Researchers at the University of Sheffield have developed a new mapping tool designed to help councils identify areas with a high likelihood of substandard private rented homes. The Non-Decent Index uses housing, census and EPC data to predict where homes are most likely to fail the Decent Homes Standard and councils could use it to target inspections and communications, rather than relying only on tenant complaints. If you manage high quality rental properties, this is not s

Most tenancy problems don’t start six months in. They start in the first week. A rushed move-in, unclear expectations and even just one unanswered email can turn a good tenancy into a fractious relationship from the start. If you want fewer disputes and fewer negative reviews, concentrate on making the first 30 days a success. Here’s a practical framework you can run across your managed stock. Why the first 30 days matter more than you think Tenants form a first impression of

Letting agents handle large payments, sensitive documents and time-pressured transactions. That makes you a prime target for cybercriminals. Most attacks are not clever hacks; they are scams that rely on urgency and distraction. This article explains the common forms of cybercrime in lettings and how to prevent them. Here are the scams you will see most often, plus practical ways to stop them. 1) Invoice and bank detail change scams How it works A criminal pretends to be a l

A new Google survey highlights just how easy it is for renters to lose chunks of their tenancy deposit over minor issues. The study points to everyday pitfalls like dirty ovens, scuffed walls, missing lightbulbs and shows many tenants simply avoid small repairs because they don’t know how to tackle them. A third reported losing between £500 and £999, with three-quarters admitting to skipping repairs due to a lack of knowledge on how to sort them.  The good news? Letting

Recent warnings suggest letting agents are becoming prime targets for cybercriminals, thanks to the rich mix of personal IDs , bank...

Much attention is rightly paid to spotting bad tenants, recognising the signs of a bad landlord is just as important, particularly when your agency’s reputation is at stake.

In June 2023, council inspectors discovered a Slough HMO managed by AM PM Estates in a deplorable state : filthy communal areas, a smoke...

Letting agents juggle a demanding workload; tenant communications, property viewings, compliance checks, maintenance coordination and...

From 14th May 2025, letting agents in the UK will face new financial sanctions reporting obligations as part of expanded anti-money...

A recent survey found that landlords were losing out because of failings in the inventory process . Conducting inventories properly is an...