A prime lettings agent reports that tenant demand in London remains strong, but renters are becoming more selective, negotiating harder and moving away from overpriced homes. The article links this behavioural split to the Renters Rights Act threshold at £2,000 per week, suggesting the market is starting to operate differently above and below that level.
Foxtons says the Renters’ Rights Act is already supporting its lettings business, with stronger demand for property management services, Build to Rent growth and increased cross-selling of ancillary landlord and tenant services. At the same time, the company reports continued weakness in sales and has reduced costs to reflect lower transaction volumes, while calling for Stamp Duty reform to support home moving.
Lomond argues that professional letting agents provide value beyond tenant-finding, particularly through risk reduction, compliance support and ongoing property management. The article links this to the Renters Rights Act, suggesting landlords are increasingly seeking fully managed services to help navigate regulatory change and protect income and asset value.
The article reports that Labour’s Greater Manchester mayoral candidate, Bev Craig, is proposing a tougher approach to the private rented sector, including tighter controls on HMOs, expanded use of Article 4 Directions, and a new Renters Rights Unit. She also wants stronger landlord conditions for access to local retrofit funding and has signalled support for exploring rent limits or controls in Greater Manchester.
Ealing Council is consulting on a new borough-wide five-year additional HMO licensing scheme due to begin in April 2027. The consultation follows concerns identified in the borough about property condition, management and related issues in some HMOs, including fire safety, overcrowding and disrepair.
Paragon Bank research suggests that many HMOs are already performing well on energy efficiency, with 66% of surveyed properties rated EPC A to C and none in the lowest F or G bands. The article also notes that more than a quarter of landlords have accelerated improvements in anticipation of proposed Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards requiring EPC band C by 2030.
The article reports a dispute over rent controls, with activists accusing Housing Secretary Angela Rayner of misrepresenting the effect of the Renters Rights Act on rents. It says the London Renters Union argues rents are still rising sharply and that tribunal-based protections do not prevent market rents increasing, while Rayner has said rent controls are unnecessary and off the table.
SpareRoom reports that room rental supply in inner London fell by 5% in Q2 2026, marking the first negative growth after a three-year period of expansion. The article links the decline to the Renters Rights Act coming into effect and notes that supply is now falling across most of London, with the sharpest drops in north-west and south-west areas.
Labour’s Greater Manchester mayoral candidate Bev Craig has set out a housing platform focused on tighter controls in the private rented sector. Her proposals include expanding Article 4 Directions for HMOs, strengthening the Good Landlord Charter, linking local funding for retrofitting to charter compliance, and exploring rent caps or controls through a new commission.
Florence Eshalomi has been appointed a minister in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government after previously chairing the housing select committee. The article indicates she has consistently argued for tougher private rented sector regulation, including stronger enforcement of the Renters Rights Act, earlier adoption of the Decent Homes Standard, and faster implementation of Awaab’s Law and the Private Rented Sector Database.
Handelsbanken’s latest Property Investor Report says rising operating costs and the Renters’ Rights Act are prompting many professional landlords to increase rents, tighten tenant selection and reassess portfolio strategy. The survey also suggests some investors are delaying upgrades, selling assets or taking properties out of the rental market, although most still expect to expand holdings over the next year.
Rightmove data indicates a sharp fall in searches for pet-friendly rental homes after the Renters Rights Act came into force in May. The article highlights that while landlords in England must consider pet requests fairly, they can still refuse where there is a valid reason, and misunderstandings appear to be affecting tenant behaviour.
