https://www.petermartin.londonNews from Peter Martin (London) Ltden-gbCopyright, Peter Martin (London) LtdSun, 05 Apr 2026 19:44:02 GMTSun, 05 Apr 2026 19:44:02 GMTEstates IT Ltd, PCHomes Estate Agent Softwareenquiries@petermartin.london (Peter Martin (London) Ltd)enquiries@petermartin.london (Peter Martin (London) Ltd)https://www.petermartin.london/content/images/logo.pnghttps://www.petermartin.londonhttps://www.petermartin.london/news/rising-lettings-prices/est-034755The lettings market continues to rise with a Rightmove report revealing a 0.7 per cent increase in property prices being listed in the last month. This is actually seen as a return to normality as the average September increase over the last 10 years is 0.6 per cent.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/rising-lettings-prices/est-034755Mon, 26 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/gas-safety-week/est-034727The 12th of September was gas safety week, did you miss it? Almost 50% of landlords have been denied access by their tenants to carry our checks, revealed from a Landlord Action survey. With last week marking gas safety week, it is a good reminder for landlords to check the status of their properties.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/gas-safety-week/est-034727Mon, 19 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/new-carbon-regulations/est-034139If you are a landlord then these new regulations starting on the 1st of October will apply to you, with a possible £5,000 fine if your property doesn’t comply.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/new-carbon-regulations/est-034139Wed, 17 Aug 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/water-restrictions/est-033994Walking around London you would have likely noticed a different shade of grass, it is not just the peak temperatures reaching above 40 degrees but also a significant drop in rainfall. This brings up the question that is very rare to the UK, should there be any water restrictions?]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/water-restrictions/est-033994Tue, 09 Aug 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/lettings-market-strong-beside-slight-dip/est-033929To say the lettings market is hot right now would be an understatement, stock is being let as fast as it arrives. There has been a huge increase to rental yields with some northern areas pushing 8.3% at their peaks.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/lettings-market-strong-beside-slight-dip/est-033929Sat, 23 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/gove-fired-clark-returns/est-033930Prime Minister Boris Johnson fired Michael Gove on the 6th of July 2022, a well respected MP and chief architect of the white paper released by the government called ‘A fairer private rented sector’. The man given the task of replacing him is Rt Hon Greg Clark who was given the job on the 7th of July 2022. He has inherited a huge task laid out in the white paper with the additional challenges of the current state of government.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/gove-fired-clark-returns/est-033930Fri, 22 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/landlord-obligations-and-oversight/est-033598In February 2022 the government published a white paper which stated all landlords would be required to be listed on a register, that paper was a teaser for what came on the 16th of june in the ‘A fairer private rented sector’ white paper.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/landlord-obligations-and-oversight/est-033598Wed, 22 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/ast-and-section-21-abolished/est-033597On the 16th of June the white paper; ‘A fairer private rented sector’ was released by the A fairer private rented sector. This sets out how the government wants to reshape the private rented sector (PRS) with the goal of delivering a better deal for tenants.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/ast-and-section-21-abolished/est-033597Wed, 22 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/no-rent-control/est-033596In the 2021 London mayoral election, a critical campaign message from Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan was to freeze private rents and control them through proposed ‘London Private Rent Commission’. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities have removed all support for such a scheme in their latest white paper.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/no-rent-control/est-033596Wed, 22 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/hmo-decline/est-033071Across England there has been a 3% drop in HMOs between 2020 and 2021, with London being the primary influence having a 13% reduction across the capital seeing places like Barnet declining by 37%.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/hmo-decline/est-033071Fri, 13 May 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/renters-reform-bill/est-032912The Queen's speech has shed some light on the much anticipated white paper from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities. Confirming previously discussed goals for the government, as well as rescinding others.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/renters-reform-bill/est-032912Wed, 11 May 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/april-energy-rise/est-032039Rising costs coming on the back of a 54% energy price cap raise have many worried just how high their cost of living will raise. UK government data suggests that bills could rise by over 140% for around 22 million people, effectively raising their yearly bills from £700 to £2,000. Homeowners have a tough choice ahead of them, with the need to make their properties more heat and energy efficient as will be regulated before 2025 with an EPC level C requirement on all domestic properties.