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Leading lawyer asks landlords for help to reverse 'morally wrong' HMO rules

Leading lawyer asks landlords for help to reverse 'morally wrong' HMO rules

News

HMO owners and associations are being urged to support calls for a rethink of plans to remove licensing requirements for HMOs used as asylum accommodation. Property lawyer at JMW, David Smith , wants the High Court to agree to a judicial review of changes o

LATEST: Rental homes stock plummets by 35% to four-year low

LATEST: Rental homes stock plummets by 35% to four-year low

News

The number of available private rental homes has dropped by more than a third since 2019 to a 14-year low. Only 241,000 PRS homes were available last month compared with 370,000 in June 2019, a fall of 35%, according to consultancy TwentyCi which analysed

Landlord couple fined thousands after ignoring property repair notices

Landlord couple fined thousands after ignoring property repair notices

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A landlord couple have paid a heavy price for ignoring their tenant's request to fix a boiler after being fined �3,500. David and Emily Griffiths, of Tickhill Road, Harworth (pictured), Nottinghamshire left the tenant with no hot water or heating for three weeks. D

Renters (Reform) Bill: How will the changes to evictions affect landlords? - The Property Cast

Renters (Reform) Bill: How will the changes to evictions affect landlords? - The Property Cast

Podcast

In this episode of The Property Cast, Eddie and Paul are joined by special guest Paul Sowerbutts, Head of Legal at Landlord Action, to discuss how the proposed changes to evictions will affect landlords. How will scrapping Section 21 really impact tenancies and, given the delay

Likely cost of EPC upgrades for rental properties revealed by Government

Likely cost of EPC upgrades for rental properties revealed by Government

News

Energy efficiency improvement costs for most private rental homes work out at between �5,000 and �9,999 (46%), while almost a third (30%) could be improved for under �5,000, according to the latest government analysis. At the other end of the scale, 19% of homes would cost be

Higher mortgage rates driving more landlords to request rent guarantors

Higher mortgage rates driving more landlords to request rent guarantors

News

Landlords hit by mortgage rate hikes are demanding guarantors from increasing numbers of high earning tenants. Many tenants are seeing a greater proportion of their take-home pay go towards rent so are having to provide the additional security of a guarantor when signing new agr

Influential Labour group says tougher eviction rules needed to tackle poverty

Influential Labour group says tougher eviction rules needed to tackle poverty

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Landlords should be prevented from serving an eviction notice for at least the first year of a tenancy, in the case of repossession for selling or occupying the property, according to a new report from the Fabian Society. The independent left-leaning

Rents soar as agents report rising tenant demand but landlord slump

Rents soar as agents report rising tenant demand but landlord slump

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The Governments housing policies are coming home to roost as tenant demand continues to soar but the number of landlords advertising new properties to rent plummets, it has been revealed. RICS says that during June it found significantly more members (a net balance increase o

NEW: Big London borough brings in tighter HMO conversion rules for landlords

NEW: Big London borough brings in tighter HMO conversion rules for landlords

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Landlords in one of London's biggest boroughs now need planning permission to convert family homes into HMOs for three to six tenants. After a year-long pilot and consultation with residents, the London Borough of Hounslow (main picture) has made its borough-wide A

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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'

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

How to turn non-profitable headache portfolios into slick, high profit machines again

How to turn non-profitable headache portfolios into slick, high profit machines again

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Landlord Sales Agency has been touted as the UK’s best company for landlords to go to who are looking to increase the profits of their property portfolios.

Lenders pull BTR mortgages as Bank of England threatens more rate rises

Lenders pull BTR mortgages as Bank of England threatens more rate rises

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Landlords have increasingly fewer BTL mortgages to choose from as lenders withdraw products amid a rise in average fixed rates. Moneyfacts reports that since the beginning of last week, the number available has dropped from 2,748 deals to 2,343 while the average rate on two- and

HMO landlord loses landmark appeal against ban and £22,000 fine

HMO landlord loses landmark appeal against ban and £22,000 fine

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A rogue landlord has lost a landmark case after she failed to convince an Upper Tribunal to overturn her banning order. <figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type- " data-rt-type="" data-rt-align=""><div><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63bef2f3c329eff8e3a4af45/64cb99f6e035517f

