Welcome to our Spring Newsletter
Landlord Broadband welcomes you to the latest edition of our quarterly newsletter. We hope that you enjoy it. If the latest industry news, customer market updates, and new content interests you, then read on.
Latest News
Scottish Letting Day
A few months on we’re are reflecting on the success of Scottish Letting Day 2024 hosted at Murrayfield Stadium. Providing a great opportunity to connect with landlords from Scotland and discuss the future of the Scottish private rented sector.
NRLA Magazine
We can once again be found on the back cover of the NRLA magazine for their Spring edition 2025.
Safer Internet Day 2025
On the 11th of February we celebrated Safer Internet Day by helping our community to stay safe online.
International Women’s Day 2024
On Saturday the 8th of March we celebrated women in IT by learning about famous women in the development of Wi-Fi and the Internet.
Industry News
Legal
The Renters’ Rights Bill has been published, aiming to enhance tenant protections in the private rented sector. Key provisions include the abolition of Section 21 notices, a ban on rent increase clauses with landlords required to issue a Section 13 notice for rent hikes, limited to once per year and capped at market rates. The Bill also introduces a new Decent Homes Standard, establishes a digital Private Rented Sector database and a new ombudsman service, bans rental bidding wars, and prohibits discrimination against families and benefit recipients. Additionally, it expands the use of Rent Repayment Orders.
What’s the impact on landlords and tenants?
- The bill is predicted to have a big impact on landlords and tenants throughout England.
- The bill will transform the private rental sector.
- The bill will make properties more desirable to renters, affordable to heat, and compliant with safety regulations.
Our CEO, Andy Simpson received correspondence from the government as part of his role as the Chair of York Residential Landlords Association. A letter was sent from the Baroness Taylor of Stevenage in response to lobbying work relating to the student market.
Key points included:
- Ground 4A limited to HMOs – could be too complex.
- Room licenses & tenancy notice challenges.
- Rent in advance & international student solutions.
- 6-month sign-up periods & deposits
Unclear how the government plans to ensure a smooth transition. More clarity is needed to support the student rental sector. Click here to read the Baronesses letter.
Finance
The trade association reports that cost and rate pressures drove a sharp contraction throughout 2023 but saw a modest recovery in 2024 where lower new mortgage rates resulted in the growth of house purchase lending to landlords grew by 13% to £10 billion. In 2025, however, conditions for landlords look more challenging. The introduction of an additional 2% stamp duty surcharge announced in the Autumn Budget will act as a further deterrent to a market which already faces heightened regulatory and taxation challenges, according to UK Finance.
In the house sales market, lending in 2024 totalled £135 billion, an increase of 11% compared with 2023. In 2025, it expects further gradual improvements in mortgage affordability to drive another 10% increase in purchase lending, to £148 billion.
Remortgaging activity was relatively subdued in 2024 – down 10% to £59 billion – due partly to slightly lower numbers of customers with fixed rate mortgages reaching the end of their deal periods. However, despite some cuts in offer rates and rising real wages, affordability constraints limited the options for customers looking to refinance on the open market. Next year, remortgaging is predicted to rise 30% to £76 billion.
The number of customers falling behind on their mortgages looks to have peaked early in 2024 before falling back, reports UK Finance. While the number of properties taken into possession has risen, this is largely due to historic cases working through the court system.
Technology
As the rental market continues to evolve, landlords are increasingly adopting technology to stay competitive, with virtual tours becoming a standout innovation in 2025. These tours can offer convenience for tenants, allowing them to explore properties at their own pace from anywhere. As well as making it easier for those relocating or considering multiple properties to make informed decisions.
For landlords, virtual tours can save time by reducing the need for numerous in-person viewings, streamlining the screening process and ensuring only serious applicants schedule physical visits. They also help attract a wider pool of potential tenants, especially younger, tech-savvy renters, and those looking for remote or international opportunities.
Virtual tours provide transparency by offering high-definition, detailed views of properties, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings and fostering trust between landlords and tenants. This transparency can lead to more stable, long-term rental relationships. Additionally, by incorporating virtual tours, landlords future-proof their properties, positioning themselves as forward-thinking and enhancing their marketability.
