Page 6 – Property118
Energy efficiency rating graphic with a rising pound symbol illustrating how higher EPC ratings can reduce household energy bills.

Rising energy costs drive demand for homes with high EPC ratings

3rd July 2026

With energy bills continuing to rise, EPC ratings are playing an increasingly important role for buyers and tenants, according to a property portal. Data from Rightmove shows that the latest energy price cap increase could add up to £591 a year to bills for households in the lowest EPC-rated homes. The energy price cap is […]

Construction site in Scotland with a falling red arrow highlighting the sharp decline in housebuilding over the past decade.

Scottish Conservatives slam SNP after housebuilding falls to decade low

3rd July 2026

Scottish housebuilding is at its lowest level in a decade as political parties slam SNP over failures. Figures released by the Scottish government show in total, 17,268 new homes were built (completed), and 14,955 homes were started in 2025-26 in Scotland. Completions were down 10% (-1,914) and starts down 4% (-693) from 2024-25. The Scottish […]

Unsafe cladding exposed on a residential apartment building awaiting remediation work.

Thousands of buildings still affected by unsafe cladding – government data

3rd July 2026

More than 5,000 residential buildings over 11 metres still have unsafe cladding, with remediation expected to cost billions, according to new government data. Government statistics show that, despite targets to fix all unsafe cladding by 2029, progress remains slow. The figures come as commercial buildings over 1,000 square metres will be required to meet EPC […]

Key and To Let sign illustrating the Renters’ Rights Act changes affecting landlords and the private rental sector.

Government claims Renters’ Rights Act benefits landlords

3rd July 2026

The government claim the Renters’ Rights Act provides “tangible benefits” to landlords despite admitting it has introduced no measures to help small landlords. The act came into force on 1 May this year, bringing major changes, including the abolition of Section 21 evictions and giving tenants the right to request permission to keep a pet. […]

Rental yields rise across England and Wales as buy-to-let market stability returns.

Rental yields hold firm despite market uncertainty

3rd July 2026

Rental yields have risen, but periods of political volatility have caused problems in the mortgage market, new figures reveal. Fleet Mortgages’ Rental Barometer found that while six out of 10 regions across England and Wales recorded a quarterly decline in yields, the average rental yield across England and Wales increased by 0.3% year-on-year to 7.8%. […]

Landlord holding property keys overlooking rental homes with a protective shield symbolising the new Landlord Redress Scheme.

Government defends PRS Ombudsman scheme amid concerns over landlord exodus

2nd July 2026

The government has claimed that the new Landlord Redress Scheme will support both landlords and tenants, claiming “good landlords have nothing to fear”. Under the Renters’ Rights Act, the private landlord ombudsman scheme will provide independent dispute resolution, which the government describes as “fair and impartial” and intended to give tenants access to redress outside […]

Split-season house illustrating overheating and cold risks under updated HHSRS thermal comfort standards.

PRS homes fall short on thermal comfort standards as HHSRS rules come into force

2nd July 2026

More than 441,000 private rented homes fail thermal comfort standards, according to new data. Research by Inventory Base reveals around 40% of PRS homes fall short as updated Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) rules came into force last week. The government announced landlords could face on-the-spot fines of £7,000 for severe damp and […]

Evidence file illustrating the shift from Section 21 to evidence-based Section 8 possession claims for landlords.

Section 21 has gone. Now your evidence file is the case

2nd July 2026

For years, a Section 21 notice rewarded a particular kind of landlord. The one whose paperwork was simply present and correct. Get the prescribed information served, the deposit protected, the gas certificate in date, and the right form completed, and you did not have to explain yourself. You did not need a reason. The documents […]

Google logo clearing a high jump over “Renters Rights Act,” symbolising the surge in online searches before the law’s implementation.

Sharp jump in Google searches for Renters’ Rights Act ahead of deadline

2nd July 2026

A sharp spike in Google searches for the Renters’ Rights Act and information sheet was recorded ahead of its implementation, as a lender warns key guidance may not be reaching landlords. Research by Coventry for Intermediaries reveals searches for “Renters’ Rights Act 2026” rose by 600% between January 1st and May 1st 2026. Searches for […]

Marionette hand controlling a rental home beside Big Ben, illustrating the UK rent control debate and housing policy.

