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Summer retainer fees charged to students by landlords are 'unlawful'

Summer retainer fees charged to students by landlords are 'unlawful'

News

Rent Smart Wales is challenging letting agents and landlords over the widespread practice of charging student tenants summer retainer fees which it claims are unlawful under Welsh legislation. It says a retainer is an additional fee which is unlawful under the Renting Home

What is the difference: Lease, Licence or Tenancy-at-Will?

What is the difference: Lease, Licence or Tenancy-at-Will?

News

Owners (landlords) of commercial (business) premises and sometimes residential premises want to let to a tenant on a short term basis, but are fearful of creating a long-term arrangement such that the tenant cannot be removed if the landlord wants it.Basically, there are three ways to do that whi

As the regulations mount up, should landlords self-manage or not?

As the regulations mount up, should landlords self-manage or not?

News

When it comes to owning a buy-to� let property, the decision as to whether to use an agent or not is a big one. It is estimated that more than half of landlords self-manage their rental properties, believing it to be the best way to maintain control over who lives there and how

Commercial property offers three times greater yield than residential, says research

Commercial property offers three times greater yield than residential, says research

News

Commercial investments produce an average yield of 10.7% while residential properties offer just 3.7%, new research has claimed. Scotland is home to the highest commercial yield at 20.4%, along with the South West (13.7%), while Scotland is also where investors can find the high

Yes minister, there’s already a ‘lifetime deposit’ to offer tenants

Yes minister, there’s already a ‘lifetime deposit’ to offer tenants

Opinion

While the cost of renting continues to increase across the UK, the Government continues to grapple with the issue of making renting more accessible and secure, especially for

Bold action needed to save the PRS

Bold action needed to save the PRS

Opinion

Covid-19 restrictions are easing, so now is the time to take decisive action to support la

What are 'Deemed Contracts' and how do they affect Landlords?

What are 'Deemed Contracts' and how do they affect Landlords?

News

Especially at a time like this, in the middle of a pandemic, when good commercial tenants are hard to find, landlords dread the time when a lease comes to an end, or their tenant goes into administration. When a commercial landlord loses a tenant, not only do they lose regular r

Government to spend �13 million helping prison leavers rent from private landlords

Government to spend �13 million helping prison leavers rent from private landlords

News

The government is pouring �13m into a homelessness reduction initiative to fund long-term accommodation for prison leavers in the private rented sector. More than 140 councils across England will share out the cash to pay for landlord incentives and loans for rent deposits, spe

ANALYSIS: Are heat pumps a viable option for rental properties?

ANALYSIS: Are heat pumps a viable option for rental properties?

News

We know that households across the UK will need to adopt a low carbon alternative to traditional heating solutions such as oil, gas, coal or wood burning in the future. Air source or geothermal ground source heat pumps are being touted as just such an alternative to help the UK

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North Hants Council creates tenants’ charter to boost standard of homes

North Hants Council creates tenants’ charter to boost standard of homes

News
News
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North Herts Council has created a tenants’ charter to set out the rights and responsibilities of tenants, landlords and the council, in a bid to keep private rented homes up to scratch.

Rents grow at slowest level for three and a half years

Rents grow at slowest level for three and a half years

News
News
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Rents are growing at their slowest level for more than three years, but a limited supply of new rental homes will help keep prices high, it has been revealed.

Sex offender landlord banned from letting property

Sex offender landlord banned from letting property

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News
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A landlord has been banned from letting property in Edinburgh after he failed to report that he was a registered sex offender.

International Women’s Day: Elevating women in property

International Women’s Day: Elevating women in property

Opinion
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Discover how women are transforming the property sector on International Women's Day. Read Victoria Valentine's inspiring story from a landlord to estate agency owner, and learn about the impact of female leadership and all-women teams in the traditionally male-dominated property industry.

Tenant activists insist "landlords need us”

Tenant activists insist "landlords need us”

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News
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Acorn has taken aim at private landlords again, this time questioning whether their existence is even necessary.

Ban on new leasehold flats moves closer

Ban on new leasehold flats moves closer

News
News
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Government vows to finish the job of ending ‘feudal’ leasehold system in England and Wales

Rents rise and void periods shorten, reveals Goodlord

Rents rise and void periods shorten, reveals Goodlord

News
News
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Average rents in England jump 4% in a year to February while voids dropped from 24 to 20 days

Younger people targeted in tenant fraud

Younger people targeted in tenant fraud

News
News
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Almost three quarters of rental fraud involves young people, official data has revealed.

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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News
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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

New visa rules for foreigners 'not damaging student housing market'

New visa rules for foreigners 'not damaging student housing market'

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News
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Unite Students is poised to report rental income growth of at least 6% due to sustained demand, despite new visa rules affecting international students.

Wales to follow England's landlord stamp duty reliefs withdrawal

Wales to follow England's landlord stamp duty reliefs withdrawal

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News
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Landlords and property investors who buy privately-held multi-property portfolios in Wales are to lose another tax perk.

Why is Government making investing in PRS more difficult, asks leading landlord

Why is Government making investing in PRS more difficult, asks leading landlord

News
News
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A leading landlord in the SW has slammed the Government’s ongoing assault on the private rented sector, saying the efforts of Michael Gove and his predecessors puzzle ‘honourable and decent’ operators like him.

