The Industry Wire — archive, page 3

AI Data from Lomond indicates UK tenants spend nearly a third of their income on rent, with the average UK rent at £1,369 pcm, a 4.3% increase year-on-year. London's average rent is £2,418 pcm, 76% higher than the UK average, and it saw the largest volume of new tenancies in the last year. Kent experienced a 121% increase in agreed tenancies and a 5% rise in average rents. The North West and Yorkshire also saw 5% rent increases, to £1,215 and £1,283 respectively. The average UK renter is 31.5 years old. For landlords: London has the largest volume of tenancies created in the last year, with average rents at £2,418 pcm.

AI A survey of landlords in England, commissioned by Benham and Reeves, indicates that 50.6% still view residential property as a good long-term investment, despite increased regulation. However, 39.1% are unconfident about the private rental market's future, and 38.9% expect decreased profitability over the next 12 months. While 62.7% plan to maintain their portfolios, 27.2% intend to reduce holdings or exit the market, compared to only 3.9% planning to expand. Taxation (28.3%) is cited as the biggest barrier to investment, ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act (15.1%). For landlords: The findings reflect sentiment among landlords in England regarding investment intentions and barriers, with taxation being a primary concern.

AI Love to Rent Week, a promotional event for the Build To Rent (BTR) sector, will run from September 28 to October 4. Organised by BTR platform Love to Rent, the event aims to highlight professionally managed rental options to consumers, operators, and industry partners. Last year's campaign reportedly resulted in a 56% increase in website leads. The 2026 event will also feature a "Have a Career in BTR" initiative, focusing on roles within the sector.

AI Planning refusals for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) have doubled in England over the last five years, according to an analysis of 144 councils by 1st Avenue. The number of refusals rose from 590 to 1,203, with approval rates falling to 63% in 2026 from 68% between 2021 and 2023. This trend is partly attributed to councils using Article 4 directions, estimated by the NRLA to be in place in 75-80 English local authorities, which remove permitted development rights for HMOs. Stricter licensing of existing HMOs also contributes to the challenges faced by operators. For landlords: The increasing difficulty in obtaining planning permission and licences for HMOs in England, including through Article 4 directions, directly impacts the viability and expansion of HMO portfolios.

AI A London landlord has been ordered to repay £7,884.84 in rent and £341 in fees following a First-tier Tribunal ruling. The case, brought by a former tenant in Haringey, concerned an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) where three people from separate households lived between May 2023 and May 2024. Haringey Council had investigated reports of disrepair, including a collapsed ceiling and fire hazards. The Tribunal found the property required an HMO licence throughout the tenancy and noted the landlord had a previous Rent Repayment Order against them. For landlords: Operating an unlicensed HMO in London can result in significant rent repayment orders.

AI New data from Lloyds indicates a 10% increase in average losses from impersonation scams over the past year, reaching £3,516. Criminals impersonate entities like banks and HMRC, with HMRC impersonation alone costing victims an average of £2,288. An anti-money laundering expert, Phil Cotter of SmartSearch, warns that current verification infrastructure is inadequate against new fraud techniques, including those leveraging AI. His research shows a quarter of UK regulated firms struggle with digital identity abuse, and nine in ten see AI as a high compliance risk. The technology for rapid identity and AML checks exists, but firms need to adopt it.

AI A survey of 350 UK commercial property owners by SafeSite Facilities found that vacant buildings cost landlords an average of £49,268 over the past year due to security incidents and other issues. 45% of landlords incurred costs between £25,001 and £50,000, while 27% faced expenses from £50,001 to £100,000. 94% of landlords experienced increased insurance premiums or tighter conditions due to vacant property risks, with 59% seeing premium increases and 47% facing stricter cover conditions. The most significant problems reported were building deterioration (22%), water damage (11%), and trespassing (9%).

AI HM Land Registry is updating its data systems to improve property identification for investors and other property industry participants. This involves increasing the use of Unique Property Reference Numbers (UPRNs), which have existed since 2020, and introducing INSPIRE IDs. These unique identifiers will be applied to property price data for all residential and commercial sales across England and Wales. The changes are intended to benefit various players, particularly those involved in property acquisition.

