Archive

The White Paper on rental reform may still be some time away, with a minister at the centre of its preparation saying...

Plans are underway to relaunch a landlord accreditation scheme - with a difference.  Barnsley’s landlord accreditation scheme began in 2010 and the...

Rik Smith, Head of Tenant Services at Goodlord, outlines in this tips piece how agents can support tenants with rising energy...

The UK’s first Minister for Tenants’ Rights says he will introduce rent controls because renters currently “pay way over the odds”. Although...

Proposals to impose strict controls on Airbnb and other short lets - including possibly requiring planning consent and licensing - will be...

A local authority with a rapidly-growing number of HMOs is to consult over a new policy later this month. The Houses in...

A council in Leicestershire is poised to introduce two new licensing schemes for private landlords. Charnwood council has now approved the conditions...

Welsh Nationalist politicians are complaining about a finance company which identified part of Wales as having attractive yields for buy to...

A property licensing scheme covering hundreds of private rented homes in Newcastle looks set to be renewed for a third time. Newcastle...

A public consultation is underway on proposals for a local authority to increase the council tax premium for second homes -...

Landlord Today readers will be more than aware that legal changes happen often these days, and it can be understandably challenging...

There are just three weeks left for landlords to respond to one of the largest consultations undertaken by a council in...

A council says it’s “on the side of tenants” against landlords. The London borough of Tower Hamlets has renewed its Selective Licensing...

Rightmove has identified five ways that landlords and other property owners can improve their property’s EPC rating - some for well...

A well-organised group of local landlords is threatening a city council with legal action over plans to expand a licensing scheme. The...

A cluster of councils in the south of England want to know how Covid-19 has impacted landlords and letting agents in...

Tenant activist group Generation Rent says it’s working with five councils to find out more about private renters in those areas. The...

Landlords have welcomed a proposal by the Office for Tax Simplification to extend the 30 day payment of Capital Gains Tax...

A London council is inviting landlords and others to respond to a consultation on changes to its licensing regime.  Ealing council claims...

The landlords’ trade body has given its support to the principle of consultation before the much-hyped Renters Reform Bill becomes law. Yesterday’s...

Tenant activist group Generation Rent is working with a council on a new consultation process - with a chance to win...

The Mortgage Works, the specialist buy to let arm of the Nationwide, is trying to woo landlords to make properties more...

A consultation process is taking place on the Channel Island of Jersey about whether landlords should be banned from refusing to...

The government should use today's ‘Tax Day’ consultation process to reform Capital Gains Tax so that it encourages a smaller, high...

One of the country’s leading property experts says landlords are now reassessing their portfolios as a result of possible Capital Gains...

Landlords and managing agents of HMOs could face unlimited fines following new measures being brought in to strengthen fire safety, the...

A lettings agency has suggested that the typical landlord could lose as much as £24,000 if the government increases Capital Gains...

With buy to let and traditional commercial property both under challenge thanks to government regulations and Coronavirus, the government is now...

A council has now approved plans for two of the country’s largest licensing schemes - one is so large it needs...

A Labour-controlled council says it’s confident a huge new licensing scheme for one of Britain’s most high-profile cities will be voted...

The risk assessment system used by local authorities to judge health and safety issues relating to properties needs updating - and...

No news is good news, they say - and the absence of any announcement about Capital Gains Tax in thre Budget...

This afternoon's Budget has seen dramatic announcements from Chancellor Rishi Sunak referring to the private rental sector. For landlords buying properties, the stamp...

A councillor has criticised an MP who came out in favour of landlords in a dispute over licensing. Earlier this week Landlord Today...

A Conservative MP is weighing in, in support of landlords arguing against a £700 licensing fee by the local council.  James Duddridge,...

A London authority wants to extend its licensing regime for HMOs and landlords have just over two weeks left to respond. Lambeth...

An argument is brewing with landlords angry at the wording of a council licensing consultation. Southend council wants landlords to pay a...

The Deposit Protection Service has given its six top tips for landlords and tenants to navigate the deposit dispute maze. Here they...

