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Escalating 'housing emergencies' are Government's fault, say Scots letting agents

Escalating 'housing emergencies' are Government's fault, say Scots letting agents

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Letting agents have blamed poor Scottish government policies for the growing number of councils declaring ‘housing emergencies’.

Heat pumps still 'too expensive' warns national spending watchdog

Heat pumps still 'too expensive' warns national spending watchdog

News

Heat pump sales continue to be hampered by high costs, lown awareness and a lack of long-term financial support, the government’s spending watchdog has warned.

90% of landlords reject Scottish rent control plans, official poll reveals

90% of landlords reject Scottish rent control plans, official poll reveals

News

Vast majority of landlords have flatly rejected future widespread rent control across Scotland, in a new Holyrood survey.

Landlord fined after tenant harrassment revealed in court

Landlord fined after tenant harrassment revealed in court

News

A landlord has been ordered to pay £2,500 in fines, compensation and costs after he admitted harassing two of his tenants.

Will landlord MPs stymie the Rental (reform) Bill?

Will landlord MPs stymie the Rental (reform) Bill?

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Momentum appears to be growing to torpedo the controversial legislation as evidence emerges that the Bill is ‘close to collapse’ in Parliament.

Should a good rent payment record count towards a mortgage application

Should a good rent payment record count towards a mortgage application

News

It used to be the case that renting was a temporary phase in a young persons life. It gave flexibility until their career settled down to a fixed employer and a fixed location. But todays property prices mitigate against this pattern. Many people are locked into renting fa

Generation Rent calls for big landlord regulation push in Wales

Generation Rent calls for big landlord regulation push in Wales

News

Generation Rent has urged the Welsh government to introduce an ombudsman for the PRS along with more grounds for rent repayment orders (RROs) in order to improve tenants’ lives.

80% of landlords say banning Section 21 evictions 'a mistake'

80% of landlords say banning Section 21 evictions 'a mistake'

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The vast majority of landlords and letting agents view the Government’s plans to abolish Section 21 evictions as a mistake, a new report has revealed.

Hunt's Spring Budget hid 'stealth' tax grab on landlords via CGT rules

Hunt's Spring Budget hid 'stealth' tax grab on landlords via CGT rules

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Jeremy Hunt’s recent Spring Budget hid a ‘steal tax’ on landlords seeking to sell properties after April 1st, it has been claimed.

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TV star says PM wrong over his 'not working people' landlord claims

TV star says PM wrong over his 'not working people' landlord claims

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Following the Prime Minister’s comments that he does not consider those who earn income from property as ‘working people’, TV star Paul Shamplina has said he does not agree, pointing out that many landlords work hard - and rarely for the 'millons' some activists claim they do.

'Pets in lets' campaigner calls for clearer landlord guidance

'Pets in lets' campaigner calls for clearer landlord guidance

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The government should advise landlords to look at property location and an animal’s medical history when deciding whether to refuse pets, according to a campaigning animal charity.

Welsh landlords to be offered reduced stamp duty

Welsh landlords to be offered reduced stamp duty

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Landlords in Wales could get stamp duty relief for renting out their properties through the Welsh government’s Leasing Scheme Wales.

App launches aimed at HMO landlords in social housing sector

App launches aimed at HMO landlords in social housing sector

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A property and tenancy management app originally designed for the social housing sector is offering its service to private HMO landlords.

PM causes a storm by claiming landlords don't 'work' for their income

PM causes a storm by claiming landlords don't 'work' for their income

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The Prime Minister’s comments about what constitutes “working people” has reignited landlords’ fears that they may be at risk of a tax raid.

COMMENT: The housebuilders' wish list ahead of the Autumn Budget

COMMENT: The housebuilders' wish list ahead of the Autumn Budget

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Ahead of one of the most anticipated Budgets in a generation, given the government’s doom-laden hints, here’s some budget wishes from Britain’s builders.

Council inspectors call for property licencing expansion

Council inspectors call for property licencing expansion

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The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has called for more flexible and longer licensing schemes in its evidence to MPs scrutinising the Renters’ Rights Bill.

Leading landlords call for dedicated 'student tenancy contract'

Leading landlords call for dedicated 'student tenancy contract'

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A new student shorthold tenancy (SST) would address student renters’ unique needs, ensuring fairness and safety while providing flexibility around academic schedules, according to iHowz landlord association.

Tenants should withhold rent if repairs not completed, says campaign group

Tenants should withhold rent if repairs not completed, says campaign group

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Acorn has urged MPs to let tenants withhold their rent if landlords fail to repair serious repair including damp and mould.

Housing minister rejects dedicated housing courts for landlords

Housing minister rejects dedicated housing courts for landlords

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Housing minister Rachel Maclean has confirmed that a proposed housing court for landlords to help speed-up the evictions process is ‘definitely off the table’.

'Bumbling amateur' landlord fined £27,000 over property failings

'Bumbling amateur' landlord fined £27,000 over property failings

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A “bumbling amateur” landlord who imposed restrictive rules on tenants in his unlicensed HMO has been hit with a £27,500 Rent Repayment Order.

Judge rejects landlord duo's appeal over £21,000 council fine

Judge rejects landlord duo's appeal over £21,000 council fine

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A landlord couple have been ordered to pay a Rent Repayment Order reduced by £6,000 but will still have to fork out £21,000 between them in fines.

Minister tries to reassure landlords worried by eviction reforms

Minister tries to reassure landlords worried by eviction reforms

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Housing minister Rachel Maclean has sought to reassure landlords that they will still be able to evict troublesome tenants or those who build up rent arrears during an event at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester.

