Shock as 500,000 rental homes lost to Airbnb and others

Nearly half a million properties could be removed from the long-term lettings market as disenchanted landlords move to short-lets. A survey by the Association of Residential Letting Agents, in partnership with research consultancy Capital Economics, has been published to take the lid off the UK’s short-term lets sector and its implications for the private rented […]

We warned you! Government told of rising rents thanks to fees ban

The Association of Residential Letting Agents says the number of tenants successfully negotiating rent reductions has hit an all time low – another likely manifestation of landlords’ resolve after the fees ban. The latest ARLA market snapshot shows the number of tenants negotiating a rent reduction fell to 1.1 per cent last month from 1.6 […]

Tips on How Landlords Can Manage Their Expenses

To the uninitiated, buying property with a view to letting it out can seem like a very easy way to make money, but like most things in life, when you take a closer look it is rather more complicated. Being a landlord is an excellent way to generate a regular income and has the bonus […]

Could ‘Build to Rent’ homes kill the private landlord?

As a rising tide of private landlords say they will sell up, the UK has an influx of American-style purpose-built, professionally managed rental homes, according to new research. Analysis by Savills for the British Property Federation (BPF) found that the number of ‘build-to-rent’ (BTR) homes has hugely increased, with 150,000 BTR homes in planning, under […]

Airbnb landlords should pay business rates, says council

A council is lobbying the government to ask for landlords using Airbnb and other short let platforms to be charged business rates. The move would be to level the playing field with buy to let long-term landlords and hoteliers, and may deter the proliferation of anti-social behaviour associated with tenants renting via Airbnb and similar […]

The End of Section 21 – Protecting Your Position

It looks as if many landlords’ fears are going to come true. The Government has indicated in the Queen’s Speech that they are going to be removing landlord’s right to evict without having to give a reason, under the no-fault section 21 procedure (s21 of the Housing Act 1988). Many landlords are already panicked by […]

RLA: Shelter research stoking needless fears for tenants

The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has said that no-one should feel ill or stressed as a result of their housing situation, following new research by Shelter. The RLA has urged caution on groups claiming to represent tenants who might be fuelling stress felt by them by giving the false impression that landlords spend their time […]

Electrical Safety Regulations to come into force

Subject to approval by both Houses of Parliament landlords and agents will need to ensure electrical installation inspections and testing are carried out for all new tenancies in England from 1 July 2020 or from 1 April 2021 for existing tenancies. Click this link to read the full article.    

Government scraps Liverpool landlord licensing scheme

The UK’s largest landlord licensing scheme has been scrapped after the government refused an application to extend the initiative in Liverpool for a further five years. Liverpool City Council has required private landlords to secure a licence for their rental properties since 2015 under a scheme backed by both the police and fire service. Click […]