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.

NEW: Tenant arrears drop to lowest level in five years as voids reduce too

NEW: Tenant arrears drop to lowest level in five years as voids reduce too

News

The number of landlords whose tenants are in rent arrears has fallen to its lowest level since 2017, according to new research from Paragon Bank. Its poll of more than 750 landlords found that less than one third (32%) of landlords have had at least one tenant in arrears during

Dangers of rent-to-rent highlighted by landlord's �11k rent repayment order

Dangers of rent-to-rent highlighted by landlord's �11k rent repayment order

News

A rent-to-rent landlord operating a flat in central London has been ordered to pay rent back to his tenants totalling just over �11,000 via a rent repayment order or RRO. The case highlights the challenges faced by rent-to-rent agreements, as the case involved a freeholder, lea

Tenants face 'bleak future' unless landlords are helped with rising mortgage costs

Tenants face 'bleak future' unless landlords are helped with rising mortgage costs

News

Ballooning mortgage costs will make an already tight rental market even harder for tenants seeking affordable homes to let, landlords have warned. Their representative body the NRLA has published research that shows nearly two-thirds of landlords, based on

LATEST: Official 'property portal' being tested by landlords prior to launch

LATEST: Official 'property portal' being tested by landlords prior to launch

News

Private landlords and agents have started helping the government to test its impending property portal. <figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type- " data-rt-type="" data-rt-align=""><div><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63bef2f3c329eff8e3a4af45/64cb995528252df1fde666e6_dehenna

Beware fake payslips when referencing tenants, landlords told

Beware fake payslips when referencing tenants, landlords told

News

Half of all fraudulent tenancy applications involve fake or doctored pay slips, according to rent-tech platform Goodlord, which has warned landlords to be on their guard. Its anaylsis of more than 300,000 tenancy applications last year found that while only one in

LATEST: Trading Standards issues new guidance for landlords on ground rents

LATEST: Trading Standards issues new guidance for landlords on ground rents

News

Trading Standards has released new guidance to help landlords and leaseholders get to grips with the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act. The law https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/advice-are-you-ready-for-the-leasehold-reform-act-going-live-on-30th-june/" target="_

Landlord wins landmark knotweed compensation case in Court of Appeal

Landlord wins landmark knotweed compensation case in Court of Appeal

News

A landlord in Wales has set a cat among the legal pigeons after winning a landlord Japanese knotweed compensation case in the Court of Appeal. Its three judges have agreed that Marc Davies, 38, must be paid just shy of �5,000 by his local authority Bridgend council which, it wa

Divorcing landlords sell �15m portfolio after long legal battle

Divorcing landlords sell �15m portfolio after long legal battle

News

A property estate worth �15m has been sold off as part of a complex court case involving a pair of divorcing professional landlords. The portfolio of 25 buildings was spread across four London boroughs and included both residential and commercial properties. The portfolio inclu

Concern over plan for single ombudsman covering whole of housing market

Concern over plan for single ombudsman covering whole of housing market

News

Estate agents have criticised the Governments plans to usher in a single ombudsman for the property industry, claiming it will have unintended consequences. Under the plans, the existing redress schemes for estate agents and their customers will be replaced by an overarching

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

How will Rachel Reeves' Budget affect property investors and landlords?

How will Rachel Reeves' Budget affect property investors and landlords?

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Budget changes present businesses including landlords and letting agents with some real stiff challenges in 2025

Live-in landlord mocked for seeking 'part-time' tenant

Live-in landlord mocked for seeking 'part-time' tenant

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Social media users have ridiculed a landlord for advertising an expensive room - but asking would-be tenants to stay out until after 8.30pm.

Rising rents fall back from record high

Rising rents fall back from record high

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Average rent in England increased 9.2% to £1,369 in the 12 months to December - slightly down on the previous record-high annual growth.

Pensioner landlords demanded to take over tenant's room

Pensioner landlords demanded to take over tenant's room

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A landlord couple who moved into their tenant’s spare bedroom while she was still living there have been fined.

MPs send amended Renters' Rights Bill to the Lords

MPs send amended Renters' Rights Bill to the Lords

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Bill has moved another step closer to becoming law, with MPs agreeing amendments that include preventing landlords from taking more than one month’s rent.

