Rentals & Sales monitors government guidance, lender updates and property data daily so you can protect yields, stay compliant and move first when the market changes.
From 1 May 2026, the Renters Rights Act overhauls private renting rules across England, introducing new tenancy formats, rent controls, anti-discrimination measures, and pet-friendly obligations. London landlords must act now to update agreements, revise processes, and train teams to comply and maintain good tenant relations.
The recent resignation of Southwark’s Labour housing chief over rental property licensing oversights highlights the high risks landlords face if they fail to secure or maintain required licences. This article examines why licensing compliance matters, the liabilities landlords bear despite agent involvement, and practical steps landlords can take to mitigate risks and avoid costly penalties.
Reposit's collaboration with housing operator Legacie introduces a flexible deposit alternative across 3,500 homes in North West England. This article explains what this means for landlords—covering compliance, tenant relations, and practical steps to integrate this option seamlessly into your lettings process.
With Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week (17–23 Nov 2025) approaching, landlords in England face clear legal obligations to prevent the 'silent killer' hazard in rental properties. This article details key duties, practical compliance actions, and tenant communication strategies to safeguard homes and avoid penalties.
UK Finance data shows a 14% increase in buy-to-let repossessions in Q3 2025, highlighting the need for London landlords to review tenant monitoring and risk management. This article explains what the data means across landlord types and offers clear, actionable steps to protect your investment amid market changes.
The UK government’s Renters Rights Act phase one, effective from 1 May 2026, introduces sweeping tenancy reforms affecting assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs). London landlords must prepare now to comply with automatic tenancy conversions, rent payment limits, bans on rental bidding, and new tenant rights. This article breaks down the practical steps landlords should take immediately to update agreements, tenant communications, and operational processes ahead of these changes.
An analysis by Inventory Base highlights over 2,300 HMOs in England currently have serious Category 1 hazards posing immediate health and safety risks, despite an overall 18.8% decrease from last year. With the Renters' Rights Act strengthening enforcement, landlords must act decisively to inspect and rectify these hazards to avoid penalties and protect tenants.
A recent £58,000 fine for a property company operating an unlicensed and unsafe HMO in Essex highlights the critical importance of strict licensing and safety compliance. London landlords with HMOs need to urgently review their portfolios, ensure licences are current, and verify all fire safety measures to mitigate severe financial and legal risks.
The Renters Rights Act brings significant changes to private tenancies in England from 1 May 2026. London landlords must abolish no-fault evictions, adopt rolling periodic tenancies, limit rent increases, stop rental bidding, fairly consider pet requests, and comply with new documentation rules. This article breaks down these reforms and offers clear, actionable steps tailored to various landlord types to ensure smooth compliance and minimise disruption.
The Renters Rights Act Phase One reforms, effective from 1 May 2026, overhaul assured shorthold tenancies in England. London landlords must convert tenancies to periodic, update tenancy documentation, and comply with new rent, pet, and anti-discrimination rules. This article provides clear, practical steps to prepare your portfolio for these critical changes.
With the Renters Rights Act's first phase launching on 1 May 2026, including the end of Section 21 'no fault' evictions, landlords must adapt tenancy agreements and prepare for new tenant protections. This article breaks down what the reforms mean in practice, their impact on different landlord types, and clear actions landlords can start now to stay compliant and manage risk effectively.
The lettings market continues to favour tenants heavily, with nine prospective tenants chasing each available property as of September 2025. This imbalance is driving rent rises and a slight increase in arrears, while sales transactions face delays. London landlords must strategically manage pricing, compliance, tenant communication, and sales planning to protect income and ensure smooth operations.
The UK government is reportedly considering replacing stamp duty with a new annual property tax on homes valued over £500,000, to be announced in the 26 November Budget. This potential shift could significantly alter tax liabilities, property transaction timing, and market dynamics for landlords. This article breaks down what these proposed reforms mean, practical steps to prepare, and how Rentals & Sales can support landlords through the transition.
From 27 December 2025, local councils will have extensive new powers to enter and search lettings agency offices under the Renters’ Rights Act. London landlords must act now to ensure compliance, avoid penalties, and prepare for increased regulatory oversight. This article outlines the changes, their impact, and the immediate steps landlords should take.
The latest RICS Market Survey reveals a significant slowdown in UK lettings, with landlord instructions hitting their lowest point since April 2020 amid uncertainty over the Renters’ Rights Act and upcoming Budget tax changes. This article breaks down the implications for London landlords, highlighting practical steps to navigate reduced market activity, regulatory shifts, and financial pressures through 2025.
A staff member at Signature North East stole over £60,000 from client accounts, leading to significant losses and the agency's impending sale. This incident underscores critical lessons for landlords and agents on preventing internal fraud through stronger financial oversight and staff management.
OSB Group has launched Rely, a new buy to let mortgage brand designed to simplify the mortgage process for landlords and brokers. This article explains what Rely offers, why it matters for landlords, and practical steps to evaluate this new option within your financing strategy.
A Midlands landlord was fined almost £4,000 for illegally evicting tenants by changing locks without a court order, despite rent being paid and tenants still living in the property. This incident underscores the critical importance of strictly following legal eviction procedures under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 and the Renters' Rights Act. London landlords must understand these rules to avoid costly penalties and operational disruptions.
A recent RICS Market Survey reveals a sharp decline in landlord instructions and buyer demand ahead of the UK Budget, driven by fears over tax hikes and Renters’ Rights Act changes. This article unpacks the implications for London landlords, outlines practical steps to manage financial and operational risks, and offers guidance on navigating the subdued market expected through 2025.
Southwark Council's decision not to enforce selective licensing rules against Chancellor Rachel Reeves after she let an unlicensed property highlights important nuances in local enforcement policies. This article explains the implications for landlords letting in licensable areas, outlines practical compliance steps, and advises on managing risks associated with unlicensed lettings.
The Renters Rights Act, rolling out from 2026, replaces fixed-term tenancies with periodic ones, ends no-fault evictions, regulates rent rises, and expands enforcement powers. London landlords must adapt tenancy agreements, eviction strategies, rent review processes, and pet policies to stay compliant and protect rental income. This article outlines key changes, practical impacts, and immediate steps for landlords.
Landlords and agents in England face strict legal duties to install and maintain carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in rental properties with fuel-burning appliances. This article explains these obligations, practical steps for compliance, and how to protect tenants from this high-risk hazard.
New research highlights that UK renters have just half the disposable income of homeowners, intensifying financial pressures that could affect rental affordability and tenancy stability. London landlords need to understand these dynamics, adjust tenant support strategies, and plan proactively to mitigate risks associated with tenant financial stress.
With emerging challenges in anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, London landlords must enhance their customer due diligence (CDD) processes. The free AML webinar on 27 November 2025 provides essential guidance on simplified versus enhanced due diligence, verifying complex ownership, and avoiding common pitfalls. This article outlines key knowledge, practical implications for various landlord types, and immediate actions to improve compliance and reduce risk.