AI Fine & Country and The Guild of Property Professionals are competing in the inaugural Agency Challenge Cup at Celtic Manor, Wales, from August 27-29, 2026. The three-day golf tournament involves 28 golfers across three championship courses: The Montgomerie, The Twenty Ten, and Roman Road. Jonathan Handford leads the Fine & Country team, while Ian Crampton captains The Guild team in this contest for a trophy and bragging rights between the sister companies.

AI LRG is acquiring Henry Adams, a property brand with 12 branches across Sussex, Surrey, and Hampshire, with the deal expected to complete on September 1st. Henry Adams, which traces its origins to Wyatt & Son founded in Chichester in 1826, will retain its name, leadership, and local teams. This acquisition will boost LRG's presence in the South of England. Henry Adams' Fine Art, Land and Planning, Rural, Valuations, and Commercial divisions are not part of the acquisition.

AI Edinburgh councillors are set to decide tomorrow on a proposed 300% Council Tax premium for second homes, which would see affected owners pay four times the standard charge. This could result in a Band H second property bill reaching approximately £16,000 annually. The increase was initially planned for 1st April this year but was suspended, with a 100% premium applied instead while the council assessed its impact on the city's housing crisis. This decision affects second homeowners in Edinburgh.

AI Research by Benham and Reeves indicates that 62.7% of landlords intend to maintain their current portfolios over the next year, with only 3.9% planning to expand. Landlord taxation is identified as the biggest barrier to investment and the primary change that would encourage further investment. While 50.6% of landlords still view residential property as a good long-term investment, 39.1% are unconfident about the private rental market's future, and 38.9% expect profitability to decrease in the next 12 months. Traditional residential single-lets remain the most attractive investment option for 48.2% of landlords considering expansion. For landlords: The findings reflect current sentiment regarding portfolio management, investment barriers, and profitability expectations within the UK rental market.

AI A recent Goodlord survey of nearly 250 landlords indicates that a quarter are experiencing difficulties regaining property possession from problem tenants, just months after the Renters’ Rights Act was introduced in May. The reforms abolished no-fault evictions, requiring landlords to issue a Section 8 notice with a valid reason. The survey also found two in five landlords are now using more cautious tenant vetting, and 9% are investing more in tenant retention. Half of landlords reported an increased compliance burden, with 29% facing higher compliance and insurance costs. A quarter also noted higher letting agent fees, and 10% experienced longer void periods. For landlords: The Renters’ Rights Act has made regaining possession more challenging and increased compliance burdens and costs.

AI A social media campaign by Cardiff estate agency CPS Homes has raised £1,000 for the children's hospice charity Tŷ Hafan. The campaign promoted Sales Director Nathan Walker's fundraising for the Cardiff Half Marathon, in which he will run 13.1 miles. Rightmove's new Account Manager saw the posts and arranged a £500 corporate donation to Tŷ Hafan, which CPS Homes then matched, bringing the total from the two businesses to £1,000. Tŷ Hafan supports children with life-shortening conditions and their families across Wales.

AI Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook stated on Radio 4's Today Programme that Britain faces an "acute and entrenched housing crisis," requiring a significant council homes building programme. He noted 64,000 new council homes were delivered last year, the highest since 2014-2015, and highlighted the £39 billion Social and Affordable Housing Programme. The government aims for the biggest council homes drive since the early 1980s, with a "stretching target" of 1.5 million new homes. Angela Rayner also acknowledged this 1.5 million target as challenging.

AI Sourced has acquired Open House Estate Agents, offering its 104 franchisees a fully funded acquisitions programme. This initiative aims to help Open House franchisees purchase established lettings agencies and managed property portfolios to accelerate growth. Open House will retain its brand and operate within the Sourced Group, which now comprises over 230 franchisees across property investment, finance, lettings, and property management. The acquisition combines the Warrington-headquartered businesses' strengths, adding Open House's estate agency and auctions operations to Sourced's existing services.

