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Opinion: does Michael Gove know something we don't?

Opinion: does Michael Gove know something we don't?

Opinion

It would seem that successive Tory governments have waged an ongoing and progressively more vicious war on buy-to-let landlords, but this latest layer of legislation goes much further. Yes, this latest iteration, and one thats https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/1768/s

EXTRA red tape, scams and repairs drive more landlords to use agencies

EXTRA red tape, scams and repairs drive more landlords to use agencies

News

Almost two thirds (63%) of private landlords who manage their own properties are tired of sorting out repairs and dealing with red tape and considering using a letting agency or property manager instead.  A Uswitch poll of 2,000 landlords found that the most common reason t

Labour to 'go further than Tories' with harsher Decent Homes Standard

Labour to 'go further than Tories' with harsher Decent Homes Standard

News

Labour has promised to ramp up the pressure on private landlords by introducing a legally binding Decent Homes Standard 2. Its latest draft policy programme a provisional blueprint likely to shape the next general election manifesto includes a proposal to take the

Starmer 'set to U-turn on rent controls' as London Mayor pleads for more powers

Starmer 'set to U-turn on rent controls' as London Mayor pleads for more powers

News

Keir Starmer is set to rebuff previous calls by London mayor Sadiq Khan to bring in a rent freeze, it has been reported. Khan has been banging his rent freeze drum for months now as the cost-of-living crisis has hit many tenants personal finances, telling the BBC in Oct

'Disaster' renting reform bill to enter parliament tomorrow after PMQs

'Disaster' renting reform bill to enter parliament tomorrow after PMQs

News

The much-delayed Renters Reform Bill is rumoured to be getting its first reading tomorrow after Prime Ministers Questions, although the 'full meat' of the proposals will come later. Rumoured to be renamed the Rented Homes Bill or Renters (Reform) Bill, landlords are waitin

BREAKING: Renters (Reform) Bill to get first airing after PMQs today

BREAKING: Renters (Reform) Bill to get first airing after PMQs today

News

The Government is to finally introduce its long-delayed renting reforms into parliament later today following Prime Ministers Questions (PMQs) in the Commons. The Bill, which is to be called the Renters (Reform) Bill, will get its first reading just aft

Third of tenants turning to credit to fund tenancy deposits - claim

Third of tenants turning to credit to fund tenancy deposits - claim

News

A tenancy deposit affordacility crisis is looming as new data reveals that nearly a third of renters are borrowing money to pay for them, new research shows. The poll of 1,000 tenants reveals how they are using credit cards, personal loans, overdrafts and family loans to scrape

Tech firm gets public cash to help portfolio landlords improve energy efficiency

Tech firm gets public cash to help portfolio landlords improve energy efficiency

News

Proptech company Propflo is working with BTL mortgage lenders to help portfolio landlords make their properties more energy efficient. It has been given a grant by Innovate UK to encourage lenders to explore initiatives such as encouraging retrofitting in their products, creatin

NEW: Government promises crack-down on dodgy rent-to-rent operators

NEW: Government promises crack-down on dodgy rent-to-rent operators

News

The government has vowed to crack down on dodgy rent-to-rent landlords who flout housing laws. Housing Minister Baroness Scott of Bybrook (pictured) says it is aware of concerns that some rent-to-rent arrangements have sometimes been used to make it more difficult to identify la

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Britain's youngest MP makes shock promise to campaign for tenants

Britain's youngest MP makes shock promise to campaign for tenants

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News
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The UK’s youngest MP Sam Carling has revealed that he will work in parliament to improve the lot of renters following his shock victory in the General Election.

Matthew Pennycook appointed as Labour housing minister

Matthew Pennycook appointed as Labour housing minister

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News
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Landlords may be relieved to hear that a Labour MP with experience of the private rented sector has been appointed to the Government.

