The Isle of Wight Council has vowed to charge owners of second homes and empty properties more council tax as soon as it gets the go-ahead from the government. Its ruling Alliance Administration had suggested putting a 100% tax premium on second homes and empty properties, howev
A senior figure from the banking world has claimed that institutional investment is the golden ticket to solve the UKs supply and quality problems within the private rented sector (PRS). Cedric Bucher (main image), who heads up Hearthstone Investments </st
Another First Tier Property Tribunal has confirmed that a superior landlord cannot be held responsible for a Rent Repayment Order (RRO), following the landmark Rakusen case. Tenant Riaz Moola had tried to argue that landlord Khalil Mbarek was responsible for the property in t
The Government must stop its ongoing and irresponsible attempts to curry favour with tenants via its looming reform of the private rented sector, a buy-to-let lender has said. Mortgages for Business boss Gavin Richardson (main
A landlord couple have been convicted of a �1 million benefit fraud stretching over 20 years. Emmanuel Bay , 68, and Nancy Bay , 67, of Sudbourne Road, Brixton (pictured), were found guilty of 21 offences between 1999 and 2018 under t
Home Reit, an investment trust landlord, was set-up to house Britains homeless. But the company has found itself running into increasing difficulties, with tenants' complaints and failed rent payments, a negative short-seller's report, a financial squeeze with falling stock prices and al
A boost in court resources as well as measures to fast-track the most serious possession cases related to anti-social behaviour and rent arrears will be vital post-Section 21, says NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle . Without reform, a rise in cases will add t
Councillors in Reading are set to rubber stamp plans to extend restrictions on the number of HMO conversions. An Article 4 direction already covers parts of the town where HMOs are prevalent, in much of Park, Redlands and Katesgrove wards, as well as Jesse Terrace.
Propertymark has called for a set of standards for developers and clear guidance for local councils as a way to effectively convert empty commercial properties into affordable homes - an increasingly popular path for some bigger PRS landlords. Responding to an inquiry from all-p
The formation of a new ‘powerhouse’ organisation to represent the commercial property sector including build-to-rent and co-living is under way, it has been announced.
Labour has confirmed that it will compel landlords of high street shops to rent out their premises if they stand empty for too long.
The NRLA is launching a new course, which will guide landlords through the new legislation.
Commercial property has been hit hard over the Covid period. Rightmove, with its copious amounts of data, has identified something of a turnaround
A former estate agent who founded one of the UK’s largest property firms has been named by Kemi Badenoch as shadow housing secretary.
The Government is to become a significant provider of affordable private sector rental homes with plans to build some 3,000 units under a new name, Habiko.
A landlord who forgot to chase up a licencing application for her rented property in London has paid a heavy price for her mistake after being ordered to return rent totalling £11,245 to her tenants.
Comment has been made the Chartered Institue of Health Officers, which says such schemes should be the key tool for improving PRS home quality.
Despite the overall good news, many landlords have remained in brace position and have reached out to exit the market and sell their buy-to-lets.
A Conservative MSP has slammed Scotland’s short lets licensing scheme for its negative impact on thousands of businesses.
Five former housing ministers are among the 77 Conservative MPs standing down at the next election, leaving behind a mixed legacy.
Welsh rugby star Gareth Davies is trying his hand at a career in lettings as he considers life after playing for the national team.
Tom Entwistle asks the question, what’s gone wrong with the buy-to-let market, why has government policy been so much against it?
Social rents are 64% more affordable than private rents, with social tenants in England paying about £828 less each month than private tenants, according to new analysis by Shelter.
John Lewis has urged future governments to develop a clear national strategy around the need for build-to-rent developments.
A rogue landlord has been ordered to pay more than £23,000 after he admitted operating an unlicensed and unsafe HMO.
A pet activist has pledged to continue her fight for tenants’ right to keep pets following the demise of the Renters (Reform) Bill.
Leading private rented sector expert, Total Property, has launched an innovative new platform for its mydeposits custodial scheme members this week.
Landlords in and around Bristol are invited to join TV star Paul Shamplina this Thursday, 30th May for an educational seminar run by leading estate agency Andrews.
More than 40% of landlords are still undecided about who to vote for in the upcoming general election, while nearly half have concerns over a potential change in government.
Michal Gove will leave the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities having seen his Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill make it onto the statute book.
A rogue landlord who let his tenant sleep in a bike store and rented out a crumbling property has been banned from letting houses in England for three years.
A letting agent investigated by the BBC following complaints about the management of a student HMO in Salford has lost his appeal against expulsion from his industry’s trade association.
An increase in licensing schemes pushed the number of HMO licences issued in England up to a record-breaking 27,177 last year.
The Renters (Reform) Bill has been abandoned and must now go back to the drawing board after years of uncertainty and political wrangling.
Eight in 10 landlords are reporting strong levels of tenant demand, Paragon Bank research has revealed.
The Renters (Reform) Bill is almost dead in the water following the announcement of a 4th July general election which probably won’t leave time for it to become law before Parliament is dissolved next Thursday.
The threat of rent control still lingers, despite Labour claiming the party policy goes against it, landlords still leaving...
The Welsh Government should reinforce existing legislation, remove barriers to building more adequate homes and improve how it collects data instead of bringing rent controls into the housing debate, according to Propertymark.
New North East mayor Kim McGuinness has vowed to seize properties from irresponsible landlords as part of her plan to stand up for renters.
Changes to the EU Settlement Scheme mean tenants granted pre-settled status can continue to prove their right to rent easily while landlords will be better able to check their immigration status.
Landlords are likely to be targeted heavily by political parties as new research shows most remain undecided following Rishi Sunak’s decision to go for a July 4th General Election.
Gateshead plans to include a third of its private rented properties in a selective licencing scheme that also aims to improve tenants’ wellbeing and prompt landlords to boost energy efficiency.
A cross-party group of peers has attacked the government for sidestepping its proposals to clamp down on rogue letting agents.
