The UK property landscape is undergoing massive changes in 2025.

This is NOT an episode you can afford to miss.

Ryan Heaven is consultant solicitor at Woodstock Legal Services.

He's a Landlord and Tenant specialist, who describes himself as the Swiss Army knife of the Private rental sector.

Ryan has specific expertise in evictions. In this episode, he’s giving us an update on the Renters’ Rights Bill.

In the episode, we discuss:

• All Tenancies To Become Periodic: Fixed term tenancies will be abolished—existing and new tenancies to roll onto periodic contracts.
• Section 21 Notices Removed: Landlords evicting tenants using no-fault Section 21 notices will end, with increased reliance on an updated Section 8 process including new and expanded grounds for possession.
• Introduction of New Possession Grounds: (and some existing ones amended) for eviction under Section 8—including landlords wanting to sell the property / move back in themselves—but with stricter restrictions / penalties.
• Tenant Notice Periods and Airbnb Concerns: Tenants will be able to give two months’ notice at any time, raising landlord concerns about potential abuse of short-term stays/subletting.
• Rent Increase Rules Tightened: Rent increases can now only be done via Section 13 notices, which must give at least 2 months’ notice. Greater incentive for tenants to challenge increases via tribunals.
• Court and Tribunal Backlogs Expected: Increasing tribunal cases may create bottlenecks
• New Rules on Pets and Advance Rent
• Timeline and Uncertainty: While the bill is close to becoming law (Royal Assent possibly by July), likely between October 2024 and January 2025, with a notice period for landlords to adapt.

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#225

Do you know your bitumen from your Bressummer Beams? Your helical bars from your horizontal beds? Or your cavity walls from your crack monitoring studs?

This week, we fill one more gap in the back catalogue with a deep dive into all things structural.

Paul Fowler is a surveyor with 20 years experience and a particular interest in subsidence.

We discuss:

· Key Warning Signs Outside the Property:
Start your property viewing before leaving the car! Find out how cracks and distortions on surrounding buildings can indicate (or rule out) costly issues like subsidence.

· How Trees Affect UK Properties:
Learn why trees, especially on clay soils, cause 60–85% of UK subsidence claims—and when removing a tree might create a bigger problem called ‘heave.’

· Roof and Damp Risks:
Discover why replacing slate with concrete roof tiles can cause ‘roof spread,’ how to identify potential damp issues from outside, and what the damp proof course should look like.

· Crack Types (and When to Worry!):
Paul breaks down different cracks: harmless thermal movement and decoration cracks, versus those diagonal cracks (especially wider at the top around doors and windows) that could signal structural movement or subsidence.

· Inside Inspection:
Tips for checking the loft for spray foam insulation (a growing problem for mortgage lenders), identifying asbestos, and what cracks inside the house actually mean.

· Crack Monitoring & Insurance:
How surveyors track structural movement using crack-monitoring studs, when to involve insurers, and what coverage is typical for UK property owners—including excess amounts and exclusions.

· Renovation and Remediation Costs:
From simple repairs to advanced underpinning or resin injection, get a sense of what fixing serious structural problems might cost—and why these issues can represent a genuine opportunity for savvy investors.

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Keywords

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#224

Sometimes you’ve gotta zig while others zag. If you follow the herd, then you’ll get average results.

By going with the flow, you increase your competition.

So while the North West of England is hugely competitive right now, just a hop, skip and a jump across the Irish Sea in Belfast, you could pick up a two or three bed city centre house for just £140,000.

And a gross rental income north of £900 a month.

So if you’re looking for a location with a lower entry point AND a healthy dose of Capital Growth, this is the episode for you.

Eimear Gourley is is the go-to expert on Northern Ireland Property.

AKA NI Property Girl, Eimear discusses:

• why Northern Ireland is overlooked by property investors.
• the dual UK/Irish identity and its impact on property regulations and investing.
• Belfast property prices, rental yields, and capital growth opportunities.
• key legislative differences between Northern Ireland and mainland UK.
• the lack of easily accessible sold price data and how it shapes the market.
• the best areas to invest in Northern Ireland and local investment strategies.
• challenges for expat investors and typical deal structures in Belfast.

I'd Like Help With Setting My Goals

Leave a review
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Pro package 30 day trial, then 3 months 1/2 price, Ultimate package, 1/2 price 3 months

Keywords:

Northern Ireland property investment, Expat property investment UK, Belfast property market 2024, Buy-to-let Northern Ireland, Investing in Belfast real estate,
UK property investment for expats, Rental yields Belfast 2024,
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