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Guides & Tips - The Big Issues

OTHER GUIDES & TIPS

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Landlords look out: Nine key changes in 2022

Whether you own a leasehold or freehold property, if you’re an...

Airbnb v Long-Lets: the benefits of holiday-lets for landlords

Airbnb can make life easier for UK landlords by increasing yields,...

New Year - time for landlords to step up a gear

The dusk of 2021 is upon us and, as is customary...

LATEST GUIDES & TIPS

Landlords hit with higher court fees from Wednesday

Court fees levied on landlords are rising 10% from Wednesday -...

Khan wants taxpayer-funded mould sensors in private rental homes

Labour London Mayor Sadiq Khan wants to install ‘mould sensors’ in...

Backfired! Councils LOSE money through second home tax premiums - claim

A politician is claiming that second home council tax premiums, where...

The Big Issues

A Comprehensive Breakdown of Buy To Let in 2024

A comprehensive new survey gives the lowdown on buy to let in the UK. The study, by Uswitch, is lengthy and covers buy to let landlord sentiment,...

Shamplina Speaks: Letting agents are landlords' allies today

In the recent landlord sentiment survey conducted by the Property Redress Scheme, it came as no surprise to me to discover that a significant 65% of...

Is Co-Living The Next Big Thing In Private Renting?

Co-living developments are a type of purpose-built rental housing, under the same principle as Build To Rent (BTR) but offering smaller size apartments.  These apartments are usually around...

Landlords’ Top Worries, Challenges and Expectations for the Future

The Property Redress Scheme, one of two approved ombudsman-style schemes for the private rental sector, has published the findings from a major survey.  Some 2,700 landlords and...

House Price Boost could just be momentum … or it could be better news

The latest index, from the Halifax, shows house prices rose 0.4 per cent in February – the fifth consecutive monthly increase. They’re up 1.7% in a...

Population Projections have repercussions for Private Rental Sector

The Government quietly announced population projections towards the end of January that could have major implications for the types of homes we need going forward and,...

Want A New-Build Buy To Let? Expert reveals red flags to beware…

The chartered surveyor team at Stokemont is giving advice on potential pitfalls in new build homes.  This is from RICS-accredited valuer Bradley Mackenzie.  Decorating  - “One of the...

Mental Health in the Rental Sector – Are We Doing Enough?

One might immediately answer 'no' to this question, but does the HMO property industry possess adequate understanding of this delicate subject to address it effectively? First, a...

Rent Controls - the lessons the industry should learn

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on migrating away from the emergency rent controls introduced in September 2022 and extended until the end of March...

Housing Crisis Solved - parties, government, councils and BoE work together

A building society is calling upon politicians, government, the Bank of England and local councils and other bodies to cooperate on solving the UK’s current housing...

Resettling an Afghan Family - One Landlord’s Story

Established by the UK Government, the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) was launched in April 2021.  In the summer of that year, local authorities were called...

Unknown Energy Costs could hurt tenants this winter

A lack of Energy Performance Certificate enforcement is putting tenants at risk from high energy costs or cold homes, according to new research from automated rental...

Is Being a Landlord More Trouble Than It’s Worth?

Right now, the property market is entering a period of uncertainty. Falling property prices and a rising regulatory burden are just some of the reasons landlords...

It’s OK to be a Long-Term Renter!

Our generations-old obsession with home-ownership may be waning for the first time in recent memory. The introduction of the Housing Act in 1988, which gave a landlord...

Growing optimism for prime property markets under Labour

Middleton Advisors commissions ongoing research to investigate key trends and structural changes in prime UK housing markets.  Our latest research considers the potential impact of the forthcoming...

Market Snapshot - is demand still stellar?

The latest Rental Demand Index from the Barrows and Forrester agency has revealed that rental demand has surged during the third quarter of 2023, with a...

EPCs and Energy Efficiency - the need for clarity

Landlords are operating in a fog when it comes to the Government’s thinking on the future of energy efficiency standards for privately rented property.  We have had...

