The article reports a sharp increase in rent guarantor applications following the first three months of the Renters Rights Act, with one supplier citing a 50% rise. It says landlords are using guarantors more often because they can no longer request more than one month’s rent upfront, while guarantor firms are also helping with KYC-related checks such as sanctions, PEPs and income verification.
BusinessLDN and CBRE argue that London’s rental and temporary accommodation pressures could be eased by attracting more institutional investment into new affordable rental homes. Their report calls for a pan-London delivery model, centralised procurement and updated subsidy arrangements to improve scheme viability and investor confidence.
Pymm & Co has acquired Starkings & Watson Lettings in Norfolk as part of a wider £1m investment plan and has also relocated to a larger Norwich office. The firm says recent legislative changes have increased workload and raised the need for better staffing, training and service standards in lettings.
The government has issued an updated guide to the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) for landlords and agents in England. The revisions simplify hazard categories, introduce baseline indicators, and update assessment and enforcement guidance, including civil penalties for non-compliance from 1 May 2026.
Propertymark has responded to two council consultations on proposed licensing and enforcement schemes, supporting action against negligent agents but arguing that enforcement should prioritise compliance improvement over revenue collection. It raised concerns about penalty levels, proportionality, and the need for clearer, plain-English guidance for landlords, agents and tenants.
Two rental market analyses indicate that UK rents are continuing to rise, with HomeLet reporting annual growth of 4.1% in August 2026 and Zoopla pointing to tightening supply and stronger demand. The data suggests further rent increases are likely over the coming months, with London remaining the most expensive and one of the fastest-growing markets.
Chestertons reports that London rental demand strengthened in August, with tenant enquiries up 13% year-on-year and new landlord instructions rising around 6%. The agency says some landlords had tested higher rents before the Renters Rights Act took effect, and that the market is now adjusting to the new rules, including restrictions on bidding above advertised rent.
The government has announced plans for HMRC’s Valuation Office Agency to take on initial decisions for rent increase challenges in England, replacing the current first step of applying to the First-tier Tribunal. However, the timing is uncertain because the change may need further legislation and will not take effect until a new service is developed.
Ministry of Justice tribunal data shows a sharp increase in property-related hearings, with 15,929 cases heard in the year to June 2026, up 24% on the previous year. The rise is concentrated in disputes likely linked to the private rented sector and leasehold homes, with the article pointing to the early impact of Renters Rights Act reforms.
Propertymark’s latest rental market snapshot shows rents falling in some regions, including the South East, London and Scotland, while most other UK regions recorded modest increases. Despite some monthly easing, affordability remains stretched, with London still requiring the highest representative salary to secure an average rental property.
The UK government plans a regional rollout of a new Private Rented Sector database in England from late 2026, requiring landlords of assured or regulated tenancies to register themselves and each property. The service will collect tenancy, property, and compliance information, including gas and electrical safety certificates and EPC data, with annual renewal fees and penalties for non-registration.
Propertymark is calling for clearer government guidance on how tenants can challenge rent increases under the Renters Rights Act, particularly around the First-tier Tribunal process. The article says rent increases are now governed by Section 13 of the Act, and that better guidance, forms and tribunal support are needed to reduce confusion for tenants, landlords and agents.
