Angela Rayner claims she will avoid fine in stamp duty scandal
Angela Rayner has stated that she has been cleared by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) of deliberately avoiding stamp duty tax and will not face a financial penalty. This follows her resignation as Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary after admitting to underpaying stamp duty on a flat in Hove. HMRC clears Angela Rayner of […]
Four in 10 landlords plan to remortgage this year
Nearly four in ten landlords with mortgages are planning to remortgage their buy-to-let properties within the next year, signalling a potentially busy period for refinancing in the private rented sector. This trend is driven largely by landlords managing larger portfolios, who are seeking to restructure borrowing amid rising costs and ongoing regulatory changes. High refinancing […]
House price growth slows in Scotland
House price growth in Scotland has slowed significantly over the past year, with average prices rising by just 1.9%. Despite this modest increase, Scotland’s housing market remains more resilient compared to England and Wales, where average prices have fallen. Scotland’s housing market trends According to the latest analysis by DJ Alexander, average house prices in […]
What actual problem did the Renters’ Rights Act fix?
The introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act (RRA) was widely publicised as a necessary reform to protect tenants from unfair rent increases and unscrupulous landlords. However, a closer examination reveals that many of the issues the Act aimed to address were already regulated under existing legislation, raising questions about the actual problems the RRA has […]
Tenants notice in the first couple of months of Renters’ Rights Act?
The introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act on 1 May 2026 has brought significant changes to tenant notice periods in England, requiring most tenants to provide two months’ notice before ending a tenancy. This new legal requirement has raised concerns among landlords and tenants alike, particularly regarding the transition period and its impact on tenancy […]
Practical legal answers to 10 Renters’ Rights Act questions
The Renters’ Rights Act has brought significant changes to the private rented sector, abolishing assured shorthold tenancies and the use of section 21 notices from 1 May 2026. Solicitor Tessa Shepperson of Landlord Law provides clear legal guidance on common questions landlords face under the new regime. New Tenancy Agreements and Information Sheets Landlords are […]
The great landlord contradiction: wanting companies, stuck in personal ownership
Many landlords who have built their property portfolios over the years find themselves in a paradox. While the preference among landlords today is increasingly to hold properties within company structures, the majority remain tied to personal ownership. This contradiction highlights the challenges landlords face in adapting their existing portfolios to align with current investment preferences. […]
Guidance clarifies council powers to enter premises and seize documents
New government guidance has clarified the powers councils hold under the Renters’ Rights Act to enter landlords’ business premises and seize documents during inspections. This update outlines the conditions under which councils can act, the evidence they must provide, and the limits to their authority, particularly concerning premises used mainly as homes. Councils’ Powers to […]
Landlords drive Stamp Duty receipts in English councils
Higher-rate Stamp Duty receipts from landlords and second-home buyers now represent the majority of takings in over half of English local authorities, according to recent analysis. This shift highlights the growing influence of additional property purchases on local government revenues, with significant regional variations across England. Rising Impact of Higher-Rate Stamp Duty Paragon Bank’s review […]
Government issues examples of rent in advance breaches under new rules
The government has issued detailed guidance for local councils on the enforcement of new rules restricting landlords and letting agents from requesting rent payments in advance. These rules, introduced under the Renters’ Rights Act, aim to protect tenants from excessive upfront rent demands, with councils empowered to impose fines of up to £7,000 for breaches. […]
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