Tenant demand highest in North West

The North West is seeing the highest levels of tenant demand with an average of 163 new tenants registered per branch during October, according to data released by ARLA Propertymark. Analysis reveals that the average number of new prospective tenants in October was the lowest since December 2020, at 71 per branch, falling from September’s […]

Pros & Cons Of Buying Buy-To-Let Property Through A Limited Company

If you’re thinking about purchasing a buy-to-let property, you might be wondering whether you should purchase the property in your own name, or through a limited company. There are advantages and disadvantages of both options, which you’ll need to carefully weigh up before making your decision. In this article, we’ll talk you through the pros […]

How to fund a buy-to-let renovation

Landlords have a responsibility to ensure that their properties meet the Government’s health and safety requirements, as well as being at a good standard to attract renters. This means that buy-to-let (BTL) properties often need refurbishing and, according to a report published by Shawbrook Bank last month, 62% of landlords have undertaken refurbishments in the […]

New bid to get landlords to long-term lease properties to councils

The Welsh Government has announced a £30m pot from which councils can pay for easing properties from private landlords. Under the Welsh Government’s new Private Rented Sector Leasing Scheme, launched today, landlords or owners of empty homes will be encouraged to lease properties to local authorities in return for a rent guarantee and funding to […]

Landlord licensing won’t work, claims Rightmove’s legal director

The government’s proposed landlord register will not improve conditions within the private rented sector, a leading industry figure has claimed. The comments were made at Friday’s Negotiator Conference in London by Rightmove’s Legal and Compliance Director David Cox. He said that landlord licensing in England has been talked about for 15 years and that, despite […]

More legal aid for tenants facing eviction – proposals unveiled

The government is proposing that tenants facing eviction receive additional legal assistance through an enhancement of the current free ‘on-the-day’ law advice given by the Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme. A statement from the Ministry of Justice says that the HPCDS’ vital role means “the continuation of the service is of paramount importance”. The MoJ, […]

Landlords need stimulus to stick with buy to let, trade chief says

Demand for private rental housing is at an all time high according to new research by the National Residential Landlords Association. A survey of private landlords across England and Wales, conducted in partnership with research consultancy BVA/BDRC, found that 57 per cent confirmed that demand for homes to rent had increased in the third quarter […]

Number of mortgages approved to home-buyers slumps to 16-month low

Some 67,199 home loans for house purchase got the green light in October, marking the lowest total since June 2020, Bank of England figures show. The number of mortgage approvals made to home-buyers slumped to a 16-month low in October as the stamp duty holiday ended, Bank of England figures show. Some 67,199 home loans […]

Average tenancy lengths are on the rise

Rising average tenancy lengths make inventories and regular inspections much more important for letting agents and landlords, according to No Letting Go. The latest English Housing Survey (EHS), the largest and most representative dataset for the private rented sector, found that private renters had lived in their home for 4.3 years on average – still […]

Private landlords report ‘record’ demand for properties

Landlords have reported that demand for rental housing is at an all-time high. This follows the NRLA’s regular quarterly poll of private landlords, which revealed that 57 per cent confirmed that demand for homes to rent had increased in the third quarter of 2021 – up from 39 per cent in the second quarter of […]