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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

New research suggests that the combined value of the UK's 5.5 million private rental sector (PRS) homes stands at £1.4 trillion.

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 secure.

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.

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.

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.