The Environment Agency has updated its low risk waste positions for certain animal and animal waste activities, including withdrawals, replacements and a minor clarification to one position. The guidance emphasises that operators must check whether an LRWP remains in force and comply with any conditions, including where regulatory position statements now apply.
The Land Registry has updated Practice Guide 67 to clarify when evidence of identity is required and how it should be provided. The amendment specifically states that identity evidence is required for the person or company on whose behalf the excepted party acts.
Haringey Council publicised a Rent Repayment Order after a First-tier Tribunal found a landlord had operated an unlicensed HMO and ordered repayment of £7,884.84 plus fees. The case arose from reports of mould, fire hazards and a collapsed ceiling, and the Tribunal noted a previous RRO involving another property, suggesting repeated non-compliance.
The government has announced a new supported scheme intended to help consumers identify trusted builders and reduce losses from rogue operators. The measures include an Approved Code for higher standards of service, transparency and dispute resolution, plus milestone-based payment protections during building projects.
The Environment Agency has issued a Regulatory Position Statement (RPS 377) covering large producers that stop performing producer functions and the related requirement to register and report data. It confirms that the underlying legal obligations remain in place, but the regulator will not normally take enforcement action where the RPS conditions are met.
A Lewisham landlord and her husband have been fined and ordered to pay compensation after a court found they illegally evicted and harassed a tenant. The case followed a council prosecution and involved removal of locks, threats, and loss of the tenant’s belongings, with the tenant later requiring hospital treatment.
An analysis of 144 English councils suggests planning refusals for HMOs have more than doubled over the past five years, alongside tighter licensing and wider use of Article 4 directions. The article argues that while councils are targeting poor-quality accommodation, blanket restrictions may also be reducing the supply of well-managed shared housing.
The NRLA has warned that increased reliance on letting agents, driven by the complexity of the Renters’ Rights Act and wider PRS regulation, may expose landlords to unqualified or poorly informed agency staff. It is calling for minimum education and training standards for agency personnel, arguing that current proposals are too slow and that professional competence is needed now.
Paragon Bank reports that many HMO landlords are continuing to invest heavily in their properties despite higher costs, tax pressures and increasing regulation. The article says planned spending is focused on upgrades, compliance, fire safety and energy efficiency, with landlords taking a long-term view of the sector.
Spicerhaart has partnered with Rex Software to develop a bespoke property management platform following a five-year £1.7 million investment. The system is intended to improve operational efficiency and help the business respond to increasing compliance demands, including changes associated with the Renters’ Rights Act.
Rotherham Council is consulting on proposed licensing-related policies aimed at strengthening action against landlords and letting agents who breach housing law. The proposals cover how penalties would be calculated, the range of enforcement responses, and what support may help landlords and agents comply, with the consultation open until Thursday 8 October.
The article raises concerns that anti-money laundering requirements may be creating disproportionate friction for legitimate homebuyers, particularly migrants who have legally moved to Britain. It suggests that compliance checks can delay or complicate transactions even where there is no indication of wrongdoing.
