Tenants avoiding rental homes with high energy bills as cost of living bites

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Renters are spurning energy-sapping homes as a new survey shows 58% would now be less likely to consider those with an energy rating of D or below.

The rising cost of living is driving a shift towards energy efficiency improvements in the PRS, according to new research from Shawbrook, which found that it had prompted more than half (54%) of landlords to carry out work in the last six months.

Nearly two-thirds (63%) had brought forward upgrades in the hope they could avoid further price rises.

It’s widely expected that landlords will have to meet a minimum EPC standard of C for all newly rented properties in England and Wales by April 2025 and for existing tenancies by 2028.

But Shawbrook’s research reveals that while 78% of landlords have heard about the government’s plans, more than a third know only ‘a bit’ about the changes.

Shawbrook real estate MD Emma Cox (pictured) says it’s clear that landlords need to be thinking about making energy efficiency improvements to safeguard their rental properties. “As well as the need for clarity from policymakers, the industry has a significant role to play in supporting landlords,” says Cox.

“Only by working together can the industry play its part in safeguarding the future of the private rented sector.”

Potential burden

Chris Norris, NRLA policy director, adds: “The investment required in our housing stock represents a potential burden for many landlords that they are highly unlikely to be able to shoulder alone, without significant changes to the tax system and some form of financial assistance along the way.”

Shawbrook offers an energy efficiency discount for new buy-to-let mortgage customers and has plans to roll out further support for those needing to make improvements to their properties in the coming months.

Read more about EPC changes.

View Full Article: Tenants avoiding rental homes with high energy bills as cost of living bites

‘Blundertruss’ backtracks on moves to end Section 21 abolition plans

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Private sector landlords will be dismayed to hear that Prime Minister Liz Truss has backtracked on rumoured plans to shelve legislation that would have abolished Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions.

Ms Truss performed her latest U-turn during Prime Minister’s Questions today (Wednesday).

View Full Article: ‘Blundertruss’ backtracks on moves to end Section 21 abolition plans

Are you? Landlords most vexed by rising interest rates and EPC changes – claim

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Rent arrears are almost the least of landlords’ worries, according to a new survey which finds that the economy and red tape are more likely to keep them awake at night.

Landlords’ biggest concerns are interest rates (24%) closely followed by tougher EPC requirements (22%) and tax changes (19%), with rent arrears (7%) only above fears around dips in house prices and rent. It has led 16% to decide to quit the sector or reduce their portfolio, although 43% have vowed to stay as they are and 24% plan to buy more properties, says Rentround.

After quizzing 70,000 landlords on its database, it found that 34% will be looking to buy residential properties, 21% have their sights set on an HMO and only 6% fancy a commercial investment.

Increased rent

Rentround’s survey also discovered that 66% of landlords have increased rent in the last year or plan to in the coming year, while 18% have had tenants not pay or ask for more time to pay in the past two years. Meanwhile, 24% of landlords are currently letting to tenants on benefits.

There was good news for letting agents, as 73% of landlords reported they were satisfied with their agent’s current performance.

Rentround founder Raj Dosanjh (pictured) says interest rate increases and their impact on buy-to-let mortgages are a worry area for landlords, as are heightened EPC requirements for rental properties. “With the potential for both factors to eat into profits, some landlords are deciding to sit on the fence for now and see how the market plays out,” he adds.

View Full Article: Are you? Landlords most vexed by rising interest rates and EPC changes – claim

PROBE: What has happened to the UK’s most ambitious landlord and property duo?

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Mystery surrounds the Carling Property Group – one of the largest private residential landlords in the UK – which appears to have gone underground.

The Scottish firm, which three years ago boasted a portfolio of more than 350 houses, studios and flats through its firm the PRS Group, is not answering phones, while its sister company – United Capital Investments – is also uncontactable.

The website listed on Carling’s Facebook page no longer exists, while the PRS Group website is now hosted by a casino firm.

Hair transplant

Somewhat surprisingly, the Carling Group’s head office phone number turns out to be a hair transplant clinic where a receptionist reveals that it has recently been fielding a number of calls from people trying to contact the property firm.

Owners Graeme and Leanne Carling (pictured) are a high-profile couple who revealed only recently that they were on target for a £500m a year turnover by 2024. The pair set up Carling Property Group in 2008 and launched PRS Group in 2018 with the aim of becoming the UK’s most dominant operator in the private rented sector.

Financial backing

In 2019 they revealed plans to pick up properties from private landlords shedding their portfolios and how they had secured financial backing from banks in the UK, as well as individuals and investors overseas.

In their last recorded media interviews in February (for a business website) and September (within interviews recorded by Property TV), Graeme Carling spoke of his plan to sell off those properties which were deemed unsustainable and to diversify into non-property markets such as pharmacy, construction, electrical and electrical services and facilities management.

In 2019 the Carlings acquired building services company McGill which had been facing financial difficulties but, after receiving a reported £1 million investment cash, the firm collapsed in September this year with debts of £4.4 million. More success has been achieved with their second company purchase, electrical and plumbing firm Alliance.

