Welcome to the March edition of the Landlords Barometer where I review trending topics for the private rented sector.

The trends over the last month include coronavirus, the Budget, leasehold reform, and fears of further government intervention in the private rented sector.

Here are the most viewed topics in February:

1. Just how tough will it get for landlords?

This thread poses the question that many landlords only wish they knew the answer to!

2. Coronavirus – effect on property sector?

Not all effects are negative – for instance, I have experienced an increase in holiday let bookings as people do not want to travel abroad this summer.

3. “The pendulum against PRS has to swing back”

In this interview with YouTuber, Monoperty (Andy Walker) I talk about the disconnect between central government deterring landlords from investing in the PRS, and local government crying out for private sector landlords and even offering cash incentives!

4. Experiences – London Landlord buying up North

This landlord gave first-hand experience of a southern landlord who invested in the north (Greater Manchester). It has 112 comments to date…

5. Landlords braced for further legislation

Landlords react to newly released data from Foundation Home Loans that revealed that as many as 70% of UK landlords anticipate there will be further Government intervention in the private rental and buy-to-let sectors during 2020.

6. Tax paid goes from 40% to 170%!

This landlord describes the nasty sting in the tail of their latest SATR.

7. End to interest-only mortgages for BTL?

Is the end in sight for the type of mortgage that allows landlords to use leverage to great effect when investing in property?

Themed week:

In February we ran “Leasehold Made Simple” Week in association with  Anthony Gold Solicitors. Leasehold legal experts joined Property Tribes to create five videos on the following topics:

Day One –  Launch and overview of leasehold

Day Two – The ground rents scandal!

Day Three – The leaseholder’s dilemma – when to extend a lease

Day Four – How to undertake a successful enfranchisement campaign

Day Five – Leasehold reform and the future of leasehold.

Event:

The countdown has started to the 2020 Landlord Investment Shows which take place across the country and see large numbers of landlords in attendance.

Get your FREE tickets to the London Olympia Show on the 19th March.

Thanks for reading and see you next time!