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.

Hardship test “bombshell” for landlords

Hardship test “bombshell” for landlords

News

Labour’s housing minister Matthew Pennycook is said to be planning a “hardship test”

New minister says transfer from housing benefit to Universal Credit 'smooth' but expert disagrees

New minister says transfer from housing benefit to Universal Credit 'smooth' but expert disagrees

News

Claims by the new Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) minister of state Stephen Timms that the transfer of remaining housing benefit claimants to Universal Credit is being done ‘as smoothly as possible’ have been questioned by a leading expert.

Landlord fined £10,000 over failure to do £169 safety check

Landlord fined £10,000 over failure to do £169 safety check

News

Booking in a five-yearly Electrical Safety Installation Certificate (ESIC) check for your rented property often seems like one of the plethora of minor tasks on the ‘to do’ list.

Higher BTL repossessions making rental shortage worse says Law Society

Higher BTL repossessions making rental shortage worse says Law Society

News

An increase in buy-to-let repossessions is exacerbating the rental supply shortage and leaving evicted families without legal aid needed to fight their case.

'We're seeing mostly older landlords selling up' says agency boss

'We're seeing mostly older landlords selling up' says agency boss

News

An exodus of older landlords is paving the way for build-to-rent investors and younger landlords looking to capitalise on higher yield properties, according to a big estate agency boss.

Landlord property repossessions continue upward trajectory

Landlord property repossessions continue upward trajectory

News

At least 710 buy-to-let mortgaged properties were repossessed in the second quarter of the year, 13% up on the previous quarter and 51% up year-on-year.

OpenRent and Rightmove's 'war of words' ends with new deal

OpenRent and Rightmove's 'war of words' ends with new deal

News

Online lettings firm OpenRent and Rightmove have signed a new property listings deal after several weeks of corporate brinkmanship over fees.

COURTS: Time to evict a tenant jumps 15% to 25 weeks

COURTS: Time to evict a tenant jumps 15% to 25 weeks

News

The average time from claim to landlord repossession has jumped to 25.4 weeks, up from 22.1 weeks in the same period in 2023, according to the latest government figures.

'Supply of rented property thinning out, and Labour's not helping'

'Supply of rented property thinning out, and Labour's not helping'

News

Gloomy letting agents have reported a fall-off in private rentals coming onto the market around the country.

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

WARNING: Eviction reforms will make landlords 'choosier' about tenants

WARNING: Eviction reforms will make landlords 'choosier' about tenants

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlord Action’s Paul Shamplina has predicted a rise in landlords using rent guarantee insurance as well as tougher referencing to protect themselves against the fall-out of eviction reforms.

Big City in north plans expansion of selective licencing for landlords

Big City in north plans expansion of selective licencing for landlords

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Leeds Council plans to extend selective licensing across more of the city when the current scheme ends next year.

Court eviction delays to get longer warns leading lawyer

Court eviction delays to get longer warns leading lawyer

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A leading evictions lawyer has warned that without massive investment in the court system, time scales for possession hearings will dramatically increase.

REVEALED: Shocking extent of reforms hitting landlords next year

REVEALED: Shocking extent of reforms hitting landlords next year

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Government has revealed more details about its much-awaited and somewhat feared Renters’ Rights Bill that had its initial reading in parliament earlier this month.

7 tips to minimise your risk of being a victim of cyber-crime

7 tips to minimise your risk of being a victim of cyber-crime

Sponsored
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Estate agency Leaders offers landlords some advice on how to stop being ripped off by fraudsters online.

Government funds 'damp detecting kits' for private tenants

Government funds 'damp detecting kits' for private tenants

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Private tenants in Norfolk are being handed data loggers to record humidity levels in a bid to encourage simple lifestyle changes.

Big midlands town clamps down on HMOs with new restrictions

Big midlands town clamps down on HMOs with new restrictions

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords in Rugby will need permission to convert any home into an HMO next year after the council voted to introduce an Article 4 direction.

Holiday let landlords to add 'UK first' tourism tax to rentals

Holiday let landlords to add 'UK first' tourism tax to rentals

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Short let and holiday lets landlords in Edinburgh could soon have to charge guests a visitor levy under the first scheme of its kind in the UK.

Landlord loses appeal over big rent repayment order

Landlord loses appeal over big rent repayment order

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A landlord has lost his legal battle to challenge a £12,600 rent repayment order after he tried to illegally evict two former tenants.

