News and reports

A series of enforcement actions relating to licensing breaches, overcrowding, poor property management, and failures to comply with regulatory requirements present a cautionary tale for both agents and landlords. The Renters’ Rights Act has strengthened many of the consequences of non-compliance, whilst local authorities continue to take a firm approach and are increasingly willing to use substantial financial penalties where standards fall short.

The UK Government has used the Labour Party Conference to set out a series of significant housing and property sector reforms, including tougher action against landlords who fail to maintain their properties and confirmation that the regulation of property agents will be introduced. These plans are likely to have far-reaching implications for Propertymark members working across the sales, lettings and property management sectors.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has proposed a new scheme to allow first-time buyers in England to purchase a new-build home with a 2.5% deposit, along with plans to let councils intervene sooner when homes stand empty, and a £210 million package to bring disused high street buildings back into use. Propertymark’s Policy and Campaigns Team is at the Labour Party conference to discuss these announcements directly with MPs and explain how members and their clients could be affected.

Landlords and sole traders already using Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax must send their second quarterly update to HMRC by 7 November 2026. The rules will extend to more people from April 2027, so letting agents can help landlord clients prepare now.

Across the UK, finding a suitable rented home can be more challenging for pet owners, especially when landlords are concerned about potential damage, noise, or cleaning costs. Battersea identifies housing as one of the main reasons animals are given up to its care, but the perceived risks of allowing pets can differ from the reality. Our new Renting with pets guide sets out practical ways to assess requests, manage risks, and build clear agreements that support successful tenancies.

Propertymark’s latest position paper examines whether local authority landlord licensing schemes are achieving their stated aim of improving standards in the private rented sector. Selective and additional licensing schemes are expanding across England and Wales, placing significant costs and administrative demands on landlords and letting agents, particularly where requirements vary between council areas or repeat existing legal duties.

Property agents will remain firmly on the frontline of the fight against economic crime as plans are afoot to strengthen anti-money laundering supervision, improve intelligence sharing and consider changes to the rules covering letting agents.

The UK Government has acknowledged that homeowners may need greater protection from the unreasonable enforcement of restrictive covenants, following concerns raised by MPs over unexpected and potentially significant demands for payments. The move reflects issues Propertymark has highlighted through its long-running campaign for meaningful leasehold reform and greater transparency for property owners.

As the dust settles following the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act, lettings agencies are finding alternative ways to mitigate uncertainty and financial risk for landlords. A range of services are growing in popularity that replace traditional, abolished methods like rent in advance, not least professional rent guarantor provision. This service offers reassurance for good tenants who can afford the rent but don’t quite meet the right criteria on paper, including students, self-employed people or those on benefits, or retirees.