Haringey Council has highlighted a successful Rent Repayment Order after a tenant recovered nearly £8,000 from a landlord who operated an unlicensed HMO in Muswell Hill. The case involved reported mould, disrepair, and fire safety failings, and the tribunal found the property required a licence throughout the tenancy.
A lettings agent reported by the BBC for allegedly withholding tenant deposits and failing to pass rent to landlords is also said to have incorrectly used Propertymark-related initials on a LinkedIn profile. The article notes that Trading Standards has been informed and that Companies House records show an active strike-off proposal against the business.
The article provides a practical reminder for conveyancers on anti-money laundering controls, including the need for practice-wide, client and matter risk assessments. It outlines the main due diligence levels under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 and highlights the importance of sanctions and PEP screening, supported by ongoing monitoring and audit trails.
New research cited by the NRLA suggests that two thirds of rental homes in England and Wales are now managed by letting agents, the highest level in two years. The association says growing complexity in the rental market, including the Renters’ Rights Act and further regulation, is driving greater reliance on agents and increasing concern about unqualified operators.
The Property Care Association has launched a new membership route for contractors specialising in spray foam insulation removal, aiming to improve standards, auditing and consumer protection in a growing but largely unregulated sector. The move responds to concerns about poor installation, moisture-related defects, lender caution and the risk of scams targeting homeowners.
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.
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.
This opinion piece argues that the Renters Rights Act is forcing letting agents to rethink their business models rather than wait for market conditions to improve. It recommends three responses: acquiring stock, strengthening lead generation, and creating new paid services to support landlords with compliance and related needs.
The article reports that impersonation scams are becoming more costly, with Lloyds data showing a rise in average losses and criminals increasingly using AI-inspired tactics to exploit trust. An AML specialist argues that verification and identity-checking processes are not keeping pace with modern fraud, creating both financial and legal exposure for regulated firms.
The article reports rising losses from impersonation scams, with criminals increasingly using sophisticated tactics and AI-enabled methods to bypass verification checks. An AML expert argues that current identity and compliance controls are not keeping pace, creating both financial harm and legal exposure for regulated firms.
The Scottish Government has said a review into whether Scottish councils can remain impartial when approving their own building projects is due to conclude in October. The study will assess how effectively Scotland’s pre-emptive building standards system secures compliance with building regulations.
The Environment Agency says the Kidlington illegal waste site in Oxfordshire has now been fully cleared, with more than 22,000 tonnes of mixed commercial and household waste removed. The operation forms part of a wider government crackdown on waste crime, alongside enforcement action, permit suspensions and ongoing criminal investigations.