A year in review for agents: The PRS annual report 2022

A year in review for agents: The PRS annual report 2022

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Property Redress Scheme annual report 2022 has just been released and reflects on

NRLA chief rebuts claims that he 'misled' MPs about PRS shortages

NRLA chief rebuts claims that he 'misled' MPs about PRS shortages

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A Commons committee has confirmed that NRLA chief Ben Beadle did not mislead MPs when giving evidence about the diminishing supply of private rented housing. Anhttps://amp.theguardian.com/society/2023/mar/03/landlords-accused-of-making-up-stories-in-campaign-to-change-t

Politician warns big landlord fines by councils 'can be seen as hypocritical'

Politician warns big landlord fines by councils 'can be seen as hypocritical'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A Suffolk councillor has spoken out against targeting private landlords with tougher regulations when authorities face similar problems with their own housing stock. Both Babergh and Mid Suffolk councils have agreed that civil penalties of up to �30,000 should be used to deter

'Zero-rate VAT for property upgrades if you want to hit EPC targets' say big landlords

'Zero-rate VAT for property upgrades if you want to hit EPC targets' say big landlords

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The British Property Federation (BPF) has called on the government to zero rate VAT on building repair and maintenance to incentivise essential upgrades across the residential sector or risk missing its 2050 net zero target. In the run-up to next weeks Budget, it says the

Cowboy HMO landlord given �8,000 fine over 'horror house' HMO conversion

Cowboy HMO landlord given �8,000 fine over 'horror house' HMO conversion

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The landlord of a property dubbed a house of horrors� has been ordered to pay more than �8,000 by the courts. Barking and Dagenham Council enforcement officers discovered water leaks, broken windows and doors, a lack of fire protection, exposed electrical wiring, and rat a

HMO landlords urged to share views on controversial council tax re-banding consultation

HMO landlords urged to share views on controversial council tax re-banding consultation

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Leaders of a campaign seeking to change the law on unfair HMO property council tax re-banding are urging landlords to input into the ongoing Government consultation on the matter due to end on the 31st March. As https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/exclu

Major council launches mould and damp crackdown in PRS including fines

Major council launches mould and damp crackdown in PRS including fines

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Hackney Council has launched a major enforcement drive against private landlords who ignore complaints about serious damp and mould, signalling an unofficial application of 'https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/opinion-should-awaabs-law-to-be-applied-in-the-private-rented-sector/" i

Property firm boss banned for 12 years after falsely claiming �45,000 Covid loan

Property firm boss banned for 12 years after falsely claiming �45,000 Covid loan

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A property investor who falsely claimed a �45,000 Bounce Back Loan before dissolving his firm has been banned by the Insolvency Service. Simon Gorgin, 63, from Kings Langley, was sole director of P3 Estates Ltd until it was dissolved in December 2021. In May 2020,

Retro-fitting buildings for energy efficiency - is it worth it?

Retro-fitting buildings for energy efficiency - is it worth it?

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Refurbishing, or in the jargon - retrofitting - older commercial and residential buildings, according to the Government, is desirable and necessary, given that energy efficiency standards that will need to be met under the Governments legal commitment to net zero by 2050. But

Council slammed after being found to break same safety rules as landlord it fined

Council slammed after being found to break same safety rules as landlord it fined

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Haringey Council has been hauled up for not completing fire and electrical checks at thousands of its properties, despite handing a private landlord �2,500 for the same failing. The https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/london-borough-of-haringey/regulatory-notice

'Landlords must be offered interest-free loans or grants for EPC upgrades'

'Landlords must be offered interest-free loans or grants for EPC upgrades'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Estate agents have told politicians that Government-backed interest-free loans or grants to cover the cost of looming EPC upgrades are the only way many landlords will be able to fund the work. The comments have been made by industry association Propertymark

Landlords warned over Section 13 rent rises after Court of Appeal decision

Landlords warned over Section 13 rent rises after Court of Appeal decision

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Court of Appeal has dismissed the case of a landlord who tried to evict a tenant in arrears after getting the date wrong on a Section 13 notice. Tenant Victoria Whiteland had lived in her cottage in Llanbydder, Carmarthenshire, since May 1991 but although the rent was due ev

