The cost of refurbishing private rented properties to meet EPC C targets could cost nearly £20 billion, according to new research. Data by Octane Capital reveals more than two million private rented sector (PRS) properties will require improvement to meet EPC C standards. The government have announced all PRS properties will need to meet EPC […]

If not, the consumer will pay the price Commonhold is back in the spotlight: the Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill has confirmed the government’s commitment to reform leasehold and the consultation announce on 28 January is a chance to get the detail right. As a member of ALEP, I support reform of leasehold because […]

An industry body has criticised the Welsh government for missing an opportunity in the Welsh Budget to support the private rented sector. The Welsh government has approved its Final Budget 2026–27 spending plans, but Propertymark says private landlords still need more support, especially for energy-efficiency upgrades. The Welsh government announced the Green Homes Wales Scheme […]

Commercial property demand across the UK stayed broadly positive at the end of last year, despite political uncertainty surrounding November’s Autumn Budget, new data suggests. Rightmove’s latest Commercial Insights Tracker shows both leasing and investment activity continued to grow during Q4 2025, even though momentum eased. The slowdown, it said, reflected caution rather than weakness. […]

The government has confirmed all private and social landlords will need to meet the Decent Homes Standard (DHS) by 2035. Generation Rent has accused the government of “dragging their feet” after opting for a 2035 target . The news comes after the government confirmed all private landlords will need to meet EPC C targets by […]

The government claims it will raise awareness of the Renters’ Rights Act among tenants by increasing funding to Shelter. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook confirmed the government has already launched a communications campaign for landlords, with this set to be extended to tenants in April this year. Mr Pennycook said the government is supporting tenants’ awareness […]

Specialist lender Somo has launched a new bridging product aimed at landlords grappling with rising borrowing costs and regulatory reform as the Renters’ Rights Act approaches. The lender said its new Landlord’s Breathing Space Loan has been designed for those facing cashflow pressure. Along with reforms, the lander says landlords are dealing with higher maintenance […]

A council has unveiled a consultation on a new citywide licensing scheme for houses in multiple occupation. Proposals for an additional HMO licensing scheme have been approved and now the council needs the views from residents, landlords, letting agents and businesses. However, one news report quotes Salford City Council Mayor Paul Dennett declaring HMO issues […]

A letting agent and a residential leasehold management company have been expelled from The Property Ombudsman after failing to pay compensation ordered in favour of consumers. A review by the scheme’s independent Compliance Committee concluded that both businesses had breached their membership obligations and should be excluded. The Ombudsman found that Noble Living (Nottingham) Limited […]

The Renters’ Rights Act could cause chaos for independent students who do not have access to accommodation over the summer. Student Finance England defines independent students as those who are not living with their parents, are over 25 years old, and have been supporting themselves for the past three years. An article on the WONKHE […]

Home buyer confidence is improving as mortgage costs ease, bringing more people back into the housing market, although activity remains below last year’s opening pace. The latest UK House Price Index from Zoopla shows buyer demand has recovered after a subdued end to 2025. That’s when uncertainty around the Autumn Budget caused many households to […]

Scotland’s private rented sector has shown signs of stabilisation over the past year, with rent rises broadly tracking inflation. DJ Alexander says its analysis of the latest statistics shows average rents for two-bedroom homes rose by £28 a month to £921 in the year to September 2025. That represents a 3.1% annual increase, matching inflation […]

An MP has asked whether the government will prevent landlords from raising rents under the Warm Homes Plan. In a written question, Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy asked if the government will stop landlords from increasing rents after using grants and loans from the plan to fund energy efficiency measures. The government has again insisted that […]

Landlords in Wales will be barred from discriminating against tenants with children or those who receive benefits from 1 June. The Welsh government says that landlords will need to give tenants, or contract holders, a new occupation contract or a statement of variation. The statement can be served up to 14 days after the new […]

At the time of writing, the Scottish Budget process is ongoing in the Scottish Parliament. Sectors across our economy and public sector are watching events as they unfold carefully, and Scotland’s private rented sector (PRS) is no different. The decisions made and the negotiations had will have a significant impact on us as landlords and […]

A tenant group claims the “Renters’ Rights Act will only be as effective as how well it is enforced”, as they claim councils need more enforcement powers. Speaking to the London Assembly Housing Committee on the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act, the Renters’ Reform Coalition claimed local authorities have not used existing powers to […]

Industry experts have welcomed the government’s plans to cap ground rents at £250 a year in older leases and introduce wider leasehold reform. Under the proposals, new leasehold flats will be banned, while ground rents on existing leases will be capped at £250 annually before being reduced to a peppercorn after 40 years, meaning no […]

Landlords across England are still reluctant to advertise homes as pet friendly, even as the Renters’ Rights Act gets closer, research reveals. According to Inventory Base, just 8.2% of rental properties are currently marketed as welcoming pets. The inspection and compliance technology firm says that represents an annual rise of 0.6% since January 2025. Landlords […]

A major council is offering financial support to social renters who want to move into a smaller, easier to manage home, as pressure on larger family housing continues to build. The scheme is aimed at tenants living in council or housing association properties that have more bedrooms than they now need, or which have become […]

Build to Rent (BTR) investment in the UK reached £4.7bn in 2025, with a late surge in dealmaking helping the sector close the year stronger than many expected. Data from Knight Frank show £1.7bn was invested in the final quarter, capping a year shaped by tighter financing conditions and wider economic pressure on real estate. […]

Most homeowners checking their house price last year saw values edge higher, although where you live mattered more than ever, Zoopla has revealed. Its analysis shows that half of the UK’s 30 million homes increased in value during 2025. Around 15.2m properties recorded gains of at least 1%, with an average uplift of £9,900. For […]