New Zealand and Portugal have U-turned on rental rules after stricter laws triggered huge landlord exits, prompting calls from experts for Labour to rethink its reforms. The Daily Telegraph reports that New Zealand has reinstated no-fault evictions. The previous ban, introduced in 2020 under Premier Jacinda Ardern, led to a supply squeeze that forced ministers […]

The government has said no final decision has been made over whether short-term holiday lets will be included in energy performance certificate (EPC) targets. The government has proposed, but not yet made law all private rented properties will need to meet EPC C targets by 2030 and 2028 for new tenancies. The government claim they […]

Millions of people across the UK have seen the rules around renting, buying and managing homes shift rapidly this year, Propertymark says. Major legislation has begun reshaping rights for tenants, tax thresholds for buyers and safety obligations for property owners. The laws have helped mark 2025 as one of the most significant moments for housing […]

The government says it is committed to making rented homes safe and free from damp and mould. In answer to a written question, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook says extending Awaab’s law to the private rented sector and a Decent Homes Standard will improve the safety of rental properties. Awaab’s law is set to come into […]

London’s lettings market remained lively in November as more tenants chased fewer available homes, despite the usual year-end cool down. New figures from Foxtons show the ratio of renters to each new instruction rose 5.1%, climbing from 8.9 to 9.4 applicants per listing. The firm says that the rise suggests competition is holding up, even […]

Large portfolios can generate significant income – but they also carry significant debt. Managing that debt effectively is crucial to maintaining cash flow and long-term sustainability. This case study shows how one landlord successfully restructured £5m of borrowing using commercial finance, reducing pressure and securing a stronger financial footing. The Challenge A landlord owned a […]

Despite more high-rise buildings being monitored for cladding, few are entering remediation. Property Inspect is now urging the government to do more and is calling for a national remediation tracker to show live updates for each building. The news comes as the government have announced targets to fix all unsafe cladding by 2029.  Momentum on […]

A peer has raised concerns over the potential overlap between selective licensing schemes and the upcoming Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database. In a written question, Lord Truscott asked whether the government has assessed whether the PRS Database, to be introduced under the Renters’ Rights Act, would duplicate existing selective licensing schemes. However, the government has […]

Most lenders on HMOs require that all occupants be on one joint AST, rather than one AST per room. I am wondering if this rule might be unenforceable, especially with the Renters’ Rights Act, because of anti-tenant and perhaps “unfair” effects of such rules: 1. HMO tenants on one AST are likely to be joint-and-severally […]

I own a flat which I have rented out for over ten years. I have good tenants and an agent who has managed it day-to-day since the start and who I’ve been happy with. I also keep in contact with the tenants and visit every six months or so to check they are happy and […]

Article by Katherine Simpson, Partner at Edwin Coe LLP The objectives of the Draft Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill involve enacting the remaining Law Commission recommendations on leasehold enfranchisement and Right to Manage. What issues will this present to professionals and their clients? In July 2020 the Law Commission published three reports containing over 100 […]

2025 was the most settled year for UK house prices over the last decade, with property prices expected to rise modestly in 2026. Halifax housing market review reveals the average UK house price is now £299,892, a new record high. This compares to £297,671 a year ago, an increase of £2,221. Property prices have so […]

A government pilot allowing councils to use rent repayment orders to recover misused housing support payments is set to be expanded. The Department for Work and Pensions, alongside the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, works with local councils to identify benefit-claiming tenants living in unlicensed properties, with landlords facing rent repayment orders from […]

Lloyds has revealed its 2025 housing hotspots, with most regions across the UK seeing rising house prices. Plymouth recorded the steepest annual increase in house values, up 12.6%. House prices also rose across Yorkshire and the Humber, while the South East saw property values fall. Plymouth saw the strongest house price growth According to the […]

One of the most frustrating experiences for landlords is having an insurance claim declined. In many cases, the reason is non-disclosure or misrepresentation at the point of purchase or renewal. Put simply, insurers expect you to provide accurate information about the risk. If key facts are omitted or misstated, they may reduce a payout or […]

In a Property118 comment on 27 December, member “Spock” said: “I have a student property. Traditionally, I have always asked for the rent payment for the first month a few days before the start of the tenancy start date. I never hand out keys until I know that everyone has paid the first month’s rent. […]

The government claim it will keep Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates under review. In answer to a written question, Homelessness Minister Alison McGovern says the government is working to support private renters with their rent. The news comes after the government froze LHA rates for the second year in a row in the Autumn Budget. […]

The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced the Spring statement will take place on 3 March 2026. Ms Reeves has asked the Office for Budget Responsibility to prepare an economic and fiscal forecast. The news comes after the Autumn Budget in November, which raised tax rates on dividends, property, and savings income by 2 percentage points. […]

A survey claims one in five renters in the private rented sector (PRS) say they are living in poor housing conditions, as a tenant group calls for a date for when Awaab’s Law will apply to the PRS. The findings by the End Fuel Poverty Coalition reveal that 26% of adults reported mould in their […]

More than 1,200 fires broke out in purpose-built flats over the past year where no fire alarms were installed, according to new data. Findings from Drax Technology reveal London recorded the highest number of fires. The firm analysed incident data reported by Fire and Rescue Services across England, covering purpose-built flats of all sizes between […]

Room rents in Wales have soared nearly three times more than the average room rent across the UK over the past year, according to new research. Data from SpareRoom reveals that room rents in Wales have risen by 40% over the past five years, from £419 to £586 per month, compared with a 28% increase […]