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Councils lobby Ministers not to scrap selective licencing schemes

Councils lobby Ministers not to scrap selective licencing schemes

News

The Local Government Association (LGA) has urged Minister to ignore rebel MPs’ calls for selective licencing to be replaced by the looming Landlord Portal.

TWO new reports reveal weakening supply of rented property

TWO new reports reveal weakening supply of rented property

News

The number of landlords instructing agents to rent properties has declined for a second quarter in a row, fuelling ongoing worries that the Government’s ‘anti-buy-to-let’ mood music is disrupting the market.

'Ignorance of law no excuse' as landlord repays tenants £10,500

'Ignorance of law no excuse' as landlord repays tenants £10,500

News

A landlord who blamed her agent and tenants for not telling her about a selective licensing scheme has been hit with a £10,572 rent repayment order.

Tax shock for furnished holiday let owners – how to react while there’s still time

Tax shock for furnished holiday let owners – how to react while there’s still time

News

If you are involved with Furnished Holiday Lets you are probably be aware by now that there are far reaching tax changes coming - what to do about them?

Record fines for London landlords push total to £10 million

Record fines for London landlords push total to £10 million

News

Total fines for London’s rogue landlords and agents have topped £10 million since the rogue landlord database launched in 2017.

Big money to spend £17 billion in South and Midlands building rental houses

Big money to spend £17 billion in South and Midlands building rental houses

News

Private landlords face a significant increase in competition from corporate operators within the rented sector as investors reveal a £17 billion, 60,000-home building programme concentrated on the South and Midlands.

Court costs for landlords 'will keep on rising' predicts lawyer

Court costs for landlords 'will keep on rising' predicts lawyer

News

It’s almost inevitable that court fees will have to rise considerably, and probably sooner than 2025/6 unless alternative funding is added direct from the Treasury, according to property lawyer David Smith.

Accreditation key to tenant confidence

Accreditation key to tenant confidence

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As a tenant how do you know your landlord – or agent – is a good one? There are checks renters can carry out – looking at online reviews, the government’s rogue landlord database, or contacting The Property Ombudsman.

Sadiq Khan vows to 'hold landlords to account' as re-election looms

Sadiq Khan vows to 'hold landlords to account' as re-election looms

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London mayor Sadiq Khan has vowed to build 6,000 new ‘rent control’ homes across London if he’s elected for a third term in next month’s election.

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Renting reforms will 'break' local councils warn environmental health officers

Renting reforms will 'break' local councils warn environmental health officers

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The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has warned that the Renters’ Rights Bill will place a huge enforcement burden on already stretched local councils.

What does it take to be a successful landlord in the new regime? with Suzanne Smith

What does it take to be a successful landlord in the new regime? with Suzanne Smith

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We talk to lawyer turned self-managing landlord, Suzanne Smith, founder of The Independent Landlord.blog and co-host of a weekly podcast called Good Landlording.

Council says £840 licencing scheme has seen 'incredible improvement'

Council says £840 licencing scheme has seen 'incredible improvement'

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Nottinghamshire local authority Gedling Council is relaunching selective licensing in its Netherfield ward in the new year after seeing “incredible improvements” to living standards.

Government promises to tackle business rates anomalies

Government promises to tackle business rates anomalies

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Following years of lobbying, Labour has promised to act on what is generally agreed is an unfair UK business rates system

Labour to 'go further' than Tories with holiday lets regulation

Labour to 'go further' than Tories with holiday lets regulation

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Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has hinted heavily that the government will go further than the Tories in its bid to regulate holiday lets.

Labour's Manchester mayor urges landlords not to quit sector

Labour's Manchester mayor urges landlords not to quit sector

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Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has confirmed he doesn’t want landlords to exit the market, in marked contrast to comments made by his national Labour colleagues in Parliament.

Rents to rise faster than property values over next three years

Rents to rise faster than property values over next three years

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Hamptons predicts that rents will rise by 17% between 2024 and 2027, outpacing house price growth of 12.5%.

Why it's time for landlords to get digital

Why it's time for landlords to get digital

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Now is a great time for landlords to look at ways to manage their property portfolios online as wide-reaching legislation change looms, including a new digital Private Rented Sector database.

Half of Facebook rental ads are fake, claims Generation Rent

Half of Facebook rental ads are fake, claims Generation Rent

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More than half the rental listings on Facebook Marketplace are likely to be scams, according to an investigation by Generation Rent.

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

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News
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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

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

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

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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

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

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

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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

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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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

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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

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

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

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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,

FIRST rent repayment order against landlord issued following landmark case

FIRST rent repayment order against landlord issued following landmark case

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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�

'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

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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

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

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

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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

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

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

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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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

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

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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,

Major council launches mould and damp crackdown in PRS including fines

Major council launches mould and damp crackdown in PRS including fines

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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

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

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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

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

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

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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

Top Cities for Property Investment in Asia

Top Cities for Property Investment in Asia

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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

RECOVERY: BTL mortgage availability widens as lender confidence revives

RECOVERY: BTL mortgage availability widens as lender confidence revives

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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

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

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

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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

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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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

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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