Blackburn with Darwen Council has prosecuted three landlords after they ignored an Improvement Notice relating to serious hazards in a rented home, including damp and mould, lack of heating, electrical and fire risks, and structural concerns. The landlords were fined and ordered to complete the required remedial works, and the case will be reported to the Rogue Landlord Database.
County Durham Council secured a fine of more than £42,000 against Carter Property Services after the company was found guilty of 13 breaches of its Selective Licence across eight rented properties. The case involved serious management failures, including missed inspections, overdue gas safety certification and reports of extremely poor living conditions at one property.
Savills reports a widening gap between landlord and tenant expectations on rent levels in prime rental markets, with many landlords seeking increases to offset higher regulation, tax and borrowing costs. The firm says the Renters Rights Act is now a major concern for landlords, alongside the abolition of Section 21, and that this is contributing to rent growth and some stock moving to the sales market.
The chief executive of Generation Rent has stepped down after three years, saying the group helped secure the abolition of Section 21 no-fault evictions in England. The article frames this as a significant milestone for renters, while noting that the wider campaign for improved renting conditions continues.
Propertymark has issued guidance for agents handling the sale of former rental properties and tenanted homes under the Renters Rights Act. It highlights the use of mandatory possession Ground 1A for genuine sales, the 12-month restriction on serving notice for new tenancies, and the need to avoid implying that vacant possession is guaranteed.
Rightmove data indicates that rental supply fell below the previous year’s level in Q2 2026 for the first time in four years, with the total number of homes to rent now 1% lower year on year. The article links the shift to the implementation of the Renters Rights Act, while noting that tenant competition has eased from recent peaks and regional rental conditions remain uneven.
New data from the NRLA indicates that councils in England have increased property inspections under the Housing, Health and Safety Rating System, but are collecting only around a quarter of the fines issued to landlords for housing offences. The article also notes calls for greater transparency, including annual council reporting on private rented sector enforcement activity.
The article reports expectations of tougher enforcement against rogue landlords in the second half of 2026, driven by the Renters Rights Act and higher fines, alongside increased local authority enforcement funding. It also suggests contested evictions may take longer to resolve through the courts, adding pressure to the possession process.
TwentyEA’s latest analysis says Build To Rent homes continue to achieve a rental premium over mainstream private rented properties across most regions. The report also argues that while traditional buy-to-let stock has declined over the past decade, overall rental supply has risen, with Build To Rent helping to offset losses in conventional landlord-owned stock.
TwentyEA reports that around 850,000 private rented sector properties have left the UK market over the past decade, with the largest volume of former rental homes sold in 2025. Despite this, overall rental supply has risen to a seven-year high, supported in part by growth in Build to Rent and increased listings in 2026.
The Housing Ombudsman is stepping down at the end of the month, with Andrea Keenoy appointed as interim caretaker while a permanent replacement is sought. The article notes speculation that the role may be expanded in future to cover the landlord service ombudsman function proposed under the Renters Rights Act.
The new First Minister of Wales has set out a legislative programme that prioritises stronger rights for private renters, including measures aimed at improving affordability and restricting no-fault evictions. The agenda also includes a Community Right to Buy scheme and rural proofing provisions as part of a wider housing policy package.
