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'Hold your nerve: Watch, wait, and don’t panic'

'Hold your nerve: Watch, wait, and don’t panic'

Opinion

The biggest news to hit the private rental sector in 25 years is here: the Renters' Rights Bill. Scheduled for its second reading today, 9 October, this Bill is poised to reshape the landscape for landlords and tenants alike.

Renters’ Rights Bill: how concerned should we be?

Renters’ Rights Bill: how concerned should we be?

News

Here’s an initial reaction to the Renters’ Rights Bill, thoughts that could change as it progresses through parliament - the second reading is today.

Funding confirmed for EPC improvements – but will it be enough?

Funding confirmed for EPC improvements – but will it be enough?

Sponsored

A new funding pot has been announced to support energy efficiency improvements in England.

MPs to debate renting reforms today as Rayner promises law 'ASAP'

MPs to debate renting reforms today as Rayner promises law 'ASAP'

News

The Renters’ Rights Bill will become law ‘as soon as possible’ housing secretary Angela Rayner has promised as parliament debates her legislation for the first time.

HMO landlords' fine appeal leads to £100,000 increase

HMO landlords' fine appeal leads to £100,000 increase

News

A judge has massively increased the fines given to two HMO landlords who have failed in a legal challenge against their sentence.

WARNING: Abolishing ASTs will push landlords into short lets sector

WARNING: Abolishing ASTs will push landlords into short lets sector

News

Removing fixed-term tenancies will drive up rents as landlords switch to short-term lets, warns Propertymark.

Landlord fined £22,600 after ignoring tenant safety warnings

Landlord fined £22,600 after ignoring tenant safety warnings

News

A landlord with multiple properties in Bootle has been ordered to pay £22,630 for ignoring safety risks that left his tenants facing imminent danger.

Many tenants are becoming 'unrentable' says leading figure

Many tenants are becoming 'unrentable' says leading figure

News

A significant number of people seeking properties to rent are finding themselves excluded and forced to live in temporary accommodation, it has been claimed, as landlords be become more risk averse.

Environmental health officers call for stronger landlord licencing

Environmental health officers call for stronger landlord licencing

News

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has backed calls for better funding of councils’ housing enforcement and stronger selective licensing.

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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

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

LATEST: Housing minister changes mind on renting reforms - in landlords' favour

LATEST: Housing minister changes mind on renting reforms - in landlords' favour

News
News
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Opinion
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The Government has been moved to reassure Tory MPs that its Renters (Reform) Bill will not damage the private rented sector following the leaking of a letter by housing minister Jacob Young.

Prince William signs up landlords across UK to tackle homelessness

Prince William signs up landlords across UK to tackle homelessness

News
News
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Opinion
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The Prince of Wales is working with private landlords to help prevent and reduce homelessness in the UK, it has been revealed.

Bill to make evictions harder and limit rent rises 'wrong' say landlords

Bill to make evictions harder and limit rent rises 'wrong' say landlords

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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The Scottish coalition Government has finally revealed its plans for the private rented sector including permanent rent controls, new rights to keep pets, decorate rented homes and stronger protection against eviction.

Landlord tells tenants: 'no old people, no overnight visitors, no drinking'

Landlord tells tenants: 'no old people, no overnight visitors, no drinking'

News
News
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Opinion
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A man has been dubbed “the world’s strictest landlord” for telling would-be tenants that they can’t have anyone staying the night have a drink.

HMO firm to pay £30,000 after blocking fire exit with.... shipping container

HMO firm to pay £30,000 after blocking fire exit with.... shipping container

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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A housing management company has been fined £30,000 after an escape route at its HMO was found to be padlocked shut and blocked by a large shipping container.

MPs launch probe into why home buying and selling is so stressful

MPs launch probe into why home buying and selling is so stressful

News
News
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Opinion
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The government has launched a cross-party inquiry into how the experience of buying and selling homes could be improved in England.

Birmingham landlords trial 'UK first' tech to help them comply with licencing

Birmingham landlords trial 'UK first' tech to help them comply with licencing

News
News
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Opinion
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A group of landlords in Birmingham are spearheading an innovative trial of new technology designed to help them comply with local licencing and other regulatory requirements.

Peers label Gove's leasehold reforms 'unambitious' and 'disappointing'

Peers label Gove's leasehold reforms 'unambitious' and 'disappointing'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Peers debating the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill were almost unanimous in their belief that it doesn’t go far enough to protect leaseholders.

Landlords ARE exiting the market and reforms will make it worse, say agents

Landlords ARE exiting the market and reforms will make it worse, say agents

News
News
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Opinion
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A survey of the nation’s letting agents has revealed that two thirds of them have seen a significant increase in the number of landlords either exiting the private rented sector (PRS) or reducing the size of their portfolio.

Is commercial property set for a rebound in 2024?

Is commercial property set for a rebound in 2024?

News
News
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Opinion
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The commercial property sector has been particularly badly hit with reduced property values and rents, and increased lending costs, but it's not all doom and gloom

Be ready for new safety rules on March 1st, Scots landlords warned

Be ready for new safety rules on March 1st, Scots landlords warned

News
News
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Opinion
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Landlords in Scotland will have to meet a raft of measures to keep their properties up to scratch when new rules come in on 1st March.