TOM’s tips - Setting-up a new tenancy correctly

TOM’s tips - Setting-up a new tenancy correctly

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Experienced landlord Tom Entwistle, who has been letting property since the 1970s, gives some tips based on his experience when setting-up a new tenancy

EXCLUSIVE: Labour landslide decimates landlords' voice in parliament

EXCLUSIVE: Labour landslide decimates landlords' voice in parliament

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News
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Landlord representation in Parliament will be hugely diminished after 50 Tory MPs with residential rental properties either lost their seat in the election or had previously stepped down.

BLOG: 'Labour must support the private rented sector - here's how'

BLOG: 'Labour must support the private rented sector - here's how'

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News
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Labour's victory in the general election marks a significant turning point for the private rented sector (PRS). With their ambitious plans for housing reform, it is crucial that the new government addresses the pressing issues facing both landlords and tenants.

Landlords congratulate Labour but worry about eviction changes

Landlords congratulate Labour but worry about eviction changes

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News
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Landlords have congratulated Labour on its landslide victory but warned that too much new red tape will make the housing shortage within the private rented sector even worse.

Tenants claim landlords 'failing to fix maintenance problems properly'

Tenants claim landlords 'failing to fix maintenance problems properly'

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News
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A new poll reveals that 88% of tenants have had problems in rental properties and more than a quarter (26%) were unhappy with their landlord’s response.

'Battle of the HMO bins' ramps up in Liverpool's student areas

'Battle of the HMO bins' ramps up in Liverpool's student areas

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News
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A battle between residents and HMO landlords is coming to a head in Liverpool where vacating students’ mess is being dumped on city streets.

TRENDS: Rental sector you've never heard of is growing the fastest

TRENDS: Rental sector you've never heard of is growing the fastest

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News
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The co-living sector grew by 65% in 2023 - nearly 2,500 new beds - and looks set to treble to more than 20,000 beds by 2027.

Big London borough consults on more HMO restrictions

Big London borough consults on more HMO restrictions

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One of London’s largest boroughs is the latest to tighten planning controls when granting permission for smaller HMOs, namely those accommodating between three and six unrelated tenants who share common services.

Landlord recently elected as MP under fire over damp, mould and ants

Landlord recently elected as MP under fire over damp, mould and ants

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News
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A Labour MP who is also a landlord in London has apologised over the weekend after a BBC investigation uncovered damp, mould and ant infestation problems within his property.

'We will not stand for repeat offenders', council chief warns rogue landlords

'We will not stand for repeat offenders', council chief warns rogue landlords

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News
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A landlord couple in Haringey have been fined a total of £15,000 for failing to license one of their properties and make another one safe.

'Licencing schemes should be abolished and replaced with annual MOT'

'Licencing schemes should be abolished and replaced with annual MOT'

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News
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Licencing schemes are a blunt instrument, pointlessly cost compliant landlords hundreds of pounds, are ignored by rogue operators and consume scarce council resources.

Property experts say new EPC target 'impossible to meet'

Property experts say new EPC target 'impossible to meet'

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News
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A straw poll of building surveyors, recovery experts, private landlords, investors and developers has found that the vast majority deem the government’s EPC C target by 2030 as impossible to meet.

Landlord fined £5,000 after ignoring improvement notices

Landlord fined £5,000 after ignoring improvement notices

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News
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A landlord has been handed a £5,000 fine after persistently ignoring requests to carry out improvement works on his property – despite being a builder.

EPCs to be replaced by a new Home Energy Model this year

EPCs to be replaced by a new Home Energy Model this year

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News
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EPCs to be upgraded with a new method of assessment, the new "Home Energy Model", later this year

US rent data firm with UK arm faces legal action at home

US rent data firm with UK arm faces legal action at home

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News
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A tech firm is being sued by the US government for allowing landlords in America to increase rents and stifle competition.

Eco-upgrade schemes worth £20m for landlords now live across England

Eco-upgrade schemes worth £20m for landlords now live across England

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News
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Landlords can get free or subsidised advice on eco upgrades from a raft of new government-funded schemes that are now up and running across England.

