Lettings

After years of delays and deliberations, the Renters’ Reform Bill has finally been crystalised in its associated White Paper. Titled the Fairer Private Rented Sector White Paper: a new deal for renting, the contents will soon become law and shape the way lettings is run.

Even mortgage lenders have their part to play in our quest to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The Government has asked banks and building societies to encourage the purchase of eco-efficient properties by offering buyers advantageous products billed as ‘green mortgages’.

While the property industry waits for a date when the Renters’ Reform Bill becomes law, there is an imminent change for all current owners and future buyers of leasehold properties. Here are five important points for anyone involved with a leasehold property.

Called the ChargePoint grant, the initiative is not brand new – instead it replaces the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme. The new grant invites landlords to apply for a 75% discount on the cost of purchasing and installing a home electric vehicle charging point, up to the value of £350.

Are you one of the 34% of landlords looking to expand their property portfolio in 2022? When it comes to the type of properties that deliver the best rental returns, additional research has revealed the newer the property, the better the yield can be.

Gazumping is a property term that resurfaces when the right conditions prevail. It’s most commonly associated with the sales market, when a mass of purchasers chase a small pool of available properties. What is rarely discussed, however, is gazumping in the rental sector but it does happen.

Whether your Great Aunt Rose has left you a house in her will or your family home is no longer needed, you may inherit a property at some point in your lifetime. Knowing what to do with it will depend on your own circumstances and if anyone else is involved. Here’s our guide if you find yourself with an unexpected property.

Paying tax on income is part and parcel of operating in the private rental sector and 2022 is a good year to revisit the tax and VAT watchpoints that landlords – especially those interested in developing property to rent out – need to be mindful of. 

With so much focus on energy bills at the moment, it’s easy to forget the other costs attached to running a property. One unavoidable bill, whether you’re an owner occupier or living in a rented property, is council tax.

So what does the Levelling Up white paper mean for landlords? As well as covering aspects pertaining to health, education, transport, crime and skills, the white paper tackles housing and living standards head on.

While it can be concerning to see black patches develop or water running down the walls, many issues are easily fixed. Knowing who is responsible for prevention and treatment in rented properties is the essential place to start, as our guide explains.

Average tenancy lengths are rising. The average stay in a rented property is now 4.3 years. This is up from 4.1 years detailed in the 2017/18 EHS, and up from 3.9 years in the 2016/17 version of the report.