Meanwhile, United Capital has been ‘actively seeking’ acquisition opportunities in the UK among cash-generative businesses with a turnover of £10m to £80m.

The self-styled, “innovative, socially responsible, and forward-thinking international property group” promotes itself as “committed to decarbonising existing properties to provide sustainable and environmentally-friendly buildings for work, life, and play”.

Graeme Carling is listed as a director of 15 firms at Companies House and owns the Affinity Business Centre and workforce accommodation company, Dundee Digs.

LandlordZONE has made multiple attempts to track the couple down via listed numbers and emails for their various businesses, and made a direct approach via his Twitter account, all with no response to date. Graeme’s recent tweets suggest the couple have recently been in Dubai and Portugal.

View Full Article: PROBE: What has happened to the UK’s most ambitious landlord and property duo?

Social Housing over-charge £2 Million in Rent

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‘Beyond housing ‘ operates Social Housing in the Cleveland, Redcar and North Yorkshire areas.Since 2010 they have been charging inaccurate rents and between  2016 and 2020 were not compliant with Rent Standard.

This is related to 486  properties with ‘at least £2 Million being overcharged!!!

View Full Article: Social Housing over-charge £2 Million in Rent

Propertymark investigates 5 agents for AML non-compliance

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Propertymark has opened compliance cases against five letting agent members following the latest HMRC publication of businesses who have failed to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.

The list of businesses who haven’t complied with the Money Laundering

View Full Article: Propertymark investigates 5 agents for AML non-compliance

Renters are better off today than they were last year

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It has been revealed that when accounting for inflation, renters are better off today than they were a year ago despite nominal rent increases of up to 14%.

The research from Ocasa, the specialist rental platform, found that without adjusting for inflation

View Full Article: Renters are better off today than they were last year

Nearly 70 estate agents under the spotlight over ‘dirty cash’ compliance failures

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Propertymark is scrutinizing five of its members on the HMRC’s list of firms which failed to comply with anti-money laundering regulations.

The newly published list reveals that 68 agents were issued penalties for failing to comply between 1st January and 31st March totalling over £500,000, five of which belong to the agents’ trade body.

Breaches include failing to apply for registration at the right time, failure to carry out risk assessments, and have the correct policies, controls and procedures in place, conducting due diligence and record keeping.

Propertymark says it has beefed up its compliance team to support its members, providing regular reminders about responsibility and liability, updates on HMRC and Trading Standards enforcement and penalties, and information on data protection.

Minefield

A spokesman adds: “Propertymark knows that compliance can be a minefield for both lettings and sales agents and legislation is constantly changing so its visits from its compliance team have proven to be invaluable to its members.

Propertymark undertakes visits in person and is currently undergoing development to get their team members out and about more frequently to review and support the procedures agents have in place.”

It aims to visit members at least once every five years and unlike HMRC or Trading Standards, gives firms a minimum of 10 working days’ notice.

All estate agents and certain letting agency businesses must be registered with HMRC for anti-money laundering. Agents should have procedures in place to detect suspicious activity and prevent money laundering to reduce the risk that criminals could target and exploit them for financial crime.

Read the full list of all firms not complying with AML regulations, including the 68 agents.

View Full Article: Nearly 70 estate agents under the spotlight over ‘dirty cash’ compliance failures

Daily Telegraph wants to speak with anyone buying a property

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The personal finance reporter for the Telegraph, Alexa Phillips, is looking to speak to landlords and non-landlords alike who are aiming to buy property at the moment about their experiences.

Alexa would like to know how you are approaching the market

View Full Article: Daily Telegraph wants to speak with anyone buying a property

City investors give Rothschild build-to-rent firm £19 million to develop site

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A build-to-rent (BTR) scheme in Rugby has been handed a huge cash boost from city investors.

Proof of the sector’s growing desirability, Investec Real Estate has given Edmond de Rothschild Real Estate Investment Management a £19.3 million development loan to support its construction of the 357-unit, which is set to fully open in January 2023.

With a mix of high-quality one- and two-bedroom apartments in a town centre location, Charolais Gardens will include a concierge, gym, residents’ lounge and wellness garden.

The loan is Investec’s first with Edmond de Rothschild, which has made the investment through its Residential Investment Fund UK that focuses on the development of affordable BTR assets in UK regional cities.

Connections

Jonathan Long, head of corporate real estate at Investec, says the transaction demonstrates its conviction in high quality, affordably priced build-to-rent schemes that benefit from great transport connections.

“The government’s Levelling Up agenda, impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the sector’s defensive characteristics have seen accelerated investment in, and demand for, rental homes outside of London,” he explains.

“Establishing new relationships with high quality counterparties such as Edmond de Rothschild is a key part of our growth strategy, and we look forward building a long-term partnership.”

Last year saw a record £3.1 billion invested in regional BTR, with 20,000 homes currently under construction and a further 30,000 with planning approval. The sector has performed strongly against the challenging macroeconomic backdrop, with operators reporting strong lettings activity.

View Full Article: City investors give Rothschild build-to-rent firm £19 million to develop site