What can a commercial landlord do to collect unpaid rent?

Unpaid rent can cause significant financial problems for commercial landlords. Thankfully, there are several options available to address the issue.  Simon Smith, senior dispute resolution solicitor at Harper...

Solar Panels - How They Work and How They Can Be Maintained

Searches for solar panel installations surged 32.85 per cent from 2022-2023, with demand for renewable energy increasing.  However one of the biggest hesitations for landlords installing is...

Where Are The New Landlords Going To Come From?

The lack of available housing stock is creating huge problems throughout the Private Rented Sector, including the supply chain. We all know that tenants are struggling with...

Would Landlords Fit Solar Panels If Maintenance Was Easy?

As UK homeowners commit to more sustainable sources of energy, the number of homes installing rooftop solar panels reached its highest level in over seven years...

Beware The Four Horsemen of the Property Apocalypse

Successive Chancellors (we’re looking at you Gordon Brown and George Osborne) have monkeyed around with the market as if it was their personal Lego set and...

Shamplina Speaks - Can I Still Afford To Be A Landlord?

A year ago, many landlords’ primary concern was what would be included in the Government’s long-awaited Renters (Reform) Bill. Today, with the Bank of England having...

Expert Insights on Ensuring Good Returns in Uncertain Times

1. How Do I Ensure A Good Return On Investment In A Slow Market? This is one of our most frequently asked investment questions. It is important...

Give landlords a break – why they MUST have a new EPC deadline

Landlords need to know the true energy efficiency of their property and have a deadline for improvements to calm fears around the cost of staying within...

Warning! - All housing market signs point south

The Halifax says house prices were flat in May, but fell 1.0 per cent in a year - the first annual fall recorded by this index...

Long Term Profits: Why Build-To-Rent Is a Smarter Investment

The property market is always changing, leaving investors on the constant lookout for their next big opportunity. With housing prices continuing to rise, many have found...

Landlord Info - the most and least energy efficient locations

A recent study by nationwide conveyancers Muve, using official data from the Office for National Statistics, has revealed the most and least environmentally friendly areas.  According to...

How to lower your home’s carbon footprint and energy bills

The UK has long been a pioneer in terms of Net Zero goal setting, but many people across the nation remain unsure on the best way...

Crowning Glory - House Prices Since The Last Coronation

When the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II took place on 2nd June 1953 the average house cost just £1,692 and the average salary was...

Local Elections: a chance to influence the future of the private rented sector

Next Thursday voters up and down the country will be casting their votes in a series of local elections which are likely to reflect on the...

Rent Controls - how they make part of the UK un-investable

Rent controls and political uncertainty are affecting investor appetite to fund and deliver Build to Rent homes in Scotland, according to a new report. The Assessment of...

Going Greener – Getting Ahead of Policy starts with Professional Development

Hitting the UK’s net zero carbon objective is an immense task, but one that we must strive for. We all have a responsibility, whether large or...

Bad Quality Rental Housing? Not Any More…

As most landlords know, a myriad of myths has built up around the private rented sector and one that seems to stick more than others is...

How To Protect Landlords’ Empty Homes

According to the most recent statistics there are 676,452 vacant properties in England, nearly half a million of which have been empty long-term. Further investigations have revealed...

Is Now the Right Time to Invest in a Second Property?

  Second home market growth and falling house prices could be a combination for success. There’s been a clear positive correlation between profit and demand of Airbnb rentals...

Accepting Pets in Lets: How to mitigate the risk

According to the most recent data, 46 per cent of renters live with pets — and 48 per cent list allowing pets as a requirement for...

How You Could Save Thousands on Energy Bills

As energy prices and the cost of living continue to rise, property owners are searching for ways to reduce their energy consumption and save money.  In response...

Damaging Perceptions of the Private Rental Sector

Two key figures jumped out at me from the National Residential Landlords Association’s (NRLA) excellent recent report on the private rented sector – A Housing Market...

A Perfect Storm for London Renters?