Labour MP urges government to consider rent controls amid rising rents

2nd July 2026

A Labour MP is calling on the government to introduce rent controls to curb welfare spending. Margaret Mullane, MP for Dagenham and Rainham, writes in LabourList that rent controls are needed to tackle soaring rents. However, industry experts warn that rent controls do more harm than good. Driving councils to brink of collapse Ms Mullane […]

Clock with house-shaped hands and pound symbols illustrating gradual UK house price growth amid market uncertainty.

UK house prices edge up as market remains subdued

2nd July 2026

House prices are ticking up slowly as political uncertainty continues to cause a slowdown, according to the Nationwide house price index. The data shows UK annual house price growth picked up to 2.2% in June, rising from 1.7% in May. House prices across UK regions also saw broadly positive growth. Market has softened a little […]

Landlord overlooking London as storm clouds, floating houses and question marks symbolise uncertainty over property taxes and regulation.

Political uncertainty doesn’t have to mean property uncertainty – sell on your terms

1st July 2026

News surrounding Keir Starmer’s resignation and speculation over whether Andy Burnham could become the next Prime Minister have left many landlords asking what comes next. Discussions about Andy Burnham’s previously proposed land tax paid by property owners rather than tenants that could see landlords paying 0.96% of their property value annually have reignited concerns across […]

Renters’ Rights Act possession claims entering the court system as landlords rely on Section 8 notices

Government insists courts can cope with Renters’ Rights Act

1st July 2026

The government claims the courts have “sufficient capacity to manage the impact of the Renters’ Rights Act”. The act came into force on 1 May this year and, with the abolition of Section 21, landlords must now rely on Section 8 notices and specific grounds to regain possession. As previously reported by Property118, industry experts […]

Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) reforms highlighting new landlord compliance requirements from June 2026.

HHSRS has changed and what every private landlord needs to know right now

1st July 2026

On 23 June 2026, the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) was significantly reformed under the Renters Rights Act 2025. Most landlords are unaware the changes have happened. That needs to change urgently, because the penalty for a Category 1 hazard has now risen to £7,000 per hazard under section 6A of the Housing […]

EPC energy efficiency rating graphic alongside rental homes and rising rent chart illustrating debate over EPC C targets.

EPC targets not to blame alone for rent rises claim government

1st July 2026

The government claims that rent prices are affected by various factors amid scrutiny over proposed EPC targets could push rents up. In a written parliamentary question, Green MP Hannah Spencer asked what assessment the government has made of new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) in the private rented sector on private rent inflation. Under the […]

Comic-style superhero representing commonhold reform against a backdrop of modern apartment buildings and London skyline.

Commonhold reform: With great power comes great responsibility

1st July 2026

There has been a huge amount in the press about the “feudal” system of leasehold and how the government’s revitalised commonhold will fix all of the problems associated with long leasehold ownership. But will those buying into or converting to commonhold find that the old adage “be careful what you wish for” applies to them? […]

Underwater "Property Management" text surrounded by floating documents, illustrating fragmented information and poor operational visibility.

Most Property Management teams do not lack information they lack visibility

1st July 2026

Property management in 2026 often feels less like managing block properties and more like reconstructing events from scattered evidence. Most property professionals will recognise the conversation: “Was that on email?” “Did the contractor call?” “Who updated the tenant?” “Was that the latest quote?” “I know I saw it somewhere…” The interesting thing is that the […]

Northern Ireland rental investment illustration highlighting Belfast, strong rental demand and landlord opportunities.

Northern Ireland becomes rental hotspot for landlords

1st July 2026

Northern Ireland is emerging as a rental investment hotspot for landlords, according to new research. Research by John Minnis estate agents suggests that, as landlords in England continue to exit the market, Northern Ireland is seeing strong rental demand and growing investor interest. The news comes as Propertymark backs stronger landlord register rules in Northern […]

Could semi-commercial property be the next opportunity for landlords?

30th June 2026

For many landlords, the biggest challenge today is not simply improving rental yields. It is finding investments that still produce attractive returns whilst making commercial sense in an increasingly demanding regulatory and tax environment. That is one reason why semi-commercial property has been attracting growing attention, and why today’s announcement from specialist lender LendInvest is […]

Labour Right to Buy controversy with council house sale sign, cash and chained Labour box symbolising policy debate

Labour slammed as another minister cashes in on Right to Buy scheme

30th June 2026

Another Labour minister has been accused of applying “one rule for them and another for everyone else” after making a 900% profit on a council house purchased under the Right to Buy scheme. Despite the government moving to tighten restrictions on Right to Buy, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has been accused of hypocrisy after it […]