Are councils still too soft on rogue landlords?
A new report suggests that local authorities are still failing to tackle criminal landlords, despite having extensive powers to do so. Coming at a time when many councils have implemented additional/selective licensing schemes for landlords, this does seem to cast some doubt on the value of these schemes, and poses some interesting questions in the context of upcoming rental reform.
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BTL Mortgage Choice Expands as Product Hits 25th Anniversary
Buy-to-Let (BTL) mortgages are an essential part of the UK's Private Rental Sector (PRS) and provision of rental homes across the country. As demand for PRS lets remains high, investors in the market are well-placed to take advantage of the widest range of BTL mortgage products in almost 15 years.
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Complaints About Letting Agencies Rise in 2020
The year 2020 was a difficult one for many, including in the lettings industry, with recent research showing that complaints against letting agents rose from 2019.
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Dealing with loss adjusters on an insurance claim
If you have to make a large or complex claim on your home or landlord insurance, the insurance company will probably appoint a loss adjuster to manage it. But what is their role, and are they on your side or not?
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Demand from New Tenants Returns to Lettings Market
As the UK's economy is now fully open with a strong jobs market, demand for properties to let has seen an increase in demand from new tenants. Two separate reports show that new entrants to the UK's letting market are on the rise, in addition to existing tenants moving to a new home.
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Government Facing More Criticism Over PRS Oversight
As the UK Government battles growing criticism on various fronts, watchdogs and industry bodies are sharing their dissatisfaction. A recent report from the National Audit Office (NAO) suggests government regulation of the Private Rental Sector (PRS) makes it unfair towards renters. That's a view that lettings professionals and even some MPs have shared in the past week or so.
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Halifax Calculates Most Affordable Cities for Property Purchase
As UK house prices have surged during the past few months, spurred on by the stamp duty holiday and pent-up demand following lockdown, some potential landlords might find it a struggle to find the right area or city for investment.
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How rent guarantors can help universities support their students
With Universities welcoming back in-person learning, many students will be planning to return to their student homes. At the same time, first year students for the 2021-2022 academic year will also begin considering where they will live when they take their next step in higher education.
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Location Returns as Key Detail for London Lets
After an unexpected period for the UK's lettings market, which saw many tenants search for larger properties with more space as soon as they were permitted, the London rental market has begun to see a return of interest in smaller properties in prime locations. With many firms supporting a return to the office for their staff, a recent survey shows that interest in the pied-a-terre sector of the London market has increased over the summer months.
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London Accounts for 40% of £1.4trn PRS Value
New research suggests that the combined value of the UK's 5.5 million private rental sector (PRS) homes stands at £1.4 trillion.
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Luton and Norwich Enter the Top 10 BTL Investment Cities Across the UK
As we near the end of a whirlwind 2021, many people are considering their plans for the coming year, including potential investment options. If Buy-to-Let (BTL) investment is on your wish list for 2022 - as a new landlord or expanding your existing portfolio - then some recent research might be helpful. An annual BTL city tracker details some key elements property investors look for, giving you a good idea of what kind of price you can expect to pay and also the potential yield you could...Read More
Rental Property EPC's Can Be Improved for £100 or Less
As the UK government promotes its aspirations for homes across the country to have an energy or EPC rating of C or above, some tips have been shared to help landlords achieve this.
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Renters Rights Bill
For property investors searching for their first or next opportunity, student properties can offer a good yield and sometimes at an affordable initial purchase price. However, even if you think student properties are a good option, it's not always easy to know which town or city would be the best location for your investment. However, some recent research suggests that for the most part, its cities or towns with just one university that can generate the best returns.
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Tenant Safety must come first in Tier 4 areas
Tenant Safety Must Come First
As the country is once again living in lockdown, the government’s latest guidance to Letting Agents is to put the safety of their tenants first.
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Tenant Support Guide
The Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) industry is growing, which is great news for students up and down the UK. Indeed, research shows that for students choosing to live PBSA, they’re more likely to note a higher academic performance and personal well-being, when compared with other housing options.
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Virtual Viewings and Community Living, How the UK's Rental Market is Changing
As England moves another week towards further easing of coronavirus-related restrictions, recent reports highlight that the way in which the lettings industry operates and tenants engage with it, are changing.
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Who needs a rent guarantor?
When you rent a property, there are a lot of things to consider, plan for and decide upon. If you are renting, either as a student or in the private sector, one of those details could be who you will ask to be your rent guarantor.
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