WARNING: Hunt's tax changes will hit landlords AND renters

WARNING: Hunt's tax changes will hit landlords AND renters

News
News
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Changes to income and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) that came in over the weekend could mean reduced investment in the PRS and insurance premiums, warns an insurance expert.

TV star reveals London training day for landlords

TV star reveals London training day for landlords

Information
News
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Paul Shamplina has assembled a panel of experts to run a training day this summer that will advise and coach landlords to navigate the tough economic and regulatory environment facing the privately rented sector.

ENERGY CAP: How much badly-insulated homes will cost tenants

ENERGY CAP: How much badly-insulated homes will cost tenants

News
News
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Poorly insulated homes will be sent annual gas bills about £340 – around 50% - higher than those with a C-rated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) under Ofgem’s latest price cap, new research has found.

Is the staycation-fuelled holiday lets bubble bursting?

Is the staycation-fuelled holiday lets bubble bursting?

News
News
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Holiday let owners are facing a significant dip in bookings this year as the sector feels the effects of the cost-of-living crisis, poor weather and an increasingly saturated market.

The dominoes may slowly fall as we head towards a distressed commercial market

The dominoes may slowly fall as we head towards a distressed commercial market

News
News
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The UK’s commercial property sector is experiencing challenges: high interest rates, inflation, lower property values, and liquidity problems for lenders and borrowers.

'Rent repayment orders being used beyond their original purpose'

'Rent repayment orders being used beyond their original purpose'

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News
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Some build-to-rent developments are increasingly falling foul of Rent Repayment Order (RRO) legislation, in a move away from its original aim to tackle poor HMOs, it has been claimed.

Thinktank battles landlords over evictions ban claims

Thinktank battles landlords over evictions ban claims

News
News
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The Social Market Foundation has argued that fears about stricter regulations reducing the supply of rental properties are ‘overblown’.

Tenant's jaw dropping makeover listed after pop star's campaign

Tenant's jaw dropping makeover listed after pop star's campaign

News
News
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A rented house which was transformed into a highly ornate classical ‘villa’ by its former tenant has been granted a Grade II listing.

Greens launch manifesto promising 'immediate rent freeze'

Greens launch manifesto promising 'immediate rent freeze'

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News
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The Green Party is unlikely to win many votes from landlords after launching its manifesto ahead of a General Election later this year and the May 2nd local elections.

Landlords to repay former tenants £15,000 despite £11,000 rent arrears

Landlords to repay former tenants £15,000 despite £11,000 rent arrears

News
News
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A mother and son landlord duo are to repay their former tenants £15,000 in a case highlighting how the rent repayment order system can be very one-sided.

Warning: Are landlords being encouraged to sell too early?

Warning: Are landlords being encouraged to sell too early?

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By now you’ve probably heard of Landlord Sales Agency, and our articles that suggest the market is in favour of landlords selling.

Official 'local rents' tool launched for landlords

Official 'local rents' tool launched for landlords

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News
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The Government has launched a service that enables landlords to see the rents being charged by other landlords in their area.

Number of 'home alone' renters drops by 8%, new data reveals

Number of 'home alone' renters drops by 8%, new data reveals

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News
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The number of people renting homes by themselves has reduced significantly over the past three years as the cost-of-living crisis has hit many renters’ pockets, new research reveals.

Leaseholder-owning landlords urged to fill in form or face big bills

Leaseholder-owning landlords urged to fill in form or face big bills

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News
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Landlords who own leasehold apartments in tower blocks are being urged to complete an official questionnaire or face being excluded from the protections afforded by the Building Safety Act (BSA).

NE of England landlord community goes national

NE of England landlord community goes national

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News
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A community of landlords launched in the North of England six years ago has revealed that it is now going national after being given a new name.

All rise! Court eviction fees paid by landlords to increase by 10%

All rise! Court eviction fees paid by landlords to increase by 10%

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News
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Landlords taking tenants to court to repossess properties face a significant hike in the fees they are charged by the courts to process their cases, it has been revealed.

BREAKING: New report questions role of property licencing

BREAKING: New report questions role of property licencing

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News
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A rental property compliance service has pitched into the debate over whether the nation’s landlord licencing schemes are fair or, given the looming Renters (Reform) Bill proposals, needed.

Mortgage rates 'on their way down' claim experts

Mortgage rates 'on their way down' claim experts

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News
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There is a growing consensus that mortgage interest rates will soon be heading south as house sales show signs of gaining momentum.

Landlord accused of barring gay renters from viewings

Landlord accused of barring gay renters from viewings

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News
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A would-be student tenant has accused a landlord of making homophobic rules before agreeing to a house viewing.

Newspaper claims rebel Tory MPs 'funded by landlords'

Newspaper claims rebel Tory MPs 'funded by landlords'

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News
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Rebel Tory MPs who lobbied for amendments to the Renters (Reform) Bill have received £450,000 in donations and earnings linked to landlords since the last general election, according to an investigation by the i newspaper.

Midlands landlords warned over licencing fees cliff-face

Midlands landlords warned over licencing fees cliff-face

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News
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Landlords in a big Midlands city have been warned that they must apply for a licence for their properties by April 9th or face an additional £200 hike in the £1,090 cost of each three-year licence.

COMMENT: New book argues 'the end of landlords' would solve the housing crisis

COMMENT: New book argues 'the end of landlords' would solve the housing crisis

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Here Tom Entwistle digests some of this argument and makes a few comments of his own - join in the argument