Landlords in the the Charnwood area of the Midlands are invited to give their views on the proposed conditions for two...

Landlords have only until February 11 to respond to the licensing proposals of the London council with the largest private rental...

Landlords concerned at licensing proposals put forward by Newcastle council have only until Sunday to respond with their views. The authority is re-designating...

A council clampdown on four short let flats in Edinburgh has been backed by the Scottish Government. The council discovered that the...

The government has been slammed for missing out landlords in proposals to enforce new energy efficiency regulations. Propertymark - the trade group...

A council that put a selective licensing scheme consultation on pause because of the pandemic has resumed the exercise.  Oldham council says...

It appears that a London borough council’s two licensing schemes have expired at the turn of the year, with no alternative...

Demands for ever-more energy efficient properties could drive landlords out of the sector, the government has been warned. In a response to...

A Labour housing politician is accusing the government of using Coronavirus as an excuse for dragging its feet over scrapping Section...

Landlords with properties in the Havering area have until January 24 to submit a selective licence application, giving them a 50...

A move to regulate Airbnb and other short let platforms operating in Scotland has received a hostile welcome from a countryside...

The government is reported to be considering applying VAT to the use of Airbnb and other short let platforms in a...

Havering council has agreed to the extension of its landlord licensing scheme.  It currently covers 12 wards and will be rolled out ...

The government has launched an unexpected consultation which may indirectly highlight a new opportunity for landlords and other investors - converting...

The Acorn group of rental activists has created a detailed crib sheet of responses to a council consultation on landlord licensing. Acorn,...

Councils in North Wales want to find out how the Coronavirus pandemic is affecting private tenants. Nearly one in five households in...

There may be new and stricter legal requirements on the way for private landlords with regards to carbon monoxide alarm installation...

Landlords could be in line for another huge tax burden - a doubling of Capital Gains Tax.  A report commissioned by the government...

Airbnb claims a proposal to regulate short lets could put 17,000 jobs at risk and take almost £1m a day out...

South Tyneside council is considering a selective licensing in two areas of South Shields - and looks likely to ignore its...

A London local authority is to extend its current additional licensing scheme from 12 council wards to 18 - and is...

Generation Rent activists are back on the warpath, this time accusing councils of not doing enough - and sometimes nothing -...

A selective licensing regime is being considered by a westcountry council following an enquiry into private rental sector conditions. Cornwall Council says 50...

Despite another national lockdown seemingly on the horizon, the property market remains resilient, with the stamp duty holiday and other initiatives...

A local authority is inviting landlords to a virtual forum to be held today to canvas views on two proposed licensing...

The government has launched an official consultation on proposals to make the private rental sector more energy-efficient - and they include...

Landlords are being encouraged to give their views on plans to introduce licensing schemes in a number of regions across the...

Camden Council has approved the renewal of landlord licensing in the borough, extending the licensing to most Houses in Multiple Occupation...

Scarborough Council has approved the introduction of a compulsory selective licensing scheme in parts of Scarborough’s Weaponness and Ramshill ward.  The decision...

Buy-to-let landlords with a rental property in Harrow have just a few weeks left to have their say in a consultation...

Harrow Council is looking to renew its landlord licensing scheme in Edgware, enabling tougher enforcement action on rogue landlords. It is consulting...

The government has extended its wage-subsidy programme for workers until the end of June, which should help ensure many private tenants are...

Brent Council’s application to extend its selective licensing scheme in the north west London ward has been rejected by central government.  Brent...

Boris Johnson has unveiled his new look cabinet, which includes the appointment of Christopher Pincher as the new housing minister. Pincher replaces Esther McVey,...

‘For Sale’ and ‘To Let’ boards are one of the oldest and most important property marketing tools, even in this modern...

London Borough of Brent has approved the renewal and extension of borough-wide additional licensing for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) for...

The government’s plans to scrap Section 21 notices to evict tenants could potentially pave the way for the introduction of open-ended...

With the government consultation on tenancy reform ending tomorrow, time is running out for landlords wishing to have their say by...

A new, properly funded housing court is urgently required to cope with proposed regulatory changes, according to the Residential Landlords Association...