BREAKING: Scotland extends rent cap and evictions freeze until March 2024

BREAKING: Scotland extends rent cap and evictions freeze until March 2024

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Landlords in Scotland face further pain after it was announced today that it will for a second time extend the rent cap and evictions freeze first introduced in October last year to help combat rising inflation. The measures within the Cost of Living (Tenant Protec

MYSTERY shoppers reveal holes in BTR's claims to be 'better than PRS'

MYSTERY shoppers reveal holes in BTR's claims to be 'better than PRS'

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The burgeoning build-to-rent (BTR) sector has been warned not to rest on its laurels as new research reveals slipping customer service standards. Consultancy hereSAYs BTR Mystery Shopping Benchmark Report found that although the developments still prese

PICS: Dawn raid in London reveals 'shocking and horrifying' illegal HMO

PICS: Dawn raid in London reveals 'shocking and horrifying' illegal HMO

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Eleven tenants have been found crammed in a squalid and illegal HMO during a dawn raid on a three-bedroom house in Wembley. <figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type- " data-rt-type="" data-rt-align=""><div><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63bef2f3c329eff8e3a4af45/64cb9a422825

Councils should be given 'more powers to bring in licencing', claims mayor

Councils should be given 'more powers to bring in licencing', claims mayor

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A leading independent think tank and a leading London mayor have called for councils across the UK to be given powers to implement selective licencing schemes of any size without sign-off by the Secretary of State. Following legislative changes during the early noughties, the se

How do I make sure my commercial rental property is properly maintained?

How do I make sure my commercial rental property is properly maintained?

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Regular Inspections: Conduct routine inspections of the property to identify any maintenance issues or potential problems. Check for leaks, cracks, signs of wear and tear, malfunctioning equipment, and safety hazards. Address these issues promptly to prevent further damage. With

POLL: New pets rules will see landlords raise rents to cover extra costs

POLL: New pets rules will see landlords raise rents to cover extra costs

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Three-quarters of landlords will be forced to raise rents in the face of the new Renters (Reform) Bill , which as drafted will restrict their ability to refuse pets. &nbsp; A poll by buy-to-let broker Mortgages for Business found that 60% will raise&nbsp;re

Pets and property experts warn 'work needed' to make reform bill workable

Pets and property experts warn 'work needed' to make reform bill workable

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A group of leading figures representing animal charities, pet owners and property managers have warned that much work will be needed in the coming months to make the Renters (Reform) Bill acceptable to landlords and tenants. The group, although welcoming the bill, tells <strong

Government DENIES rental supply is being 'squeezed' by reforms and immigration

Government DENIES rental supply is being 'squeezed' by reforms and immigration

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The government has repudiated claims by one of its own MPs and a leading expert that the PRS is under pressure from reforms and rising levels of immigration. Home Office data shows that net immigration hit a record high of 606,000 last year. Based on the average household size o

Abolishing Section 21 will just help 'nuisance tenants' avoid eviction - claim

Abolishing Section 21 will just help 'nuisance tenants' avoid eviction - claim

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A leading lawyer warns that by abolishing section 21 the government will be helping nuisance tenants at the expense of the weak and vulnerable. Under the Renters (Reform) Bill, landlords will be able to evict for behaviours capable of causing a nuisance or annoyance as opp

Binning 'no fault' evictions will not make tenants more secure, Government warned

Binning 'no fault' evictions will not make tenants more secure, Government warned

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Removing Section 21 might not provide the hoped-for feelings of security and encourage tenants to complain when rental homes are in short supply, warns a housing charity. The TDS charitable foundations poll of 2,000 private renters found that a lack of affordable accommodatio

'SURGE': Co-living to soon hit 27,000 beds in UK, says Savills

'SURGE': Co-living to soon hit 27,000 beds in UK, says Savills

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The UKs co-living sector has trebled since 2019 as the formerly London-centric concept catches on around the country. Popular with recent graduates and young professionals, co-living - which technically is often classsed as HMO - is a form of purpose-built rental housing gene