How to deal with a personal guarantee in buy-to-let mortgage applications

How to deal with a personal guarantee in buy-to-let mortgage applications

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Landlords are coming under increasing financial pressure given as reports of a 41% increase [i] in buy-to-let mortgage arrears and a 7% growth [ii] in buy-to-let mortgaged properties taken into possession have emerged.

Scotland consults on radical plans for rent controls, pets and evictions

Scotland consults on radical plans for rent controls, pets and evictions

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Landlords in Scotland can have their say on radical PRS reforms that would bring in rent controls, delay evictions and allow tenants to have pets.

Labour’s planned inheritance tax raid on businesses

Labour’s planned inheritance tax raid on businesses

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Labour is planning a “devastating” multi-billion pound inheritance tax raid, which could affect family businesses and in particular farming families.

Gove promises Renters (Reform) Bill progress 'before Christmas'

Gove promises Renters (Reform) Bill progress 'before Christmas'

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Michael Gove has confirmed that the Renters (Reform) Bill is to get its second reading within the next three months, scotching hopes among some landlords that the legislation might have been kicked into the long grass.

Official and updated ‘How to Rent’ guide published

Official and updated ‘How to Rent’ guide published

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The government has published its latest and legally required How to Rent guide with details on the new Housing Loss Prevention Service.

TV star says pay-as-you-go energy tenants must be urged to fit smart meters

TV star says pay-as-you-go energy tenants must be urged to fit smart meters

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TV star Paul Shamplina has called on landlords to urge tenants using pay-as-you-go (PAYG) energy services to fit smart meters.

'Landlords aren’t abandoning buy-to-let'

'Landlords aren’t abandoning buy-to-let'

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High interest rates not forcing landlords to leave the private rented sector as some have claimed says Tom Entwistle

LibDems reveal landlord crackdown in 'manifesto'

LibDems reveal landlord crackdown in 'manifesto'

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The Liberal Democrats have vowed to address the power imbalance between tenants and landlords by introducing national licensing and standards, longer tenancies, rent smoothing and empowered councils.

Tenant bags £5,000 after reporting landlord' failures

Tenant bags £5,000 after reporting landlord' failures

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An elderly landlord’s long-standing failure to carry out roof repairs has resulted in a £5,000 win for his long-standing tenant.

Banned landlord faces jail after renting caravan

Banned landlord faces jail after renting caravan

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A rogue landlord faces a possible jail sentence for harassment and failing to comply with a banning order.

Tory's Green campaigner slams Rishi over EPC U-turn

Tory's Green campaigner slams Rishi over EPC U-turn

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A key member of the recently disbanded Energy Efficiency Taskforce has expressed regret that it failed to launch any effective ideas.

'78% of landlords are at risk from rising mortgage rates'

'78% of landlords are at risk from rising mortgage rates'

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As the Bank of England’s base rate continues to ride high at 5.25% it has been revealed that a much higher proportion of landlords own properties via mortgages than was previously thought.

Landlords 'must be given more tax relief to invest in property'

Landlords 'must be given more tax relief to invest in property'

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Estate agent chain Winkworth has waded into the debate on how to fix the broken property market by calling for an end to infighting around housing delivery and the reinstatement of landlords’ mortgage interest relief.

Landlord fined £5,000 after locking out tenant during illegal eviction

Landlord fined £5,000 after locking out tenant during illegal eviction

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A landlord has been ordered to pay £5,312 for unlawfully evicting his tenant, leaving the renter with nowhere to stay and without access to his belongings and medication.

Confusion reigns among tenants over smart meters at rented homes

Confusion reigns among tenants over smart meters at rented homes

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Nearly a quarter (23%) of people without a smart meter say it’s because - incorrectly - they live in a rental property that can't have one installed.

Tory savages housing minister over 'havoc' caused by rent controls

Tory savages housing minister over 'havoc' caused by rent controls

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Scotland’s minister for tenant’s rights is oblivious to the havoc he’s wreaking in the PRS and the harm being caused to tenants, says Tory MSP.

Nearly half of renters struggling to pay monthly rent says Which?

Nearly half of renters struggling to pay monthly rent says Which?

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New research from the consumer campaign group paints a grim picture of renters facing tough financial conditions as they struggle to pay the rent.

Rishi’s Green U-turn slated by Welsh housing minister in Senedd

Rishi’s Green U-turn slated by Welsh housing minister in Senedd

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Welsh Housing Minister Julie James has warned that Rishi Sunak’s green U-turn means many tenants will continue to rent draughty, inefficient homes and face high energy bills for years to come.

Tougher EPC rules were always going to be scrapped, says expert

Tougher EPC rules were always going to be scrapped, says expert

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A lack of public money to back landlords keen to upgrade their properties islikely to have been a major factor behind Rishi Sunak’s decision to scrap changesto minimum energy standards, an expert has claimed.

Tricky tradespeople, red tape and fraud driving landlords into agents’ arms

Tricky tradespeople, red tape and fraud driving landlords into agents’ arms

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Increasing regulation of the private rented sector, the pain of finding tradespeople to do property repairs and increasing fraud are pushing more landlords into the arms of letting agents, it has been revealed.

Mayor and Trading Standards urge tenants to report rogue landlords via new tool

Mayor and Trading Standards urge tenants to report rogue landlords via new tool

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London renters can flag up breaches of the Tenant Fees Act to Trading Standards by using a new reporting tool.