Industry news
News relating to the private rented sector from both England and Wales, affecting landlords.
Eviction ban in England extended for six weeks
Responding to the Government's announcement of an extension to the ban on the enforcement of most repossessions in the rental housing market in England, Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association said:
Government fails to tackle Covid rent debt crisis
The eviction ban in England has been extended for six weeks, in a move described as a 'sticking plaster' by landlords. Current restrictions were due to end on Monday. The NRLA says the move will do nothing to support landlords and tenants long term and what is needed is a comprehensive financial package, to allow tenants to continue to pay their rent without building unmanageable debt.
Ministers need to get a grip of the rent debt crisis
The National Residential Landlords Association, Big Issue and Ride Out Recession Alliance, Shelter, ARLA Propertymark, the Nationwide Building Society, and StepChange the Debt Charity have issued a statement following the re-introduction of a national lockdown.
NRLA welcomes changes to Green Homes Grants
Landlords are welcoming news the Government has changed the Green Homes Grant Scheme installer terms and conditions to overcome the challenges landlords and homeowners were facing finding an installer.
What do landlords need to know about the new lockdown?
With England plunged into a new national lockdown landlords will be relieved to know, for the moment at least, there have been no new announcements that will directly impact the PRS. However a word of warning, there are likely to be further changes in the coming weeks, so be prepared.
More than half landlords lose rental income due to Covid-19
More than half of private landlords have lost rental income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research published today. A third of landlords have also indicated that they were now more likely to either leave the market entirely or sell some of their properties.
Expert predictions as the new year approaches
It's fair to say most of us will be glad to see the back of 2020. However, a vaccine being rolled out and more on the horizon, the new year, for many, represents a new start and the hope of better things to come. While it is difficult to make predictions at any time, in the midst of a global pandemic, it's almost impossible. But with the new year just a couple of weeks away we have asked industry experts what they expect to see happen in the sector in 2021.
Rental homes could be lost without energy efficiency cash
Vital rental homes could be lost if ambitious new energy efficiency rules are brought in by the Government, the NRLA has warned. While the association backs plans to reduce carbon in homes and improve energy efficiency in the sector, it says landlords will need support or they could take properties off the rental market altogether. It is now asking for a financial package for those landlords facing the biggest challenges.
More than 800,000 renters in arrears due to Covid
Over 800,000 private renters in England and Wales have built rent arrears since lockdown measures began according to estimates from new research published today.
Welsh landlords hit with new tax hike
Landlord transaction tax in Wales on residential homes will be increased by 1% as of tomorrow, following an announcement by the Welsh Government. In the draft budget today the Welsh Government announced changes to the higher residential rates, and non-residential rates and bands, of Land Transaction Tax (LTT) – the equivalent of stamp duty in England.