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/april-energy-rise/est-032039Mon, 25 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/save-money-by-moving/est-031778The cost of living is rapidly increasing and while Boris Johnson has suggested people turn off their heating and buy cheaper groceries there is a way you can save money by moving home. In order to tackle rising rental prices people have started moving to cheaper boroughs. With the average rent for a London flat being £1,650pcm people are turning to areas like Barnet which sits under the average at £1,530 instead of the £3,960 high costs of Kensington.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/save-money-by-moving/est-031778Mon, 11 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/rishi-sunak-supports-the-property-market/est-031348On Wednesday (23rd of March) the spring statement was given by Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. To the delight of the property market the news was mainly positive towards home owners and their tenants.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/rishi-sunak-supports-the-property-market/est-031348Thu, 24 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/rental-in-demand/est-031249The lettings market in London has never been stronger in London as everyone is learning to live with COVID. The bounce back from the 2020 market has been huge with an increase of 16.2% in annual rent for inner London and 5.8% increase for outer London.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/rental-in-demand/est-031249Fri, 11 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/landlord-register/est-030980The Department of Levelling Up has published a white paper with a list of achievements they wish to enact by 2030. One of the big features is the requirement for all landlords to be registered, as part of an effort to have more transparency in the private rental sector and to fight rogue landlords. As the white paper states:]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/landlord-register/est-030980Mon, 21 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/right-to-rent/est-030721After the 6th of April 2022 landlords and letting agents will be required to use the Right to Rent Online Checking Service for Biometric Residence Card / Permit holders. This is part of the move towards a stronger digital system for the UK Government and Home Office, which will now be cemented in legislation changing the immigration system.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/right-to-rent/est-030721Tue, 08 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/rising-bills/est-030207The UK rental market could be facing a rough 2022, we are not talking about the many challenges already facing landlords but instead focus on the tenants and their ability to afford the ever growing living expenses.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/rising-bills/est-030207Wed, 19 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/must-know-for-landlords-in-2022/est-030009Landlords looking at their business in 2022 have many things to juggle including changes, we have put together a list of 7 key areas all landlords should be aware of in the new year.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/must-know-for-landlords-in-2022/est-030009Mon, 10 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/rented-properties-require-epc-level-c/est-029483Private rental properties currently require a minimum EPC rating of E, but changes have been proposed and debated continued until December 30th 2021 to move the minimum to C or above. The response of these debates is due to come in Spring 2022 and regulations to be released in Autumn 2022. If passed in the current state, it would require all new domestic tenancies to have a energy efficiency rating of C by the 1st of April 2025 and all domestic tenancies to reach a C level by 1st of April 2028.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/rented-properties-require-epc-level-c/est-029483Tue, 14 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/3-trillion-property-value-taxed/est-029473A report published by the Resolution Foundation has pushed the government to consider taxing profits made from appreciating property values, including both primary and additional properties. It is reported that gains in London properties is on average £76,000 over the last 20 years. These rising house prices are valued at around £3 trillion which the report says is “largely unearned”.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/3-trillion-property-value-taxed/est-029473Fri, 10 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/holiday-evictions-ban/est-028919A suspension of bailiff-enforced evictions for the holiday period is said to be confirmed by the HM Courts and Tribunal, resulting in no forced evictions taking place between December 13th 2021 and January 20th 2022.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/holiday-evictions-ban/est-028919Sat, 13 Nov 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/rising-london-rental-prices/est-028918After a year of decline, the news of rising London rental prices for a fifth month in a row is welcomed by landlords. This provides an encouraging outlook for investments that many have considered selling.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/rising-london-rental-prices/est-028918Fri, 12 Nov 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/65-million-covid-19-rent-support/est-028673The government has committed £65 million in support to renters struggling due to the impact of the pandemic. This is on top of the £500 million the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities have already committed to the Household Support Fund.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/65-million-covid-19-rent-support/est-028673Wed, 27 Oct 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/hmo-new-licensing-rules/est-028306Westminster introduced new HMO licensing rules at the end of August replacing the old rule of five or more people with sharing facilities requiring a HMO licence and reducing the number to 3 or more from two or more households.