The perennial shortage of new homes in the capital has now collided with a sharp increase in government regulation, a tripling of mortgage rates and increasing...

Homes 4 Ukraine - new government guidance for landlord hosts

This guidance was issued by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities this week. This guidance is in addition to the information and guidance provided by...

New Year’s Resolutions for Landlords and Tenants

The relationship between landlord and tenant is not purely a business one, or at least it shouldn’t be. The landlord is providing a home - there...

Private Renting is No Longer for Just the Young

There are many misconceptions about the private rented sector, but a common one I hear is that it is the tenure of the young.  This is outdated...

Stricter EPCs, Rent Controls, S21 Scrapping - is this 2023?

Yes, it’s that time again when the property hoi polloi impose their predictions for the following year on us and so, without further ado, I’ll join...

Properties With Purpose - letting to vulnerable people

There are several key reasons why property owners choose to become landlords, some of which include regular income, investment and long-term security.  In 2021 the Department for...

Why Renewables Are Set To Take Off in the HMO Sector

While many eyes have been focused on COP27 in recent weeks, a massive sea change in sentiment and investment towards climate change in the UK’s private...

Landlords…It’s Time To Winterise Your Property!

2022 is a La Niña year - a rare third in a row.  A La Niña year relates to cooler than average sea surface temperatures in the...

Anti-Landlord Sentiment is Changing - now we need action

I often use this column to discuss the reputation of landlords and the broader private rented sector which, as we all know, is much maligned.  But I...

Cost of Living Crisis - why landlords need help

To put it mildly, landlords are very rarely subject to an outpouring of sympathy from the general public. When the economy is in trouble – understandably,...

Shamplina Speaks - Why do people say ‘landlord’ isn’t a real job?!

In today’s world, where people can make money from something as simple as posting a photo of themselves wearing a new coat to endorsing the latest...

Cracking Up - check your investment property for subsidence

With the summer heatwave a distant memory, residents are being advised to check their properties for signs of subsidence. While many landlords and homeowners looked for cracks...

Consider Condensation and Mould as Energy Crisis Looms

As the energy crisis gather pace, households are increasingly likely to be in the position where they are unable to afford to properly heat their homes...

Renters are better off today than a year ago - yes, really

When accounting for inflation, renters are better off today than they were a year ago despite nominal rent increases of up to 14 per cent. That’s the...

Shamplina Speaks - Rent Rises: what's happening on the ground?

As I write this, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has gone back on his mini budget plan to abolish the 45p income tax rate for people...

Energy Price Cap - five ways to lower bills this autumn

As the autumn weather turns colder, many families are proactively seeking ways to reduce their energy use as, even with the £2,500 average household cap in...

Thoughts On The Mass Exodus of Landlords

The buy-to-let market is going through a rough patch. With legislative change on the horizon, coupled with bleak ROI forecasts, many landlords are now questioning whether...

Buy-to-lets failing to beat inflation

As inflation passes the 10% mark, it’s no surprise that many landlords are hurriedly reviewing the health of their buy to let portfolio. You could argue that...

Shamplina Speaks – Challenging Access on Gas Safety

This week (September 12-18) marks the twelfth annual Gas Safety Week. All landlords renting properties with gas appliances have a legal duty to have a gas safety...

Property Maintenance - Don't Dither Ahead of Winter Weather

Winter can put a strain on our homes and so preparing ahead of the colder, wetter months is a smart move for those looking to avoid...

Can Triple Glazing Help Landlords Reduce Running Costs?

With energy efficiency the top of the agenda, can triple glazing help landlords slash heating bills and be more attractive to tenants at the same time? 1....

Countdown for a Cost of Living Crisis

If you’re counting the days until you’ll get help with runaway price rises, it helps to know exactly how many days there are left to count.  And...

How Landlords Can Help Create a New Zero Home

Households are big emitters of greenhouse gases, accounting for 26 per cent of total emissions. With targets in place to improve EPC ratings of the UK’s...

Can You Be A Socially-Conscious Landlord? 

