London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced a £400,000 fund to support tenant advice services and train council enforcement officers in relation to renters’ rights. The initiative is intended to help tenants challenge unsafe housing conditions, rent increases and landlords who do not comply with the law, alongside the introduction of the Renters Rights Act.
The article reports a sharp rise in Right to Buy sales in England during 2025-26, alongside a much smaller number of replacement homes being funded through receipts. It says proposed reforms in the Social Housing Bill would lengthen eligibility, protect new social homes from the scheme for 35 years, and exclude certain rural homes, which could prompt more tenants to buy before the changes take effect.
The article explains that landlords with rental income above £50,000 are entering the first stage of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, which requires digital record-keeping and software-based submissions to HMRC. It notes that missing the current deadline does not yet trigger penalties, but the grace period will end in the 2027/28 financial year, with traditional self-assessment due to phase out by 2028.
Burnley Council is consulting on proposals for selective licensing in three areas of the borough, with the consultation open until 18 October. The council says no final decision has been made and that the scheme is intended to improve standards in privately rented housing, address antisocial behaviour and support neighbourhood stability.
An agency briefing on the Renters Rights Act drew strong landlord attendance, reflecting heightened concern about the compliance burden introduced by the legislation. The article says landlords are particularly focused on regaining possession where issues arise and on using insurance to manage risks such as lost rent, court costs and delays.
The Property Franchise Group reported stronger first-half results, with lettings franchise revenue up 2% and overall group revenue up 7%. The group highlighted the resilience of its managed lettings portfolio and said it had supported franchisees through implementation of the Renters Rights Act.
The government is consulting on a possible new exemption that could mean some leasehold properties are not covered by the proposed ground rent cap. The article indicates this is a developing policy issue rather than a final change to the law.
An agency report suggests the Renters Rights Act pet-request provisions have had limited visible impact so far, with most landlords in the survey saying they have not received any formal pet requests since the right came into force on 1 May. The article also notes that tenant search behaviour may be changing, with fewer people filtering specifically for pet-friendly rentals even though pets remain a major rental search term.
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council is consulting on an Article 4 Direction that would remove permitted development rights for smaller HMOs, requiring full planning permission for conversions housing three or more people from more than one household. The council says the move is intended to manage rising complaints and allow closer scrutiny of location, design, accommodation standards and neighbourhood impact.
Landlord Action reports a sharp rise in possession-related enquiries and instructions as landlords responded to the final deadline for bringing Section 21 claims under the transitional arrangements linked to the Renters’ Rights Act. The article also gives an early snapshot of how landlords are using the revised Section 8 grounds, with rent arrears and sale-related grounds currently the most common.
Landlord Action reports a 28% year-on-year rise in landlord possession instructions ahead of the 31 July transitional deadline linked to the Renters’ Rights Act. The article also notes early patterns in the use of the revised Section 8 grounds, with rent arrears grounds currently the most common and sale-related possession claims also significant.
A landlord in Oxford has been fined £23,138 after being convicted of failing to licence a rented property and breaching a Prohibition Order. The case followed council inspection findings of severe damp and mould, electrical hazards, fire safety issues, excess cold and structural collapse concerns.