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/hmo-new-licensing-rules/est-028306Thu, 14 Oct 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/furlough-ends/est-028197What has been a life saving resource to both employers and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic will now come to an end. September marks the last month of the Furlough scheme supporting over 11.6 million over its duration, with 1.6 million people remaining on the scheme at its close.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/furlough-ends/est-028197Thu, 30 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/energy-crisis/est-028182A global surge in demand for gas after a cold winter leaves gas storage depleted, countries are scrambling to replenish stock before the return of colder temperatures resulting in a rising of market prices. With 50% of UK’s electricity coming from gas-fired power plants and fire forcing the closure of important power cables importing electricity from France, there is a large cause of concern of a wide effect on the UK.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/energy-crisis/est-028182Sat, 25 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/tax-raise/est-028083The health and social care tax rise was passed in the House of Commons, with the MP’s voting 319 to 248 in favour of a 1.25% increase to national insurance. This affects employees, employers and the self employed allowing a gap for those Landlords who take rental income directly.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/tax-raise/est-028083Sun, 12 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/grant-for-landlords/est-027642The focus of the Chancellor Rishi Sunak has been on assisting business earnings, but for most property is an investment that income is made off. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel for those who are listed as self-employed or a member of a partnership. If you can prove you have been impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) then you can make a claim for the loss in profit between the 1st of May 2021 and 30th of September 2021.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/grant-for-landlords/est-027642Sun, 22 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/housing-court-reform/est-027641Ministry of Justice (MoJ) figures are showing an average wait time of 60 weeks for a landlord to gain possession, prior to the pandemic this was closer to 20 weeks. A large portion of this is the increased notice period, with the average time from claim to repossession being recorded at 21.1 weeks according to Propertymark. As restrictions have been lifted there should be a stronger movement forward through the cases, but it has created a lack of faith in the system for landlords. Many estate agents through Propertymark have called for a reform of the law and a dedicated housing court.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/housing-court-reform/est-027641Fri, 20 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/debt-respite/est-023670Tenant debt and Landlord expenses have been a heavy talking point, even more so now that legislation is being drafted to come into effect on the 4th of May 2021 which will completely tie the hands of landlords who are facing the issue of non paying tenants.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/debt-respite/est-023670Fri, 20 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/7-years-government-paid-heat/est-026963The Government has said it wants to fit 600,000 heat pumps in UK homes each year by 2028. Install an eligible system before March 2022 and you can receive quarterly cash payments over seven years for the heat generated by your renewable heat system. It is called the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme which offers the incentives for owners to change, though the seven years of payments comes along with a ban on the installations of gas boilers from 2025 in all new homes.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/7-years-government-paid-heat/est-026963Tue, 27 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/london-mayor-demands-power-to-control-rent/est-026964London Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan demands to be given the power to control private rents in London. In the May Mayoral election Khans proposal was for a ‘London Private Rent Commission’, which would be tasked with designing and implementing rent controls and also be empowered to freeze private rents to shield renters from financial problems like the impact of the pandemic.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/london-mayor-demands-power-to-control-rent/est-026964Mon, 26 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/stamp-duty-ending/est-026772At the end of June (30th) the extended stamp duty holiday will come to an end, which currently stands at no tax being levied on the first £500,000 of property purchases in England and Northern Ireland. To help with the transition back to normal rates there will be a tapering off period until the 30th of September 2021 where the stamp limit is reduced to £250,000.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/stamp-duty-ending/est-026772Fri, 25 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/england-june-evictions/est-026769As of the 1st of June 2021 residential evictions can be carried out in England, starting the post COVID-19 vacating of properties and potential influx of options in the lettings market.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/england-june-evictions/est-026769Tue, 22 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/garden-vs-parking/est-026297Property extensions are very commonplace in London as owners try to utilise their land with vertical expansion adding an extra storey, side and rear extensions giving space to kitchens or conservatories. One space can be overlooked, the front of the house where a nice garden can be changed into a property value increasing parking space!]