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.

While the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect our lives, one of the things that has emerged from it in the UK is a renewed love for pets. Some landlords have noted an increase in enquiries from potential tenants with pets and two Build-to-Rent (BTR) firms are among those welcoming them with pet stations and suitable, usable outdoor space. 

While the coronavirus pandemic has affected many areas of people's lives, often not in a positive way, one development that has been embraced by many of us in the UK is the increased use of online shopping and services options. This has escalated the rate at which mainly online retailers are growing and also, the rate at which some bricks and mortar retailers are losing business. Amid this development and the continued lack of residential homes in the right areas across the UK, the government has launched an unexpected consultation on the conversion of retail units into residential homes in England.

While the coronavirus pandemic has proved challenging in a variety of areas, the development and use of technology has been among the beneficiaries of this difficult time. After rising in the past couple of years, the rate at which new property technology, or proptech, with new services and apps to support letting agents, property investors and landlords has come online has accelerated.

The Government has published its outline for improving energy efficiency in the UK's stock of private rental sector (PRS) homes as part of a commitment to improve the energy performance certificate (EPC) rating to Band C by 2030. However, the expectations for new rental properties to have a Band C EPC by 2025 and all properties to have the same by 2028 - excluding exemptions - has been described as unachievable by ARLA Propertymark.

Approximately 40 universities have reported coronavirus cases and as a result many face-to-face classes have been suspended. As the academic year begins, thousands of students are in self-isolation. The National Union of Students have revealed that 1 in 3 students would like to be released early from their rental obligations whilst fewer than a tenth have been provided with this opportunity. Why? 

Approximately 40 universities have reported coronavirus cases and as a result many face-to-face classes have been suspended. As the academic year begins, thousands of students are in self-isolation. The National Union of Students have revealed that 1 in 3 students would like to be released early from their rental obligations whilst fewer than a tenth have been provided with this opportunity. Why? 

A recent survey has confirmed that 2020 and the early months of 2021 have been difficult for the student letting sector, as average rents and demand for student rental homes declined notably.

With expectations growing that learning will be more 'normal' in the coming academic year, data suggests that demand for university housing will post a strong recovery from the patchy 2020-21 performance.

As the UK's lettings industry picks its way through coronavirus-induced problems, it appears the global pandemic isn't enough to discourage new entrants to the market. John Lewis has announced plans to invest in build-to-rent on a number of its existing land sites, while Czech proptech firm Flatio has made an investment into what it calls mid-term renting in the UK.

As the UK's private rental sector (PRS) landlords work hard to support their tenants during the coronavirus pandemic, the industry has come under fire for the quality of housing on offer and a lack of future planning. Two separate reports from Shelter and the Institute of Housing (IOH) each criticise the provision of rental homes now and in the future, with accusations levelled mainly at the government.