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KEYWORD "Councils" - 100 RESULTS
Right To Buy cash ‘stolen’ by government will worsen rental crisis

An umbrella group called London Councils has expressed “extreme concern” at the government’s decision to stop letting local authorities keep money...

13 March 2024

From: Breaking News

Government to double council tax on empty homes after one year

Sharpened rules to double council tax on long term empty properties will come into force from April 1, says the government.  A...

13 March 2024

From: Breaking News

Labour has waded into the increasingly-fractious debate over the Renters Reform Bill. Activists in groups such as the Renters Reform Coalition and...

29 February 2024

From: Breaking News

Building society bans mortgages on holiday let properties

A building society has launched a pilot project banning mortgage lending on holiday lets in two tourist areas for 12 months. Leeds...

26 February 2024

From: Breaking News

Short Lets Clampdown - More campaigners back Gove

Countryside campaigning charity CPRE has given a warm welcome to Michael Gove’s clampdown on short lets. Earlier this week Housing Secretary Michael...

23 February 2024

From: Breaking News

Radical changes to short let laws proposed by Michael Gove

Housing Secretary Michael Gove has this morning announced wholesale changes to planning and regulations surrounding short lets. His proposals include: - planning permission...

19 February 2024

From: Breaking News

Short Lets Shake Up - Gove slammed for “political posturing”

The trade body representing short lets providers and support companies has reacted angrily to government proposals for a radical shake up. Housing...

19 February 2024

From: Breaking News

Ukrainians given visa extension - likely impact on private rental sector

Ukrainians who came to the UK following the Russian invasion will be able to apply for 18-month extensions to their visas,...

19 February 2024

From: Breaking News

Buy to let portfolio used for housing association tenants

A council that is buying private properties in second home hotspots to let to local people has struck a new agreement...

16 February 2024

From: Breaking News

Council attack on private rental sector ‘is next Post Office scandal’ - claim

The excessive enforcement of council rules on private landlords while social housing is so poorly run will be ‘the next Post...

12 February 2024

From: Breaking News

Huge number of new rental licensing schemes set for 2024

A survey of local council private rental licensing schemes says 19 selective and additional licensing schemes and consultations will be taking...

09 February 2024

From: Breaking News

Agents slam government for failing to win industry support for reform

The Renters Reform Bill cannot succeed without proper engagement with letting agents and landlords, Propertymark argues.    According to a Freedom of Information...

31 January 2024

From: Breaking News

Rent controls and EPC laws must be discussed with agents - Propertymark

Scottish councils must engage with letting agents and landlords if radical rental reforms have any chance of working. Propertymark argues that the...

31 January 2024

From: Breaking News

British Homes for British Workers - Experts, activists unite in opposition

Seventeen housing organisations have sent an open letter to the government rejecting its idea of prioritising British families when it comes...

30 January 2024

From: Breaking News

Phil Spencer warns that Summer will be hectic for lettings sector

Summer looks like it’s going to be a hectic period for lettings agents and the private rental sector according to TV...

17 January 2024

From: Breaking News

Agents’ views sought for large HMO licensing scheme

Agents, landlords and others’ views are being sought in a consultation on proposals to introduce a borough-wide additional licensing scheme for...

09 January 2024

From: Breaking News

Tenants Scammed - new guidelines for agents to give renters

Propertymark is telling member agents to be aware of potential risks and help educate tenants to lookout for common scams, especially...

04 January 2024

From: Breaking News

Will 2024 see the end of private rental sector licensing?

Housing Secretary Michael Gove has given what some commentators have interpreted as a sign that private rental sector licensing from councils...

27 December 2023

From: Breaking News

Renters Reform Bill at risk if councils aren’t given more cash - MPs

Measures contained in the Renters Reform Bill will fail without sufficient resources to ensure they can be enforced. The warning comes from...

13 December 2023

From: Breaking News

Local Housing Allowance - call for even more help for low-income renters

Low-income renters will get a boost next spring - but a pressure group wants more government help for this sector. The Chancellor’s...