The Liberal Democrats have pledged to abolish Section 21 repossessions in the private rented sector if they come to power at...

The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has proposed that tenants should be permitted to transfer a deposit between landlords when moving property.  The...

Private landlords in Enfield may soon have to obtain new licences after the local council launched a consultation aimed at gaining...

Hounslow Council has u-turned on plans to introduce a licensing scheme for landlords.  Plans for an additional licensing scheme for landlords were...

The government’s existing consultation on the abolition of Section 21 does not close until Saturday 12th October, but its proposal to remove...

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has proposed that the maximum fee a landlord can charge a leaseholder...

The government’s plan to scrap Section 21 without improving the court system and alternative process for regaining possession of a property,...

Introducing a ‘rogue landlords’ database without better enforcement would be a pointless exercise, according to the National Landlords Association (NLA). A rogue...

Buy-to-let landlords are concerned about the proposed scrapping of Section 21 in the absence of a new system that allows them...

The government has announced that it will reform the Housing Health Safety Rating System (HHSRS) used to assess health and safety...

Members of the general public are being offered the opportunity to have their say on Brent’s landlord licensing scheme. Brent Council wants...

The Scottish government is consulting on introducing rent controls north of the border with a view to protecting private sector tenants...

A record number of landlords have responded to the Residential Landlord Association’s (RLA) survey asking what a post-Section 21 private rented...

In recent weeks our campaign to replace leasehold with commonhold has continued to gather momentum both in the press and across...

The housing minister James Brokenshire’s announcement yesterday that there will be a consultation period on the ability of landlords to remove...

Today is the final day for the public to have their say on the possible introduction of the Weymouth landlord licensing...

Members of the general public are being offered the opportunity to have their say on the possible introduction of the Weymouth...

The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee is due to publish its report into Leasehold Reform today, which is designed to...

Haringey Borough Council has given the go-ahead for borough-wide additional licensing to be introduced from 27 May 2019 for Houses in...

Buy-to-let investors should be ‘extremely wary’ of buying property in an area affected by selective licensing rules because many local authorities...

The government’s decision to launch a consultation into a proposal to add 1% onto the stamp duty paid when buying a home in England...

With several licensing consultations currently being run by local authorities across the country, the Residential Landlords Association (RLA) is encouraging buy-to-let...

Councillors in Burnley are expected to extend the existing selective licensing schemes in Trinity, Gannow and Queensgate, as well as introduce...

The government has committed to introduce mandatory five yearly electrical safety checks in the private rented sector. No time date has been...

The Civil Justice Council has said it cannot support government plans for a specialist housing court, deeming it unnecessary.  Responding to the...

The South East Homebuilding & Renovating Show takes place at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre later this month and...

People in Weymouth are being invited to have their say on Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s plans to introduce selective licensing...

The launch yesterday of a consultation by the government on establishing a new housing court has been welcomed by the Residential...

The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) is calling for tax reforms to encourage and support more landlords to offer longer tenancies. In its...

One third of landlords say they would be less likely to acquire property if three-year tenancies are made compulsory, according to...

Landlords with property in Hackney, east London, should be aware that following a consultation earlier this year Hackney Council has now...

Middlesborough Council is hoping to clampdown on unscrupulous landlords operating in the Newport ward, particularly in and around the Gresham area,...

Great Yarmouth Borough Council has vowed to clampdown on rogue landlords who allow tenants to live in poor housing standards in...

  When your property is your largest asset, it’s important that you are putting the right tenants in. The last thing you...

As a landlord, it goes without saying that you must keep the property you provide your tenants with safe and free...

People in Stoke-on-Trent are being invited to have their say on city council plans to designate 14 areas under ‘selective licensing...

Private renters who complain to their landlord about problems at their rental property, including issues such as damp and mould, are...

The National Landlords Association (NLA) has once again voiced its opposition to plans to introduce mandatory three year tenancies. Responding to the...

The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has reacted furiously to growing speculation that the government will press ahead with its plans to...