Minister reveals new green scheme and cash for landlords

Minister reveals new green scheme and cash for landlords

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Landlords will be able to apply for bespoke green loans and cashback rewards to make their properties more energy efficient under a new government-backed scheme.

Looking to reduce your tax bill? Then you're in good 'company'

Looking to reduce your tax bill? Then you're in good 'company'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Mortgage brokers are bracing themselves for more landlords seeking to borrow via limited companies during 2024, it has been claimed.

Government becomes shareholder in PRS investment platform

Government becomes shareholder in PRS investment platform

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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The government has become an investor in PRS financing platform Shojin through the conversion of a pandemic-era loan facilitated by the Future Fund scheme.

Council proposes unusual property licencing REDUCTION!

Council proposes unusual property licencing REDUCTION!

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Landlords are being urged by a London councl to take part in a consultation on plans for a new, slimmed down selective licensing scheme.

Bad plumbing not mould is top concern for private tenants

Bad plumbing not mould is top concern for private tenants

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Two thirds of private renters had an issue with the quality or condition of their home during the past six months, according to new research, with plumbing problems top of the list.

Winchester council latest to become big private landlord

Winchester council latest to become big private landlord

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News
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Opinion
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Winchester City Council has set up its own housing company, Venta Living, one of a growing number of councils going down the private route to help meet the growing demand for rental properties.

Landlord fined £6,500 after member of public reports HMO

Landlord fined £6,500 after member of public reports HMO

News
News
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Opinion
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A landlord in Norfolk has been fined £6,500 after a significant investigation by local housing officers.

Mental health – are we doing enough in the HMO sector?

Mental health – are we doing enough in the HMO sector?

Opinion
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

One might immediately answer 'no' to this question, but does the HMO property industry possess adequate understanding of this delicate subject to address it effectively?

Lawyer warns landlords NOT to blame tenants for mould

Lawyer warns landlords NOT to blame tenants for mould

News
News
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Opinion
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A senior lawyer has told landlords that they cannot blame their tenants if mould appears within privately rented homes.

Letting agent avoids jail after defrauding seven landlords

Letting agent avoids jail after defrauding seven landlords

News
News
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Opinion
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A fraudulent letting agent who ripped off landlords by failing to register their deposits has escaped a jail sentence.

Absentee landlord to pay tenants £10k over mouldy, unlicenced property

Absentee landlord to pay tenants £10k over mouldy, unlicenced property

News
News
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Opinion
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Three tenants have pocketed £10,060 between them after winning a rent repayment order against their landlord for letting out a mouldy HMO with “lamentable” fire safety.

Tribunal orders big landlord to pay £16m toward cladding costs

Tribunal orders big landlord to pay £16m toward cladding costs

News
News
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Opinion
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One of the UK’s largest private landlords has been ordered to pay £16 million towards the cost of fixing cladding-related fire safety problems at a group of five residential towers in London.

Warwick latest town to start borough-wide big HMO licencing

Warwick latest town to start borough-wide big HMO licencing

News
News
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An Additional Licencing scheme covering all larger HMOs in Warwick has now gone live following approval of the scheme last year and a consultation.

MPs say private landlords must face same rules as social housing

MPs say private landlords must face same rules as social housing

News
News
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Opinion
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Select committee report is arguing for a change in the law to force private landlords to have to fix mould within days

New ombudsman will join forces with partner scheme

New ombudsman will join forces with partner scheme

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

The government has revealed more details about how the new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman Service will work in practice.

MPs want landlords to sort out mouldy PRS homes

MPs want landlords to sort out mouldy PRS homes

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

A cross-party group of MPs says a crackdown on social landlords to tackle damp and mould should be extended to tenants in the private rented sector.

Mortgage broker's new look marks its evolution

Mortgage broker's new look marks its evolution

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

Buy-to-let intermediary Mortgages for Business is rebranding as Mortgage Finance Brokers (MFB) to reflect its more inclusive approach.

Growing demand means 1 million extra homes are needed in England & Wales

Growing demand means 1 million extra homes are needed in England & Wales

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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1 million extra homes will be needed in England and Wales to house singles and families – this is a continually growing market for the private rented sector.

NRLA backs MPs' pragmatic plans for Renters Reform Bill

NRLA backs MPs' pragmatic plans for Renters Reform Bill

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News
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Tory MPs have tabled a raft of amendments to the Renters Reform Bill to ensure it works for the whole private rented sector.

Surveyors call for government action to tackle PRS woes

Surveyors call for government action to tackle PRS woes

News
News
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Opinion
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Property surveyors across the UK have reported a slowdown in tenant demand along with continued levels of diminishing stock.

Rogue letting agent used 'smokescreen' to conceal ownership

Rogue letting agent used 'smokescreen' to conceal ownership

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News
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Opinion
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Four tenants have lost their £309,000 claim for harassment but won a £21,160 rent repayment order for living in an unlicensed flat.

January sees a new surge of landlords selling their portfolios for higher prices than 2023

January sees a new surge of landlords selling their portfolios for higher prices than 2023

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News
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Opinion
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There’s good news for landlords who have postponed selling their rental properties despite falling profits and new legislation making the private rental sector less appealing to most landlords.