The article reports the NRLA chief executive’s response to Andy Burnham’s stance on housing, warning against rent controls and additional regulatory burdens in the private rented sector. It also notes the NRLA’s welcome for Angela Rayner’s return as Housing Secretary, alongside calls for stronger enforcement and practical implementation of the Renters Rights Act.
Hertsmere Council is consulting on updated amenity standards for HMOs, covering room sizes, communal facilities, refuse and recycling arrangements, garden upkeep and inspection frequency. The draft also reflects updated legislation and adds expectations around fire and gas safety precautions.
Manchester councillors are urging the government to devolve powers to test private rent controls in the city, with the proposal framed as a potential pilot for a wider national scheme. The debate cites affordability pressures in the private rented sector and references the Renters Rights Act as part of the policy context.
Savills reports a widening gap between landlord and tenant expectations on rent levels in prime rental markets, with many landlords seeking increases to offset higher regulation, tax and borrowing costs. The firm says the Renters Rights Act is now a major concern for landlords, alongside the abolition of Section 21, and that this is contributing to rent growth and some stock moving to the sales market.
Propertymark has issued guidance for agents handling the sale of former rental properties and tenanted homes under the Renters Rights Act. It highlights the use of mandatory possession Ground 1A for genuine sales, the 12-month restriction on serving notice for new tenancies, and the need to avoid implying that vacant possession is guaranteed.
Rightmove data indicates that rental supply fell below the previous year’s level in Q2 2026 for the first time in four years, with the total number of homes to rent now 1% lower year on year. The article links the shift to the implementation of the Renters Rights Act, while noting that tenant competition has eased from recent peaks and regional rental conditions remain uneven.
The article reports expectations of tougher enforcement against rogue landlords in the second half of 2026, driven by the Renters Rights Act and higher fines, alongside increased local authority enforcement funding. It also suggests contested evictions may take longer to resolve through the courts, adding pressure to the possession process.
TwentyEA reports that around 850,000 private rented sector properties have left the UK market over the past decade, with the largest volume of former rental homes sold in 2025. Despite this, overall rental supply has risen to a seven-year high, supported in part by growth in Build to Rent and increased listings in 2026.
The new First Minister of Wales has set out a legislative programme that prioritises stronger rights for private renters, including measures aimed at improving affordability and restricting no-fault evictions. The agenda also includes a Community Right to Buy scheme and rural proofing provisions as part of a wider housing policy package.
Hamptons data suggests landlord exits from the private rented sector are most concentrated in London and the South of England, where higher prices, lower yields and mortgage costs are squeezing returns. The article also notes that the Renters Rights Act and a 12-month re-letting ban may be influencing sales decisions, although tax changes and borrowing costs are presented as the larger long-term drivers.
The article reports that the Renters Rights Act’s new Ground 1A process for selling a rental property now carries a mandatory 12-month re-letting ban if the property is not sold. Hamptons’ analysis suggests this could leave a substantial number of unsold former rental homes out of the lettings market, with flats and properties in the South of England appearing most exposed.
Hamptons data suggests landlord exits from the private rented sector remain most concentrated in London and the South of England, where higher prices, lower yields and mortgage costs are putting the greatest pressure on returns. The article also notes that the Renters Rights Act and a 12-month re-letting ban may be influencing disposal decisions, although tax changes and borrowing costs are presented as the longer-term drivers.