People are being invited to share their views on the possible introduction of licensing for private sector rented housing in some...

The government is planning to reform Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) in a bid to make them more effective drivers of energy...

Amid the headline-grabbing political manoeuvring over Brexit, a policy proposal which could have serious ramifications for thousands of private landlords –...

Plans to introduce new tougher electrical safety standards in the private rented sector aimed at protecting tenants by reducing the risk...

A buy-to-let landlord has been fined £2,525 after failing to obtain a license for a shared house in Thurrock, Essex. Adeola Makinde was...

Thurrock Council is proposing to introduce additional licensing for private landlords renting rooms to tenants in specific parts of the borough...

A single housing ombudsman is crucial to ensure that the current system for complaining about housing is no longer confusing, according...

Annual rental price growth in the UK increased in June, HomeLet said on Tuesday. The latest HomeLet Rental Index shows that the...

ARLA Propertymark has launched a new database in partnership with GetRentr, a technology platform which automatically monitors property portfolios for compliance...

Disgruntled private landlords are likely to turn their attention from buy-to-let to holiday lets if the government presses ahead with its...

Private landlords are welcoming proposals being considered by the government to provide financial incentives for those offering longer tenancies. In its consultation...

Plans to create ‘healthy homes zones’, as part of an effort to reduce housing-related health inequalities, have been proposed by the...

The idea of the property-owning democracy has deep roots and has long defined housing policy in this country, with various schemes...

The Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show kicks off at Sandown Park in Surrey at the end of next month, and you...

As a property professional working in the lettings market, I feel that the moves to stamp out poor landlord practice and...

The tenancy security deposits that tenants leave with landlords or their letting agents will be capped at a maximum of six...

Labour has once again called for rents to be capped in Scotland after fresh data revealed rent increases were outstripping wage...

Buy-to-let landlords who own properties in Blackpool are being urged to lobby against plans to introduce a selective licensing scheme in...

Plans to introduce a new rental complaints system to help support private tenants who are forced to live in shoddy housing...

Gedling Borough Council yesterday voted to approve plans to impose selective licensing charges on private landlords in the Nottinghamshire district. Following a consultation...

The government has confirmed that the long-awaited extension of Mandatory HMO Licensing will be introduced from 1st October 2018, subject to...

The National Landlords Association (NLA) has launched its new brand following extensive consultation with members and stakeholders. The new brand aims to...

Buy-to-let landlords need to be prepared for more regulations coming in, following the publication of a government consultation on electrical safety...

A new rental complaints system has been proposed to help support private tenants who are forced to live in shoddy housing...

A plan to introduce a new selective licensing scheme in Telford has been scrapped by Telford & Wrekin Council after more...

We have seen a significant amount of publicity recently surrounding the sale of leasehold houses and the imposition of significant ground...

The Conveyancing Association (CA) has in conjunction with HM Land Registry launched a new survey as part of an informal consultation...

West Suffolk councils have agreed to clamp down on dodgy landlords by adopting new powers to tackle them, following a joint...

Undoubtedly, 2017 was another tough year for landlords. With so many legislative changes in the last 18 months (wear and tear...

The government’s proposal to introduce a cost cap of £2,500, down from £5,000, on the amount any landlord would need to...

Haringey Council has launched a public consultation on plans to introduce two new Selective Landlord Licensing schemes in the London borough. The...

A new online platform designed to help landlords keep on top of new licensing schemes and consultations has been launched by...

The Chancellor Philip Hammond has delivered his Autumn Budget. Here are the key points of his speech impacting private landlords and...

InventoryBase has announced that it is supporting the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC) in their bid for mandatory inventories for...

The government’s decision to review the effectiveness of the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 will have an impact...

A new petition has been launched calling for independent inventory reporting to become a compulsory requirement. The petition, which has been created...

Gedling Borough Council has proposed a five year licensing scheme for private landlords in Gedling, Nottinghamshire, in an effort to improve...

Given that thousands of landlords and tenants are not protected by client money protection (CMP), placing money held by letting agents are...

The Welsh government is currently seeking views on proposed regulations, made under section 94 of the act, for determining if a...

