAIM: Investors 'moving out of residential into commercial'

CLAIM: Investors 'moving out of residential into commercial'

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News
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Investors have started buying up shops and offices in London rather than houses in order to turn a profit.

Midlands landlord to pay £20,000 after ignoring improvement notice

Midlands landlord to pay £20,000 after ignoring improvement notice

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News
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A landlord in Telford is to pay a huge fine after his local council took him to court over a substandard property he rented out within the town.

Landlords caught up in latest cladding remediation problems

Landlords caught up in latest cladding remediation problems

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News
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A Lib Dem MP has highlighted what he describes as an unfolding EWS1 form scandal after a fire safety consultant was sanctioned for unprofessional conduct.

How will landlords handle risky tenants when 'rent in advance' is banned?

How will landlords handle risky tenants when 'rent in advance' is banned?

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News
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One of the seismic changes for landlords and letting agents this year will be when the Renters’ Rights Bill bans taking rent in advance.

Online repairs service for self-managing landlords launched

Online repairs service for self-managing landlords launched

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News
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A new online property maintenance platform aims to help landlords stay on top of repairs, raise standards and attract and retain good tenants.

'Time to fight back against those who say every landlord's bad'

'Time to fight back against those who say every landlord's bad'

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News
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A leading landlord has slammed the pressure groups and campaigns who have been calling recently for landlords to be ‘eradicated’ from the housing market

Lawyers call for 'millions' more for renter representation during evictions

Lawyers call for 'millions' more for renter representation during evictions

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News
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The Law Society of England and Wales has called for a multi-million-pound investment in renters’ representation via legal aid following a rise in eviction numbers.

Landlords must help make rent control in Scotland workable, says committee

Landlords must help make rent control in Scotland workable, says committee

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Landlords in Scotland should be made to routinely provide data rather than simply respond to requests from local authorities, according to a report into the Housing Bill by the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee.

REPORT: Twice as many landlords selling homes than those buying

REPORT: Twice as many landlords selling homes than those buying

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News
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More landlords are selling their properties than those buying, new research has highlighted

'Lack of bailiffs lengthening evictions process for landlords'

'Lack of bailiffs lengthening evictions process for landlords'

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News
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Landlords are having to wait longer and longer to evict tenants particularly for those using London’s County Courts, says specialist firm Landlord Action, which blames the problems to a greater extent on a lack of bailiffs.

Landlords rush to sell before Xmas ahead of the Stamp Duty increase

Landlords rush to sell before Xmas ahead of the Stamp Duty increase

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It seems it’s one step forward, two steps back for landlords with the recent Budget introducing significant changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) that will impact property transactions from April 2025. The changes have caused panic amongst landlords, with a spike in numbers looking to sell before Ch

Will failure to present accurate documentation styme eviction under the Renters’ Rights Bill?

Will failure to present accurate documentation styme eviction under the Renters’ Rights Bill?

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It is likely that under the Renters’ Rights legislation due in 2025, tenancy documentation will be highly scrutinised before an eviction trial is allowed

OFFICIAL: Time taken for landlords to evict tenants increases

OFFICIAL: Time taken for landlords to evict tenants increases

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News
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The time taken for landlords to evict tenants has increased, latest Government figures show.

Landlords persuade Government to U-turn on pet rules in Jersey

Landlords persuade Government to U-turn on pet rules in Jersey

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News
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Jersey landlords have avoided new rules that would have made imposing blanket bans on keeping pets illegal.

Big Norfolk council reveals new selective licencing plans

Big Norfolk council reveals new selective licencing plans

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News
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Great Yarmouth is asking landlords for their views on extending selective licensing in the town.

Landlord reveals nightmare cannabis factory saga

Landlord reveals nightmare cannabis factory saga

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News
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I’m writing this article to highlight the pitfalls landlords can face, and to share what I’ve learned from my experience.

Shocking number of prospective tenants fail to be 'rent ready'

Shocking number of prospective tenants fail to be 'rent ready'

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News
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More than a third of tenants looking for a new home aren’t organised to move, despite the fiercely competitive rental market.

New deadline set for landlords to file digital tax returns

New deadline set for landlords to file digital tax returns

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Landlords earning more than £20,000 will have to use the Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self-Assessment by the end of the current Parliament.

Deposit-free offer sees boost in landlords' short-let bookings

Deposit-free offer sees boost in landlords' short-let bookings

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News
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PropTech firm Rentals United aims to disrupt the short-let market with a property damage protection service paid for by a small nightly fee.

BLOG: 'Don't punish Scottish landlords for doing the right thing'

BLOG: 'Don't punish Scottish landlords for doing the right thing'

Opinion
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Policymakers must act to right the wrongs that have been foisted upon the PRS in recent years, says Scottish landlord group.

Are your properties ready as the mercury falls?

Are your properties ready as the mercury falls?

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The clocks have gone back and there is a distinct chill in the air – and with the winter months almost upon us now is the perfect time to make sure your properties are prepared for a cold snap.

Landlords and agents slammed by BBC over 'bidding war' tactics

Landlords and agents slammed by BBC over 'bidding war' tactics

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News
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Many landlords and lettings agents are prepared to use a shortage of rental properties to their advantage, viewers of the BBC’s Morning Live show were told.

71% of tenants have 'no issues' paying their rent, reveals official data

71% of tenants have 'no issues' paying their rent, reveals official data

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New official data about the private rented sector reveals that it is in better shape than some tenants’ rights groups like to claim.

Renting reforms will 'break' local councils warn environmental health officers

Renting reforms will 'break' local councils warn environmental health officers

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The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has warned that the Renters’ Rights Bill will place a huge enforcement burden on already stretched local councils.

What does it take to be a successful landlord in the new regime? with Suzanne Smith

What does it take to be a successful landlord in the new regime? with Suzanne Smith

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Podcast
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We talk to lawyer turned self-managing landlord, Suzanne Smith, founder of The Independent Landlord.blog and co-host of a weekly podcast called Good Landlording.

Council says £840 licencing scheme has seen 'incredible improvement'

Council says £840 licencing scheme has seen 'incredible improvement'

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Nottinghamshire local authority Gedling Council is relaunching selective licensing in its Netherfield ward in the new year after seeing “incredible improvements” to living standards.

Government promises to tackle business rates anomalies

Government promises to tackle business rates anomalies

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News
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Following years of lobbying, Labour has promised to act on what is generally agreed is an unfair UK business rates system

Labour to 'go further' than Tories with holiday lets regulation

Labour to 'go further' than Tories with holiday lets regulation

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News
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Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has hinted heavily that the government will go further than the Tories in its bid to regulate holiday lets.

Labour's Manchester mayor urges landlords not to quit sector

Labour's Manchester mayor urges landlords not to quit sector

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Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has confirmed he doesn’t want landlords to exit the market, in marked contrast to comments made by his national Labour colleagues in Parliament.