Slough Council has proposed introducing additional HMO and selective licensing schemes that could bring around 17,000 rental properties under new regulation for five years. The plans would extend licensing to smaller HMOs and other private rented homes, with a consultation running for 10 weeks and closing on 23 September.
The article reports that the first Making Tax Digital deadline is imminent, with concerns that many landlords and sole traders have not yet signed up or are unaware of the new requirements. It cites survey findings suggesting a significant proportion still need to register with HMRC and use approved software for quarterly returns.
The article argues that the Renters’ Rights Act is already affecting the rental market, with Foxtons reporting lower revenue and Savills saying landlords in prime London are raising rents to offset higher costs and administration. It also suggests the legislation is contributing to earlier tenant move-outs, an expectation gap between landlords and tenants, and some landlords considering selling rather than continuing to let.
Research cited by the NRLA suggests that English councils have increased property inspections under the Housing, Health and Safety Rating System, but are collecting only a small proportion of fines issued to landlords for housing offences. The article argues that weak fine recovery and limited transparency in enforcement are undermining confidence in the private rented sector.
A consumer panel has criticised the Council for Licensed Conveyancers over perceived regulatory gaps in referral fee arrangements linked to conveyancing and estate agency relationships. The debate has been reignited by concerns raised after a BBC Panorama investigation into Connells, with the CLC rejecting the criticism and saying it has sought to improve transparency and consumer protection.
The article reports that former Bank of England Deputy Governor Sir John Gieve has backed the case for a Land Value Tax, arguing that existing property taxes such as Council Tax and Stamp Duty are outdated and distortive. It also notes that any reform would likely need to be phased in over three to five years, with potential implications for higher-value markets such as London and the South East.
A London landlord and associated letting agencies have lost an appeal at the First-tier Property Tribunal over penalties linked to non-compliance with Waltham Forest’s selective licensing scheme. The tribunal upheld £105,000 in fines across six test properties, rejecting arguments about licence duration, liability, and alleged double punishment.
Accountants are warning that many taxpayers, including landlords, misunderstand the new Making Tax Digital for Income Tax requirements ahead of the first quarterly submission deadline on 7 August. The scheme now requires qualifying taxpayers to keep digital records and file quarterly updates using compatible software, with wider rollout thresholds set to bring more landlords into scope over time.
An industry coalition has criticised the Land Registry’s implementation of Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES), arguing that current guidance contains fundamental flaws and is slowing adoption in conveyancing. The letter says the inability to mix signature types is limiting use, while HM Land Registry says it expects uptake to rise and is open to exploring temporary options to accelerate adoption.
Landlords in Scotland are reportedly facing long delays of eight to 12 months to obtain possession orders through the housing tribunal, with legal costs potentially reaching around £10,000 before cases are resolved. The article says these delays, alongside rising costs and regulation, are contributing to some landlords selling up and reducing rental supply.
Hamptons reports that landlord sales have slowed after the Renters’ Rights Act, with more landlord purchases than sales recorded in June for the first time since 2019. The research suggests the new 12-month re-letting ban after serving notice to sell may be making landlords more cautious, particularly where sales are slower and failed sales are more common, such as in flats and in London and the South.
The article reports criticism from the Conservatives of Andy Burnham’s proposed property tax reforms, including a land value tax and a flat annual levy to replace Council Tax and Stamp Duty. Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride argues the proposals would amount to a significant tax rise for family homes and would require regular valuation of millions of properties, creating uncertainty and disputes.
