9 Apr, 2025

Library

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Book Review: Carl Bayley’s book, Shelter your Family from the Taxman: How to Save Inheritance Tax

Book Review: Carl Bayley’s book, Shelter your Family from the Taxman: How to Save Inheritance Tax

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Carl Bayley is the author of more than twenty ‘Plain English’ TaxCafe published tax guides designed for the layperson and the non-specialist

Expert sounds alarm over rent arrears court decision

Expert sounds alarm over rent arrears court decision

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An expert has warned that a court's decision to allow tenants to challenge landlord-requested rental arrears deductions from their UC payments will see more landlords shun tenants in receipt of benefits.

Big East of England town rushes in anti-HMO rules

Big East of England town rushes in anti-HMO rules

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Fenland Council has introduced an immediate Article 4 Direction before its consultation in a bid to clamp down on burgeoning HMOs in Wisbech.

Northern council heralds landlord fines of £1.38 million... so far!

Northern council heralds landlord fines of £1.38 million... so far!

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Landlords in County Durham have had to fork out fines totalling £1.38 million in the three years since selective licensing was introduced.

Dozens of new amendments proposed for Renters' Right Bill

Dozens of new amendments proposed for Renters' Right Bill

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Peers have tabled amendments to the Renters’ Rights Bill which, if approved, would shape the legislation into a version of the previous Renters’ Reform Bill.

'Chancellor must boost rental homes supply or risk economy'

'Chancellor must boost rental homes supply or risk economy'

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Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been warned that unless more rental properties are built her recent promise to ‘attract the best talent to the UK’ and boost economic growth will fall flat.

Build-to-rent giant celebrates as landlords exit student sector

Build-to-rent giant celebrates as landlords exit student sector

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Private HMO landlords leaving the sector have created a shortage of student housing, according to Unite Students, which boasts that it can help fill the gap with purpose-built student accommodation.

Labour rejects new calls for rent controls

Labour rejects new calls for rent controls

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The government has repeated its rejection of “heavy handed” rent controls despite pressure from peers in the House of Lords.

Northern city to clamp down on 'too many' HMOs

Northern city to clamp down on 'too many' HMOs

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Preston Council has proposed new powers to reject HMO applications amid fears that the city is already being over-run by shared homes.

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Tenant's Liability to Pay Council Tax

Tenant's Liability to Pay Council Tax

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Test Case: Leeds City Council v Broadley [2016]This case and the subsequent High Court ruling has brought some clarification about who is liable to pay council tax, tenant or landlord, when a rental property is vacant due to a tenant vacating early, that is, before the tena

Tenant's Notice-to-Quit ' Periodic Tenancies

Tenant's Notice-to-Quit ' Periodic Tenancies

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Ending a Tenancy: What are the rules governing the ending of a statutory periodic tenancy (SPT) by the tenant, especially when the periods of the tenancy are not the standard 1 month?The answer to this question is not easily defined as it is not covered by one rule or a sing

mydeposits Issues Deposit Scam Warning

mydeposits Issues Deposit Scam Warning

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Deposit Scheme Scam: Mydeposits says it is aware of a new scam being used by a fraudulent company imitating mydeposits and targeting landlords and letting agent members of the mydeposits Custodial scheme in England & Wales.The scam uses an email which imitates one from m

Landlords and Agents Reminded about Burst Pipes

Landlords and Agents Reminded about Burst Pipes

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Freezing Pipes: This time of year, as we head towards colder weather and freezing conditions, buy-to-let properties and indeed all rental properties are vulnerable to potentially expensive winter water damageIn this article digital inventory app developer Imfuna Le

Rent-free period

Rent-free period

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Commercial Tenancies: The idea of the full repairing (including decorating) lease is that when the tenant yields up the premises on expiry of the contractual term, or sooner termination, the state of repair and condition that the premises are left in would be as envisaged in

Safety Standards for Blinds and Curtains

Safety Standards for Blinds and Curtains

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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

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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

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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

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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

Only 2.5% of rented homes in England are affordable for those on housing benefit, Crisis reveals

Only 2.5% of rented homes in England are affordable for those on housing benefit, Crisis reveals

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Only 2.5% of private rented properties listed in England were affordable for people on housing benefit between April and October last year according to Crisis, down from 12% in 2021 to 22.

Billionaire landlord ordered to repay tenants £263,555 for operating two buildings as unlicensed HMOs

Billionaire landlord ordered to repay tenants £263,555 for operating two buildings as unlicensed HMOs

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A billionaire landlord has been ordered to repay tenants £263,555 for operating two East London buildings as unlicensed HMOs.

House price growth remains steady, but is expected to soften as stamp duty rates change today

House price growth remains steady, but is expected to soften as stamp duty rates change today

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House price growth remained steady last month, but is expected to soften in the coming months as the stamp duty holiday comes to an end.

More than a third of landlords to offload properties, Landbay survey suggests

More than a third of landlords to offload properties, Landbay survey suggests

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More than a third of landlords plan to offload some of their rental properties in the next 12 months, according to a new survey.

