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CLAIM: Rent in advance demands 'widespread among landlords'

CLAIM: Rent in advance demands 'widespread among landlords'

News

The use of ‘rent in advance’ is widespread among landlords in the UK, the leader of a coalition of tenants’ rights groups has claimed

UK rents fall, house sales rise and the commercial property recover stalls

UK rents fall, house sales rise and the commercial property recover stalls

News

It’s a mixed picture in the UK property markets - UK rents fall for first time in five years, house sales rise and commercial recovery property stalls

RICS warns landlords over 'unqualified' fire assessors' paperwork

RICS warns landlords over 'unqualified' fire assessors' paperwork

News

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has urged flat owners to check assessors’ credentials after a fire engineer was sanctioned by the Institution of Fire Engineers for unprofessional conduct.

Council moves to ban 'To Let' boards in central London

Council moves to ban 'To Let' boards in central London

News

Letting agents have warned Westminster Council that its plan to ban advertising boards outside landlords' properties borough-wide could cause delays for renters.

Tenants in England now pay half their income in rent

Tenants in England now pay half their income in rent

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

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What are the special rules for VAT on commercial property?

What are the special rules for VAT on commercial property?

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VAT on Commercial Property is a complex topic and anyone wishing to understand these complexities in relation to their own situation should seek specialist advice. This article should give a broad brush general overview but you really should seek advice because errors can be irredeemable an

Landlord banned from letting properties in England for five years

Landlord banned from letting properties in England for five years

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A rogue portfolio landlord has been banned from letting properties for five years after she admitted multiple offences relating to fire safety issues. Naomi Knapp, a landlord with 34 properties in Bristol, was convicted of eight banning order offences and will now be added to th

'Spray foam must be regulated to stop properties becoming un-mortgageable'

'Spray foam must be regulated to stop properties becoming un-mortgageable'

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Urgent regulation of the spray foam industry is needed to prevent making thousands of homes un-mortgagable, warn leading property groups. Sprayed polyurethane expanding foams are often used in lofts, either to stabilise a failing roof covering or to provide extra insulation. But

EXCLUSIVE: Landlords battle city council over HMO council tax re-valuations

EXCLUSIVE: Landlords battle city council over HMO council tax re-valuations

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Portsmouths HMOs are in the firing line again as growing numbers are being referred to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) to have their council tax bands reassessed. Rather than paying tax on the whole property, each room can be classified as a band A at a cost of �1,200, wit

LEGAL LATEST: Can the eviction of a disabled tenant ever be fair?

LEGAL LATEST: Can the eviction of a disabled tenant ever be fair?

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A severely disabled tenant and his family have barricaded themselves into their home in a bid to prevent a controversial eviction. Quadriplegic Harvey Cowe, 62, and his wife Sheree, 55, have lived at the house in Brittany Road, Hove, for 25 years after Brighton & Hove C

'Selective licencing fees will push up rents as cost of living rises squeeze landlords too'

'Selective licencing fees will push up rents as cost of living rises squeeze landlords too'

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A leading letting agent has criticised the reasoning behind the UKs ever-growing list of selective licensing schemes. Selective licensing covers all rented property in a given area or council borough and landlords are required to pay a five-yearly fee of between �500 and �9

More HMO restrictions in Bristol as battle over fast-expanding sector hots up

More HMO restrictions in Bristol as battle over fast-expanding sector hots up

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Landlords in Bristol will soon be required to gain planning permission to convert properties into HMOs in three key areas, it has been revealed. South Gloucestershire Council is to bring in Article 4 directions in the Bristol neighbourhoods of Stoke Park and Cheswick and parts o

LATEST: London mayor urges private landlords to sell their homes to councils

LATEST: London mayor urges private landlords to sell their homes to councils

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Londons mayor Sadiq Khan has urged private landlords who are planning to exit the private rented market to sell their properties to local councils instead of other landlords. Khan made the comments within a self-congratulatory statement on his website l

PICTURES: Landlord to pay �40,000 after multiple breaches of HMO licence

PICTURES: Landlord to pay �40,000 after multiple breaches of HMO licence

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A landlord in London must now pay �40,000 after losing his appeal against his fine for breaching Mandatory HMO licensing conditions at a bedsit property above a pub. Earlier this year Islington council brought a prosecution against Mohammed Shahid for fai

Lobby group launches to fight Scotland's rent controls

Lobby group launches to fight Scotland's rent controls

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A new private rented sector lobbying group hopes to convince the Scottish government to temper its plans for permanent rent controls under the Housing (Scotland) Bill.

Landlords warned after deposits court case stops eviction

Landlords warned after deposits court case stops eviction

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An appeal judge has backed a tenant’s argument that serving prescribed information before the deposit is paid isn’t valid, meaning their eviction cannot go ahead.

REVEALED: Where landlords wait longest and shortest to find tenants

REVEALED: Where landlords wait longest and shortest to find tenants

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Gloucester was the fastest moving rental market last month where the average property was let within 14 days of being advertised.

NRLA warns rent controls would 'not benefit tenants' in long run

NRLA warns rent controls would 'not benefit tenants' in long run

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Trade association the NRLA has warned that rent controls would prompt a third of landlords to sell up if they were introduced in England.

