Converting commercial buildings to residential use would seem an ideal solution to a housing shortage, especially with and a glut of underused commercial buildings, but how easy is it? The planning regulation changes have made it easier to convert commercial buildings to residen
The new How to Rent guide due to come out today (17th March) has been delayed for a week, according to industry sources. The new guide forms part of the prescribed information that landlords in England must issue at the start of any new tenancy or renewa
John Lewiss build-to-rent strategy appears to be stalling amid local opposition to its plans for large developments in West Ealing and Bromley. The retailer has just announced pre-tax losses of �234 million as sales dipped 2% last year, making it even more vital to find new
Landlords, estate agents and surveyors have all given yesterdays Budget an unqualified thumbs down after the Chancellor chose to focus on economic growth but ignore several problem threatening to engulf the housing market. All have said the budget was disappointing and a m
Despite new research showing that one in four people plan to invest in property to generate retirement income, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's scrapping of the 'lifetime pension fund limit' could dampen demand for BTL property, says Cornerstone Tax. The impact of inflation on savings a
Shelter has slammed the Chancellor for failing to raise Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates in his spring Budget. The homeless charity says Jeremy Hunt could have put an end to spiralling homelessness, but instead, he has stuck his head in the sand. Yet again we
Sunday Times economics editor David Smith has expressed sympathy for private landlords who he believes feel bruised by increasing regulation in the sector. He says higher mortgage rates might be the straw that breaks the camels back for many, with some alrea
First time buyers remain better off owning than renting an equivalent home, Lloyds Bank says, but the gap is narrowing. Its latest Owning vs Renting Review reveals that owning a first home now costs �971 a month, four percent less than renting at �1,013.
The government failed to offer long-term support for energy efficiency improvements or increase the Local Housing Allowance in a Budget which instead focused on getting the country back to work. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt extended support for energy bills at current levels of �2,50
There is confusion around whether Purpose-Built Student Accommodation will be exempt from changes in the Renters’ Rights Bill.
Landlords in Barnet who are refused permission for change of use to an HMO can challenge the decision through a new online portal.
The Bank of England has resisted the temptation to cut interest rates, which remain at 5%.
Legislation in Scotland has done little to improve affordability in the PRS, according to new research.
Times are hard for tenants and landlords alike and this coming winter is causing a worry for many. Almost a quarter of households are already in energy arrears and 9 out of 10 households are worried about increasing energy bills. With heating being the largest proportion of the average energy bill,
Landlords should not be so quick to lay the blame on tenants for problems and instead use new tools to tackle issues.
Average UK private rents increased by 8.4% in the 12 months to August, down from 8.6% in the 12 months to July.
Landlords who use limited company structures are incorporating a much larger proportion of their portfolios to mitigate tax changes.
Kind-hearted mydeposits customers have donated more than £66,000 of interest earned on their deposits to the Centrepoint charity.
The Law Commission is reviewing Part 2 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (LTA) to “ensure that it works for today’s commercial leasehold market.”
TV star and Landlord Action founder Paul Shamplina has been named seminar speaker of the year, fighting off competition from 38 other candidates.
Home energy installation company BOXT aims to revolutionise the way heating systems are installed in private rented homes.
Landlords and agents have slammed the Scottish government’s decision to increase the Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS) under Land and Buildings Transaction Tax from 6% to 8%.
Proposed changes to Energy Performance of Buildings regulations mean private landlords in England and Wales would have to get EPCs more frequently.
Landlords buying up property portfolios have helped non-residential property sales reach a new high this year as investors seek to capitalise on the existing tax rate, ahead of stamp duty changes.
Wealthy Chinese students are paying £66 a week or 42% more in rent than their British counterparts, according to the latest StuRents annual report.
A property expert has voiced concerns that councils won’t have the resources to implement the government’s new high street auctions initiative.
A landlord in London has been ordered to repay three of his tenants £10,538 after they applied successfully for a rent repayment order (RRO).
Damp and mould can affect your rental properties at any time of year; but issues are much more likely to occur in colder months.
Mortgage rates are likely to drop even further before the end of the year, providing some much-needed festive cheer for landlords.
Private renters are increasingly staying for longer in their homes, contrary to tenant groups’ argument that they face ‘insecurity of tenure’.
A rogue landlord who turned her three-bedroom bungalow into a 15-room unlicensed HMO where tenants slept on camp beds in windowless rooms has been handed a £12,000 fine.
Landlords have been advised not to let their tenants deck the halls with flammable holly during the festive season.
The government has set out new targets to fix unsafe buildings in England as part of its Remediation Acceleration Plan.
Gloucester Council is to apply for an Article 4 Direction in a bid to curb the number of shared houses in the city.
The Renters’ Rights Bill will add extra costs for tenants as well as landlords, and it will cause landlords to leave the private rented sector
Property groups have called on the Scottish government to focus on building homes rather than rent controls in a bid to address the country’s housing crisis.
Civil legal aid fees for eviction cases and immigration are to receive a £20 million boost, marking the first increase since 1996.
The Government should further consider its plans to mandate open-ended tenancies as a legal requirement, as set out in the Renters’ Rights Bill going through parliament.
A new tech launch allows landlords to generate and sell electricity from rooftop solar panels either to their tenants or back to the grid without going through the main meter.
Thousands of landlords are feeling the pinch as rising costs, talk of rent caps, and upcoming EPC regulations add pressure to an already challenging rental market.
A leading letting agent has warned that a new Airbnb initiative allowing tenants to rent out their homes could put landlords at risk.
Buy-to-let is a long-term investment, often requiring 15+ years to maximise returns. To ensure success over time, landlords should take these key steps to protect their rental business.
The Government has promised to fix significant glitches that have been reported within its e-VISAs system, which is used by landlords and letting agents to verify the Right to Rent status of prospective tenants.