Scottish lawmakers urged not to repeat the mistake of restricting rents

Scottish lawmakers urged not to repeat the mistake of restricting rents

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Letting agents have urged Scottish lawmakers not to repeat the mistake of restricting rents that has ultimately increased costs for tenants.

Almost £13M a week raised in property tax for Scottish Government

Almost £13M a week raised in property tax for Scottish Government

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Almost £13million a week was raised in property taxes for the Scottish Government, new analysis has revealed.

Student rents could surge due to Renters’ Rights Bill, landlords warn

Student rents could surge due to Renters’ Rights Bill, landlords warn

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Student rents could surge following the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Bill, say landlords, who have warned that it also discriminates against foreign students.

Landlords could face CGT hike if economy dips, IFS warns

Landlords could face CGT hike if economy dips, IFS warns

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Landlords could face a hike in Capital Gains Tax (CGT) if the economy dips before the Autumn Budget, the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned.

The Making Tax Digital net is closing on landlords

The Making Tax Digital net is closing on landlords

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Plans to Revolutionise the UK's Tax System will take a step forward from April 2028 when MTD will be expanded to include those earning more than £20,000 per year

With the RRB on the horizon, is it better to manage your rental yourself or hire an agent?

With the RRB on the horizon, is it better to manage your rental yourself or hire an agent?

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A letting agent ensures compliance with the Renters' Rights Bill and simplifies property management.

Choice of BTL mortgage deals hits record high

Choice of BTL mortgage deals hits record high

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Landlords searching for a new deal will find the choice of buy-to-let mortgages has hit a record high, with 3,860 products available.

Spring Statement did “nothing” to tackle the rental crisis, says NRLA

Spring Statement did “nothing” to tackle the rental crisis, says NRLA

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The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has labelled the Spring Statement a missed opportunity to improve the chronic supply crisis in the private rented sector.

Landlords see profits soar from downsizing “loophole”

Landlords see profits soar from downsizing “loophole”

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Landlords are profiting by selling before the Renters' Rights Bill, then reinvesting in post-Bill bargains.

Landlords are being brought "into line” - but more needs to be done to tackle PRS pressures, suggests Labour MP

Landlords are being brought "into line” - but more needs to be done to tackle PRS pressures, suggests Labour MP

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The Government has started to “bring landlords into line”, but more needs to be done to tackle the pressures in the private rented sector, a Labour MP has suggested.

One in five tenants borrow money for their deposit

One in five tenants borrow money for their deposit

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One in five renters has borrowed money that needs to be paid back for their five-week cash deposit, putting them in a precarious financial position before moving in.

Landlords struggling with “needlessly complex” HMO licence renewal applications are selling up

Landlords struggling with “needlessly complex” HMO licence renewal applications are selling up

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Landlords struggling with “needlessly complex” HMO licence renewal applications are fed up and selling up, according to Portsmouth & District Landlords Association (PDPLA).

Search for Landlord of the Year begins

Search for Landlord of the Year begins

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The search is on for Landlord of the Year as part of this year’s LIS (Landlord Investment Show) Awards.

Landlords must use new digital tax software, the Chancellor confirms

Landlords must use new digital tax software, the Chancellor confirms

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Landlords will have to use the new Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self-Assessment system, the Chancellor has confirmed.

Spring Statement proves a missed opportunity for landlords and stamp duty

Spring Statement proves a missed opportunity for landlords and stamp duty

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The Spring Statement proved a missed opportunity for landlords and stamp duty, it has been suggested.

Tenants warned to know their rights after Chancellor announces more new homes

Tenants warned to know their rights after Chancellor announces more new homes

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Tenants have been warned to know their rights following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ announcement of a £2billion investment in 18,000 new social and affordable homes.

Landlords in Scotland are warned to weigh up raising rents with risking void periods

Landlords in Scotland are warned to weigh up raising rents with risking void periods

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Landlords in Scotland have been warned to weigh up raising rents with risking void periods.

Concerns raised about whether new planning reforms go far enough to address housing shortage

Concerns raised about whether new planning reforms go far enough to address housing shortage

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Concerns about whether new planning reforms go far enough to address the country’s housing shortage have been raised by estate agents.

Guarantors - Labour pressured to remove a fundamental right for landlords

Guarantors - Labour pressured to remove a fundamental right for landlords

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Homelessness charities are requesting amendments to the Renters’ Rights Bill that would severely limit landlords’ right to use guarantor agreements

Inflation dips to 2.8%, boosting hopes of interest rate cuts

Inflation dips to 2.8%, boosting hopes of interest rate cuts

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Inflation has dipped, boosting mortgage borrowers’ hopes of more interest rate cuts.

Average asking rents have risen to £557 a week, new Foxton figures have revealed.

Average asking rents have risen to £557 a week, new Foxton figures have revealed.

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Average asking rents have risen to £557 a week, new Foxton figures have revealed.