The worst cities to rent in the UK revealed
If you are currently renting in Luton, you might want to consider a change of address. New research has declared it one of the worst cities to rent in the UK. When it comes to finding somewhere to rent it isn’t just rent prices that can make or break a city for you. New research, […]
Self management amongst landlords surges during Q4
According to a recent survey of National Landlords Association members, there has been a significant rise in the number of landlords who are dropping their letting agents following a price hike for their services. The proportion of private landlords shunning letting agents in favour of letting and managing their own properties increased to 43%, up […]
Landlords spending 28% of their annual rental income on maintenance
Once you’ve purchased your buy-to-let, paid the additional stamp duty and tax requirements, been hit with a lower deposit due to the Tenant Fee Act and paid a local agent’s fees to find you a tenant, you’re ready to rent right? Wrong. A buy-to-let investment requires constant upkeep to not only keep your tenant happy […]
Legal victories over ‘No DSS’ letting agents
The battle against the discriminatory practice of landlords not renting to benefit claimants has intensified after legal victories by two single mothers. Amanda Staples and Emma Loffler both won out-of-court settlements against “No DSS” letting agents, on the grounds of indirect discrimination. Click this link to read the full article.
What steps do landlords need to take when it comes to MEES regulations?
Most landlords will already be familiar with the Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency (MEES) Regulations which came into force on 1 April 2018. The MEES Regulations made it illegal for a landlord to grant a tenancy of a residential property which had an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of F or G. As of the 1st […]
Abolishing Section 21 ‘will create sitting tenancies and rent controls’ – warning
One of the country’s leading newspaper columnists has laid into government plans to abolish Section 21 – the means landlords have of claiming back properties without having to give a reason. Charles Moore, writing in the Telegraph under the headline ‘Why take a tenant if you cannot evict them’, says that abolishing Section 21 will […]
Two-bedroom properties offer the best yields for BTL landlords
Two-bedroom properties make the best investment for buy-to-let landlords in England when it comes to existing rental yields, fresh research shows. Howsy has analysed current rental yields across one-, two-, three-, and four-or-more bedroom properties and found that two-bedroom homes produce an average yield of 4.8%. Click this link to read the whole story. […]
Landlord must pay back nine years’ worth of rent
A rogue landlord must pay back £190,000 in rent he collected from illegal flats. Olu Soyebo, 61, of Lagos, Nigeria, was handed a confiscation order at Harrow Crown Court after he was caught making money from a property in Windsor Crescent, Wembley. Click this link to read the whole article.
Electrical safety plans ‘will leave tenants at risk’
New regulations raise the prospect of the highest risk rental properties not being covered by a legally binding electrical safety regime for a prolonged period of time, according to the Residential Landlords Association (RLA). As announced by government, the changes, due to come into force from June this year, will immediately remove the obligation for […]
Warning: buy-to-let tax changes will harm tenants as well as landlords
Tax changes are forcing landlords into the holiday lettings market making it harder for tenants to access long-term homes to rent. That’s the warning from the Residential Landlords Association (RLA) after an investigation discovered there were areas of the UK where Airbnb accommodation accounted for one in every four property listings. Click this link to […]