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/garden-vs-parking/est-026297Mon, 31 May 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/increase-tenants/est-026283The upward turn that London landlords have been waiting for, reports for an increase of 17% in interested tenants in April compared with January 2021. While we all love hearing great news in the London lettings market it is good to understand why it is happening.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/increase-tenants/est-026283Wed, 26 May 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/queens-may-speech/est-025557On the 11st of May the Queen will open parliament in which she is expected to confirm in the Queen’s Speech a number of bills covering Police, Courts, Crime, Armed Forces & the environment. Many are expecting during the speech, the confirmation of the Renters Reform Bill which was announced in the Queens previous speech in December 2019. This will be the first time there are visible details to be debated in the House of Commons and the lettings industry to understand what is to come in the post section 21 vacuum.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/queens-may-speech/est-025557Mon, 26 Apr 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/pets-in-homes/est-025525The Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick MP called on landlords back on the 4th of January 2020 to enable responsible tenants to have well behaved pets, now with a 84% spike in dog ownership it makes roughly 44% of UK households home to pets. But do Landlords really want pets?]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/pets-in-homes/est-025525Wed, 14 Apr 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/government-helps-pay-rent/est-025077The future of the post Covid rental industry has become a serious topic after the all-party Housing Communities and Local Government Committee has released a 53 page report.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/government-helps-pay-rent/est-025077Thu, 01 Apr 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/summer-eviction/est-024998Landlords currently have to give tenants 6 months notice for a section 21 eviction with a few exceptions to the waiting period. The primary issue for forward movement is the eviction ban which is constantly extended and is now due to end on the 31st of May, but considering the consistent extensions it is challenging for anyone to plan around that date.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/summer-eviction/est-024998Mon, 22 Mar 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/budget-announcement-extends-furlough-stamp-duty/est-024622On 3rd of March the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak released his 2021 budget which will heavily change the direction of the housing market in England.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/budget-announcement-extends-furlough-stamp-duty/est-024622Tue, 09 Mar 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/client-money-protection/est-024584The Client Money Protection Scheme was brought into effect in March 2019, making it compulsory for all agents to belong to a government approved CMP scheme. One of the primary campaigners for the legislation, the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA) estimated that £2.7 Billion pounds was held with as much as £700,000 not being protected.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/client-money-protection/est-024584Sat, 27 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/london-exodus/est-024268Attention has turned over the last month to the population drop of London which has reduced for the first time since 1988. ESCoE estimations put the number at 1.3 million people leaving during the period of the coronavirus pandemic.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/london-exodus/est-024268Tue, 16 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/tenant-loan-scheme/est-023926When it comes to tenant debt the English government has been debating while Wales and Scotland have been implementing]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/tenant-loan-scheme/est-023926Wed, 27 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/o2centre/est-023925A big announcement came from the 02 Centre in June 2019, where they have released their plans to convert their car park area into a 1,000 home complex. Since then the owner and property developer Landsec have looked to expand the concept into a 2,000 home complex along with a town square and park area.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/o2centre/est-023925Sun, 24 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/new-year-2021/est-023262From all the team here at Peter Martin we give thanks to everyone that has supported us over the last year.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/new-year-2021/est-023262Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/holiday-season/est-023263This will be a winter like none of us have experienced before, a time to be with your family is on hold during the pandemic. So while we may be more restricted during the holidays and winter, there are still some good things we can do to stay safe and see in the new year.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/holiday-season/est-023263Tue, 15 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/financial-support/est-023261The government has committed billions of pounds towards keeping people financially stable through these tough quarantine conditions. In case you were not aware here are some of the things that might be available to you.]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/financial-support/est-023261Thu, 10 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.petermartin.london/news/new-development/est-023259Part of a £4 Billion plan will see more than £40 million pounds committed to changing the face of Brent Cross & Cricklewood]]>https://www.petermartin.london/news/new-development/est-023259Fri, 04 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMT