Latest news

Andrew Turner, Chief Executive of Commercial Trust, comments on the future of the UK buy to let market.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has opened a consultation on extending the repossession ban. Delaying repossessions further would give landlords who are struggling with their finances the lifeline they need.

A petition calling for a six month extension to the stamp duty holiday after March 31st has today achieved enough signatures for it to be considered for debate in Parliament.

On the 8th of January, it was announced that the ban on evictions already in place for England was to be extended for a further 6 weeks. The ban was due to end 3 days after this latest extension announcement.

Changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) may be fast approaching as Chancellor Rishi Sunak looks to offset government spending and borrowing during the coronavirus pandemic. Will he answer the question everyone need answering - where will the funds to repay Covid debt come from?

The private rental sector (PRS) in prime London areas have been particularly adversely affected by the pandemic. A substantial roll-out of the virus vaccine could, however, be the solution London has been awaiting, according to leading agencies.

Yesterday, on January 5th, the Prime Minister announced a new national lockdown for England. The good news for landlords is that the housing market will remain open.

Published on the 22nd of December, the NRLA has found that over 800,000 private renters in England and Wales have accrued rent arrears since March 2020.

On the 9th of December, the UK government posted an update that business owners affected by the pandemic will continue to be protected from eviction, until the end of March 2021. This has also prompted a review of the legislation surrounding the commercial rental sector.

Published on the 22nd of December, the NRLA has found that over 800,000 private renters in England and Wales have accrued rent arrears since March 2020.

The Bank of England has decided to keep interest rates at the current level of 0.1%, whilst Brexit talks are ongoing. The vote, which was undertaken by the Monetary Policy Committee, came to this conclusion at their final meeting of 2020.

The chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has issued a demand to senior MP’s for financial help, for the private rental sector, in response to the difficulties posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Undeterred by the global pandemic, weakness in rents, or changes to tax, buy to let sales have reached their highest figure since December 2016.

Based on a survey of 436,810 homes, the Valuation Office Agency has released its annual private rental market summary from 1 October 2019 to 30 September 2020.

Landlords keen to utilise a discount on stamp duty, face uncertainty around hitting completion in time. Jorden Abbs, director of sales at Commercial Trust Limited, shares a tactic which could mitigate this risk.

Many first-time buyers have been significantly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, with rising loan to values and increased difficulty to get on the residential property ladder.

Debate on whether the stamp duty holiday will be extended is a current hot topic for the industry and for the economy.

In a recent survey conducted by OnePoll, for The Mortgage Lender, it has come to light that 64% of landlords say they haven’t received any financial support due to the pandemic.

A £10 million fund has been made available, as interest-free loans, to tenants who are struggling with rent arrears due to Covid-19.

The National Residential Landlord’s Association (NRLA) has launched a campaign demanding change to eviction legislation, prior to the implementation of the Reform Bill.

The Scottish Government has announced a halt to the enforcement of evictions. The announcement was made on the 3rd of December.

New ‘Review Hearings’ have been introduced by the courts, to help prioritise urgent eviction cases.

The PRA have this week published a report on findings relating to the approach lenders are taking for assessing affordability in the buy to let sector.

Property industry disappointed after Chancellor's latest spending review does not include stamp duty extension.

Landlords are outraged following Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s spending review announcement, which intends to cut housing support allowances.

The UK government has opened a public consultation into the strengthening of smoke and carbon monoxide regulations in England.

The government has been warned that landlords won't be able to meet new Right to Rent guidelines after Covid-19 subsides.

Boris Johnson has announced that the Green Homes Grant will be extended in England.

The government has defined the parameters where rent arrears possession can proceed in updated legislation.

Government officials confirm Section 21 evictions will be eradicated after the pandemic. A recent report claims that private rental market needs reform. The PRS experiences increase in later life tenants.

UK Government releases updated Right to Rent guide for landlords. AirBnB hits back at proposed regulations for Scotland. Mortgage payment holidays extended for six months.

The housing market in England will remain open during the four-week lockdown. Housing Minister confirms that there are no plans for stamp duty extension. Chancellor Rishi Sunak is given landlord wish list ahead of spending review.

What would happen if the Government abolished Section 21? A nationwide lockdown has returned to Wales, how will this impact landlords? The housing market has returned to pre covid-19 levels of activity. NRLA Wales call for the Welsh Government to implement Green Homes Grant.

Conveyancing groups have urged the government to extend the stamp duty holiday. Housing charity Shelter criticises rental properties in England, for being poor quality. Notable rise in rental demand for houses, as tenants look for more space.