AI Research from Barclays indicates that 43% of British adults support new home construction within three miles of their residence, nearly double the proportion who oppose it. The Property Insights Report found that support for local development is strongest among younger generations, with 50% of Gen Z and 48% of Millennials in favour. Building social or affordable housing is the top policy priority for 32% of adults across the UK.

AI Renters in London are reporting that some landlords are circumventing the Renters’ Rights Act's ban on bidding wars by significantly inflating advertised rents. According to The London Centric Substack, landlords are listing properties at excessively high prices, then encouraging prospective tenants to offer bids below the asking price, creating an "inverse blind auction." This tactic aims to panic tenants into paying above market value or to elicit competitive lower bids. The London Centric Substack's investigation, involving calls to over a dozen letting agents, found agents consistently encouraging viewings of properties outside stated price ranges and confirming landlords would consider offers below the asking price. For landlords: This article describes alleged practices by some landlords in London to circumvent new rental rules.

AI Property developer Rob Stewart is advocating for a new approach to the housing crisis, proposing a sovereign regeneration fund where public money partners with developers on conversions, attracting further private capital. This model aims for the state to recoup its investment and share in gains, which are then reinvested. Stewart also suggests the state guarantee long-term leases directly with private landlords for social housing, offering landlords a lower, but certain, rent – approximately 20% below the housing benefit rate. He believes this would encourage landlords to remain in the social housing market. For landlords: This proposal suggests a mechanism for private landlords to secure guaranteed income streams for providing social housing.

AI A recent poll indicates that landlord taxation is considered the primary obstacle to investment in rental property, cited by 28% of landlords, significantly more than the Renters’ Rights Act or wider regulation (15%). Lettings agent Benham and Reeves found that 36% of landlords would be most incentivised to expand their portfolios by more favourable taxation. While half of landlords (50%) view residential property as a good long-term investment and 62% plan to maintain their current portfolios, only 4% intend to expand. Profitability concerns are evident, with 38% expecting a decline in buy-to-let portfolio profitability over the next year. For landlords: This article summarises a poll of landlords' views on investment barriers and incentives.

AI From August 28, HM Land Registry will publish Unique Property Reference Numbers (UPRNs) and INSPIRE IDs alongside its monthly Price Paid Data for residential property transactions in England and Wales. This change, driven by customer demand, aims to improve the accuracy of property matching and sales histories for estate agents, portals, lenders, and other property businesses. UPRNs provide a consistent identifier for individual properties, making it easier to link historic transaction prices to the correct home and improving property histories. INSPIRE IDs identify spatial land parcels, assisting developers and investors with site analysis. For landlords: This data enhancement provides more accurate property information, which may be used by agents and other property professionals in market analysis and property research.

AI A Midlands letting agent, Tony Singh of Morgan, Payne & Knightly (MPK), is accused of withholding deposits from over 100 tenants and owing landlords unpaid rent. A BBC investigation alleges hundreds of thousands of pounds are involved, with county court judgments made against Singh and MPK, which operates in Birmingham, Telford, and Wolverhampton. Wolverhampton Trading Standards identified cases where MPK failed to protect deposits in government-backed schemes, a legal requirement, but took no action due to properties being in neighbouring council areas. Former employees also claimed Singh did not place deposits into regulated schemes. For landlords: The agent is accused of owing unpaid rent to landlords.

Is licensing for estate agents long overdue?

AI A recent Goodlord poll of nearly 250 UK landlords indicates that letting agent fees are increasing, with 23% reporting higher costs since the Renters’ Rights Act came into force on May 1st. The Act abolished Section 21 evictions, requiring landlords to use Section 8 with specified legal grounds and doubling the notice period for rent arrears cases to four weeks. Half of the surveyed landlords reported an increased compliance burden, and 25% expressed concern over difficulties regaining possession. Additionally, 39% of landlords have adopted more cautious tenant vetting, and 9% are investing more in tenant retention. For landlords: The changes to eviction procedures and increased compliance burden directly affect operational practices and costs.