There is a perfect storm brewing for landlords and tenants in the UK.  Sky-rocketing energy bills, food prices and increasing rent paints a painful short-term picture  for...

Renters and Retirement - An Analyst’s Perspective

The Hargreaves Lansdown Savings and Resilience Barometer - which looks at national resilience on debts, savings, investing and planning for later life - shows 42.6 per...

Green Drive - Grants to Help Landlords with EV Charge Points

The UK government’s ban on the sale of new combustion cars from 2030 is fuelling a surge in Electric Vehicle adoption. But the growing popularity of...

Pets In Lets - can landlords and tenants REALLY agree on this?

Industry supplier the Lettings Hub has brought together industry leads from across the lettings and pet sectors to discuss how to support both landlords and tenants...

Summer Isn't Over Yet - Hot Tips for Landlords

So the heatwave is over - well, at least this week's heatwave is over. But who would bet against another with two months of summer remaining? Alan...

Why Landlords Should Pay Attention to Fire Safety

In the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, fire safety - particularly for residents - has increasingly taken centre stage in recent years.  One result of this...

Clarity Not Confusion - White Paper reforms must be detailed

With speculation about what happens next in Westminster at fever pitch, now isn’t the time to make predictions as to how government policy towards the private...

Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022: What you need to know

In its latest plans, the government is hoping to make the leasehold system fairer for leaseholders through a brand new Reform Act. There are a number...

Why the Boiler Upgrade Scheme isn’t fit for purpose

Ofgem has announced that the energy price cap will further rise from £1,971 to £2,800 in October this year, amid an ongoing cost of living crisis...

Government Beware - you're driving landlords out of the sector

Landlords are in danger of losing the narrative again. With rental inflation hitting record levels, much of the noise we see in the media focuses on landlords...

Shamplina Speaks - What of Section 8 after Section 21 is Abolished?

We know that Section 21 and so called ‘no fault’ evictions, are definitely going to be abolished as part of the radical re-shaping of the rental...

A Commercial View - landlord/tenant relationships are still vital

The government recently passed into law the much-anticipated Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Act 2022. This effectively ends government interventions to prevent commercial tenant insolvencies during the pandemic,...

Charge! Landlords eligible for home charging point grants

One in five properties in the UK could benefit from new government grants to help fund electric vehicle home charging points for rented properties.  Following the discontinuation...

From ‘Buy to Let’ to ‘Fly to Let’?

A new kind of property investor is evolving. They’ve enjoyed the fruits of their labours, creating UK investments in property but are now eager for a...

Landlords look out: Nine key changes in 2022

Whether you own a leasehold or freehold property, if you’re an HMO landlord who rents out rooms, individual flats or even entire houses, you need to...

Cost Crisis: why offering tenants support makes good sense

Landlords are many people’s favourite pantomime villains, on the hunt to hike rents and squeeze profits. The reality, however, is proven to be different. Not only...

Now is the time to change outdated perceptions of landlords

Let’s face facts, landlords and the private rented sector have a reputation problem. Perceived to be the poor relation of housing provision, the sector is unloved, misunderstood and certainly misrepresented.  From...

Will Tenants Seek Cheaper Energy Efficient Homes?

The increased energy price cap could mean bills for the average band G home hit almost £5,000 a year, up £145 per month on current rates....

Net Tightens On Airbnb - So What Next For Landlords?

Talk is getting louder about restrictions surrounding Airbnb and other short let platforms - and nowhere is the volume greater than in Scotland. Edinburgh in particular...

Shamplina Speaks - Redress: Should greater accountability be feared?

It goes without saying that any decent landlord wants to provide their tenants with a safe and secure home and to stay on the right side...

What the new Building Safety Bill means for Leaseholders

As the government continues to assess the future state of building regulation in the UK, developers and leaseholders continue to remain in the dark. With the...

Energy Efficiency - landlords should pay attention to flooring

In this guest piece, Josh Barber from Flooring Superstore sets out why landlords must pay attention to flooring when it comes to improving the energy efficiency...