A new licensing system in the West London neighbourhoods of Hammersmith, Shepherd’s Bush, Fulham, Chiswick and Ealing aims to protect landlords...

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council is planning to introduce a selective licensing scheme in an effort to clamp down on unscrupulous...

New rules making it compulsory for landlords to apply for planning consent if they wish to convert properties in the Royal...

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid, yesterday pledged to offer private sector tenants’ greater rights by...

  Hackney Council is planning to introduce a selective licensing scheme in an effort to clamp down on unscrupulous landlords in the...

Private landlords and letting agents in Wisbech, a market town in Fenland, Cambridgeshire, are being invited to offer their views this...

Letting agents will compensate for potential losses resulting from a future ban on letting agent fees paid by tenants by increasing...

Barnsley Council is planning to introduce a selective licensing scheme in an effort to clamp down on rogue landlords in the...

Buy-to-let landlords should be responsible for paying letting agent fees in Wales, despite some concerns that this will lead to higher...

City councillors in Nottingham have approved a new licensing scheme aimed at improving housing standards in the city’s private rented sector.  Following...

The Scottish government is being urged to set a higher benchmark for the energy efficiency of private rented homes to help...

Private landlords in Nottingham may soon have to obtain a licence after plans to introduce a selective licensing scheme were given...

The government yesterday announced a U-turn on the extent of the 'Making Tax Digital' requirements, and the move has been warmly...

Luton Council is considering introducing a ‘selective licensing’ within the town, and has this week launched a consultation regarding proposals to...

The Scottish government’s proposed new minimum energy efficiency standards for the private rented sector could risk having an adverse impact on...

More private landlords with rental homes in the London borough of Havering may soon have to apply for a license after...

A host of Brexit bills dominated last week’s Queens’s speech, while there were also a few main non-Brexit proposals announced outlining...

The Queen’s Speech was unsurprisingly dominated by Brexit, with a host of proposed new laws designed to prepare the UK for...

When renting out a property, most landlords or their letting agents opt to take an upfront deposit from the tenant prior...

Q: About the Caridon Group?  Caridon Group provides exceptional, end-to-end residential property solutions throughout the UK, from property development and management to...

There could soon be no fewer than eight separate selective licensing areas in Manchester and Salford if proposed schemes are approved,...

A major consultation on a proposed new landlord license scheme has been delayed until after the general election. The idea of introducing...

The consultation period for the proposed ban on letting agents’ fees in England should either be extended or suspended until after...

The recent conviction of letting agent Thirunga Damayantharan for illegally keeping £15,000 of tenancy deposits has taken the total value of...

New proposals to ensure all privately rented homes north of the border meet a minimum standard of energy efficiency have been...

Following a raft of changes, including tax measures, in the buy-to-let sector, the government has now published its consultation on banning...

Tenants will not benefit from the government’s ban on letting agent fees - because the costs will be passed on in...

The UK government’s Affordable Warmth Scheme (AWS) has been in place since 2013, as part of the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO).   The...

Telford & Wrekin Council has launched a consultation on its plans to introduce a Selective Licensing in parts of Telford in...

Many mortgage brokers are now offering buy-to-let landlords who are purchasing or remortgaging property a free tax consultation to help them...

Nottingham City Council has launched a public consultation on plans to introduce a selective landlord licensing scheme in the city. The consultation,...

A new private landlord service has been set up to assist buy-to-let landlords across West Cheshire by providing them with a...

The government has launched an official consultation process on plans to for new banning orders to clampdown on rogue landlords and...

Almost half of buy-to-let landlords say they would dump their letting agent if their profits started to drop, fresh research from...

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has ended a consultation on ‘Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) and residential property...

A private landlord has been fined by Willesden Magistrates Court for poor and potentially dangerous housing conditions following a prosecution by...

Letting agents in England will be banned from charging fees to tenants under plans announced by the chancellor in his Autumn...

The Bank of England will be granted new powers by the government to regulate mortgages used by small buy-to-let landlords to...

BM Solutions has unveiled a fresh approach to addressing the upcoming buy-to-let tax changes by developing a new rental income calculator...

