Landlords and letting agents have one month to prepare for the first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act, with Propertymark warning that compliance failures could carry financial penalties. The Act, the biggest overhaul to the PRS in decades, takes effect on 1 May 2026 and will be introduced in three phases. To start with are […]

From 1st May 2026, enforcement of the new Renters’ Rights Act measures will be split into two categories of breaches and offences. A local authority will be able to impose fines on you, letting agents or anyone acting on your behalf (other than a qualified legal representative) and could be given a financial penalty of […]

Pet-friendly rented home listings across England have fallen sharply in early 2026, as landlords apparently increasingly reject advertising these homes. Research from Inventory Base shows a 39% drop since January, ahead of May’s implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act. Now, just 5,839 homes are advertised as allowing pets, out of a total 98,964 properties currently […]

Three-quarters of landlords are now aware of the Renters’ Rights Act as the first phase of the legislation approaches its implementation from 1 May, researchers have found. The figures from Pegasus Insight’s Landlord Trends survey show that 75% of landlords say they are aware of the reforms, a rise of 8% on the previous quarter. […]

Most landlords do not think of insurance as a savings strategy; they see it as a cost. A necessary one perhaps, but still a cost. That instinct is understandable, because most forms of insurance are designed to protect against events that may never happen – e.g. buildings insurance, liability cover, rent guarantee, etc. – you […]

At midday on 31st March 2026, Property118 launched what is expected to become the UK’s largest recurring landlord sentiment survey, reaching 47,886 members across its network (by invitation only). The objective is simple, but long overdue: to give landlords a clear, consistent voice, backed by real data, rather than anecdote. For years, policy debates have […]

Landlords are waiting more than a year to regain possession of their properties as court delays continue to disrupt the private rented sector. Propertymark points to recent data which shows possession cases are taking many months to conclude, with delays recorded at several stages of the legal process. The findings reflect a pattern that agents […]

The best and worst London boroughs for energy performance certificate (EPC) C ratings have been revealed. The data shows that Havering has the lowest share of energy efficient homes in London, with 43.15% of properties rated EPC C or above. London’s average for an EPC C rating is 56%, the research from Cut Plastic Sheeting […]

The government has been warned that a shortage of retrofit professionals could slow planned changes to how energy performance certificates (EPC) are assessed in rented homes. The call is being made by the National Residential Landlords Association which said proposals to overhaul EPC methodology would require significant additional training for assessors. However, that would add […]

The Welsh government has outlined plans to overhaul how Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) are treated for council tax, confirming that property owners, not tenants, will be liable. Also, HMO properties will be valued as a single dwelling. The proposals will bring the system into line with the approach used in England, where most HMOs […]

Volatility in the wholesale markets, caused by the conflict in the Middle East, has triggered Buy to Let mortgage lenders to respond rapidly to the movements in Swap rates. Swap rates are rates based on what markets think interest rates will be in the future. If Swap rates go up, mortgage lenders look to increase […]

Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED) is an annual tax payable by companies (or partnerships where any of the partners is a company) that own UK residential property valued at more than £500,000. Filing penalties start at £100 for initially missing the 30th of April deadline, increasing to £1,600 if the return is 12 months […]

What exactly is Shelter? Most donors believe they know the answer. The name itself suggests a simple mission: providing shelter to people who need it, but organisations evolve, campaigns expand, roles change. Over time, the question becomes less straightforward. Several years ago, David Knox FCA asked whether Shelter had become something more than a traditional housing […]

UK house price growth is holding at 1.3% year-on-year, with sales volumes steady but buyer demand is weakening, Zoopla has revealed. However, buyer enquiries fell by 13% year-on-year in March, adding to a softer trend seen since the start of the year. The property platform also says that agreed sales are down by just 2%. […]

Letting agents risk falling into a compliance gap under the Renters’ Rights Act unless responsibilities are made explicit, according to guidance issued alongside the government’s tenant information sheet. The document confirms landlords must provide their tenants with a Renters’ Rights Act information sheet for new tenancies from 1 May, with failure to do so carrying […]

A tenant group is urging the Mayor of London to create a legal fighting fund to support councils in taking action against rogue landlords ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act. Generation Rent argues that councils across London will play a vital role in enforcing the reforms, but are already struggling to uphold existing housing rules […]

The government has announced emergency measures to tackle London’s housing crisis. Under the measures, sites will now qualify for a fast-track planning route if they deliver 20% affordable housing, down from the previous 35% target. The City Hall Conservatives say these measures are “a damning indictment of the Mayor of London’s record on housing”. Mayor […]

Foundation has returned to the buy to let market after pulling products last week, relaunching a refreshed range that covers standard lending alongside HMOs, MUFBs, short-term lets and expat cases. The lender said the withdrawal followed market tensions because of the Middle East conflict. However, its BTL products are now back with revised pricing and […]

Rent controls do not work for landlords, but they do work for tenants, claims a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Northern Ireland. Speaking during Members’ Statements in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Gerry Carroll MLA claimed the Minister for Communities has failed to tackle the housing crisis in Northern Ireland and called for rent […]

Buy to let borrowing costs have rocketed since the start of March, with fixed mortgage rates reaching their highest levels in over a year as market volatility intensifies. Data from Moneyfactscompare.co.uk shows the average two-year fixed rate has risen to its highest point since February 2025 at 5.40%. The average five-year deal now stands at […]

A £400,000 fund will help London’s renters challenge landlords and understand their rights when the Renters’ Rights Act takes effect on 1 May. The cash will back advice services, renter groups and training for borough officers who pursue criminal landlords. The mayor, Sadiq Khan, launched the enforcement fund with a call for rent cap powers […]