Some rogue UK landlords using ‘ghost tenants’ to con taxpayers out of millions

by peter littlewood | Feb 23, 2023 | Tax & Other Financial

The Guardian is reporting that rogue UK landlords are using ‘ghost tenants’ to con taxpayers out of millions of pounds by fraudulently claiming housing benefits. In a Tweet, they claim ‘Criminal gangs are among those buying cheap property to convert into housing for...

Labour MP claims Section 21 being used to convert family homes into holiday lets

by peter littlewood | Feb 23, 2023 | Industry News

Luke Pollard, the MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, was speaking in a brief question and answer session about second homes in coastal areas.   This follows his campaign entitled ‘First Homes Not Second Homes’ He has told the House of Commons that “The pandemic...

Are we over the worst of the downturn?

by peter littlewood | Feb 22, 2023 | Tax & Other Financial

Strutt & Parker, the property consultancy believes the last quarter of 2022 bore the brunt, and is maintaining its previous house price forecasts of between -5% and 0% growth for the UK and -3% to 3% for prime central London for 2023. Their recent analysis can be...

HMRC targets short-term landlords over unpaid tax

by peter littlewood | Feb 21, 2023 | Tax & Other Financial

Accountancy and advisory firm Baker Tilly Mooney Moorehave issued the following warning: HMRC targets short-term landlords over unpaid tax Airbnb and Booking.com hosts must report rental income to HMRC. HMRC is reminding customers who own short-term letting properties...

Birmingham City Council is ‘worst landlord’ in the city, says councillor

by peter littlewood | Feb 20, 2023 | Industry News

Birmingham city council is “probably the worst landlord” in the city after a special report detailed multiple housing failures at the local authority, a councillor has said. Conservative councillor Meirion Jenkins made the remark during the council’s audit committee,...