12 December 2023

From: Breaking News

Councils enforcing rental licensing are on brink of bankruptcy

Scores of councils that enforce licensing regimes on the private rental sector claim they are on the verge of bankruptcy. Almost one...

08 December 2023

From: Breaking News

Government slammed over clampdown on Airbnb and short lets

A trade body representing short lets operators has slammed government housing failures. The Short Term Accommodation Association says it’s analysed local authority...

01 December 2023

From: Breaking News

Another holiday lets area council slaps tax surcharge on second homes

Second homes in the area of Essex known as Tendring - including popular holiday lets resort Frinton on Sea and the...

01 December 2023

From: Breaking News

Politicians told - You’re wrong on additional homes tax surcharge

Propertymark has told politicians that an additional homes tax will not succeed in increasing housing supply. Timothy Douglas, head of policy and...

23 November 2023

From: Breaking News

Government announces changes to Renters Reform Bill

Changes put forward to the Renters Reform Bill to crack down on rogue landlords, protect vulnerable residents and improve the safety of...

15 November 2023

From: Breaking News

Build To Rent problems highlighted in latest report

A new report suggests London’s Build To Rent sector is being held back by a “stark inconsistency” from local councils in...

15 November 2023

From: Breaking News

Agents supporting HMO council tax breakthrough

Propertymark has welcomed the government’s commitment to end the practice of council tax of banding single rooms in HMOs, potentially saving...

02 November 2023

From: Breaking News

Agency slams four councils for policies which directly hit rental supply

The lettings agency Winkworth has taken the unusual step of criticising policies of a series of councils. The councils are all Labour...

30 October 2023

From: Breaking News

Radical EPC rating B target demanded by business consortium

A business consortium is calling for bold measures to encourage landlords and owner occupiers to retrofit their homes, with the introduction...

24 October 2023

From: Breaking News

Surprise as council praises local agents for ‘giving back’

Councils have become increasingly hostile towards agents in recent times, with increased regulation and licensing of the private rental sector in...

23 October 2023

From: Breaking News

Homes For Ukraine - government faces hard decisions on scheme future

The National Audit Office says the government will soon have to take hard decisions on the future for the Homes For...

17 October 2023

From: Breaking News

Millions invested in education project for agents and tenants

Five councils are delivering what they call “a ground-breaking project” aimed at improving the experience and environment for landlords and tenants...

11 October 2023

From: Breaking News

Rayner slams Tory rental “failures” but light on Labour policy details

Labour deputy leader and shadow housing secretary Angela Rayner has given her party’s conference an outline of future policy plans. She says:...

09 October 2023

From: Breaking News

Seminar for Letting Agents ahead of major benefits shake-up

Social housing provider Caridon Property is hosting a series of free seminars to prepare letting agents for the migration of Housing...

09 October 2023

From: Breaking News

Letting agents accused of “profiteering” rent rises

A new manifesto calling for rent controls and a raft of other measures is accusing the current rent rises of being...

06 October 2023

From: Breaking News

Airbnb woos Labour saying short lets can be “lifeline”

Airbnb has taken the unusual step of buying space on an influential Labour Party website, just ahead of the party’s conference. Amanda...

27 September 2023

From: Breaking News

Council Tax set to double for second homes

The Scottish Government is proposing to give local councils the discretion to charge Council Tax premiums of up to 100 per...

22 September 2023

From: Breaking News

Gove tells agents to identify and remedy damp and mould issues

New directives issued by the government put the emphasis firmly on private landlords and their letting agents to take responsibility for...

11 September 2023

From: Breaking News

Many councils enforcing rental regulations face ‘effective bankruptcy’

A survey of local authorities in some of the poorest areas of the country - bodies which enforce many private rental...

06 September 2023

From: Breaking News

Clampdown needed on Airbnb and other short lets - new demand

A body largely consisting of councils wants more controls over Airbnbs and other short lets - and it wants local authorities...

