The King’s Speech 2024 has unveiled several significant proposed bills, set to impact landlords, tenants and the wider housing sector. Key among these are the Renters’ Rights Bill, the English Devolution Bill, a draft of the Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill, and the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. Each of these bills includes various provisions aimed at improving the rental market, property ownership, and urban planning. Here’s a breakdown of the main points from these bills, along with their implications for landlords and tenants. The Renters’ Rights Bill – King’s Speech 2024 Summary T ..read more

General Election 2024 Landlord Guide With the election fast approaching, major political parties are serving-up an array of promises and policies that could reshape the Private Rented Sector. Our General Election Landlord Guide delves into the detail, looking at the implications for UK landlords. Below you’ll find a summary of manifestos from the major political parties – Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Green, and Reform UK – highlighting key policies, plus implications for UK landlords, tenants, and the wider housing market. Major party manifestos Understanding each party’s distinct ..read more

Being a landlord in the UK can be rewarding yet challenging. Ensuring consistent rental income is crucial, and schemes that include Guaranteed Rent for landlords offer a solution. Here, we explore three types of Guaranteed Rent options: Rent to Rent, Guaranteed Rent Insurance, and Lettingaproperty.com’s Rent Protection. Rent to Rent Rent-to-rent involves a management company taking over the property and guaranteeing a fixed monthly rent. The company handles tenant sourcing, rent collection, and maintenance. Landlords receive a fixed monthly rental payment, regardless of whether the property i ..read more

Property management companies support residential landlords with their rental properties, offering various services that can vary widely. Key responsibilities typically include property marketing, tenant acquisition, tenant administration, rent collection, and legal compliance. Contrary to common misconceptions, property management isn’t an all-or-nothing decision. Landlords must either entirely hand over control or manage everything themselves. Property management services are highly flexible, with different levels of involvement, fee structures, and service options available. In this articl ..read more

Renting out your property can be lucrative, offering a steady income and the opportunity to grow your investment portfolio. This guide provides essential insights and practical advice to help new and experienced landlords succeed in the rental market. Understanding Your Responsibilities When Renting Out Your Property When you decide to start renting out your property, it’s crucial to understand your responsibilities. Ensuring your property is safe, compliant, and well-maintained isn’t just about meeting legal requirements—it’s about providing value to your tenants and securing your investment ..read more

Navigating the terrain of letting agent fees is crucial for any landlord in the UK aiming to maximise their income. This guide dives into what these fees entail, how they are structured, and their implications for landlords and tenants. What Are Letting Agent Fees? Letting agent fees are charges levied by agents to landlords (and occasionally tenants) for services related to renting properties. These fees vary significantly depending on the type of service provided: Let-Only Service: This basic service involves the agent finding tenants for your property. Generally, the cost is a percentage o ..read more

On 22 November 2023, the Chancellor delivered the Government’s Autumn Statement (sometimes referred to as the autumn budget) outlining plans for the year ahead and including 110 measures designed to “help grow the economy”. Amongst these measures, there were some positive takeaways for landlords, tenants and the property market, including tax cuts for the self-employed, an increased benefit threshold for lower-income tenants, and planning incentives to encourage property development. Key measures impacting landlords, investors and tenants: Local Housing Allowance increase National Insurance ..read more

The Renters Reform Bill was introduced to parliament by the Government on 17 May 2023, bringing landmark rental reforms that (once enacted) will impact landlords and tenants throughout England. Originally proposed back in 2019 and fleshed out in the 2022 fairer private rented sector white paper, the Renters Reform Bill contains sweeping changes, aimed at improving the rental system for both the 11 million private renters and 2.3 million landlords in England. Why is the Renters Reform Bill being introduced? The new Bill is designed to “bring in a better deal for renters”, including abolis ..read more

As the cost of living in the UK continues to rise, everyone is feeling the pinch. Rent increases are becoming increasingly common across the country, with many landlords opting to raise their monthly rent in order to keep up with inflation and other market forces. In this article, we look at the rules regarding increasing the rent, including the correct processes during a tenancy and differing rules across England Scotland and Wales, plus what tenants can do if they disagree with a proposed increase. What is a rent increase? Why do landlords increase rent? How often can landlords increase th ..read more

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations are changing. The regulations, originally enforced in 2015, will be amended from 1 October 2022 and apply to both private and social rental properties. What are the new rules for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms? What type of smoke and carbon monoxide alarm do I need? Where should I put my smoke and carbon monoxide alarms? What is a fixed fuel appliance? What properties and tenancies fall under the regulations? What are the rules for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in Wales? Who’s responsible for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms? Wha ..read more