
Lettings Legislation Still to Commence During Coronavirus Pandemic
Despite the current lockdown and everything going on, legislation is still going through parliament and previously announced legislation is still to go ahead. Fitness for Human Habitation The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 commenced in March 2019 for...

Coronavirus: Notice Increase Length Extended to Private Tenants in Wales
Tenants renting private homes in Wales will have the same protection from eviction as those in England, the Welsh Government has announced. Emergency legislation will increase landlord notices for at least three months. Buy to let mortgage repayment holidays will also...

Coronavirus Bill Now Includes Protection From Eviction
In addition to the announcement by Boris Johnson last night sending the UK effectively into lockdown, the Bill for the coronavirus emergency has been published. The Coronavirus Bill now includes provisions relating to protection from eviction for both residential and...

Coronavirus Lock Down May Be on the Way for UK
Ahead of the address to the nation at 8.30pm tonight (which we think we all know what is going to be said!), Britain is under threat of a strict lock down after thousands took to parks, beauty spots and open spaces ignoring social distancing rules at the weekend....

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Advice for Shared House Landlords
If you rent house shares to singles, students or young professionals, what advice are you offering them about dealing with coronavirus? This is an old news article from March 2020 and is now likely out of date. Please visit our Coronavirus Hub for...

Coronavirus: Welcome Measures for Wages and Universal Credit
The UK government has announced a huge boost for employees who may be facing loosing their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Today I can announce that, for the first time in our history, the government is going to step in and help to pay people’s wages. We’re...

Half of Landlords Ready to Quit Over Stricter Laws and Tax Rules
A leading buy to let lender is expecting private landlords to quit the rental market because they are tired of coping with a flood of new laws and tax rules. Research by Aldermore Bank found 48% of property investors are thinking about selling up because of rule...

Homes Fit to Live in – Existing Tenancies From March 2020
A new law for England that makes sure landlords offer tenants homes that are fit to live in is about to kick in - but most landlords are unaware that their properties are caught by the rules. The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 is aimed at encouraging...

Budget 2020 – Finally Some Respite for Landlords
Budget 2020 is over and landlords can relax after Chancellor Rishi Sunak made just a single tweak to property taxes. And that only impacts living overseas buying homes in England. Sunak announced a new banding for Stamp Duty Land Tax for non-residents buying a home...

New Set of Rules for Landlords Taking Holding Deposits in Wales
Landlords in wales have a new set of rules to comply with when moving in tenants. From 28 February 2020, new regulations demand landlords give tenants a list of information before they ask for a holding deposit. The regulations were due to start from December 13 last...

CGT Rules Set to Change for Buy to Let Landlords
Landlords face yet another tax change from April 6, 2020 as capital gains tax rules for selling a home are overhauled. The timescale for reporting the sale and paying any tax due shrinks to just 30 days from completion. Landlords missing the deadline will face...

Misled Landlords Set to Win Leasehold Compensation
Landlords are set to pick up a refund from builders that sold them leasehold homes after a business watchdog probe uncovered evidence of dodgy dealings and misselling. The government-backed Competitions and Mergers Authority (CMA) has signalled enforcement action is...

Rents and House Prices Still Rising Across the UK
Buy to let rents increased by 1.5% across the country in the year to the end of January, according to the latest official data. The annual rise was slightly up from 1.4% in December, says the Office for National Statistics. Across the UK, rents in England rents rose...

What Tenants Really Want From a Buy To Let Home
Landlords should not waste their money on buy to let extras tenants do not want, says a leading letting agent. Instead of spending luxuries like fitted wardrobes, alarms and media rooms, they should concentrate on what makes life easier for renters. The most essential...

Right to Rent Carries On Despite Immigration Rules Overhaul
Sweeping changes to points-based immigration controls will not impact landlords carrying out Right to Rent checks. The controls change on January 1 next year when the UK’s Brexit transition period ends and European Union freedom of movement rules stop. The government...

HMRC’s Landlord Seven-Year Tax Probe Is a Flop
The tax man has recovered millions of pounds of lost tax from landlords - but expected returns from the seven-year probe are falling far short of expectations. The Let Property Campaign started in 2013 and was set up to tackle assumed tax avoidance by landlords. HMRC...

33 Tenants Found Sleeping in One Overcrowded Flat
A staggering 33 people were found sharing a small flat raided by housing officers in London’s East End. The overcrowded flat was crammed with bunk beds and had mattresses strewn across the floor. Tower Hamlets Council’s housing team also came across a second flat...

Landlord Evictions Fall to a Six Year Low
Landlord eviction claims in the courts are still falling following a six year trend of dropping. The latest data from the Ministry of Justice reveals private landlords were responsible for just over one in five eviction cases. In total, 25,438 possession claims were...

Understanding the Tenant Fees Ban in Wales
The Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Act 2019 commences from 1 September 2019 and will affect most landlords and letting agents...

Landlords Need to Ready Homes for Aging Renters
An aging population means middle-aged people are three times more likely to rent a home than at the turn of the century. Data published by the Office for National Statistics reveals the trend is likely to see more people rent past retirement. The research shows a...