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Monitor Today`s Conveyancer 18 Aug 2026

Rayner announces ‘default yes’ to development plans near public transport in England

The government has announced proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework to support a 'default yes' approach for housing development near well-connected public transport stations in England, including some greenbelt locations. The reforms also aim to speed up planning decisions, strengthen support for housing and infrastructure, and introduce a national minimum of 40% accessible homes on major developments.

Planning Housing Market Regulation

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Monitor Today`s Conveyancer 18 Aug 2026

LSB approves SRA’s draft rules to separate COLP and COFA roles from owners

The Legal Services Board has approved SRA rule changes that separate compliance officer roles from senior managers and owners in higher-risk law firms. The new framework is intended to strengthen accountability, with phased implementation beginning in January 2027 and annual submissions for client money firms due from April 2027.

Conveyancing Regulation Legal Updates

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Monitor Today`s Conveyancer 18 Aug 2026

More than 14m people live in ‘legal aid desert’, new report reveals

New research from LexisNexis indicates that 14.49 million people in England and Wales live in areas classed as legal aid deserts, with housing among the most affected practice areas. The report says access gaps remain concentrated in rural, coastal and semi-rural authorities, and that many of the weakest areas identified in 2022 have not improved.

Legal Updates Housing Market Landlord Issues

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Monitor The Negotiator 18 Aug 2026

Mansion Tax increases predicted in upcoming Budget

The article reports speculation that the forthcoming Budget could increase the High Value Council Tax Surcharge, also referred to as the Mansion Tax, beyond the rates previously announced for properties worth £2 million or more in England. It also suggests possible changes to Capital Gains Tax that could affect landlords, while noting that a Stamp Duty cut appears unlikely.

Valuation Housing Market Landlord Issues

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Monitor Construction News 18 Aug 2026

Construction insolvencies tick up for second consecutive month

Official Insolvency Service figures show that construction insolvencies rose for a second consecutive month. The sector remains the worst affected, with rolling annual insolvencies reported as 50% higher than a decade ago.

Finance & Lending Regulation Building Safety

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High Impact Letting Agent Today 18 Aug 2026

Compliance red tape set to cost agents tens of thousands a year

The article says updated HMRC anti-money laundering guidance and changes to the Money Laundering Regulations are likely to impose significant operational and staffing costs on estate agency branches. It argues that compliance now requires a dedicated function, with risks of criminal penalties where firms fail to maintain and implement proper risk assessments, controls and procedures.

Regulation Compliance Legal Updates

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Monitor Landlord Today 18 Aug 2026

What you should do if you missed Making Tax Digital deadline

HMRC says more than 400,000 sole traders, landlords and small business owners missed the first Making Tax Digital for Income Tax deadline. The article explains the current reporting requirements, the soft-landing period for late quarterly updates in 2026/27, and the planned expansion of the regime to lower income thresholds from next year.

Regulation Landlord Issues Compliance

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Monitor Letting Agent Today 18 Aug 2026

Royal rental properties fail energy efficiency rules

An investigation has found that more than 100 homes across the royal estates of King Charles and Prince William do not meet current EPC requirements, with around 20% of the sampled domestic lets rated F or G. The article notes that some properties may fall outside the scope of current MEES rules because of tenancy type or start date, while others appear to rely on exemptions or regulatory gaps.

Energy & Retrofit Lettings Compliance

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Monitor Landlord Today 18 Aug 2026

Council launches ‘intelligence led’ crackdown on landlords

Lewisham Council has launched an intelligence-led taskforce to target non-compliant landlords in the private rented sector, using data, local intelligence and targeted inspections. The council says the approach will focus on licensed and suspected unlicensed properties, with enforcement action including civil penalties, statutory notices and prosecution where justified.

Landlord Issues Compliance Housing Market

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Monitor Place North West 17 Aug 2026

Stockport, Lancaster, Chorley fail Housing Delivery Test

Government Housing Delivery Test results show that Stockport, Lancaster and Chorley have fallen below required delivery levels, triggering stronger planning consequences including a presumption in favour of approval for qualifying housing schemes, action plans and a 20% housing land supply buffer. Manchester, Trafford, Liverpool and Bolton also underperformed against housing need and will face additional planning requirements, while other North West councils met the test.

Housing Market Planning Regulation

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Monitor Estate Agent Today 18 Aug 2026

Branches face £45,000 compliance cost every year – warning

The article warns that anti-money laundering (AML) compliance is becoming a significant ongoing cost for estate agency branches, with an estimated annual burden of £45,000 per branch. It suggests AML can no longer be treated as a minor or peripheral task within agency operations.

Regulation Compliance Estate Agency

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Monitor Regulator of Social Housing 18 Aug 2026

RSH adds Rentplus Homes Limited to gradings under review list

The Regulator of Social Housing has added Rentplus Homes Limited to its gradings under review list while it investigates possible serious failings related to the Governance and Financial Viability Standard. The landlord, based in Milton Keynes, has fewer than 1,000 social housing units and therefore does not hold a formal grade.

Regulation Landlord Issues Compliance

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