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.

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

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

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

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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.

All for nothing? General election 'death knell for Tories' renting reforms'

All for nothing? General election 'death knell for Tories' renting reforms'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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.

Comment: The Labour Party is at odds with itself over rent controls, just how effective are they?

Comment: The Labour Party is at odds with itself over rent controls, just how effective are they?

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The threat of rent control still lingers, despite Labour claiming the party policy goes against it, landlords still leaving...

Experts pour cold water on Welsh rent controls plans

Experts pour cold water on Welsh rent controls plans

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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.

Northern Mayor vows to seize properties from rogue landlords

Northern Mayor vows to seize properties from rogue landlords

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

New North East mayor Kim McGuinness has vowed to seize properties from irresponsible landlords as part of her plan to stand up for renters.

Right to Rent rules relaxed to help landlords and agents

Right to Rent rules relaxed to help landlords and agents

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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.

Sunak names date for election as 55% of landlords revealed 'undecided'

Sunak names date for election as 55% of landlords revealed 'undecided'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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.

Council to 'educate' renters in person if they live within new licencing areas

Council to 'educate' renters in person if they live within new licencing areas

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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.

Housing minister slammed over failure to weed out rogue letting agents

Housing minister slammed over failure to weed out rogue letting agents

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A cross-party group of peers has attacked the government for sidestepping its proposals to clamp down on rogue letting agents.

Tenants should face consequences if they don't pay the rent, say landlords

Tenants should face consequences if they don't pay the rent, say landlords

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords are less worried by the Government’s looming Renters (Reform) Bill and more concerned about the financial squeeze they face including tenants who don’t pay their rent, a new poll reveals.

160,000 rented homes 'disappear' from rental market

160,000 rented homes 'disappear' from rental market

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

At least 163,000 privately rented properties disappeared from the market between 2019 and the end of 2023 as the number of landlords selling up outstripped purchases.

Legal Matters: Your Section 21 notice – is it valid?

Legal Matters: Your Section 21 notice – is it valid?

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Serving a Section 21 notice - you need to be meticulous in your preparation, making sure you have complied faultlessly with all the regulations

Ending fixed-term tenancies 'doesn't make sense' says Foxtons

Ending fixed-term tenancies 'doesn't make sense' says Foxtons

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A big lettings agency has questioned why the government is set on pursuing the end to fixed term tenancies, while ignoring the needs of landlords and tenants.

Labour report says tenants should be given 'rights charter'

Labour report says tenants should be given 'rights charter'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A Labour-commissioned review of the private rented sector has called for a new renters’ charter to strengthen tenants’ rights and a mandatory National Landlords Register to help enforce compliance.

London landlords to repay tenants £45,000 after Tribunal decisions

London landlords to repay tenants £45,000 after Tribunal decisions

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Three London landlords are to pay over £45,000 in rent back to their tenants following separate Tribunal decisions, highlighting the increasing risks of Rent Repayment Orders as renters become more aware of the huge sums that are often involved.

Council launches licencing despite 'NO' from 73% of landlords

Council launches licencing despite 'NO' from 73% of landlords

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The London Borough of Lambeth is to launch a £923 per property selective licencing scheme in four wards this September after a lengthy consultation period that began in December last year.

EXCLUSIVE: Landlord reveals why his green upgrade cost £150,000

EXCLUSIVE: Landlord reveals why his green upgrade cost £150,000

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A landlord who raised a rental property's EPC from a band F to an A has urged others to make energy efficiency improvements that benefit both their property and their tenants.

Controversial landlord given suspended sentence over harrassment

Controversial landlord given suspended sentence over harrassment

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Controversial landlord Fergus Wilson has been handed a suspended prison sentence after being found in contempt of court for breaching an injunction preventing him from harassing staff and councillors at Ashford Borough Council.

Northern council green lights £653 selective licencing scheme

Northern council green lights £653 selective licencing scheme

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Stockton on Tees councillors have given the green light to a new selective licensing scheme covering three areas of the borough.

Rising rents 'disincentivising tenants to move home'

Rising rents 'disincentivising tenants to move home'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Tenants are now facing bigger rent rises when they renew their contract than when they move into a new rental home.

Rent caps ARE a possibility in England reveals senior Labour figure

Rent caps ARE a possibility in England reveals senior Labour figure

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Rent caps could be introduced in England by a Labour government, the party’s shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said over the weekend.

Manchester mayor reveals £600,000 landlord crackdown

Manchester mayor reveals £600,000 landlord crackdown

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Mayor Andy Burnham has announced plans including a new Property Check scheme for tenants whose landlords won’t work with the council voluntarily.

Landlord fined £14,000 over 'dangerous' property

Landlord fined £14,000 over 'dangerous' property

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A landlord who let three of his properties fall into dangerous disrepair has been ordered to pay almost £14,000.

Asylum seeker housing firm's boss reaches UK Rich List

Asylum seeker housing firm's boss reaches UK Rich List

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The founder of property management firm that houses asylum seekers by offering landlords guaranteed rents has reached the Sunday Times Rich List.

Section 21 evictions rise by 19% as more tenants get into rent arrears

Section 21 evictions rise by 19% as more tenants get into rent arrears

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The number of households removed from their privately rented properties by bailiffs in England via a Section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction increased by 19% during the first three months of the year to 2,682 households, official data shows.

Manchester to expand its selective licencing AGAIN

Manchester to expand its selective licencing AGAIN

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords with properties in Manchester have been urged to have their say on the city’s latest plans to expand selective licencing.