A Goodlord snap poll suggests landlords are experiencing greater difficulty regaining possession since the abolition of Section 21 evictions under the Renters’ Rights Act. The report also indicates landlords are responding with tighter tenant vetting, while many are facing higher compliance, insurance and letting costs.
A London landlord has been ordered by the First-tier Tribunal to repay nearly £8,000 in rent after operating an unlicensed HMO. The case followed Haringey council enforcement action and involved serious disrepair concerns, including mould, a collapsed ceiling and inadequate fire safety measures.
The article argues that landlords are facing increasing pressure from negative public sentiment, rising operating costs and a changing regulatory environment. It highlights concerns that measures linked to the Renters’ Rights Act, the planned PRS Database and a future PRS Landlord Ombudsman could contribute to landlords leaving the private rented sector or passing on costs through higher rents.
A landlord survey suggests that while many investors still view residential property as a sound long-term asset, confidence in the private rental sector has weakened. Most landlords plan to hold their portfolios steady over the next year, but a notable minority expect to reduce holdings or exit the market, with taxation identified as the main barrier to further investment.
Research cited in the article suggests most landlords intend to hold rather than expand their portfolios over the next year, with only 3.9% planning to buy more property. While many still view residential property as a strong long-term investment, confidence is being weighed down by taxation, regulation, and wider financial pressures.
A BBC investigation alleges serious misconduct by a letting agent and his agency, including failure to return tenant deposits, unpaid rent owed to landlords, and concerns that deposits may not have been placed in a regulated scheme. The report also references staff departures and an alleged cannabis farm tenancy at one of the managed properties.
A poll reported by Goodlord suggests many letting agents are increasing fees to landlords and facing higher compliance workloads following the Renters Rights Act. The article also says possession is becoming more difficult after the abolition of Section 21, with longer Section 8 processes and court delays adding to landlord and agent pressures.
A Goodlord snap poll suggests landlords are finding it harder to regain possession since Section 21 evictions were abolished under the Renters Rights Act in May. The article says Section 8 is now the only route to possession, with longer notice periods and court delays adding to the time and administrative burden, alongside rising compliance costs and more cautious tenant vetting.
The Regulator of Social Housing has published new regulatory judgements for four housing associations, including two consumer upgrades from C2 to C1 for Livin Housing Limited and Community Gateway Association Limited. Amplius Living received a C2 judgement, with RSH noting strengths in health and safety systems but weaknesses in repairs, communication and compliance with the increased damp and mould requirements linked to Awaab’s Law.
Agents are being reminded to understand the new Ground 4A mandatory possession ground for qualifying student HMOs. The article explains the eligibility conditions, notice requirements and transitional arrangements under the Renters Rights Act, noting that the standard four-month notice period now applies to new notices.
The article explains that the first academic year under the Renters’ Rights Act is creating practical issues for student landlords, particularly around possession timing for Houses in Multiple Occupation. Propertymark says the temporary transitional arrangements for Ground 4A have now passed, so landlords and agents who did not act within the 2026 window are unlikely to secure possession under that route for the remaining year.
A landlord’s £7,500 penalty for failing to remedy serious electrical safety defects within the required timeframe has been upheld by a court. The case involved multiple EICR defects, delayed remedial works, and council enforcement action following a tenant complaint about damp and mould.