Four out of five buy-to-let landlords believe that client money protection (CMP) should be made compulsory when they use a letting...

The government’s plan to tighten licensing requirements for landlords of shared accommodation in an effort to clamp down on rogue landlords...

Landlords and lettings agents have expressed disappointment at the Welsh government’s decision to press ahead with proposals for a 3% stamp...

The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has confirmed that it will introduce tougher underwriting standards for buy-to-let lenders by the start of...

The housing minister’s call this week for significantly more homes “of every single type” to be built, including significantly more homes for...

The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks is calling on landlords as well as letting agents to respond to the government's outstanding...

A local authority has opted not to introduce a new landlord licensing scheme, an investigation by London Property Licensing has revealed. Wandsworth...

Property licensing seminars will be held in London to help landlords and letting agents make sense of what is required when...

Landlords in Redbridge are being invited to put any questions they have over new controversial licensing schemes to council officers at...

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has this week launched a 12-week consultation named 'Making Text Digital'. One of the features of the...

The government’s policy to improve the energy efficiency of the UK’s housing stock will almost certainly place upward pressure on rents...

Around a third of private rented sector tenants in the UK admit that they are currently subletting their rented accommodation without...

Buy-to-let landlords could be forced to stump up more than 60% deposits in some locations if all lenders introduce stricter borrowing requirements,...

Councillors in Redbridge have agreed to move forward with proposals to introduce a selective registration scheme for landlords across 14 wards...

Landlords in parts of Manchester may soon have to apply for a licence to let their properties as part of a...

An updated guide that simplifies and clarifies some of the steps landlords north of the border should take when designing and...

Proposals by the Bank of England to curb buy-to-let lending are “premature” according to the Residential Landlords Association (RLA). As Landlord Today...

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has warned against further intervention in the buy-to-let market as the forthcoming tax crackdown looks...

The RLA has submitted an official response to a Government consultation into future flood prevention. Swathes of the UK were left devastated...

Government policies are discriminating against UK based investment in the housing market by making it easier for foreign investors to purchase...

Ealing Council in London is undergoing a formal consultation about a proposal that all houses in multiple occupation within its boundaries...

The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has accused the Government of declaring war on individual landlords and described 2015 as an “annus...

Eviction firm Landlord Action is calling for a blacklist of persistent rogue tenants to be made public. The Housing and Planning Bill...

Plans to introduce landlord licences in Redbridge have been thrown out by the Secretary of State. Redbridge Council said it was “extremely...

Proposals by the Treasury to hand greater powers to the Bank of England to make access to buy-to let-lending harder risks...

The government is poised to launch a consultation document which is expected to advocate further restrictions on buy-to-let mortgage lending. The formal...

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has published the full outcome of its consultation: Tackling rogue landlords and improving...

A tenant eviction specialist has warned that the Government’s proposal to introduce minimum room sizes will not prevent subletting scams which...

Mortgage industry insiders have expressed concern about the Government’s plans to allow the Bank of England to intervene in the buy-to-let...

Reading Council has launched a consultation on the creation of a Private Rented Sector Housing Charter. If established, the Charter will include...

Councils need to be handed greater powers to tackle rogue landlords ‘taking advantage’ and ‘ripping off’ tenants. This is the call from...

Housing minister Brandon Lewis has backtracked on suggestions that the government may introduce longer standard tenancy agreements in the private rental...

Almost half (47%) of landlords will be affected by the removal of the annual wear and tear allowance, according to new...

HMRC has revealed the scope of its proposed changes to the wear and tear allowance, as announced in George Osborne’s budget...

The council which became a standard bearer for so-called ‘landlord licensing’ - Enfield in north London – appears to have abandoned...

Croydon landlords have launched a legal challenge against selective licensing in the borough. A group of landlords operating as the Croydon Property...

The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has written to Camden Council urging reconsideration of a borough-wide additional licensing scheme for houses in...

Labour’s plans for private rented sector rent controls have been widely condemned by housing and landlord groups. Landlord Today reported yesterday how...