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.

Comment: the condensation and mould crisis hits the headlines again

Comment: the condensation and mould crisis hits the headlines again

News

The tragedy of the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in a Rochdale social housing flat rests heavily on the minds of landlords across the country: could this happen in one of my own properties they might well ask? The answer is probably, yes it easily could. In a winter with ris

Knotty neighbour problem costs home owner �250,000

Knotty neighbour problem costs home owner �250,000

News

A Japanese knotweed infestation caused homeowner Charron Ishmael to take her neighbour, retired NHS consultant Dr Sheila Clark, to court over a dispute about the plant. Charron Ishmael was selling her property but because of the presence of the invasive plant in her neighbour

Grant Shapps warns landlords to pass on energy support payments to tenants

Grant Shapps warns landlords to pass on energy support payments to tenants

News

HMO landlords have again been warned that they must pass on the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) rebate to tenants as the first payments are made, this time by business secretary Grant Shapps (pictured). https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/latest-official-plans-to-for

London council plans triple whammy of landlord licensing and regulation

London council plans triple whammy of landlord licensing and regulation

News

Merton Council, which includes the famous Wimbledon lawn tennis centre, is embarking on a big push to license all rented properties and HMOs in the borough as well as limiting the growth of small HMOs. It wants landlords to take part in its new consultation on plans for <strong

PROBE: Landlords complain about rent-to-rent firm as deals go sour

PROBE: Landlords complain about rent-to-rent firm as deals go sour

News

Complaints from landlords and letting agents have been passed to LandlordZONE about a rent-to-rent provider whose founder is lauded online for raking in up to �12,000 a month. <figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type- " data-rt-type="" data-rt-align=""><div><img src="https://uploads-

Autumn Statement latest: Chancellor reveals tax rises for landlords

Autumn Statement latest: Chancellor reveals tax rises for landlords

News

Landlords face higher bills from next year after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt slashed the annual threshold for Capital Gains Tax from �12,300 to �6,000 next year and �3,000 from April 2024. Although a rise in CGT didnt materialise, he followed the Office of Tax Simplification

LATEST: Government has 'broken the PRS' during its war on landlords

LATEST: Government has 'broken the PRS' during its war on landlords

News

Landlords have accused the Government of "breaking the private rented sector" with its relentless regulatory and tax policies. The comments have been made by the NRLA, which says that while demand for rented homes is rising as home ownership becomes less affordable, the number o

NEW: Brighton squeezes HMO sector even harder with new policies and guidance

NEW: Brighton squeezes HMO sector even harder with new policies and guidance

News

Brighton &amp; Hove Council is squeezing its HMO sector even harder by introducing a tough new set of policies designed to reduce their impact on local communities. Its City Plan Part 2 includes new guidance for those applying for planning permission as well as rules covering bu

Welsh landlords &amp; agents have serious misgivings about longer notice periods

Welsh landlords &amp; agents have serious misgivings about longer notice periods

News

The way that private rented sector (PRS) landlords operate their properties in Wales is going through one of the biggest changes in decades as the Welsh Government, under its devolved powers, pass and implement the https://www.legislation.gov.uk/anaw/2016/1/contents" target="_blank

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

Total Landlord wins 'best insurance provider' for SEVENTH time

Total Landlord wins 'best insurance provider' for SEVENTH time

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

For the seventh year, Total Landlord, part of Total Property, has been named the 'Best Landlord Insurance Provider' at the Insurance Choice Awards 2024.

Rents in England close to 'affordability ceiling' says Savills expert

Rents in England close to 'affordability ceiling' says Savills expert

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Rents will carry on rising next year as the supply of rental homes continues to be outstripped by supply – but an ‘inflection point’ where rents become too expensive for many tenants will eventually arrive, and already has done in London.

Big London council votes to hugely extend selective licencing

Big London council votes to hugely extend selective licencing

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Decision by Lambeth councillors comes just a few months after an initial and expensive four-ward scheme went live.

RICS reports that the Budget gives a mixed bag for property

RICS reports that the Budget gives a mixed bag for property

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

There are Autumn Budget winners and losers in the property industry as a whole

Government rejects calls for longer licencing schemes

Government rejects calls for longer licencing schemes

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Government has rejected calls for 10-year selective licensing schemes and insists that the government recognises the burden that licensing puts on landlords.

LATEST: Bank of England cuts base rate by 0.25%

LATEST: Bank of England cuts base rate by 0.25%

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Bank of England has cut interest rates from 5% to 4.75%, providing some welcome cheer for landlords looking to invest and remortgage.

Rent arrears climb by 22% as 'cost of living' crisis continues

Rent arrears climb by 22% as 'cost of living' crisis continues

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The average rent arrears claim climbed to £2,064 in the third quarter of this year, a 22% rise on the same period last year.