31 August 2023

From: Breaking News

Possession court delays to worsen thanks to new law - claim

The new Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service - introduced this month - will make possession court case delays even worse. That’s the...

25 August 2023

From: Breaking News

Renters Reform Bill teach-in for agents and landlords

Letting agents and landlords operating in South Warwickshire are being encouraged to take part in the next industry forum on Wednesday...

23 August 2023

From: Breaking News

Hate campaign launched against Airbnb

A hate campaign against AirBnb appears to have been launched in a Welsh village. Newspaper reports say a sticker reading 'Death to...

15 August 2023

From: Breaking News

Beef up enforcement for private renting, demands pressure group

The Nationwide Foundation - a pressure group funded by the Nationwide - says more effective enforcement is required for the private...

15 August 2023

From: Breaking News

Large numbers of HMOs “scare” home owners - MP’s claim

An MP says owner occupiers are “scared, unable to sleep at night, worried about their safety and even concerned about whether...

11 August 2023

From: Breaking News

Labour Mayors want unlimited council tax on empty properties

London Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan is calling on the government to allow him to levy effectively uncapped council tax bills on...

02 August 2023

From: Breaking News

Council Tax premium 'not enough to return homes to rental sector'

Council tax premiums being considered in Wales would be insufficient to persuade short let and holiday home owners to move their...

31 July 2023

From: Breaking News

Airbnb Regulation - councils should control short lets, agents tell government

The letting agents’ trade body ARLA Propertymark is urging the government to regulate Airbnb and other short let platforms but to...

25 July 2023

From: Breaking News

Airbnb fights back against Sadiq Khan’s call for clampdown

Airbnb has issued a statement responding to the call for a clampdown on short lets demanded by Labour’s outspoken London Mayor,...

24 July 2023

From: Breaking News

Agency and council work together on unlikely safety campaign

After numerous stories of councils and letting agencies at each others’ throats over To Let boards, Trading Standards and other controversies,...

12 July 2023

From: Breaking News

Strict Airbnb regulation gets a massive thumbs-down

An attempt to introducing statutory licensing for Airbnbs and some other tourist accommodation has got a frosty reception. The Welsh Government -...

10 July 2023

From: Breaking News

‘Bad to disastrous’ - sharp fall in private rental listings

New research shows a 41 per cent reduction in the number of London properties available for private rent since the Covid-19...

06 July 2023

From: Breaking News

Tax Loopholes - government slammed over additional properties

A long-standing and respected property firm has slammed the government for presiding over the “mess” of taxes applied to holiday lets...

05 July 2023

From: Breaking News

Agents hit with record licensing fines says PropTech firm

London letting agents and landlords have so far been hit with more than £900,000 in fines in the first half of...

05 July 2023

From: Breaking News

Rebrand for long-standing PropTech lettings sector provider

Utility management service Helpthemove has rebranded. The refresh, which has been produced alongside creative agency partner Jam, aims - in the words...

29 June 2023

From: Breaking News

Huge cash funding to help Ukrainians into private rentals

Ukrainians in the UK will be helped into private rental homes as part of a £150m government injection.  The funding will be...

19 June 2023

From: Breaking News

Lawyer hits out at court delays and growing anti-rental sentiment

A seasoned property lawyer who has specialised in residential landlord and tenant law for 22 years says she is embarrassed at...

16 June 2023

From: Breaking News

Council chief slams holiday lets 'tax subsidy' scheme

A Liberal Democrat council leader says all properties - even those in properly established lettings businesses - should be charged council...

15 June 2023

From: Breaking News

Renters Reform Bill needs to be even tougher - claim

The Nationwide Foundation - a charitable foundation founded by the Nationwide Building Society - says the Renters Reform Bill should be...

06 June 2023

From: Breaking News

Phil Spencer urges letting agents to go on the offensive

I was surprised the other day to read statistics from the English Housing Survey about how many landlords use letting agents. In...

