Page 15 – Property118
Daniel Smith of Gardner Leader wearing a grey suit, white shirt and blue tie, smiling in a professional headshot against a neutral background.

Renters’ Rights Act – What should be top of the list for landlords?

25th March 2026

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 introduces wide-ranging sweeping reforms to the private rented sector in England, fundamentally changing the legal framework for both landlords and tenants – these aren’t small changes, it’s the biggest set of reform the sector has seen in over 30 years. Key changes include section 21, more commonly known as ‘no […]

New-build homes with rooftop solar panels and external heat pumps under UK energy standards

Heat pumps and solar panels will be required in new homes

25th March 2026

Developers will be required to install solar panels and heat pumps in all new homes in England under updated planning requirements, as ministers set out new rules to reshape how properties are built. The changes form part of the long-delayed Future Homes Standard, which mandates that new homes will not be connected to the gas […]

Renters’ Rights Act concept graphic with a judge’s gavel, locked barrier and house, illustrating court readiness concerns

Courts not ready for Renters’ Rights Act claim Peers

25th March 2026

The government has been accused of failing to ensure the court system is ready to deal with the Renters’ Rights Act. In oral questions in the House of Lords, several Peers slammed the government for failing to prepare the courts and argued that the Renters’ Rights Act should be delayed until the system was ready […]

Listed historic house with low EPC rating highlighting challenges of improving energy efficiency

EPCs for listed buildings?

25th March 2026

Has anyone heard anything definite to answer on this seemingly ongoing subject? I have seen so many comments, sites, suggested possibles etc, including government sites, that I’m beginning to wonder if anybody even cares! So many forbidden changes would be required to most listed buildings to make them a C grade that it’s a no-no, […]

Map of England highlighting proposed new towns and large-scale housing developments across multiple regions

Seven new towns proposed across England

25th March 2026

Seven locations across England have been put forward for a new generation of towns, as ministers outline plans to expand housing supply within a broader building push. The government has announced that Tempsford in Bedfordshire could see more than 40,000 homes being built around a new East West Rail station. It would have links to […]

Model house chained with padlock beneath falling arrows, symbolising decline in Section 21 repossessions

Landlords issue fewer Section 21 claims ahead of ban

25th March 2026

Section 21 repossession cases have fallen ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force, according to government figures. Data analysed by the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) shows that Section 21 (‘accelerated’) possession claims in the county courts have dropped to their lowest level in several years. The news comes as the abolition of […]

Digital tax interface representing Making Tax Digital deadline for landlords and agents

Landlords urged to act as Making Tax Digital deadline looms

25th March 2026

With less than two weeks to go until Making Tax Digital comes into force, an industry body is urging letting agents and landlords to take action. Under the controversial scheme, from 6 April 2026, landlords earning more than £50,000 will be required to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HM Revenue & Customs […]

The £200,000 diagnosis: why timing matters in inheritance tax planning

24th March 2026

Most landlords spend decades building portfolios designed to deliver two things: financial security during retirement and a meaningful legacy for their families. The focus tends to be on acquisitions, refinancing and tax efficiency while the portfolio is growing. The inheritance tax question often sits quietly in the background, acknowledged but rarely urgent, yet inheritance tax […]

To Let signs outside suburban homes as people walk away, symbolising landlord exits from the rental market

Minister backtracks on landlord exodus claims

24th March 2026

The government has changed its tune regarding a landlord exodus, admitting it doesn’t know how many landlords have quit the private rented sector (PRS). Previously, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has claimed there’s no evidence of a landlord exodus and the size of the PRS has doubled since the early 2000s. However, in answer to a […]

Executive carrying a box of office belongings after stepping down from a leadership role

Ben Twomey steps down as chief executive of Generation Rent

24th March 2026

Ben Twomey has announced his decision to step down as chief executive of Generation Rent after three years in the role. He is set to leave the position this summer, with the search for his successor already underway. Generation Rent has begun recruiting for a new chief executive, offering a salary of £68,000. Timing feels […]

Houses elevated on pillars with glowing pound signs, symbolising rising rental costs and landlord pressures

Generation Rent is making houses even more expensive for tenants

24th March 2026

The government have published a mandatory Renters’ Rights Act information sheet that all landlords need to give to their tenants. However, the government and councils are going to fine me £7000 for not giving tenants, who have lived there 25 years, a letter that the government has just brought in in 2026. With the amount […]

Cluster of suburban houses marked sold, highlighting bulk property purchases for HMO conversion

Council ‘powerless’ to stop HMO bulk buying

24th March 2026

Councillors have been told there is no mechanism to prevent landlords and developers’ bulk-buying homes for conversion into houses in multiple occupation (HMO), despite mounting concern over concentrations in residential areas. Councillors on Belfast Council’s licensing committee raised concerns about ‘cash-only’ purchases in East Belfast, with several properties acquired together and repositioned as HMOs to […]

Woman holding a model house and signalling stop beside a “No Rent Controls” sign near the UK Parliament

Government maintains opposition to rent controls despite pressure from MPs

24th March 2026

The Labour government has ruled out introducing rent controls, claiming “it will push landlords out of the market”. Despite some Labour MPs and London Mayor Sadiq Khan pushing for rent controls, the government continues to insist it does not support rent controls. The Scottish government have announced rent controls in Scotland will be introduced in […]

Landlord researching the Renters’ Rights Act on a laptop while reviewing property documents

The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 – Trap?

24th March 2026

The government website with the recently released Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-renters-rights-act-information-sheet-2026 says:- “The Information Sheet is only valid when downloaded from this page. You must give the exact PDF found at the top of this page. You must provide this to the tenants by either: printing a hard copy, which is posted or […]

Magnifying glass highlighting rental survey charts illustrating statistical framing in housing data debate

Examining Shelter’s statistical framing

24th March 2026

Statistics can change how an entire sector is perceived. A single number repeated often enough can shape public policy, influence legislation and define how millions of landlords are viewed. Shelter understands this better than most organisations operating in the housing debate. Headlines citing Shelter research frequently appear in national newspapers: “45% of renters face illegal […]

Torn tenancy agreement symbolising end of fixed-term student rental and legal uncertainty

How to end a tenancy in a 2-bed student property?

24th March 2026

Hello, I have a joint student property fixed term of 11 months with an end date of 31st July. One tenant has a limited right to rent until 31st July. Property is wanted by landlord to move in themselves on 1st August. This was always know by the tenants before the contract was signed. On […]

Council enforcement officer receiving cash beside a landlord fines notice on a London street

London councils collect just a third of landlord fines

24th March 2026

While landlords face rising penalties under the Renters’ Rights Act, councils across London are collecting only a fraction of the fines they have issued. Research from the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) show boroughs imposed almost £8.7m in civil penalties between 2023/24 and 2024/25 but recovered less than £3m. In total, more than 1,300 penalties […]

gavel striking between two piggy banks symbolising falling tenancy deposit disputes

Multi-AST deposit penalty claim — advanced rent defence?

24th March 2026

I am a private landlord defending a Housing Act 2004 tenancy deposit penalty claim in the County Court (Bromley). I am acting as a litigant in person. The claim is now potentially worth up to £14,400 across four ASTs using Superstrike v Rodrigues and Szorad v Kohli arguments. I have a strong defence, but I […]