LATEST: Private rented sector needs 'radical' tax reset to solve supply crisis

LATEST: Private rented sector needs 'radical' tax reset to solve supply crisis

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Reinstating mortgage interest relief for landlords would solve the nations ongoing rental property supply crisis and raise �400 million for the nations coffers, it has been revealed. Analysis by Capital Economics on behalf of the National Residential Landlords Association

LEGAL: common sense prevails in lease dispute

LEGAL: common sense prevails in lease dispute

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Lease disputes are time consuming, costly and most can be avoided when leases are well drafted in the first place. This article addresses a case where the landlord failed to ensure that the lease was properly drafted. The lease gives a tenant the right to use the property for it

EXCLUSIVE: European Court battle over Right to Rent to launch 'soon'

EXCLUSIVE: European Court battle over Right to Rent to launch 'soon'

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A legal charity still hopes to challenge the government over its Right to Rent policy despite failing to convince European judges that it increases racial discrimination in the rental market. Under the scheme, landlords have to check the immigration status of prospective tenants

Braverman under pressure to reverse 'outrageous' HMO rules for asylum seekers

Braverman under pressure to reverse 'outrageous' HMO rules for asylum seekers

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Scores of housing groups and legal centres have called for ministers to abandon plans to remove licensing requirements for HMOs used as asylum accommodation. In anhttps://www.jcwi.org.uk/safe-homes-for-all" target="_blank" open letter t

WATCH: Is Government policy squeezing landlords out of the market?

WATCH: Is Government policy squeezing landlords out of the market?

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The number of landlords selling up has hit record levels, leading property buying firm National Residential has reported. The company says this has been prompted to a significant degree by the long-standing uncertainty within the private rented sector created by the Government

Should landlords hold onto their properties for as long as possible following the BOE's announcement that inflation fell to 8.7% in April?

Should landlords hold onto their properties for as long as possible following the BOE's announcement that inflation fell to 8.7% in April?

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Despite the fall in inflation, The Guardian is reporting https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/may/24/uk-inflation-falls-cost-of-living-crisis" the financial markets are betting on an interest rate rises to 4.75% in June and 5.4% by the end of the year , the Office fo

Rental homes must be 'reserved for locals' in Airbnb hotspots, says Tory MP

Rental homes must be 'reserved for locals' in Airbnb hotspots, says Tory MP

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A Conservative MP has called for tenants to be offered affordable homes in tourist hot spots if they can prove theyre local. During a Commons debate on short-term holiday lets, East Devon MP Simon Jupp (pictured) suggested that councils could be allowed

WARNING: 'Periodic tenancies will 'decimate' the student rental sector'

WARNING: 'Periodic tenancies will 'decimate' the student rental sector'

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The NRLA says Government measures to abolish Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) will decimate the student housing sector if they go ahead unchanged. Featured within the Renters (Reform) Bill, this will see ASTs replaced with more flexible open-ended periodic tenancies

Commercial property industry supports a record number of UK jobs

Commercial property industry supports a record number of UK jobs

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Commercial property is an important part of the UK economy, but the retail and office sectors as still suffering and rising interest rates present a real threat. A recent https://bpf.org.uk/media/6294/cl16688-01-bpf-economic-footprint-may23-v5-hi-res-single-pages.pdf" t

BLOG: Should landlords switch on to electric vehicle charging points?

BLOG: Should landlords switch on to electric vehicle charging points?

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Electric vehicle charging expert Matthew Gibbons (main picture) explores the pros and cons of installing the different equipment at rental properties. Rented properties with EV charge points are a rare thing, so installing one makes a home more desi

Are there certain areas worth investing in following Government’s Levelling Up plans?

Are there certain areas worth investing in following Government’s Levelling Up plans?

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In the Spring Budget, the Chancellor announced a raft of measures that the Government intends to help level up the UK. Specifically, they're pledging to prioritise employment, education and enterprise

Suburban landlords to see bonus as more renters commute into London

Suburban landlords to see bonus as more renters commute into London

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Better transport links to the capital have boosted the number of Londoner commuters happy to spend time on the tube or bus. Renters are living further away from the office than they did seven years ago because this doesnt necessarily equate to longer journey times due to impr