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.
Swindon Council is urging landlords and property owners in the town centre to improve the external condition of their buildings and surrounding areas ahead of a targeted clean-up effort in late August. The council says it may consider formal enforcement action where properties continue to negatively affect the local environment.
Greenwich Council is consulting on a major expansion of its selective licensing scheme, with plans to extend coverage from five wards to up to 18 wards, potentially affecting around 70% of the borough. The council says the existing scheme has improved safety standards, reduced hazards and anti-social behaviour, and it has inspected 622 licensed properties and helped resolve 2,103 hazards since the start of 2025.
Tamworth Council has launched a consultation on introducing additional licensing for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), citing a rise in new four-bedroom HMOs and concern that the true number of smaller HMOs is under-recorded. The council says the scheme would support proactive inspections and stronger enforcement to improve safety, management and compliance standards.
The National Residential Landlords Association has intensified its opposition to rent controls, arguing that they would reduce rental supply and harm tenants. It says government should instead prioritise enforcement against rogue landlords and ensure the Renters’ Rights Act can be implemented effectively through a functioning justice system.
A SpareRoom survey of 5,607 tenants found strong support for rent controls, even among many who accept that such measures could reduce landlord numbers and push rents higher over time. The article links tenant support to recent rent increases and affordability pressures, particularly in London, and argues that controls would not address the underlying supply shortage.
The article reports the NRLA chief executive’s response to Andy Burnham’s stance on housing, warning against rent controls and additional regulatory burdens in the private rented sector. It also notes the NRLA’s welcome for Angela Rayner’s return as Housing Secretary, alongside calls for stronger enforcement and practical implementation of the Renters Rights Act.
Ealing Council is consulting on renewing its licensing scheme for smaller HMOs for a further five years, to 2032, after reporting significant numbers of hazards and enforcement actions in the sector. The council says inspections have uncovered serious safety issues, including a fire risk in a shared flat, and that the scheme has helped identify unlicensed properties and bring them into regulation.
Hertsmere Council is consulting on updated amenity standards for HMOs, covering room sizes, communal facilities, refuse and recycling arrangements, garden upkeep and inspection frequency. The draft also reflects updated legislation and adds expectations around fire and gas safety precautions.
The article reports on Rent Smart Wales encouraging private landlords and letting agents to complete hate crime awareness training and to help tenants report hate crimes, with consent preferred but not required according to the excerpt. It frames this within the Welsh Government’s Anti-racism Wales Action Plan and associated support campaigns and training resources.
A Labour MP has introduced a Private Member’s Bill aimed at tightening regulation of short-term lets such as Airbnb. The proposal would give local councils powers to license all short lets, set health and safety standards, limit letting days, restrict them in certain areas, and penalise anti-social behaviour, with a Commons second reading scheduled for 11 September.
Auction activity has increased markedly, with more lots offered and sold across the UK in June, alongside a higher total value of property transacted. The article suggests some landlords may be reviewing portfolios in response to the Renters Rights Act, while buyer demand for auction stock remains steady.
