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.

As pets remain popular among people living across the UK, Build-to-Rent (BTR) developers are increasingly offering pet friendly homes to potential tenants. With the Private Rental Sector (PRS) typically considered to less fond of pets, this finding in recent research that almost 50% of BTR openly welcome pets is sure to be good news for many tenants in the lettings sector.

As pets remain popular among people living across the UK, Build-to-Rent (BTR) developers are increasingly offering pet friendly homes to potential tenants. With the Private Rental Sector (PRS) typically considered to less fond of pets, this finding in recent research that almost 50% of BTR openly welcome pets is sure to be good news for many tenants in the lettings sector.

As a new 440-unit Build-to-Rent (BTR) development is announced, a separate study has found that amid claims by some that the sector is expensive for renters, it is actually more affordable than the Private Rental Sector (PRS). While the BTR segment remains relatively niche with the majority of the developments available in just 20 English cities, on a rent-to-income basis, it is considered affordable by certain standards set by the Office for National Statistics.

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.

As the subject of the regulation of short property let activity on sites such as Airbnb remains a hot topic, Edinburgh will be one of the first UK cities to introduce rules for the sector. This will include identifying areas of the city where short lets will be permitted, to help manage the supply of longer-term residential lets and short holiday lets in the popular Scottish capital.

As signs emerged in February and March 2020 that the coronavirus pandemic was going to cause much financial hardship, the government put a number of rules in place to protect the population

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 the effects of the coronavirus pandemic continue to bite, UK students are being offered additional support with their rent from the government and Unite Students, the largest student accommodation management firm.

The UK government's 2025 EPC target for the residential rental sector remains in place.

The UK government's 2025 EPC target for the residential rental sector remains in place.

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.

Halifax’s house price index has found that the average house price now stands at £249, 870, a 7.3% rise on last year, and the strongest growth since June 2016. Across the last three months, Britain’s biggest mortgage lender approved more mortgage applications from both first time buyers and homemovers than anytime since 2008. 

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.

Following some parliamentary support to encourage more landlords and letting agents to permit pets in rental accommodation - subject to certain rules - another group has put forward its views on the subject.

Following some parliamentary support to encourage more landlords and letting agents to permit pets in rental accommodation - subject to certain rules - another group has put forward its views on the subject.

Following months of pressure from various bodies representing landlords and tenants, the UK government has provided new funding for local authorities across England to support tenants who have fallen into arrears due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The £65 million fund will be allocated via local councils to ensure vulnerable people living in rental accommodation will not end up homeless this winter due to financial problems related to the pandemic.

Following months of pressure from various bodies representing landlords and tenants, the UK government has provided new funding for local authorities across England to support tenants who have fallen into arrears due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The £65 million fund will be allocated via local councils to ensure vulnerable people living in rental accommodation will not end up homeless this winter due to financial problems related to the pandemic.