Page 24 – Property118
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook speaking at podium on leasehold reform policy

Housing minister rejects calls for immediate leasehold abolition

1st May 2026

The housing minister claims the government will not “immediately abolish leasehold overnight”. In a speech at the Institute for Government think tank, Matthew Pennycook criticised those calling for outright abolition, questioning how the mortgage market would be affected. The National Leasehold Campaign has called for reform, saying “justice delayed is justice denied, and that is […]

Why landlord sentiment is becoming a leading indicator for the housing market

1st May 2026

A growing insight from the latest data is not just what landlords are doing, but what their intentions signal about the wider market. According to the Property118 Landlord Sentiment Survey Q1 2026, landlord sentiment is increasingly acting as a leading indicator for future housing trends. Based on 2,380 completed responses, the survey reveals a clear […]

Confused couple holding Renters’ Rights Act document in empty apartment with moving boxes

Most tenants unaware of how RRA affects their rights

1st May 2026

More than 78% of tenants don’t know how the Renters’ Rights Act will impact their rights. According to a survey by Housing Hand, only one in five tenants understood their rights under the act. Under the act, tenants will gain stronger protections, including the abolition of Section 21 and an end to bidding wars. Confusion […]

Pets outside rental homes highlighting new rights for tenants to request pet ownership

Renters’ Rights Act could unlock millions of homes for renters with pets

1st May 2026

One in four renters are now more likely to get a pet following the Renters’ Rights Act, according to a new survey. Research by Mars Petcare and Battersea Cats and Dogs Home reveals that almost a third of tenants (31%) say housing rules have previously stopped them from owning a pet. Under the Renters’ Rights […]

Tablet showing landlord compliance checklist with UK rental homes and To Let sign in background

The Renters’ Rights Act starts today – Five things to do before 31 May

1st May 2026

The Renters’ Rights Act starts today. The headlines have been bracing, and the comments threads on this site have made the mood clear: landlords feel cornered, fatigued, and unsure whether the business case for letting still works. Some of that frustration is earned. But for most self-managing landlords, the real operational work of 1 May […]

Estate agency window with property listings and upward arrow reflecting rising homes for sale in England

England’s property listings rise 6.3%

1st May 2026

An estimated 471,619 properties were listed for sale across England in March, based on residential listings data, new figures reveal. The data from Yopa show that the total is 3.3% higher than March last year and sits 6.3% above levels recorded at the start of the year. Across 48 counties, the increase since January has […]

Bank of England building with UK flag and 3.75% interest rate cut graphic

Bank of England keeps interest rates at 3.75%

30th April 2026

The Bank of England has held interest rates at 3.75%, with uncertainty persisting due to the conflict in the Middle East. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) opted for a cautious approach, voting 8–1 to keep rates unchanged. One member voted to increase the Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 4%. Forceful tightening in monetary […]

UK street with “To Let” signs illustrating new Renters’ Rights Act reforms and tenant protections

Renters’ Rights Act starts tomorrow – the PRS reacts

30th April 2026

The Renters’ Rights Act takes effect from tomorrow (Friday 1 May), scrapping Section 21 evictions and replacing fixed-term agreements with periodic tenancies across England. Landlords will instead rely on revised Section 8 grounds to regain possession, including cases where they plan to sell or house family members. Notice periods are being extended, and tenants will […]

Rent freeze concept illustrated by house encased in ice with “rent freeze” text and rental sign in background

Generation Rent welcomes reports government is considering rent freeze

30th April 2026

Generation Rent claims renters could save hundreds of pounds a year under the government’s proposed rent freeze. Media reports from The Guardian suggest ministers are considering imposing a year-long freeze on rents. The reported move comes despite previous government claims that it had no plans to introduce rent controls. Encouraging the government is considering a […]

Shared ownership home with two owners each holding 50% stake and exemption sign in front yard

Shared owners may be exempt from 12-month no re-let rule

30th April 2026

The government has announced exemptions for shared owners who are subletting under the Renters’ Rights Act. New government guidance published reveals shared owners may be exempt from the 12-month no-re-let restricted period under the act. Shared ownership subletting is when someone who owns a share of a property (through a shared ownership scheme) rents out […]