Big build-to-rent firm in trouble over 'misleading consumers'

Big build-to-rent firm in trouble over 'misleading consumers'

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Build-to-rent developer Quintain Living has had its knuckles rapped for wrongly suggesting tenants could make big energy bill savings, get free WiFi and work from home areas.

Big building society follows other BTL lenders and cuts rates

Big building society follows other BTL lenders and cuts rates

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Leeds Building Society is the latest lender to announce reductions to its BTL mortgage products following the Bank of England’s decision to cut the base rate from 5.25% to 5%.

Tory policies have 'driven students into expensive corporate blocks' - claim

Tory policies have 'driven students into expensive corporate blocks' - claim

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Exiting student landlords have paved the way for PBSA developers charging higher rents, according to The FT.

Panic selling as landlords fear capital gains tax raid

Panic selling as landlords fear capital gains tax raid

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Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves refusing to rule out a swinging increase in capital gains tax (CGT) for landlords

Report shows 11% of tenants paying 60% of their income as rent

Report shows 11% of tenants paying 60% of their income as rent

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A new report based on data from 46,000 renters reveals shocking data on how much they are spending on their rent.

Big boiler manufacturer promises not to repeat 'greenwashing' claims

Big boiler manufacturer promises not to repeat 'greenwashing' claims

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One of the UK’s biggest gas boiler manufacturers used by millions of landlords has promised not to ‘greenwash’ its part-hydrogen fuelled boilers.

How many laws must landlords adhere to, asks legal expert

How many laws must landlords adhere to, asks legal expert

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Law-savvy landlords are being asked to help compile a definitive list of legislation impacting the PRS.

No.10 cat 'backs' mandatory pet damage insurance campaign

No.10 cat 'backs' mandatory pet damage insurance campaign

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Larry the Number 10 cat has backed a charity’s campaign to change the law allowing tenants to keep pets.

Hardship test “bombshell” for landlords

Hardship test “bombshell” for landlords

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Labour’s housing minister Matthew Pennycook is said to be planning a “hardship test”

New minister says transfer from housing benefit to Universal Credit 'smooth' but expert disagrees

New minister says transfer from housing benefit to Universal Credit 'smooth' but expert disagrees

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Claims by the new Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) minister of state Stephen Timms that the transfer of remaining housing benefit claimants to Universal Credit is being done ‘as smoothly as possible’ have been questioned by a leading expert.

Landlord fined £10,000 over failure to do £169 safety check

Landlord fined £10,000 over failure to do £169 safety check

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Booking in a five-yearly Electrical Safety Installation Certificate (ESIC) check for your rented property often seems like one of the plethora of minor tasks on the ‘to do’ list.

Higher BTL repossessions making rental shortage worse says Law Society

Higher BTL repossessions making rental shortage worse says Law Society

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An increase in buy-to-let repossessions is exacerbating the rental supply shortage and leaving evicted families without legal aid needed to fight their case.

'We're seeing mostly older landlords selling up' says agency boss

'We're seeing mostly older landlords selling up' says agency boss

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An exodus of older landlords is paving the way for build-to-rent investors and younger landlords looking to capitalise on higher yield properties, according to a big estate agency boss.

Landlord property repossessions continue upward trajectory

Landlord property repossessions continue upward trajectory

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At least 710 buy-to-let mortgaged properties were repossessed in the second quarter of the year, 13% up on the previous quarter and 51% up year-on-year.

OpenRent and Rightmove's 'war of words' ends with new deal

OpenRent and Rightmove's 'war of words' ends with new deal

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Online lettings firm OpenRent and Rightmove have signed a new property listings deal after several weeks of corporate brinkmanship over fees.

COURTS: Time to evict a tenant jumps 15% to 25 weeks

COURTS: Time to evict a tenant jumps 15% to 25 weeks

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The average time from claim to landlord repossession has jumped to 25.4 weeks, up from 22.1 weeks in the same period in 2023, according to the latest government figures.

'Supply of rented property thinning out, and Labour's not helping'

'Supply of rented property thinning out, and Labour's not helping'

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Gloomy letting agents have reported a fall-off in private rentals coming onto the market around the country.

How to turn non-profitable headache portfolios into slick, high profit machines again

How to turn non-profitable headache portfolios into slick, high profit machines again

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Landlord Sales Agency has been touted as the UK’s best company for landlords to go to who are looking to increase the profits of their property portfolios.

Reeves dodges ruling out CGT increases for landlords

Reeves dodges ruling out CGT increases for landlords

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Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has refused to rule out increasing capital gains tax for landlords selling their rental properties during interview with a US business TV channel.

London's high rents causing big problems for recruiters

London's high rents causing big problems for recruiters

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A business consultancy has warned that London’s high rents mean many companies in the capital are struggling to recruit staff as younger jobseekers look for employment elsewhere in order to access lower-cost homes.

Protesters strike again as cash-strapped council disposes of properties

Protesters strike again as cash-strapped council disposes of properties

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Cash strapped Somerset Council has County Hall vandalised for fourth time...