RECOVERY: BTL mortgage availability widens as lender confidence revives

RECOVERY: BTL mortgage availability widens as lender confidence revives

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Buy-to-let mortgage availability is at its highest since last July as the market continues to recover from a mass product drop. There are now 2,400 options in the sector, according to https://moneyfacts.co.uk/" target="_blank" Moneyfacts.co.ukn

Top Cities for Property Investment in Asia

Top Cities for Property Investment in Asia

Sponsored
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Introduction</h2>When setting your sights on investing in property in Asia, it can be a bit overwhelming when you look at the number of cities around the world that are available. Many factors go into determining which city is right for you, but we've done our best to lay out some

City launches consultation on 'eye watering' new fees for HMOs

City launches consultation on 'eye watering' new fees for HMOs

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Nottingham has revealed it will charge non-accredited, less compliant HMO landlords an eye-watering £1,993 fee to join its proposed additional licensing scheme a £273 increase on the current schemes fee. Accredited landlords will pay �1,118 - up from �990 - in a city

Landlord fined after tenants spend Xmas and NY without water or decent heating

Landlord fined after tenants spend Xmas and NY without water or decent heating

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

An experienced landlord who left a family with a baby without water or adequate heating in their rented property over Christmas and New Year has been fined. Anthony Wardrop , 79, of The Parade, Hartlepool, had denied a charge of failing to comply with an Im

Luton landlord to pay thousands after 'hindering' property safety probe

Luton landlord to pay thousands after 'hindering' property safety probe

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A Luton landlord has been fined for the unusual offence of failing to provide documents relating to safety issues at his property. Sarfraz Yousaf , of New Bedford Road, the director of Poplar Homes Ltd (pictured), was prosecuted by Luton Council after it re

Research finds that UK leaseholders are still nervous about safety in their homes

Research finds that UK leaseholders are still nervous about safety in their homes

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Property and construction industry software and data company Zutec aims to improve the quality of buildings data so that people can make better decisions and work more productively. The company provides a full suite of digital solutions, including construction management software for archit

Reverse tax rises and delay EPC changes to avoid 'crisis' Government told

Reverse tax rises and delay EPC changes to avoid 'crisis' Government told

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The government should restore tax relief for mortgage interest and extend the deadline for proposed EPC energy improvements if it is to avert a looming rental property crisis. Buy-to-let sales platform Vesta Property has already seen a surge in properties for sale as many privat

EXCLUSIVE: NI landlords voice major concerns over renting reforms

EXCLUSIVE: NI landlords voice major concerns over renting reforms

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords in Northern Ireland fear new legislation to give private renters greater protection could herald further sweeping changes that force more to quit the sector. Sections 1-6 of the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 take effect on <strong

LATEST: One in three landlords who remortgage will fail affordability tests

LATEST: One in three landlords who remortgage will fail affordability tests

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

One in three landlords could be forced to sell up after failing their lenders affordability test to re-mortgage, it has been claimed. The stark warning comes from buy-to-let specialist https://www.mortgagesforbusiness.co.uk/" Mortgages for Busines

WARNING: Landlord takes down video after tenant rant goes viral

WARNING: Landlord takes down video after tenant rant goes viral

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A landlord in London has learned the hard way not to complain about bad tenants on social media after one of her TikTok videos went viral and was featured within The Sun's website. The woman, who doesnt give her name on the social media site but uses the handle https

1000s of 'mortgage prisoner' landlords still need help, says Martin Lewis

1000s of 'mortgage prisoner' landlords still need help, says Martin Lewis

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Mortgage prisoners - many of them landlords - should be offered free financial advice and interest-free equity loans from the government to prevent them from losing their properties, a new study suggests. About 195,000 households are still trapped in expensive variable-rate mort

Staggering inaccuracies in EPCs undermine net zero efforts

Staggering inaccuracies in EPCs undermine net zero efforts

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Government puts its faith in EPC ratings to measure property energy usage in order to drive up energy efficiency in properties towards its energy targets, but can owners have the same faith? Are EPCs as they stand robust enough? Do they give valid and reliable ratings when t

Tenants with pets should pay higher rent to cover costs, says big agency

Tenants with pets should pay higher rent to cover costs, says big agency

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords should consider charging tenants with pets more rent to cover possible extra costs as well as conducting more frequent routine property visits, according to leading letting agency Johns &amp; Co. The London firm advises that potential expenses could include an addition