The article reports that councils in England can now issue fines of up to £7,000 to landlords who fail to address serious housing hazards, including damp, mould, faulty electrics, fire risks and structural issues. It also says the final Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) framework comes into force on 23 June, with the government aiming to support faster enforcement against unsafe rented homes.
The Housing Ombudsman has published a learning report on severe maladministration cases involving housing hazards, ahead of phase 2 of Awaab’s Law later this year. It highlights recurring failures to identify and act on early warning signs, with examples including unsafe drinking water, lead paint exposure, loss of heating and hot water, overheating and excess cold.
The Housing Ombudsman reports that Onward Homes has changed its procedures after a severe maladministration finding involving a vulnerable family left in poor conditions for nearly two years. The case involved damp, mould, mites and related structural issues, and the Ombudsman says it illustrates the need for landlords to identify and manage multiple hazards together as Awaab’s Law expands.
The government has set out a roadmap to modernise the home buying and selling process, with digital sales packs, property logbooks, digital ID checks, e-signatures and AI-assisted conveyancing at its core. The reforms also propose earlier binding conditional contracts, upfront information at listing, and a new code of practice and qualifications regime for estate agents, with implementation to be phased in over the current parliament.
Propertymark has called on the Home Office to simplify draft Right to Rent guidance, arguing that the current material is too complex for everyday lettings practice. The organisation says agents need clearer direction on liability, record-keeping, follow-up checks and when to use the Landlord Checking Service, alongside more practical tools for consistent application.
Paragon Bank reports a sharp rise in landlords remortgaging to release equity for property improvements, with borrowing for this purpose increasing 60% year on year. The article links this trend to anticipated compliance pressures from the Renters’ Rights Act and forthcoming energy-efficiency requirements, including the need for properties to reach EPC C or above by 2030.
The article highlights the scale of conveyancing fraud, citing 143 reported cases and £11.7 million in losses between April 2024 and March 2025. It argues that while firms increasingly verify identity and source of funds at onboarding, payment verification at the point of transfer remains weaker and is still vulnerable to email-based diversion fraud.
The article argues that the property sector has long recognised the need for earlier disclosure of key transaction information, but operational readiness remains the central challenge. It links current government reform proposals and recent guidance changes to a broader shift towards upfront information, while noting persistent concerns about liability, workflow, and implementation.
The Housing Ombudsman has published findings from two wider orders concerning pest infestations handled by Guinness Partnership and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Both landlords were required to carry out independent reviews, leading to changes in pest procedures, contractor oversight, escalation processes and staff training.
The article reports that 27% of tenants were served notice in the month before Section 21 no-fault evictions were abolished under the Renters’ Rights Act. It cites analysis from Coho suggesting landlords accelerated notices ahead of the change, with the company arguing this reflects increased risk management rather than eviction for its own sake.
The article compares residential and commercial property investment, highlighting differences in repair obligations, rent recovery, insurance and the legal frameworks that apply. It notes that residential landlords face tighter possession rules following recent reforms, while commercial leases often place more responsibility and enforcement options on tenants and landlords respectively.
The government has confirmed plans to require letting agents to be qualified and to operate under a new code of conduct as part of a wider package of housing market reforms. The same announcement also sets out proposals for digital sales packs, earlier binding agreements and greater use of digital tools to reduce transaction delays and fall-throughs.
