The article reports that, four months after the Renters Rights Act came into force, letting agents are seeing landlords become more cautious about tenant selection. The main drivers cited are reduced confidence in the courts, concerns about possession under the new regime, and the removal of Section 21, with many agents also reporting falling rental supply as landlords sell properties.
The article reports a rise in cannabis farm incidents and associated property damage, with insurers and fire services highlighting significant repair costs, vacancy periods and safety risks for landlords. It notes that organised criminal groups are increasingly using vacant commercial premises and disguising operations as legitimate businesses, making detection more difficult at the letting stage.
The article reports that fires caused by faulty electrical installations in England have reached a 16-year high, rising to 2,575 in the year ending March 2026 despite overall fire numbers falling. It highlights concerns about ageing or untested fixed wiring and argues that Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) are an important preventative measure, particularly in rented housing.
Ministry of Justice residential tribunal statistics show a 24% year-on-year increase in residential property cases in England over the year to the end of June, with a sharper 56% rise in Q2 to 4,613 cases. The article suggests the increase may be linked to Renters’ Rights Act reforms that came into force in May, with particular attention on rent review cases and tribunal capacity.
Propertymark has responded to two council consultations on proposed licensing and enforcement schemes, supporting action against negligent agents but arguing that enforcement should prioritise compliance improvement over revenue collection. It raised concerns about penalty levels, proportionality, and the need for clearer, plain-English guidance for landlords, agents and tenants.
Generation Rent says the planned landlord database does not go far enough and has identified several gaps, including the absence of eviction notice records, enforcement history, deposit protection details and accessibility information. The database is due to roll out regionally from late this year to autumn 2027, and the group is pressing for broader tenant-facing information and stronger transparency.
Bolsover Council is hosting the East Midlands Housing Conference 2026 to help landlords, letting agents and housing professionals understand the practical implications of the Renters Rights Act. The event will feature legal and sector experts delivering keynote talks and workshops focused on preparing for the reforms.
Campaigners say there is still no clear timetable for ending the leasehold system, despite repeated government commitments to reform it. The article highlights concerns that leaseholders continue to face uncertainty and rising costs while ministers say legislation will come soon but will take time because the issue is complex.
The Housing Ombudsman’s Annual Complaints Review for 2025-26 reports that more landlords are resolving complaints earlier, with lower uphold rates and increases in findings of no maladministration and reasonable redress. However, severe maladministration remains a concern, particularly in responsive repairs cases involving damp, mould, leaks and windows.
Bristol council has issued its first civil penalty notice under a strengthened enforcement policy, fining a portfolio landlord £13,090 for an alleged failure to licence an HMO under the city’s additional licensing scheme. The case illustrates how councils can now use higher civil penalties for housing-related offences, with the landlord also facing the possibility of a Rent Repayment Order and a tribunal appeal if the notice is finalised.
Southampton Council says it is investigating 30 private rental sector cases and expects to issue significant civil penalties over the next three to six months under new Renters Rights Act powers. The authority has also received additional government funding and is using multiple data sources, including licensing records and HM Land Registry data, to identify potential enforcement targets.
The government has announced a new landlord registration service as part of Renters’ Rights Act reforms, with rollout beginning on 15 December in the West Midlands and expanding nationally over the next 12 months. Landlords who fail to register could face fines of up to £7,000, and registration numbers will need to appear on property adverts; future phases may also require registration of vacant properties before marketing.
