The government is proposing changes to audit exemption rules that could remove the requirement for parent companies to guarantee subsidiaries’ debts. The aim is to reduce financial red tape for qualifying subsidiaries, although the article indicates this would alter a current condition for avoiding a separate audit.
Blackburn and Darwen Council says it will use strengthened enforcement powers to take tougher action against rogue landlords, including fines and faster court action where legal obligations are not met. The council links the crackdown to the Renters Rights Act and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, with officers continuing to inspect properties following complaints.
Wiltshire Council is launching a quarterly online landlord forum, with the first session focused on Phase 2 of the Renters Rights Act. The event will cover forthcoming legislative changes, landlord responsibilities, and practical steps for compliance, including the new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman and Private Landlord Database.
Knight Frank data indicates that prime London lettings remain constrained by a persistent supply shortage, with new listings below long-run averages and rents continuing to rise. The article links weaker landlord supply and reduced lettings activity to recent tax and legislative changes, including the Renters Rights Act, while noting stronger activity in higher-value and super-prime segments.
The New Homes Ombudsman received a sharp increase in complaints over the past year, with cases rising from 593 to 1,802 and a higher proportion of decisions favouring homeowners. The report also shows increased compensation awards, more early resolutions, and ongoing concerns about defects ranging from finish issues to more serious structural and fire-safety failures.
The government has said England’s short-lets register, covering Airbnb-style accommodation, is expected to be fully operational by March next year and is likely to be mandatory. The article also notes that Scotland and Northern Ireland already have similar schemes, while Wales is introducing a visitor accommodation register from next month.
The government says England’s register for Airbnb-style short-term lets is expected to be fully operational by March next year and is likely to be mandatory. The article notes that similar schemes already operate in Scotland and Northern Ireland, while Wales is introducing a comparable visitor accommodation register from next month.
The New Homes Ombudsman Service has reported a sharp rise in formal complaints about new-build properties, with complaints more than tripling year on year and homeowners receiving a higher proportion of favourable decisions. Defects and snagging remain the dominant issues, including cases involving damp, mould, structural problems and fire safety-related defects, while the report also notes that a significant share of new homes still falls outside the scheme.
The article discusses Bamboo Proptech’s defence of modern method of auction (MMoA), which it describes as a conditional auction built around transparency and trust. It outlines the process, including reservation fees, completion timelines and the circumstances in which fees may be refunded, amid criticism from conveyancers and others about disclosure and buyer protections.
The Law Society has criticised the SRA’s proposed changes to first-tier complaints handling, arguing they may add administrative burden without clear consumer benefit. The consultation follows record complaint volumes and concerns from the Legal Ombudsman about poor complaints handling in a significant share of cases, while the Law Society also highlights the growing impact of AI-assisted complaints.
CILEX has raised concerns about proposed increases to Legal Ombudsman fees, warning that a tiered charging structure could encourage firms to make unwarranted payments to complainants to avoid higher costs. The consultation also proposes stricter admissibility thresholds and new timing rules, while the Law Society has separately warned the changes could reduce confidence in the complaints process.
The article argues that the Government’s planned High Value Council Tax Surcharge, branded by the author as a mansion tax, will create significant valuation and administrative challenges for high-value homes in England from April 2028. It highlights likely disputes over threshold-based valuations, the potential need for internal inspections, and the burden this could place on surveyors, valuers, lawyers and tribunals.