January's tax deadline approaches, thoughts turn to this annual task

January's tax deadline approaches, thoughts turn to this annual task

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Keeping on top of your accounts month by month makes the annual self-assessment tax return task easier and makes sure you are in control of your business

The top six misconceptions about limited company buy to let mortgages

The top six misconceptions about limited company buy to let mortgages

Sponsored
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Limited Company buy to let mortgages are increasingly popular, however there are still many myths that need debunking.

Landlords hit with former owners' massive council tax bills

Landlords hit with former owners' massive council tax bills

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords in Kent are inheriting huge council tax bills racked up by the previous owners when buying empty properties.

Portfolio landlords boost share of incorporated properties

Portfolio landlords boost share of incorporated properties

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The proportion of incorporated property held in portfolios of landlords who use limited companies has more than doubled since Q1 2020.

Safety Standards for Blinds and Curtains

Safety Standards for Blinds and Curtains

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords and letting agents should by now be conversant with the 2014 regulations on blinds and curtains and the measures necessary to prevent accidents with children. It is particularly important to ensure that blinds and curtains supplied in rental properties meet these regulations, otherwise,

Repair Reporting Issues and Section 21

Repair Reporting Issues and Section 21

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Changes to the law on Section 21 and in particular how landlords deal with reported repair issues is now of crucial importance if section 21 claims for possession are to be successful. Careful pre-planning is now essential at the time of setting-up Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST).The Section 21

Assessing Covenant Strength

Assessing Covenant Strength

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Assuming a commercial property is let already, the proposition an income-producing investment, the investor would be buying the building/property, not the tenant's business. Since the purchase price is geared to the passing and reversionary rent, it is normal to assess the tenant's ability to per

Holding or Pre-Contract Deposits

Holding or Pre-Contract Deposits

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

I have always found the holding deposit (an initial retainer paid to the landlord or agent to reserve a tenancy) is a very useful device to commit the tenant to your letting. But is it legal to withhold the advance deposit you take from a prospective tenant if they back out?In my experience a pro

Tenancy Deposit Documentation

Tenancy Deposit Documentation

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

What do I need to do when I protect my tenant/s deposit? If you take a deposit from your tenant/s you MUST protect the deposit and serve your tenants with the correct documentation within 30 days or face having to pay a fine and the prospect that you cannot use the s21 evict

ITZA revisited

ITZA revisited

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

I am revisiting ITZA in the light of an experience I am enduring concerning some tenants that are inexperienced of rent review. Tenant contention is that an ITZA adopted/agreed for a previous review should be used again for a current review.Unless the ITZA is documented in a binding agreement, th

Dispute Resolution Procedure at Rent Review - Calderbank offer

Dispute Resolution Procedure at Rent Review - Calderbank offer

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Basically, what is known as a Calderbank offer is a 'without prejudice;' offer to settle a dispute to avoid the extra costs and associated risks of a full referral.From Calderbank v Calderbank [1976] and originally confined mainly to family property disputes, an offer of settlement made before th

Should I set up a company to pay less tax?

Should I set up a company to pay less tax?

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

According to research from the NLA, 4 in 10 landlords are either seriously considering forming a limited company or looking into the option in the coming months.Can you - and more importantly should you - set up a company to pay less tax? Heres my complete guide on becoming incorporated.<stron

What heating system for Rental Property?

What heating system for Rental Property?

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

What heating system should you use in your rental property? Is there a heating system that could solve landlords condensation claims problems?Its one of the most important questions to ask when letting a property for the first time. Whatever system you choose carries implications for the ef

Warnings about Gumtree advertised letting scams

Warnings about Gumtree advertised letting scams

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) and the National Landlords Association (NLA) have called on the classified online listings service Gumtree to issue clear guidance over possible scams involving bogus letting scams.The warning has been issued to Gumtree by the NLA and the RLA after f

Dispute Resolution Procedure at Rent Review

Dispute Resolution Procedure at Rent Review

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

At rent review, the phrase 'going to arbitration' is often bandied about during negotiations as a means for one party to get its own way. Whether or not the parties can agree the rent without involving the dispute resolution procedure, it is common for a represented or experienced party to inv