05 June 2023

From: Breaking News

Labour must fund councils to buy private rental homes - expert’s call

A prominent housing journalist says Labour should fund councils to buy homes directly from private landlords to rapidly increase the size...

01 June 2023

From: Breaking News

Beef Up Selective Licensing - think tank recommendations

A left-leaning think tank which says it champions ‘left-behind Londoners’ is demanding a turbo-charged version of selective licensing to be run...

26 May 2023

From: Breaking News

Renters Reform Bill - politicians demand series of extra restrictions

The co-leader of the Green Party wants the Renters Reform Bill to go further in restricting the powers of private landlords. Carla...

22 May 2023

From: Breaking News

Foxtons beefs up compliance with new PropTech partnership

Foxtons is to give its agents access to a compliance management and checking service. Fran Giltinan, Managing Director - Property Management &...

19 May 2023

From: Breaking News

Renters Reform Bill published - full details

The pro-tenant anti-landlord Renters Reform Bill has at last been published by the government which first promised it in 2019. It has...

17 May 2023

From: Breaking News

Labour to allow councils to limit new build sales to first time buyers

A newspaper says Labour is seeking to woo renter voters by allowing councils to restrict new build homes to first time...

11 May 2023

From: Breaking News

Renters Reform Bill - everything we know so far

Housing Secretary Michael Gove says the long-awaited Renters Reform Bill, first promised in 2019, will finally be introduced into Parliament this...

09 May 2023

From: Breaking News

New consultation on second home council tax hikes

A new consultation by one of the national governments within the UK advocates giving more councils power to make huge rises...

04 May 2023

From: Breaking News

Student activists allege high incidence of damp and mould

An activist group claims that 54 per cent of students are currently living with damp and mould. The group - Students Organising...

04 May 2023

From: Breaking News

Activists want thousands of pounds to campaign against short lets

A group of activists is trying to raise £15,000 to campaign for local councils to clampdown on AirBnb and other short...

25 April 2023

From: Breaking News

Agents and landlords invited to free industry forum

Agents and landlords operating in South Warwickshire are being encouraged to take part in an industry forum on Monday May 15...

19 April 2023

From: Breaking News

Agent blasts government over huge second home tax increase

An agent has spoken out about a proposal to allow huge council tax rises on second homes and empty properties. New Scottish...

18 April 2023

From: Breaking News

Agents slam ‘postcode lottery’ of tax imposed on HMOs

The letting agents’ trade body Propertymark has slammed the current lack of consistency of council tax on HMOs. It describes today’s system...

17 April 2023

From: Breaking News

New powers confirmed over holiday lets and second homes

New powers have been revealed to tackle what the Welsh Government calls the ‘problem’ of second homes.  A statement from the Senedd...

05 April 2023

From: Breaking News

Labour council tax freeze ‘not for empty buy to lets or second homes’

Labour’s much-publicised pledge to freeze council tax for the next year excludes empty buy to let properties and second homes it...

03 April 2023

From: Breaking News

Airbnb host register hailed as “fantastic step forward”

A proposal to introduce a national register of Airbnb hosts in a bid to curb rowdy behaviour by guests has been...

29 March 2023

From: Breaking News

Rental Reform Now!  Councils want immediate government action

The Local Government Association, which comprises 331 of the 333 councils in England and all 22 Welsh unitary councils, is calling on...

02 March 2023

From: Breaking News

Letting agents work to be probed by competitions watchdog

The Competition and Markets Authority is launching a three month probe into how letting agents operate within the private rental sector. It says...

28 February 2023

From: Breaking News

MPs' idea for Rental Sector Ombudsman slammed by letting agents

Propertymark has hit out at a proposal from a group of MPs that there should be a single Ombudsman covering the...

13 February 2023

From: Breaking News

Make evictions even tougher to execute - Baroness speaks out

The activist group Generation Rent is backing a call by MPs for the government to tighten up proposals to scrap Section...