Loan scheme to help tenants affected by Covid-19 officially launches in Wales. The future of commercial property investment - where is the next big opportunity? New online service to improve the right to rent process. Doubts that the government will reach housebuilding target.

Government launches proposal to make private rental sector more energy-efficient. The BTL market shows no signs of slowing down. Landlords continue to be overlooked as the government are yet to introduce hardship loans for tenants.

Eviction hearings resume in courts across England and Wales. Pressure grows for Welsh politicians as councillors call for AirBnB to be banned. Buy to let demand grows among first time buyers in the UK.

NRLA says Sadiq Khan's request for 2-year rent freeze would be disastrous for tenants. Property price increases jump up significantly May to June, from 1.1% to 3.4%

Flat owners welcome government response on cladding remediation. Second so called “No DSS” case has been supported and won. New guidance issued for landlords with student accommodation, as the academic year begins.

Scotland follows Wales with Tenant Hardship Loan, to fund unpaid rent. NRLA calls out to landlords to lobby their local MP for support. UK regeneration areas analysed for property investment opportunity.

Government's 'u turn' decision to extend the eviction ban continues to cause concern. The Green Homes Grant scheme has now launched, what's involved in the application? Positive news for landlords and letting agents as rental demand continues into August.

Eviction ban set to be extended by four weeks in England and Wales. Buy to let market picks up as new products and higher LTV's are re-introduced. Government urged to do more to financially support landlords. Increase in electrical checks as regulation changes for buy to let properties.

Wales offers tenants loan scheme to pay off Covid-19 rent arrears. UK officially in recession, what will be the impact for landlords? Positive sign for landlords as the demand for the rental market increases. Scottish government announces plan to extend eviction ban, will the rest of the UK follow?

Government shares more detail on Green Homes Grant. Tax tip for landlords on incorporation. Understanding tenant's residency status set to be impossible without Home Office clarification.

Courts re-open on 24th, landlords must act to re-ignite existing possessions claims. Housing Minister brings landlords good news in Commons debate. Warning to landlords to be aware of possible rise in cannabis farms in rental property.

Will Making Tax Digital be better or worse for landlords? Experts say landlords will be most affected by MTD. Repossession notice period extended to 6 months in Wales. West Lothian Council need help from the PRS.

Landlords and lettings agents using "No DSS" policies risk prosecution. Wales and Scotland announce their property tax holidays. "Mary Barbour Bill" stopped by SNP and Scottish Conservatives. Property asking prices up with mini-boom

Labour want PRS and second homes excluded from stamp duty holiday. August brings change to Universal Credit. Landlords can claim under Green Homes Grant

Landlords finally have an end date for evictions ban. What does Boris's 'Build, build, build' mean for buy to let? What will Rishi Sunak's road to Covid-19 recovery look like?

Government appeal on Universal Credit dismissed. All UK regions re-open their housing markets. Voids peak at 5-week average.

Two pieces of good news on Section 21 evictions. Rents in England peak at £700 per month on average. Landlords receive £78,100 average capital gain on property sales in 2019.

Culture Secretary hopes to re-open holiday let industry from July 4th. Rental demand surges 22% in May with changing demands from tenants after impact of Covid-19

Will eviction ban be extended? NRLA calls for landlord support. Good news for landlords with tenants receiving Universal Credit. The government releases guidance notes for landlords on the new electrical safety regulations.

Two pieces of good news for landlords arising from Covid-19 help. Tax payments can be deferred to 2021 and mortgage payment holidays have been extended by three months. New applications are also able to be made up to 31st October 2020.

The buy to let industry is buzzing with activity as the government allows valuers back out. Increasing numbers of lenders refresh their mortgage offering bringing renewed opportunity for landlords.

Covid-19 impact on March tenancies. Tenants hardest hit by Coronavirus. Late rent payments up just 2%. Universal Credit rent arrears deductions suspended

Government to act on Right to Rent. Six-month extension for safety certificates? Call for evidence on impact of Covid-19 on PRS. London Mayor seeks 'triple-lock' tenant protection. Covid-19 support for Welsh landlords and tenants.

How landlords can navigate Covid-19. Councils tackle AirBnB bookings. Tenants moving during Coronavirus lockdown and Tenants need clarity on rent obligations

Guidance for landlords from the government on Coronavirus Act 2020. ARLA Propertymark supports eviction ban. 3 month extension for filing accounts is good news for limited company landlords. Scotland pushes back energy efficiency regulation deadline.