Cracked percentage symbol struck by wrecking ball, symbolising falling buy-to-let mortgage rates

Buy to let mortgage rates cut by TMW, Suffolk and YBS

30th April 2026

The Mortgage Works has cut its buy to let rates by up to 0.20 percentage points for existing borrowers, while also trimming selected limited company deals for new business. The changes cover BTL and Houses in Multiple Occupation lending, with the other reductions focused on switcher products as landlords come to the end of fixed […]

UK houses with signs comparing £700 rent vs £2,200 mortgage and a percentage rate balloon

Rent is cheaper than having a mortgage as rates rise

30th April 2026

Renting a home in Great Britain now costs less each month than buying with a mortgage, as higher borrowing rates continue to lift repayments for new buyers. The average advertised rent is £1,547 a month, while the average new mortgage payment is £1,670. That leaves renters paying £123 less, according to an analysis from Rightmove. […]

Why the landlord market is no longer driven by opportunity alone

30th April 2026

A defining shift emerging from the latest data is not just what landlords are doing, but why they are doing it. According to the Property118 Landlord Sentiment Survey Q1 2026, decisions within the private rented sector are no longer driven purely by opportunity, but increasingly by structure, control and long-term planning. Based on 2,380 completed responses, […]

New build homes with hidden estate charges and fees highlighted in a residential development

Any thoughts on new build ‘Fleecehold’?

30th April 2026

Hello, I am thinking of buying a NEW build on an estate where the developer wants to charge £252 per year for ‘kids playgrounds and maintenance of the verges’ – and they want to charge this as soon as you move in, before any playground or verges exist! Unfortunately, this is not capped, nor is […]

Cartoon sold sign clearing a high jump bar symbolising strong housing market despite rising interest rates

Higher mortgage rates fail to slow down home sales – Zoopla

30th April 2026

Despite higher mortgage rates, the housing market remains resilient, with homes selling as fast as last year across more than half of UK regions. Zoopla’s house price index reveals the average time to sell a home is just one day longer than last year at 33 days. Northern England regions and Scotland are seeing the […]

The pension Strategy UK property investors have never been told about

The pension Strategy UK property investors have never been told about

30th April 2026

Most property investors and business owners are sitting on a financial tool far more powerful than they realise, and it’s been there all along, quietly waiting to be put to work. Not a new product. Not a high-risk strategy. But a pension structure that is fully HMRC-approved, widely underused, and capable of transforming how you […]

Tenant and landlord argue over rent increase amid proposed rent freeze policy

Reeves’ rent freeze idea clashes with landlord rent rise plans

29th April 2026

Landlords planning rent increases are on a collision course with Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ proposals for a potential year-long rent freeze, with research showing most are already adjusting rents in response to incoming legislation. Pegasus Insight’s latest Landlord Trends survey shows 61% of landlords intend to raise rents over the next 12 months. Among that group, […]

Bullet smashing percentage symbol over houses, representing falling buy-to-let mortgage rates

Buy to let lenders cut rates and launch new deals

29th April 2026

Buy to let lenders have rolled out another wave of rate changes, with fresh fixed deals, pricing cuts and expanded ranges appearing across multiple LTV tiers. Paragon Bank has brought in six limited edition five-year fixed products at 60% and 75% LTV, each carrying a 5% fee. Three new options at 75% LTV sit alongside […]

Students relaxing in shared accommodation with Renters’ Rights Act sign highlighting housing changes

Renters’ Rights Act raises uncertainty for student accommodation

29th April 2026

The student rental market will change dramatically under the Renters’ Rights Act as student landlords are urged to prepare. Owen Dixon, founder of Best Student Halls, warns that students could face uncertainty in securing accommodation, with less certainty around tenancy timing and availability. As previously reported on Property118, industry experts have warned the Renters’ Rights […]

Judge’s gavel over house model with money and books symbolising housing law penalties and landlord offences

Propertymark calls for proportionality in housing offence sentencing plans

29th April 2026

An industry body has warned the Sentencing Council that sanctions for housing offences must be proportionate. Propertymark made the comments in response to the council’s consultation on proposed sentencing guidelines. Currently, there are no specific sentencing guidelines for housing offences, and courts rely on general principles. Devasting impact on tenants Under the proposed consultation, two […]