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.

OPINION: The EPC ratings system is 'not fit for purpose'

OPINION: The EPC ratings system is 'not fit for purpose'

Opinion

Ever since I started to market one of my commercial buildings around 10 years ago now, I began to doubt the efficacy of the EPC rating system. The guy that came along to do the inspection told me himself he had just completed a 6 week course, or whatever it was, to train to be a

BREAKING: Government toughens up smoke and C0 alarm regulations

BREAKING: Government toughens up smoke and C0 alarm regulations

News

Social and private landlords are to face tougher new rules which make it mandatory to fit smoke alarms in all rented accommodation regardless of tenure, and widen the conditions under which they must be fitted. Revisions to the smoke and carbon monoxide detector regulations also

ANALYSIS: Does buy-to-let still beat the stock market?

ANALYSIS: Does buy-to-let still beat the stock market?

News

If you had �50k to invest right now, where would you put it, buy-to-let property or stocks and shares? Certainly leaving it in a traditional savings account, with interest rates as they are at rock bottom, thats out of the question. And with the threat of rising inflation ea

EXCLUSIVE: Costliest and most common landlord insurance claims

EXCLUSIVE: Costliest and most common landlord insurance claims

News

Research carried out by LandlordZONEs insurance partner, Hamilton Fraser Total Landlord Insurance, revealed that the vast majority of landlords, https://hamiltonfraser.co.uk/knowledge/good-landlord-quiz-results/?utm_source=landlordzone&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lz_november

Opinion: Should landlords dive into heat pumps?

Opinion: Should landlords dive into heat pumps?

Opinion

The move to provide home heating and hot water by this method is part of a Government strategy aimed at making deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonizing the UK's power sector by 2035. Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the scheme was designed to bring low-carbon hea

UPDATED: Bailiff evictions to be suspended over Xmas and New Year for a month

UPDATED: Bailiff evictions to be suspended over Xmas and New Year for a month

News

Tenants facing eviction in England are to be protected from losing their homes during the Christmas and New Year period, HM Courts and Tribunal has confirmed. Between 13th December and 10th January no evictions should be s

Tax changes for Airbnb landlords 'in the pipeline' to stop gaming of the rates system

Tax changes for Airbnb landlords 'in the pipeline' to stop gaming of the rates system

News

Some holiday lets owners are gaming the system to claim business rate relief, comments made by the Housing Minister Lord Greenhalgh suggest, who has promised action to clamp down on the practice. In a Lords debate on second homes, peers voiced concerns that second homeo

Asylum seeker HMO operator fined �60,000 for running house without licence

Asylum seeker HMO operator fined �60,000 for running house without licence

News

A company that houses asylum seekers has been fined more than �60,000 for HMO offences in Newport. Clearsprings Ready Homes, which has the contract for operating accommodation for asylum seekers in Wales, was found guilty of letting an HMO in Redland Street (pictured), in the B

Bill to make EPC rules mandatory early 'unlikely to become law' after stabbing

Bill to make EPC rules mandatory early 'unlikely to become law' after stabbing

News

The Minimum Energy Performance of Buildings Bill, which aimed to advance the governments energy efficiency commitments, is in doubt following the tragic death of David Amess MP. He was the presentation bills main sponsor in the Commons, launching it at the same time as Lor

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

Panic selling as landlords fear capital gains tax raid

Panic selling as landlords fear capital gains tax raid

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves refusing to rule out a swinging increase in capital gains tax (CGT) for landlords

Report shows 11% of tenants paying 60% of their income as rent

Report shows 11% of tenants paying 60% of their income as rent

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A new report based on data from 46,000 renters reveals shocking data on how much they are spending on their rent.

Big boiler manufacturer promises not to repeat 'greenwashing' claims

Big boiler manufacturer promises not to repeat 'greenwashing' claims

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

One of the UK’s biggest gas boiler manufacturers used by millions of landlords has promised not to ‘greenwash’ its part-hydrogen fuelled boilers.

How many laws must landlords adhere to, asks legal expert

How many laws must landlords adhere to, asks legal expert

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Law-savvy landlords are being asked to help compile a definitive list of legislation impacting the PRS.

No.10 cat 'backs' mandatory pet damage insurance campaign

No.10 cat 'backs' mandatory pet damage insurance campaign

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Larry the Number 10 cat has backed a charity’s campaign to change the law allowing tenants to keep pets.

Hardship test “bombshell” for landlords

Hardship test “bombshell” for landlords

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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.

Rise in number of landlords allowing tenants to redecorate

Rise in number of landlords allowing tenants to redecorate

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Surprising new research has revealed that three quarters of landlords would allow a tenant to redecorate their home, and half of landlords would pay for the costs of completing the work.

Housing law expert to host 'deep dive' into Labour's reforms

Housing law expert to host 'deep dive' into Labour's reforms

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords are being invited to join a deep dive into the Renters’ Rights Bill during a two-day online conference featuring big hitters from the property sector.

Thousands of HMO landlords to face tougher rules in East of England

Thousands of HMO landlords to face tougher rules in East of England

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Norwich Council is overhauling its HMO policy by bringing in higher standards and tougher enforcement action.

