Helping Innovate Property (HIP) – Blog, Housing Market News and Articles

Section 21 evictions, colloquially known as “no-fault” evictions, have been a contentious issue in the UK housing market for years. Introduced under the Housing Act 1988, Section 21 allows landlords to evict tenants without providing a reason, provided they give at least two months’ notice once the fixed-term tenancy has ended. While this provision offers landlords flexibility, it has been heavily criticised for contributing to housing insecurity and instability for tenants. The upcoming Renters’ Reform Bill, proposed by the UK government, seeks to abolish Section 21 evictions, signaling a significant shift in the private rental sector. This article will explore the current practice of Section 21 evictions, examine the criticisms it faces, and discuss how the Renters’ Reform Bill might reshape the future of renting in the UK.

The UK rental market is undergoing a significant transformation in 2024, driven largely by new regulatory measures that aim to reshape the dynamics between landlords and tenants. Among these, the Renters’ Reform Bill stands out as one of the most impactful changes. Introduced by the Labour government, this legislation seeks to abolish Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, enhance tenants’ rights, and improve the overall quality of rented accommodation. Coupled with stricter Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) requirements and other regulatory updates, these changes present both challenges and opportunities for landlords.

The Mayor of London has an ambitious target to make London a zero carbon city by 2030. One of the ways to meet this goal is to decarbonise all of London’s 3.5 million homes by upgrading and retrofitting – improving existing homes for high energy efficiency.

The London Assembly Housing Committee has been investigating the operational, financial and physical challenges of retrofitting in London. The Committee has also investigated the energy efficiency initiatives already established by the Mayor.

The number one reason for landlord and tenant deposit disputes is cleaning. Currys PC World asked Lynsey Crombie aka the ‘Queen of Clean’ for her top cleaning tips that could help you secure getting that end of tenancy deposit back that no one wants to lose out on.

To the uninitiated, buying property with a view to letting it out can seem like a very easy way to make money, but like most things in life, when you take a closer look it is rather more complicated.  Being a landlord is an excellent way to generate a regular income and has the bonus that the rental property will always increase in value, however, it is not money for nothing. 

Caroline Lucas, the Green Party’s MP for Brighton Pavilion, will vote against the Housing and Planning Bill later today.

Lucas, who tabled a reasoned amendment to the Bill at Second Reading, has labelled the legislation as ‘another nail in the coffin for British social housing’. She will speak later today at a rally organised by Defend Council Housing.

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The life of a landlord is not just collecting the rent at the end of every month with no problems. Sometimes you can run into difficulties with your tenants that are unresolvable and you are faced with having to serve them an eviction notice. There are many rules that you must follow as a landlord to avoid being accused of an illegal eviction or harassment. The last thing you want is to step out of line and have to deal with a legal battle. Let us help you reclaim your property within the rules of the law.

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Sometimes relationships go wrong. Whether it is a personal relationship, a friendship or a communication breakdown with your landlord, a sour relationship can be very stressful to deal with. As a tenant you need to know what your rights are when dealing with harassment from your landlord. There are a series of hoops you have to jump through and processes you have to follow to make sure you deal with landlord harassment correctly. Below you will find some of the top tips for coping with this situation.

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When you own a property, you have tenants and you have clearly outlined the ‘rules’ in a tenancy agreement with them, it can be very frustrating when they decide to install items in your home without your permission. Depending on what they decide to install, it can wind up costing you money later if you don’t address the problem when it arises. Here are some top tips to dealing with this type of situation.

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It is understandable that over time the rent on your property may need to be increased. With the rise in property prices and inflation, you may have to increase the price of your home even if you have had the same tenants for years. This news can be difficult for any tenant to swallow and it is very important that you follow the rules to ensure a smooth transition to the higher rate. This blog gives you some advice on the steps to take to increase the rent on your property/ies.

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As with anything, when you are prepared for the problem, it is easier to deal with. As a landlord, there will be many occasions when you are faced with a situation that you have to cope with. Preparation can ease the blow of these issues quite significantly.

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