Government releases 'How to Rent'� guide

Government releases 'How to Rent'� guide

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

From the 1st of October 2015 it became a statutory requirement that landlords issue all new tenants after that date with the latest edition of a Government publication The How to Rent Guide�, along with a current Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and a current Gas Safety

Doing Right to Rent - Immigration Checks

Doing Right to Rent - Immigration Checks

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

From 1st February 2016 all new tenants in England must be given Right-to-Rent (Immigration) Checks to determine their "right-to-rent" or "right-to-reside" in the country, BEFORE they can be given a tenancy. Landlords or letting agents must do the checks - letting agents where the

Tax Deductible Letting Expenses

Tax Deductible Letting Expenses

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

This is a Guide to Tax Deductible Letting Expenses for Landlords under the new tax rules following the Summer Budget 2015. These may be subject to change and you are advised to consult a tax specialist before making any decisions.From April 2016 landlords will no longer be able to automatically d

Landlord uses hidden cameras to spy on tenants

Landlord uses hidden cameras to spy on tenants

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

An Edinburgh landlord set-up hidden cameras in the bedroom and bathroom of his flat, to film people in bed and in the shower.The cameras were discovered by a young couple, friends of the landlord who allowed them to use the accommodation. The couple found a box on the living room table with a cam

Comparable Evidence

Comparable Evidence

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Amongst the ways to agree or ascertain the (open) market rent at rent review or on renewal of a lease, (per s.34-s35 Landlord and Tenant Act 1954), is the use of comparable evidence.At rent review, the market rent for the premises is not what rent the actual tenant would agree or could afford, bu

What is a Section 20 Notice ?

What is a Section 20 Notice ?

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

There are two instances of section 20 notices in property in England:(1) is the notice served in relation to early shorthold tenancies under the Housing Act 1988, and the other,(2) refers to section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, as amended by the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act (CLR

Who Pays for Maintenance and Repairs

Who Pays for Maintenance and Repairs

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Who pays for maintenance and repairs in a residential letting, landlord or tenant?Is it, for example, a tenants responsibility once they occupy my building to look after most of the regular house maintenance items? If the fridge stops working does the tenant or the landlord need to repair it?Y

Inflation (RPI) and Rent

Inflation (RPI) and Rent

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

With commercial property, rent reviews are generally to the open market rent, but sometimes the rent would be adjusted to the Retail Price Index (RPI). RPI is generally considered more favourable to landlords than CPI or other methodologies.There is no link between open market rent and inflatio

Commercial Property Insurance - part 1

Commercial Property Insurance - part 1

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Amongst the thorny issues in the relationship between landlord and tenant is the building insurance premium. Unlike residential property where the landlord has a vested interest in making sure the premium is competitive, because more than likely the premium would not be recoverable from the tenan

Can Landlords Discriminate when Selecting Tenants?

Can Landlords Discriminate when Selecting Tenants?

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Theres recently been a spate of press reports and political wrangling about the existence of Zero-Hour Contracts. This has become something of a hot political issue as we approach a general election, and one surprising development is recent attempts to embroil landlords in the issue, as if the

User Clauses - in Commercial (Business) Leases

User Clauses - in Commercial (Business) Leases

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Traditionally, with commercial (business) leases, a contractual provision within the lease specifies the use, or uses to which a property may be put and the uses which are prohibited.The formal classification of Uses� are set out in the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 as a

Rent Increases with Assured Shorthold Tenancies

Rent Increases with Assured Shorthold Tenancies

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

As most Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST) are by definition, short, there is usually no need for landlords to get involved in processing a rent increase.However, some ASTs run for long periods after the fixed term has ended, i.e., when the tenancy becomes a statutory periodic tenancy, hence there

Guarantor or Rent Deposit

Guarantor or Rent Deposit

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The ideal for any landlord is for the tenant to have a guarantor and provide a rent deposit. But which is better when the landlord has to choose?The starting point is the status of the tenant. With a tenant that is one person (an individual) the likelihood of that person being of independent fina

Checking Tenants In and Out

Checking Tenants In and Out

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

When you rent out a property two vital stages in the process are when you check-in your tenants at the start of the tenancy and check-out at the end.Preparation is the key to a trouble free let. When you prepare properly you are carrying out management processes so that nothing is left to chance