Stretched councils 'unable to police landlords' mouldy homes'

Stretched councils 'unable to police landlords' mouldy homes'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Local authorities are not enforcing private landlords’ legal duty to maintain safe housing, a BBC investigation has found.

High-profile landlord warns Energy Secretary over EPC upgrade plan

High-profile landlord warns Energy Secretary over EPC upgrade plan

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Nottingham benefits landlord Mick Roberts has warned that the government’s push to get rental properties up to an EPC C by 2030 could backfire.

Labour struggling with house building – quantity as well as quality

Labour struggling with house building – quantity as well as quality

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Angela Rayner’s promise to build 1.5 million new homes this Parliament is looking increasingly optimistic

Buying BTL property via a limited company now 'most popular route'

Buying BTL property via a limited company now 'most popular route'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Seven out of 10 landlords planning to buy a new rental property during the next 12 months will use a limited company structure, it has been claimed.

Landlord to repay tenants £21,000 after failing to license HMO

Landlord to repay tenants £21,000 after failing to license HMO

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Four tenants have won £21,076 from their landlord who failed to explain why she hadn’t licensed her damp and cold HMO.

Rocketing leasehold charges trapping landlords with unsaleable flats

Rocketing leasehold charges trapping landlords with unsaleable flats

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Many landlords are struggling to sell leasehold flats because management charges have reached astronomical levels with many now forking out £2,000 or more a year.

Housing minister reveals plans to digitise property buying and selling

Housing minister reveals plans to digitise property buying and selling

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords buying or selling homes will soon enjoy a smoother and quicker property transaction process after the Government announced that it is to digitise the system.

Salvation Army joins growing calls for Labour to unfreeze LHA

Salvation Army joins growing calls for Labour to unfreeze LHA

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Salvation Army has joined calls for the UK government to help prevent homelessness in Scotland by scrapping the planned freeze on Local Housing Allowance (LHA).

Labour to force landlords to achieve EPC band C minimum

Labour to force landlords to achieve EPC band C minimum

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The government has confirmed its plan to force all private landlords to get their rental properties up to an EPC C – from the current EPC E – by 2030.

Renters’ Rights could scupper students’ uni plans

Renters’ Rights could scupper students’ uni plans

Sponsored
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Students from the UK and overseas could miss out on a university education unless the Government makes urgent changes to its Renters’ Rights Bill.

Tenants rescued by inspection officers after ignoring CO alarm

Tenants rescued by inspection officers after ignoring CO alarm

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A Birmingham Council officer has saved the lives of a family of renters during a selective licensing compliance visit.

Comment: The Rental Reforms, controversy in the House of Lords

Comment: The Rental Reforms, controversy in the House of Lords

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Despite warnings about potential unintended consequences of the Renters’ Rights Bill, the Bill is speeding through Parliament

Minister reveals end to rent controls in Scotland

Minister reveals end to rent controls in Scotland

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Scottish government will scrap its temporary rent control legislation on 31st March, in a move which promises to boost landlords’ confidence.

Big company makes shock claim about 'small landlords'

Big company makes shock claim about 'small landlords'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Build-to-rent developer Grainger has seen impressive growth thanks to a supportive government and the battering of smaller private landlords.

Landlords are rushing to sell while demand for property is high

Landlords are rushing to sell while demand for property is high

Sponsored
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

From dwindling profits to tenant pressure groups and legislative interventions – landlords all over the UK have had enough.

LATEST: Bank of England lowers base interest rate to 4.5%

LATEST: Bank of England lowers base interest rate to 4.5%

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Bank of England has cut interest rates by 0.25 percentage points to 4.5%, raising hopes of better mortgage deals for landlords.

Leading landords warn renting reforms will 'harm students'

Leading landords warn renting reforms will 'harm students'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Reforms to the private rented sector will make it harder for swathes of students to access university, a coalition of student housing providers and property portals has warned.

'Super slum' landlord fined £14,000 over illegal HMO

'Super slum' landlord fined £14,000 over illegal HMO

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A landlord whose tenants were forced to use a drafty bathroom in the garden has been told to pay out more than £14,000.

Director trio banned after misleading investors over return of £4.13m

Director trio banned after misleading investors over return of £4.13m

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Three company directors have each been banned for seven years from running companies after 42 investors were misled about the return of £4.13m they had ploughed into a student accommodation development in Derby.

Major report reveals landlords, tenants and agents 'under strain'

Major report reveals landlords, tenants and agents 'under strain'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Three quarters of landlords believe the private rented sector has got worse recently and half are planning to quit, the new report has also found.

Courts 'not ready for rental reforms' Lords and lawyers tell Labour

Courts 'not ready for rental reforms' Lords and lawyers tell Labour

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Lawyers and Tory peers have expressed fears that the Renters’ Rights Bill will be ineffective without further investment in the courts.

Government warned Renters Rights' Bill will drive landlords out

Government warned Renters Rights' Bill will drive landlords out

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Baroness Scott and a handful of other Lords defended landlords during yesterday's debate in parliament, warning Labour that the Renters Rights Bill will reduce supply.