The government wants to better protect your money – have your say
The government is considering its options when it comes to increasing protections for private landlords and tenants’ cash against fraud and bankruptcy. With letting agents holding up to £2.7bn in deposits, rent payments and money for repairs at any one time, the government is concerned that a significant amount of this money is not protected. […]
Landlords – Be Prepared
The Scouts motto of ‘be prepared’ is particularly apt at this time for private sector landlords, faced with changes in legislation it appears on a daily basis. It has to be said that there have been warnings and help available for a long time, which sadly, some landlords have chosen to ignore. One has been […]
Hefty fine and costs for failing to give tenant an EPC certificate
Failing to provide an energy certificate and not complying with an improvement notice has resulted in a landlord being ordered to pay more than £1,800. North Kesteven council in the east of England took action against Sharon Clarke, who owns a private rented property in the town of Nocton. The case was heard in her […]
Government’s energy efficiency policy will drive up rents
The government’s policy to improve the energy efficiency of the UK’s housing stock will almost certainly place upward pressure on rents in the private rented sector, warns the Residential Landlords Association (RLA). The way a residential building is constructed, insulated, heated, ventilated and the type of fuel used, all contribute to its carbon emissions, and […]
Arrears and possessions fall to lowest level in 20 years but rental evictions soar
While the number of people falling into arrears is at its lowest level in 20 years, rising rents and living costs have seen rental evictions soar. Data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders has revealed that there were 92,500 mortgages in arrears of at least 2.5% of the balance in June. This is 13.4% lower […]
Is the UK tax system fair on property owners and tenants?
A recent report by housing charity Shelter and YouGov has placed a focus on the UK taxation system with many homeowners/ tenants struggling. While some people are pointing the finger at the ever-growing cost of UK property perhaps we need to look at the UK taxation system which seems to penalise those in employment. The […]
Will the rate cut have any real effect?
The Government has to show it’s got what it takes and doesn’t just have to rely on the Bank of England. Tony Ward is chief executive of Clayton Euro Risk So now we have the historical rate cut to Bank Rate taking it down to 0.25%. I have been suggesting that this was something that […]
House prices down by 1 per cent for July
Earlier this week, a report from the Resolution Foundation also revealed the plummeting numbers in homeownership across the UK, with Greater Manchester seeing the most significant drop of all. The percentage of homeowners in the region fell fro 72 pc in 2003 to just 58 pc in 2016. Martin Ellis, Halifax housing economist, said: “There […]
Housing market set to fall says Bank of England despite rate cut
Cutting interest rates to their lowest levels ever unlikely to stave off 25% drop in monthly mortgages approvals. The Bank of England is forecasting a significant drop in in the housing market despite cutting interest rates in half to 0.25% and announcing a £170bn stimulus package. Publishing its view on the housing market the the […]
Why is the UK switching to a property rental market?
A recent report confirmed that the UK property market is moving more towards rental as opposed to ownership. There has been a significant reduction in ownership levels in recent years and many expect this to continue for the foreseeable future. So, why is the UK seemingly switching to a property rental market as opposed to […]