The Regulator of Social Housing has updated its Gradings Under Review list, showing a number of landlords being added or removed as investigations progress and regulatory judgements are published. The text indicates the regulator is examining possible serious failings against the Governance and Financial Viability Standard, with outcomes to be confirmed in due course.
The article reports a dispute over rent controls, with activists accusing Housing Secretary Angela Rayner of misrepresenting the effect of the Renters Rights Act on rents. It says the London Renters Union argues rents are still rising sharply and that tribunal-based protections do not prevent market rents increasing, while Rayner has said rent controls are unnecessary and off the table.
SpareRoom reports that room rental supply in inner London fell by 5% in Q2 2026, marking the first negative growth after a three-year period of expansion. The article links the decline to the Renters Rights Act coming into effect and notes that supply is now falling across most of London, with the sharpest drops in north-west and south-west areas.
West Lancashire Council has confirmed that an environmental impact assessment will be required for Northern Trust’s proposed outline residential scheme for 360 homes in Aughton. The site lies within the Green Belt on land described as a mix of grade one agricultural land and urban classification, and the proposal is at screening stage with no detailed plans yet submitted.
Liverpool FC’s application to make the closure of Anfield Road behind the expanded Anfield Road stand permanent was refused by Liverpool City Council’s planning committee, despite an officer recommendation to approve. The committee instead backed concerns about traffic flow, residential amenity and environmental nuisance, and also asked for a highways report to be taken to cabinet.
Far East Orchard and HG Construction have secured Gateway 2 approval for the 239-studio Apex purpose-built student accommodation scheme in Manchester, allowing construction to begin. The project is the developer’s first in the city and is expected to complete by 2028, subject to delivery progress.
The High Court has refused Stockport Council permission to challenge a Planning Inspectorate decision that allowed an appeal for 540 homes at Woodford Garden Village. The council has been ordered to pay costs, although a further oral hearing is still due later this year.
The Regulator of Social Housing has highlighted good governance as central to delivering more and better social homes, based on themes from its latest regulatory casework review. The review draws on inspections and responsive work with housing associations, private registered providers and councils, and stresses tenant safety, sound finances, value for money and quality data as key priorities.
The Open Property Data Association is urging property industry participants to respond to the Government’s Smart Data Multi-Sector Call for Evidence, which could shape future data-sharing schemes and regulatory proposals. The consultation sits alongside the Home Buying and Selling Roadmap and is intended to support faster, more certain property transactions through secure data access and common standards.
Chestertons says landlords have begun increasing initial asking rents in response to the Renters’ Rights Act, with more than a third reportedly lifting prices in the early months after the legislation. The firm also reports that tenants are comparing more properties and that demand in London remains resilient despite the change in market behaviour.
Glenbrook has advanced reserved matters applications for Meridian 6, a 45-acre industrial estate in Ashton-in-Makerfield, following outline approval at appeal by the Planning Inspectorate. The first occupier, Dino Decking, has agreed to take a 60,500 sq ft freehold unit, while two further applications cover a seven-unit scheme and a larger single warehouse building.
London Square has reported increased losses, which the company attributes to unprecedented strain linked to delays in building safety processes. The article notes that the reported figure does not necessarily reflect the underlying profitability of the business.