AI Finalists for the inaugural Personal Estate Agency Awards 2026 have been announced, following over 350 UK-wide nominations. These awards, launched earlier this year, recognise individuals, teams, and brokerage businesses within the personal estate agency sector across various categories including customer service and business performance. The winners will be revealed at a black-tie ceremony at Edgbaston Park Hotel, Birmingham, on Thursday 22nd October 2026. The event, created by Chris Webb of The Estate Agent Consultancy, is nearing a sell-out.

AI The government has confirmed the allocation of the first £10 billion from its £39 billion Affordable Homes Programme, aiming to deliver 70,000 affordable homes outside London over the next decade. Approximately 60% of these will be for social rent, with the remainder including shared ownership and sheltered housing. This represents a shift from Prime Minister Andy Burnham's earlier ambition for the entire budget to focus on council housing. London is set to receive a separate £6 billion, to be allocated later. The New Economics Foundation and Blick Rothenberg have expressed concerns that the current plans may not be sufficient to meet the Prime Minister's ambitious targets for social housing delivery. For landlords: The article details government funding for affordable housing outside London, with separate funding for London to be allocated later.

AI Savills has made two senior appointments to its residential sales teams in London. Callum Hodgson joined the Notting Hill office as a director, bringing over 20 years of experience primarily across north and central London. Matt Smith also joined as a director in the Islington office, focusing on family house sales in areas like Barnsbury, Canonbury, and Highbury, with over two decades of experience in the London property market. For landlords: These appointments indicate a strengthening of Savills' residential sales presence in key London areas.

AI New research from Savills suggests that greater use of Discounted Market Sale (DMS) homes could unlock hundreds of stalled housing developments across the UK. Financial pressures have led housing associations to reduce their purchasing of Section 106 affordable homes, leaving 8,500 consented affordable homes without a buyer as of October 2025. DMS properties, which sell at least 20% below open-market value and do not require a housing association buyer, could provide an alternative. Savills estimates 530,000 privately renting families could afford a new three-bedroom DMS property with a 30% discount. The report also highlights that existing income caps for affordable homeownership prevent families from buying in 20 local authorities, mostly in London and the South East. For landlords: The potential for increased affordable homeownership in London and the South East could affect the pool of prospective tenants.

AI A recent survey by London-based Benham and Reeves, published on 26 August 2026, indicates that while 50.6% of buy-to-let investors still view residential property as a good long-term investment, only 3.9% plan to expand their portfolios in the next year. Conversely, 27.2% intend to either sell some properties or exit the rental market entirely. Taxation was identified by 28.3% as the biggest obstacle to further investment, followed by the Renters’ Rights Act and wider regulation at 15.1%. More favourable landlord taxation was cited by 36.9% as the primary factor that would encourage them to buy additional properties. For landlords: This research, commissioned by a London-based firm, reflects the sentiment of private landlords regarding investment in the current UK lettings market.

Hundreds of thousands of Londoners could be left paying up to £1,200 more a year under the controversial reforms

Dartford, in Kent, has the highest proportion of first-time prices of anywhere in the country, according to new analysis

AI HMRC has begun proactively registering sole traders and landlords for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD). MTD became mandatory on 6 April 2026 for those with qualifying income over £50,000 in the 2024–25 tax year, with over 570,000 people now using the service. From September 2026, HMRC will start signing up individuals it believes should already be using MTD, contacting them after registration. Although no penalty points will be issued for late quarterly updates during 2026–27, digital records and submissions are still required. For landlords: Landlords with qualifying income over £50,000 in the 2024–25 tax year are being proactively registered for Making Tax Digital by HMRC.

Mortgage rate hikes mean the average buyer has seen a nine per cent drop in buying power. On a more expensive London property, this means buyers need more money to purchase the same home

AI A National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) poll indicates that 66% of private rentals in England and Wales are managed by a letting agent, the highest proportion in at least two years. This increase is attributed to the complexities of the Renters Rights Act. However, official data shows only 59% of renters with agent-managed homes are satisfied with repairs, compared to 73% for landlord-managed properties. The NRLA is urging the Government to accelerate proposals for minimum education and training standards for agency staff, beyond the current commitment to consult next year.