Ukraine Crisis - it will hit landlords and tenants this spring

Russia sending tanks into Ukraine sounds terrifying, but it also sounds a long way away. Unfortunately, in a world of global trade, it’s going to hit...

Levelling Up Is A Fantasy

In recent days we have heard Michael Gove trumpet his plans to ‘level up’ the UK.  We knew that he would be serious about this new hobby-horse...

A Greener Home Time For Tenants?

The latest research from NatWest and IHS Markit has revealed that just seven per cent of homeowners with a gas boiler are very likely to consider changing...

Shamplina Speaks - Understand your competition and your customers

Last month, I wrote about what’s in store for the private rented sector in 2022 and, like most commentators in our field at the moment, focused...

A Long Term Vision for the Housing Market

Our housing market needs a long-term vision, and one which is co-ordinated across government and the wider industry. And it is paramount that this vision is...

Why 2022 will be Build to Rent’s Year

New preliminary figures released by CBRE reveal that a record £4.1 billion was invested in the UK’s Build to Rent sector in 2021, including investment of...

2022 Rental Trends - a Build To Rent perspective

1. Outdoor space: After nearly two years of restrictions, 2022 will see renters continuing to prioritise outdoor space. For residents of the company’s buildings in Wembley...

New Year - time for landlords to step up a gear

The dusk of 2021 is upon us and, as is customary in property circles at this juncture, we look forward to the new year ahead and...

Will 2022 present energy efficiency and rent control challenges?

As we enter 2022 the private rented sector can look back on a year which marked the start of its recovery following the difficulties caused by...

Shamplina Speaks: Rental Reform to dominate 2022

As I write, at home in bed recovering from Covid, I can’t fail to notice the irony of attempting to predict what is going to happen...

Airbnb v Long-Lets: the benefits of holiday-lets for landlords

Airbnb can make life easier for UK landlords by increasing yields, simplifying the rental process and providing peace of mind against damage. While the online booking...

My service aims to fix ‘toxic’ rental market for young people

Every year there is an influx of students that hate renting, and I was one of them.  Students should be excited about moving out and being independent...

Energy Special: Can landlords afford to meet new EPC targets?

With currently less than four years before all new tenancies need to be in properties rated EPC ‘C’ or above, there are still landlords who need...

If you think residential Covid arrears are bad….see this…

Residential landlords need no reminding of the restrictions that have prevented possessions for substantial periods during the pandemic. Nor do they have to be told of...

Shamplina Speaks: How guaranteed is ‘guaranteed rent’?

Something that has been touching a raw nerve with me for some time now is the issue of so called ‘rent to rent’ operators offering ‘guaranteed...

What are the Alternatives to Gas Boilers?

The UK government’s target to reach net zero emissions by 2050 has necessitated the introduction of initiatives aimed at reducing fossil fuel emissions across various sectors. Recently,...

Covid Arrears - More should still be done to clear them

This week’s Budget saw the Chancellor loosen the Treasury’s purse strings in a number of areas.  Yet this was a quiet Autumn Budget for private landlords compared...

Landlords’ Cash Flow during Breathing Spaces and Arrears

With more than 60 per cent of landlords losing rental income during the pandemic, it is no surprise that many are feeling the pinch. Here, Catherine...

Going Green: What landlords need to know now

Landlords can be forgiven for being exasperated by the government’s exhortations to go green.   I don’t need to rehearse here again here all the recent changes...

Shamplina Speaks - Landlords Are At A Crossroads

As founder of Landlord Action and chief operating officer at Hamilton Fraser, I’ve been talking to landlords for over 25 years - but never more so...

Property predictions – what could happen to the housing market in 2020?

Now that 2020 is underway, activity in the property market is likely to start picking up due to the traditional seasonal upturn in January and February. The...

Landlords: here’s how to research your next property investment

Whether you’re a first-time landlord or a seasoned investor, finding the right buy-to-let investment is far from simple. With many factors to consider, there is a level...
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