Solicitor convicted of harassing tenants given suspended jail term

Solicitor convicted of harassing tenants given suspended jail term

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A landlord in Northern Ireland has been handed a jail sentence of two months suspended for two years.

Report paints grim picture of homeless excluded from private rented sector

Report paints grim picture of homeless excluded from private rented sector

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News
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Access to low-cost private rented housing across England has become nearly impossible for ‘bottom of the market’ people living in homelessness accommodation and services, according to new research.

Boom in landlords turning to short lets since 2022

Boom in landlords turning to short lets since 2022

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News
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Most landlords don’t use the agent they bought the property from to rent it out – and are increasingly likely not to market it as a long-term tenancy.

OFFICIAL: Huge increase in tenants challenging rent increases

OFFICIAL: Huge increase in tenants challenging rent increases

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News
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New research has shown a huge increase in tenants challenging rent increases in Scotland since an updated procedure was introduced on 1st April.

Building a successful buy-to-let business: who do you need?

Building a successful buy-to-let business: who do you need?

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Investing in buy-to-let properties is akin to launching a business, requiring not just capital but also a robust network of professional advisors to navigate the complexities involved.

Embrace landlords instead of attacking them, leader urges politicians

Embrace landlords instead of attacking them, leader urges politicians

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News
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A leading private rented sector figure has called on both the Scottish and English governments to embrace landlords as part of the solution to problem within both countries housing markets.

NRLA to train social housing providers

NRLA to train social housing providers

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Our award-winning Training Academy is set to expand its offer this summer, launching bespoke training courses for social housing providers.

Leading lettings portal warns rent controls will be 'disastrous'

Leading lettings portal warns rent controls will be 'disastrous'

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News
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One of the largest letting agencies in Scotland has warned within a new report that the SNP’s continued efforts to introduce tougher rent controls will have a ‘disastrous’ impact on an already struggling private rented sector.

Surrey council does U-turn on restrictions for smaller HMOs

Surrey council does U-turn on restrictions for smaller HMOs

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News
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A council in Surrey is getting reading to restrict landlords seeking to convert houses into small HMOs next year.

BOOMING: London luxe rentals that cost £25,000 a week

BOOMING: London luxe rentals that cost £25,000 a week

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News
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London’s super-luxe landlords have seen a big boom in £25,000-a-week rentals as taxation fears have prompted the wealthy to rent rather than buy.

NEW: Labour now has more landlord MPs than Tories

NEW: Labour now has more landlord MPs than Tories

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News
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Three of the top five landlords in parliament are now Labour MPs, including the biggest landlord, new MP Jas Athwal.

Property dealer to pay £700,000 after court case

Property dealer to pay £700,000 after court case

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News
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A property dealer who was involved in dealings with a controversial property investment company, Home Reit, has been ordered by a court to pay £700,000 to an intermediary.

Labour confirms national registration scheme for short lets

Labour confirms national registration scheme for short lets

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News
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A mandatory short-lets registration scheme and tougher planning laws look set to take effect soon in England.

Seasoned landlord apologises over £19,000 licencing error

Seasoned landlord apologises over £19,000 licencing error

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News
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A landlord firm which tried to argue that its agent was responsible for failing to organise an additional HMO licence has been handed a £19,753 rent repayment order.

Booking.com under fire over 'ghost' and 'scam' properties

Booking.com under fire over 'ghost' and 'scam' properties

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News
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A holiday lets platform used by thousands of landlords to generate income has come under fire over ‘ghost’ properties.

'Labour nightmare for landlords! No rent? Well, you can’t evict or sell now'

'Labour nightmare for landlords! No rent? Well, you can’t evict or sell now'

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There is some uncertainty to what it actually means in practice until the details are written down but could the proposed hardship test mean even if your tenants won’t pay their rent, you will not be able to evict them if that makes them homeless or financially disadvantaged?