Page 5 – Property118
Model house with energy rating arrows and funding text, symbolising property efficiency upgrades and costs

Government launches consultation on Warm Homes Fund to boost EPC upgrades

27th March 2026

The government is urging industry bodies and landlords to provide evidence on funding options for energy-efficiency improvements. A consultation on the Warm Homes Fund aims to explore how government finance could accelerate the rollout of domestic solar, batteries, clean heat, and other energy-efficiency measures. The news comes as the government has announced all private rented […]

Scottish landlords and agents walking past sold houses under a large Scotland flag, symbolising market pressure

Anti-landlord legislation is forcing Scottish landlords out

26th March 2026

Exclusive video interview with John Blackwood from SAL: “Anti-landlord rhetoric from Scottish politicians is causing landlords to leave the private rented sector”. The chief executive of the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL), John Blackwood, warns that the Scottish government must change their attitude towards landlords with the Scottish elections coming up in May. In an […]

Rent increase challenge form with £47 fee, model house, and UK currency illustrating tribunal costs for tenants

Government announce fee for tenants appealing rent increases

26th March 2026

The government has claimed it “wants to ensure justice is protected for all” after announcing a £47 fee for tenants challenging a rent increase through the first-tier property tribunal. In a written question, Justice Minister Sarah Sackman confirmed that the government has put forward legislation to begin implementing a new fees framework in the Property […]

Tradesperson drilling floorboards beside an Act Now button for Decent Homes Standard upgrades

Landlords told to act now ahead of 2035 Decent Homes Standard deadline

26th March 2026

The government is urging landlords to upgrade their properties to the Decent Homes Standard at “the earliest opportunity”. While the deadline for the private rented sector to meet the Decent Homes Standard is 2035, the government is encouraging landlords to make improvements before the deadline. Under the new standard, landlords will need to meet certain […]

Person in a red coat sitting on pavement receiving money, illustrating homelessness and housing support efforts

Councils expand schemes with private landlords to tackle homelessness

26th March 2026

Two councils are offering landlords financial backing and guaranteed rent support as part of wider efforts to reduce homelessness and limit reliance on temporary accommodation. Mansfield District Council has confirmed it will extend its private rental access scheme, which helps people move out of temporary housing by covering the upfront costs required by landlords. The […]

Buy-to-let houses on a UK map with coins and charts illustrating regional property investment trends

Buy to let investment heads north after stamp duty surcharge

26th March 2026

Buy to let borrowing has shifted towards northern England over the past decade, with landlord purchases now concentrated outside London and the south following the introduction of the stamp duty surcharge. An analysis by Paragon Bank shows that in 2015, just before the additional 3% tax on second homes took effect, southern regions accounted for […]

Sloth hanging from a sign reading “Rents & House Prices” symbolising slow UK housing market growth

Rents hold at 3.5% as house price growth slows – ONS

26th March 2026

Private rents increased 3.5% in the 12 months to February, leaving the average monthly cost at £1,374, the Office for National Statistics says. The annual rate was unchanged from January, and England’s average rent is now £1,430, up 3.6% over the year. Wales reached £828, a 5.5% increase, while Scotland stood at £1,022, up 2.4%. […]

Landlord portfolio review concept with homes, charts and a curtain revealing the bigger picture

If you find Property118 helpful, the real value sits behind the scenes

25th March 2026

Many landlords tell us they find Property118 helpful. What often surprises them is what happens when we look at their own portfolio. Property118 has always been designed to be useful. The articles, research and discussions are intended to help landlords understand what is happening in the sector and how others are thinking about it. For many […]

Angela Rayner speaking closely to Keir Starmer during a discussion on housing policy

Angela Rayner urges Keir Starmer to pick fights with landlords

25th March 2026

Former deputy leader of the Labour Party, Angela Rayner has told Sir Keir Starmer to ‘pick more fights’ with landlords and freeholders. At a fundraising dinner in central London, the former housing secretary said voters feel the system is ‘rigged against them’, the Daily Telegraph reports. She went on to say that she expects a […]

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 […]