The article reports that The Letting Partnership believes tenancy deposit reform in England and Wales is overlooking the issue of dormant or unclaimed deposits, which it estimates could total around £750 million. It notes that Scotland already has legislation for dormant tenancy deposits and suggests England and Wales could adopt a similar framework to improve transparency and governance.
Ealing Council is inviting landlords and tenants to a free workshop on how HMOs affect local communities and neighbourhoods. The event runs alongside a consultation on whether to extend additional licensing for smaller HMOs for a further five years from April 2027.
LRG reports that most tenants are unaware of professional guarantor services, despite these becoming more relevant in the rental application process. The research also suggests landlords are increasingly likely to ask for guarantors where affordability is marginal, with rent guarantee insurance emerging as a growing alternative.
The article reports a call for the government to address an estimated £750m in unclaimed tenancy deposits held within the deposit protection system. It argues that England and Wales lack a clear legislative framework for dormant deposits, unlike Scotland, and that this creates a policy and transparency gap ahead of wider tenancy deposit reform.
New research based on HMRC rental income statistics suggests that costs for unincorporated landlords have risen much faster than rental income over the past five years. The largest expense remains finance costs, with repairs and maintenance also a significant and growing burden, while the article argues that current tax treatment disadvantages individual landlords compared with company ownership.
An analysis of 144 English councils suggests planning refusals for HMOs have more than doubled over the past five years, alongside tighter licensing and wider use of Article 4 directions. The article argues that while councils are targeting poor-quality accommodation, blanket restrictions may also be reducing the supply of well-managed shared housing.
Tribunal activity over market rent disputes has risen sharply since the Renters’ Rights Act came into force, with tenants bringing a growing share of cases. Legal commentators say the change is shifting the balance of power towards tenants and increasing the importance of evidence-based rent setting and strict procedural compliance.
The NRLA has warned that increased reliance on letting agents, driven by the complexity of the Renters’ Rights Act and wider PRS regulation, may expose landlords to unqualified or poorly informed agency staff. It is calling for minimum education and training standards for agency personnel, arguing that current proposals are too slow and that professional competence is needed now.
Rotherham Council is consulting on proposed licensing-related policies aimed at strengthening action against landlords and letting agents who breach housing law. The proposals cover how penalties would be calculated, the range of enforcement responses, and what support may help landlords and agents comply, with the consultation open until Thursday 8 October.
A lettings agent reported by the BBC for allegedly withholding tenant deposits and failing to pass rent to landlords is also said to have incorrectly used Propertymark-related initials on a LinkedIn profile. The article notes that Trading Standards has been informed and that Companies House records show an active strike-off proposal against the business.
New research cited by the NRLA suggests that two thirds of rental homes in England and Wales are now managed by letting agents, the highest level in two years. The association says growing complexity in the rental market, including the Renters’ Rights Act and further regulation, is driving greater reliance on agents and increasing concern about unqualified operators.
New research from Lomond suggests tenants are now spending 32.7% of annual income on rent, with average monthly rents up 4.3% year-on-year to £1,369. The article also highlights significant regional variation, with London rents well above the national average and continued demand for family-sized homes in some regions.