10 February 2023

From: Breaking News

Extra tax on buy to lets can help housing be ‘more equal’ - claim

The political party propping up the Scottish Government says higher taxes on buy to lets will help the housing market be...

31 January 2023

From: Breaking News

Industry figure urges Labour to do more to improve housing supply

The director of a property development firm says Labour leader Sir Kier Starmer must do more to boost housing supply as...

09 January 2023

From: Breaking News

Gove told of agents’ worries about rash of council licensing schemes

Propertymark has written to Housing Secretary Michael Gove outlining its concerns about the latest licensing scheme proposal from a local council. The...

04 January 2023

From: Breaking News

Politicians insist “we’re not at war with holiday lets”

South Hams council in south Devon - one of the UK’s top holiday spots - has unanimously agreed proposals for second...

23 December 2022

From: Breaking News

Agents angry at Gove scrapping meaningful housing targets

Agents have expressed their anger at the government effectively scrapping any meaningful house building targets. Housing Secretary Michael Gove scrapped the mandatory...

12 December 2022

From: Breaking News

Gove leans on competitions watchdog to probe house builders

Housing Secretary Michael Gove has sent a letter to the Competitions and Markets Authority saying the watchdog is independent - but...

07 December 2022

From: Breaking News

Airbnb registration and short lets planning consent under consideration

The government is to open a consultation on whether residential properties should require planning consent to be used as short lets...

06 December 2022

From: Breaking News

Councils given public cash to tackle poor rental housing standards

Three councils will be sharing £1.21m in public cash over the next two years to tackle poor quality properties in the...

06 December 2022

From: Breaking News

Ethical lettings service links with PropTech maintenance platform

A not-for-profit company that matches rental properties with vulnerable tenants in need of accommodation has partnered with a maintenance firm to...

30 November 2022

From: Breaking News

Agents and Labour back Gove’s clampdown on private rental sector

Propertymark has given its backing to a clampdown by Housing Secretary Michael Gove on private landlords - although landlords themselves appear...

25 November 2022

From: Breaking News

Call for industry to lobby MPs over HMO council tax

A lettings network is urging landlords to back a campaign to abolish council tax re-banding for shared houses. Platinum Property Partners says...

23 November 2022

From: Breaking News

Rent Controls Fail Worldwide - agent lists disastrous consequences

A lettings agency chief has listed how rent controls have failed across the world. Writing in The Scotsman, David Alexander - chief...

14 November 2022

From: Breaking News

Decent Homes Standard - councils need massive resources to enforce it

Propertymark backs government plans to introduce a social housing-style Decent Homes Standard in the private sector.   But it says there must be...

11 November 2022

From: Breaking News

Sunak is new PM - here's what we know about his housing policies

Rishi Sunak has won the Conservative leadership campaign and is set to become Prime Minister tomorrow. Over the summer Sunak set out...

24 October 2022

From: Breaking News

Large rise in homelessness spending over past five years

The government has released new figures on the amount being spent by local councils on temporary accommodation for homeless households in...

21 October 2022

From: Breaking News

First AirBnb and short let licensing system starts this weekend

The first step within the UK to officially monitor Airbnb-style short lets comes into effect on Saturday, which is October 1. Scotland’s...

29 September 2022

From: Breaking News

Starmer’s Labour issues threat to buy to let with new restrictions

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer picked on the buy to let and holiday home sectors as targets for future restrictions, in...

28 September 2022

From: Breaking News

Rogue agent database must be expanded insists top industry figure

An accreditation scheme says the government database of rogue letting agents should be expanded.  The government is committed to creating a new Property...

27 September 2022

From: Breaking News

Rent freeze “chaos” as politician cannot give details - claim

* Angels Media and Letting Agent Today are deeply saddened by the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II * - The controversial rent...

09 September 2022

From: Breaking News

Homelessness spike threat as private rents soar even higher - claim

London faces a possible homelessness spike this winter due to the cost-of-living crisis and increases in private rents, a group of...

05 September 2022

From: Breaking News

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