AI An online blog, London Centric, has accused some letting agents and landlords of attempting to circumvent the Renters Rights Act's ban on bidding wars. The blog claims properties are being advertised at inflated rents, with agents then encouraging prospective tenants to offer below the asking price, creating an "inverse bidding war." London Centric states it contacted over 12 letting agents and was repeatedly encouraged to view properties above its stated price range, with agents suggesting landlords would consider lower offers. The blog also alleges some landlords are seeking one-off payments for bills covering an entire tenancy, despite the Act's provisions for rolling tenancies. Shelter commented that the government must prevent "unscrupulous landlords" from exploiting loopholes. For landlords: The article describes alleged practices by some agents and landlords in London regarding advertised rents and bill payments under the Renters Rights Act.

AI Spicerhaart, a major letting agency, is investing £1.7 million over five years in a technology upgrade. This includes the launch of the Rex Property Management system and a new Compliance and Pre-Tenancy Centre of Excellence. The aim is to help its 200-strong property management team navigate complex regulations, such as the Renters Rights Act, and ensure landlord compliance. The system was developed with Rex based on extensive tenancy experience, allowing property managers to identify issues earlier and providing landlords with greater confidence in their properties' compliance.

AI Safeagent, a not-for-profit accreditation service, is calling for stricter enforcement of laws against rogue letting agents. This follows a BBC investigation into an agent accused of withholding deposits from over 100 tenants and not paying landlords their rent. Safeagent's chief executive, Isobel Thomson, highlighted a lack of resources and coordination among authorities, leading to inaction and consumer risk. The organisation questions why reports of unprotected deposits did not trigger broader compliance checks or escalation to The National Trading Standards Letting Agency Team (NTSLAT). Safeagent also notes authorities' failure to act on misuse of its logo, indicating non-compliance with schemes like CMP.

AI Lendlord's Q3 2026 data indicates that 45.1% of UK buy-to-let properties are company-owned, with 54.9% held privately. This trend varies significantly with portfolio size, as company ownership rises to 57.6% for landlords with 20 or more properties, while 67.1% of landlords with 1-3 properties own privately. Company structures become the majority model for portfolios of 11 properties or more. Geographically, the North East leads with 53.5% company-owned properties, a pattern also seen in Yorkshire & Humberside and Scotland. This shows a clear market split between smaller, predominantly private landlords and larger, more corporate landlords.

AI Thirty tenant activist groups, including Generation Rent and the National Union of Students, have written to Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook. They are demanding an expansion of the upcoming Private Rental Sector database, currently in early testing and due for rollout in the coming months. The groups want the database to include data on rents charged, eviction grounds, and enforcement actions, making this information publicly accessible. They also propose an annual landlord fee of at least £46 per property to fund local authority enforcement, and suggest the database could facilitate HMRC comparing tax records with declared rents to tackle tax avoidance.

AI The Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS), an economic think tank, has published an analysis arguing against rent controls. The IFS states that most rent controls lead to a significant decline in property quality as landlords reduce spending on renovation and maintenance. They suggest that while caps might lower rents for some tenants, they create unintended consequences, such as demand exceeding supply and landlords seeking alternative ways to cover costs or allowing property quality to decline. The IFS also notes that exemptions for certain properties or between tenancies can sometimes lead to landlords charging higher rents than they otherwise would. They cite a Norwegian example where landlords required tenants to provide extra services or excessive deposits under rent control, which ceased after controls were removed. For landlords: This analysis from a leading economic think tank contributes to the ongoing debate surrounding rent control policies in the UK.

AI Zoopla reports that UK house price growth slowed to +0.9% in the year to July, a decrease from +1.3% the previous month. This slowdown is attributed to fewer sales and affordability challenges. While prices are rising in the North and Midlands, with increases from +1.7% in Yorkshire to +3.1% in the North West, and +5.4% in Northern Ireland, Southern English regions are experiencing flat to falling prices. The South East saw a -0.3% decline, and London recorded a -1% decrease, where buyers face significant exposure to higher borrowing costs. For landlords: House prices in London experienced a -1% decline in the year to July.

