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.
The Regulator of Social Housing is considering compulsory de-registration of Easy Housing Association after concluding that the provider has persistently failed to meet governance, financial viability and rent standard requirements. RSH has extended statutory board appointments for a further three months while it considers next steps and seeks to protect tenants’ interests.
HMRC has introduced a broader sanctionable conduct regime that can penalise tax advisers who intentionally facilitate tax underpayment and can also compel production of files where there are reasonable grounds to suspect misconduct. The article focuses on how this affects conveyancers handling SDLT work, emphasising the importance of contemporaneous records, clear reasoning and client approval trails.
Florence Eshalomi has been appointed a minister in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government after previously chairing the housing select committee. The article says she has supported stronger tenant protections, earlier implementation of the Decent Homes Standard in the private rented sector, and a faster rollout of Awaab’s Law and the Private Rented Sector Database.
The Legal Ombudsman’s 2025/26 annual report shows a 37% rise in complaints overall, with residential conveyancing accounting for 73% of the increase. The main drivers were delays, poor communication and post-completion registration issues, which the LeO says point to broader service breakdowns and weak complaint handling rather than isolated technical mistakes.
Chestertons reports that some landlords have already increased asking rents following the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act, with more than a third reportedly lifting initial prices. The firm says landlords are seeking to build in leeway because they can no longer accept offers above the asking rent, while tenants are taking more time to compare options.
The article reports on Propertymark’s response to the government consultation on the proposed High Value Council Tax Surcharge (HVCTS), often described as a mansion tax. Propertymark says key issues remain unresolved, particularly around valuation methodology, liability for rented homes, enforcement and local authority resourcing, ahead of a planned April 2028 introduction for properties in England valued at £2 million or more.
The Planning Inspectorate has published non-statutory advice on how application documents and supporting information for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects should be prepared, organised and submitted. The guidance sits alongside the Planning Act 2008, the APFP Regulations 2009 and related government guidance, with emphasis on complete, well-developed applications that meet acceptance requirements before examination.
The Planning Inspectorate has published non-statutory advice on pre-application Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). It explains how the EIA process under the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 and the Planning Act 2008 should be handled before a Development Consent Order application is submitted, including screening, scoping and the use of the Rochdale Envelope.
The Open Property Data Association is urging property-sector organisations to respond to the government’s Smart Data Multi-Sector Call for Evidence. The consultation will help shape future policy, scheme design and possible regulation for smart data sharing, including in property transactions.
The Housing Secretary has said the government is not considering rent controls in England, arguing that recent rental reforms are already affecting the market. The article also notes that Scotland’s temporary rent controls have expired, with new powers expected to allow designated rent control areas from 2027.
The article explains the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) process in England and Wales, including how Development Consent Orders are used for major projects and how applications are examined and decided. It outlines the roles of the applicant, the Planning Inspectorate, the Examining Authority and the Secretary of State, and notes that the process typically takes around 17 months.