Housing minister says rent controls would damage landlords and tenants

Housing minister says rent controls would damage landlords and tenants

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Housing minister Matthew Pennycook has said rent controls in England would hit both tenants and landlords negatively by reducing supply and discouraging investment.

Generation Rent hires former Labour MP and housing campaigner

Generation Rent hires former Labour MP and housing campaigner

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Former Labour MP Dame Karen Buck has been hired as Generation Rent’s new chair of the board.

BUDGET: Charities call for LHA to be raised to relieve pressure on benefits tenants

BUDGET: Charities call for LHA to be raised to relieve pressure on benefits tenants

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Increasing the Local Housing Allowance would be the quickest way for the government to improve access to affordable homes, say housing charities. According to analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), in 37 local authorities, the gap between market rents for three-bedr

First rental eviction prompted by tighter EPC rules takes place in Midlands

First rental eviction prompted by tighter EPC rules takes place in Midlands

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

An 80-year-old disabled woman is being evicted from her home after more than 60 years because her property wont pass tighter new EPC rules, a case which is believed to be the first of its kind. Thoresby Estate which owns Anne Marshs property in Edwin

Landlords warned over using unregulated solicitors to fill in eviction claim forms

Landlords warned over using unregulated solicitors to fill in eviction claim forms

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A tenancy mediator has warned landlords that they or the experts they hire - risk being jailed for contempt of court by not using a regulated solicitor to fill in possession notice claim forms. PRS Mediations Julie Ford (pictured) says that under the L

'Something must be done about rogue rent-to-rent operators' says industry chief

'Something must be done about rogue rent-to-rent operators' says industry chief

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Eddie Hooker, Chief Executive of insurance company the HFIS Group, has called for action to combat the murky end of the rent-to-rent market. Talking during an video interview with LandlordZONE , Hooker said action was needed to increase transparency w

BREAKING: Government to issue new 'How to Rent' guide on Friday

BREAKING: Government to issue new 'How to Rent' guide on Friday

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A new How to Rent guide will come out on Friday (17th March) which landlords in England must serve at the start of any new tenancy or renewal. The new guide forms part of the prescribed information landlords must issue, and if they dont

BUDGET: What can landlords expect from the Chancellor this week?

BUDGET: What can landlords expect from the Chancellor this week?

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords will be looking for more government support to make energy efficiency improvements while hoping for some tax burden relief in the upcoming Budget. With EPC deadlines looming, many want greater incentives to back up the https://www.gov.uk/apply-boiler-upgrade-s

NE Landlords slam councils' blanket licencing plan as 'waste of time'

NE Landlords slam councils' blanket licencing plan as 'waste of time'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords in the North East have complained that a rubber stamped selective licencing scheme is a pure waste of time� and that they are fed up being taxed in this way�. The comments concern Middlesborough councils plans to extend its licencing scheme in the ce

Property manager to pay �25,000 after failing to appeal 'horror electrics' fine

Property manager to pay �25,000 after failing to appeal 'horror electrics' fine

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The director of a property management firm has been fined more than �25,000 after dangerous electrics were discovered at an HMO in Northampton. West Northamptonshire Council issued a warrant in May 2022 after tenants raised concerns about the property in Lutterwor

FIRST rent repayment order against landlord issued following landmark case

FIRST rent repayment order against landlord issued following landmark case

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A landlord who tried to claim that he was the superior landlord of an unlicensed HMO has failed in his bid to avoid paying a Rent Repayment Order. In the first RRO case since the landmark�

Landlords LEFT OUT of new 'forbearance' guidance for mortgage holders

Landlords LEFT OUT of new 'forbearance' guidance for mortgage holders

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords have been left out of measures announced today designed to support mortgage holders during the cost of living crisis. The guidance, which has been issued by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) updating borrowers responsibilities to their existing mortgage holders,

NEW: Worcester latest to propose city-wide HMO licencing scheme

NEW: Worcester latest to propose city-wide HMO licencing scheme

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

All HMO landlords in Worcester will soon have to buy a licence if councillors back a new additional licensing scheme. The city has operated an additional scheme since September 2015 but amended it in 2020 to cover only the wards of Arboretum, Bedwardine, Cathedral and St Clement

VOTE: Scots rent rises to be capped at 3% until October, MSPs agree

VOTE: Scots rent rises to be capped at 3% until October, MSPs agree

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Scottish MSPs have voted through a rent cap and extension of the eviction ban until 30th September. The rent cap for private sector tenancies will increase to 3% from 1st April under the amendment to the https://www.gov.scot/publications/cost-living-ten

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