A Code of Practice has been launched for the Build To Rent (BTR) sector. It’s described as marking an industry first and follows nearly four-years of development. Its authors say it will continue to be developed and refined during 2026 through further consultation and testing, ahead of it formally coming…

Housing minister Matthew Pennycook has tried to calm critics who claim the government’s resolve over leasehold reform may be weakening. Pennycook has gone on record that the government will ‘get the job done’ by the end of this Parliament, making Commonhold the default tenure for new flats.  But he has…

A survey by a major property firm shows 70% of landlords raising rents to cover increased compliance costs. Allsop’s research also suggests more than two in five private landlords are unlikely to continue letting properties because of the legislation. In the survey of more than 1,000 respondents, 41.7% said they…

Days after the Renters Rights Act came into force, a survey shows massive ignorance of the issue amongst renters. A study by industry supplier Housing Hand reveals that 78% of renters don’t know how it impacts their rights.  Only 22% of tenants felt they did – down from 25% in a similar study a year ago. Around…

Some prospective tenants are in danger of becoming “unlettable” as landlords tighten their risk controls, according to Legalforlandlords. And letting agents could find themselves working more like risk managers as they try to protect the interests of their landlord clients. The Renters’ Rights Act is designed to strengthen protections for…

OpenRent is featured heavily during BBC programme looking at how some private rentals have been hijacked by criminals. Landlords who find their flats have been taken over by criminal gangs were featured in a BBC Panorama programme due to be broadcast last night. One flat was turned into a drugs…

HMRC figures reveal landlords and sole traders’ lack of knowledge about tax rule changes, says Josh Toovey of IPSE. Three-quarters of landlords and sole traders who should have signed up to the Government’s new digital tax system failed to do so by its launch this month, revealing a widespread lack…

David Smith, Property Litigation Partner at Spector Constant & Williams, warns funding will not fix chronic shortages of experienced enforcement officers. The Government’s £60million funding package for councils will not be enough to ensure effective enforcement of new rules under the Renters’ Rights Act, a leading property litigation lawyer has…

The Government is considering giving local authorities additional powers to help strengthen council tax rules, according to Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook. Labour is reviewing rules that allow second homeowners to avoid paying council tax by reclassifying their properties as holiday lets and moving them into the business rates system, with…

Greens and Labour clash over rent policy, with Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook claiming caps would make life more difficult for renters. The Government has restated its opposition to rent controls, opening up a clear policy divide with the Green Party ahead of May’s local elections. Housing minister Matthew Pennycook (pictured)…

The coalition of investors, retirees and freeholders, is calling on the Government not go ahead with the existing leasehold reforms. A new group of investors have come together to challenge leasehold reform, and fight for a share of the “billions” that will be lost as a result of the changes.…