Customer Markets
Landlords
Surprising new data in rental markets trends include increasing divorce rates having an impact on rental demand. There’s an often-overlooked impact of couples splitting on the demand for housing and particularly for rentals as splits occur every year in the UK.
Market data also revealed 3,000 landlords are under 21 years old. Gen Z are rushing to invest in buy-to-let property. According to accountancy group UHY Hacker Young, these youthful investors collectively earnt more than £66 million in rental income during 2022/2023, with property’s record as a stable investment making it an attractive option for budding private investors.
Its research found that the number of landlords aged 65 and over has increased significantly, with 696,000 in this age group, up 20% from 582,000 in 2018. Pensioners now earn 27% of all income made from UK rental properties which is equivalent to £11.5 billion last year.
Build To Rent
The MP for Sheffield South East will lead a new taskforce aimed at advancing the build-to-rent sector. The group, which includes major operators like Goodstone, Get Living, and Grainger, will meet over the next 18 months to explore tenant experience improvements, including a potential consumer code.
The taskforce aims to highlight the sector’s benefits and push for dedicated local policies to support its growth. With 123,000 build-to-rent homes completed since 2012, the sector still makes up just 2% of the private rental market. Investment in single-family homes has grown, representing 40% of build-to-rent activity in 2023.
Despite recent challenges, planning consents are up 35% year-on-year, with London leading and Birmingham seeing significant growth. The taskforce will focus on educating decision-makers and promoting high standards for tenants, ensuring more rental homes are built to meet housing needs.
PBSA
Recent research from Yogu shows that UK students see their accommodation as more than just a place to sleep or study. Those satisfied with their housing are ten times more likely to enjoy their university experience. As a result, PBSAs are focusing on providing high-quality facilities and strong social networks to attract students.
With student housing becoming a more holistic experience, transparency and support are increasingly important. Yogu’s research highlights significant anxiety among UK students when choosing where to live, with 56% feeling stressed about their decision. The most important factor in selecting accommodation is proximity to campus (74%), followed by access to a private bathroom (49%) and monthly cost (48%). Hidden and unclear fees further add to student frustration, particularly for those yet to start university, with 56% citing confusing costs as their biggest concern. Suggesting that greater clarity in pricing and better guidance could help ease student anxiety and improve the overall housing experience.
Social Accommodation
MP Tim Farron has called on the government to give local councils greater authority over social housing developments, highlighting severe affordability challenges in South Cumbria and the Cumbrian Dales. With house prices reaching up to 20 times the average income, homeownership remains out of reach for many residents.
Farron proposed a “specific and unappealable designation of social housing-only developments” that councils and national park authorities could enforce to tackle the crisis. In response, Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook expressed willingness to discuss the issue, along with concerns about short-term lets.
Westmorland and Furness Council pointed to the area’s low-wage economy as a key factor worsening affordability. Experian data reveals that while an annual income of £71,011 is needed to afford an average home, only 13% of households earn above £70,000, further emphasising the need for intervention.
Social Housing
Yorkshire Housing has secured a £75m funding deal with Lloyds and NatWest to support its ambitious growth and investment plans. This includes a £40m sustainability-linked loan from Lloyds and £35m from NatWest, enabling the association to continue building high-quality, affordable homes across the region.
The funding is tied to key sustainability targets, including improving energy efficiency by upgrading existing properties to an EPC rating of C or higher by 2030 and increasing the installation of solar PV systems. Yorkshire Housing currently owns and manages around 20,000 homes and aims to build 8,000 more to address the housing crisis.
Both banks emphasized their long-standing commitment to the social housing sector. Melanie Russell of Lloyds highlighted the importance of funding that supports affordability and sustainability, while Andrew Dexter of NatWest reaffirmed the bank’s dedication to providing strategic financial solutions for long-term housing development.
With over 2,100 homes already completed and another 2,000 in progress, this investment marks a significant step toward delivering much-needed housing in Yorkshire.