A lettings agent in East Anglia has admitted 19 fraud offences after scamming landlords and tenants out of nearly £49,000 over a prolonged period. She received a suspended prison sentence and unpaid work, while police are pursuing confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act to seek compensation for victims.
A software provider has warned that a significant share of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax products listed by HMRC cannot yet file the final annual tax return, even if they can submit quarterly updates. The article notes that landlords and agents should check software capability carefully, as the tax return function is a key part of compliance and not all products support the full range of income types.
The government’s impact assessment for extending Awaab’s Law to private rented tenancies forecasts continued growth in England’s private rental sector, rising from 4.827 million households in 2026 to an estimated 5.378 million by 2035. It also notes uncertainty around landlord numbers due to limited recent data, while suggesting the sector may consolidate to support remediation work at scale.
Propertymark is advising letting agents that rent increase proposals must be supported by robust evidence, accurate property descriptions and clear records of condition. Recent First-tier Tribunal decisions in several locations show that tribunals place greater weight on comparable evidence from completed lettings, detailed property characteristics and proof of inspection or repairs.
Pegasus Insight research indicates that use of letting agents has risen to a two-year high, with 66% of rental properties now using an agent for some or all of the letting process. The increase is being driven mainly by demand for full management services as landlords respond to a more complex regulatory environment, including the Renters Rights Act and wider compliance pressures.
Propertymark has issued a new guide for letting agents on handling pet requests in rented homes, with practical advice on fair decision-making, record-keeping and dispute reduction. The article highlights differing rules across the UK, including new tenant rights in England under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and pet protections in Scotland under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025.
Room rents across most of the UK have reached record highs, while supply of flatshare rooms has fallen 4.7% year on year. The article links rising rents and shrinking supply to wider rental market pressures, including landlord exits, compliance concerns and local authority action on HMOs.
Savills reports that prime rents have continued to rise in London and selected regional markets, with Prime Central London showing its strongest quarterly rental growth in two years. The article links tighter supply and landlord caution to the Renters Rights Act, alongside tax and mortgage cost pressures, while noting that affordability is limiting the pace of further increases.
The Property Ombudsman has expelled three registered businesses after they failed to pay compensation awards following upheld complaints. The cases involved tenancy management, survey/report delivery and landlord account handling, with the Ombudsman stressing that awards are binding and compliance is essential to consumer confidence.
Exeter City Council is hosting a free Rent Smart Devon event at Exeter Racecourse for letting agents and landlords, focused on current issues in the private rental sector. The programme includes practical sessions, exhibitor stands and opportunities to ask questions about the Renters Rights Act.
The article reports that London rental growth has outpaced house price growth in most boroughs since the start of the year, with average rents rising while average house prices have edged down overall. It highlights particularly strong rental growth in boroughs such as Camden and Islington, alongside weaker sales market performance across much of the capital.
Chestertons has appointed Jordana Miles as Head of Short Lets as it reports stronger activity across its lettings business. The agency says tenant demand, move-ins and landlord instructions have all risen, with short lets seeing particular interest from corporate clients, relocating tenants and owners whose properties have not sold quickly.