Vital news for landlords on support through the Coronavirus pandemic, news on the latest Base Rate drop and what is happening in the buy to let market - act now!

Impact of 2020 Budget on landlords. Base rate drops to 0.25% - how will this affect mortgages? 13% of people pay rent or mortgage with their overdraft. Wales caps interest on rent defaults. The Midlands is set to drive buy to let purchases in 2020

A January 2020 survey shows a mix of legislative interference is expected from UK landlords. Sadiq Khan

RLA warns of electrical safety loophole. Do 4.8% average yields make two-bedroom properties best? Tenant demand at record high, more landlords needed?

Associations call for PRS reform in Budget. Pincher appointed as latest Housing Minister. UK house prices up 2.2%

Average rents up 2.3% in January 2020; Are deposit-free rent schemes back-firing? Scottish Bill seeking rent controls is launched; A Welsh Bill is introduced which will impede landlords claiming property possession

Saving to buy not a priority for 82% of non-homeowners; Base rate holds at 0.75%; landlords contribute £3.61bn to local economies; EPC minimum standards deadline delayed in Scotland

Good news for landlords this week. Lenders compete for buy to let business, rate drops from 5 top buy to let lenders, tax tips for short term lets and DWP gives Universal Credit apology

Rental demand hotspots across the UK, indistinguishable Housing Benefit payments cause problems and NRLA merger is delayed

Is holiday let regulation bad news? 4-year LHA rate freeze to end. January 30th may see base rate cut

NRLA launches, £4m for councils to tackle rogue landlords, Government launches pet-inclusive AST, key landlord dates for early 2020

Thursday 19th December 2019 Queen's Speech has been delivered in Parliament, including vital news for landlords

Queen to confirm scrapping of Section 21. RLA and NLA seek reform of eviction process. Rightmove predicts 2% property price rise in 2020.

Is bamboo the next Japanese Knotweed? Are landlords eligible for compensation over legal ground rent advice? Oxford tops Aldermore's analysis of the top 25 UK cities for buy to let.

The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change publishes new report showing that house prices will continue to rise, potentially by up to 26% by 2030.

UK Finance 2019 statistics show resilience in buy to let, review Labour and Liberal Democrat manifesto's and their impact on landlords, Welsh landlords warned to be prepared for regulation changes on holding deposits.

Government says "no" to landlord register, will BoE base rate fall in December 2019?, tenants value short commute over home ownership, clarification on default charges and holding deposits from Welsh Government, buy to let opportunities in under-served rental stock areas of UK

In its second year, a further £3.8m has been added to a fund to crackdown on rogue landlords; more details of Labour evolving plans for Right to Buy in the PRS emerge; HMO rental yields outstrip other properties and increasing numbers of landlords incorporate

What does the General Election mean for landlords? Latest statistics on UK rents. TV spotlight on subletting. The painful reality for tenants of rent controls.

UK house prices up 0.8% MoM, 75% of tenants happy renting, letting agents face legal action over licensing, industrial and office sectors drive increase in rents

A positive future for buy to let predicts Lloyds Banking Group. Keep your lettings adverts legal. Super rich choose renting over buying in London.

RICS fire safety guide, policymakers pushing up rents, peak in first time landlord mortgages, 2017/18 tax returns not accepted October-January

In the news - Javid's 'end to austerity', FT's Labour warning, Pets pushing up rents and the REAL reason house prices are so high

Shock as Boris Johnson seeks suspension of parliament from the Queen, with motives to block MPs trying to stop no deal Brexit implied. July rent rises at record high. Universal Credit still causing rent arrears and PRS needs accessible homes.

Get the low-down on holiday let hot spots, find out the latest proposal for the governments rogue landlord database, Javid says stamp duty will not pass to seller and more...

RICS predicts rent rises as tenant demand grows. Rent rises currently match inflation. Private landlord repossessions take 22.5 weeks

Latest guidance on Right to Rent encourages landlords to break the law, says RLA

Regeneration creates BTL opportunity; House prices soar in Manchester

Section 21 is this the end? London Mayor slammed over rent caps

Health and safety changes; 4.5pc BTL yields achievable

S21 abolition threatens vulnerable tenants; BTL fixed rates fall

CGT warning for landlords; Could Johnson cut stamp duty?

Period or new-build? How do you spot an unsuitable property? Information on the best type of property for buy-to-let investment.

Provable income and what buy to let lenders want to see and will accept for buy to let mortgage loans. Chat to our team to learn more.

Find out how to accurately estimate property value and avoid being declined by your lender because of down-valuations.