AI A new analysis by Landlord Resource identifies Sunderland as the UK city with the highest average gross rental yield, at 9.3%. This figure is 1% higher than any other UK city, with average rents in Sunderland reported at £659. The analysis indicates a strong performance from Scottish and Northern English cities, with the North East region achieving the highest regional yield at 7.9%, followed by Scotland and the North West, also at 7.9%. Major cities like Dundee, Middlesbrough, Hull, Glasgow, Liverpool, and Newcastle are also among the top ten for yields. This information is relevant to landlord investors considering buy-to-let opportunities across the UK.

AI Love to Rent Week, a promotional event for the Build To Rent (BTR) sector, is scheduled to run from September 28 to October 4. Organised by the BTR platform Love to Rent, the event aims to connect consumers, operators, and industry partners to highlight available rental choices. Last year's campaign reportedly resulted in a 56% increase in website leads. The 2026 event will continue to showcase resident experiences and operator insights within the professionally managed rental sector, also introducing a "Have a Career in BTR" initiative to promote roles within the industry.

The number of people searching for homes to buy increased by 7% in the four weeks to August 16, compared with last year, Zoopla found

AI Propertymark is reminding landlords and letting agents about new responsibilities under the Renters’ Rights Act, which banned no-fault evictions and ended fixed-term tenancies, affecting student landlords. The Act introduced a new Ground 4A claim for possession, allowing qualifying student Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) to be re-let for the next academic year. Temporary arrangements for tenancies starting before May 1st 2026 allowed Ground 4A notices to be served between May 1st and July 31st 2026 with two months' notice, supporting possession between June 1st and September 30th 2026. New Ground 4A notices now require four months' notice. Landlords who missed the transitional period are unlikely to gain possession under Ground 4A during the remaining 2026 window.

There are still parts of the country where investors can achieve "healthy returns", according to new data from The Letting Partnership.

Is Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham coming to save the property market, asks Trevor Abrahmsohn, founder of Glentree international. The post The property market: Is the cavalry coming to our rescue?

The charity, dedicated to the missing estate agent, wants to ensure women are better protected from harassment.

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook suggests mayors could have the new planning powers by early next year. The post Stronger planning powers for mayors proposed appeared first on The Negotiator .

AI Homeowners in England with properties valued at £2 million or more could face a new High Value Council Tax Surcharge from April 2028, ranging from £2,500 to £7,500. Reports suggest that inspections of these high-value homes may occur to determine their worth, with a potential fine of up to £200 for homeowners who refuse entry to an inspector. The Valuation Office Agency will be responsible for these valuations, following a government consultation that concluded in July. HMRC has indicated that property visits are not routine and would typically be by prior agreement.

AI An advisory board has been formed by BestAgent founder Charlie Lamdin, bringing together senior property industry figures including Yopa CEO Verona Frankish and DDRE Global founder Daniel Daggers. The board aims to halve transaction times and reduce fall-through rates in residential property sales, which currently average 120 days and see one in three transactions fail. BestAgent's strategy includes its "Find Your Agent" service, allowing sellers to select local estate agents based on pitches, with only the chosen agent being charged. This initiative seeks to improve the home-moving process by focusing on completed transactions and transparency.

AI Alto Auctions, powered by Bamboo Proptech, has launched a new service for approximately 35,000 daily Alto users, representing about a third of UK estate agencies. The integrated CRM tool helps agents identify properties suitable for auction using data analysis and AI-based pricing guidance. Agents can manage auctions themselves or use a fully managed service, earning at least £2,500 per completed transaction plus their standard vendor fee, and a 1.5% plus VAT buyer fee for conditional auctions. This launch follows a 36.5% increase in UK property auction activity in June 2026 compared to the previous year, with 2,659 of 4,042 lots offered being sold. The service aims to reduce transaction fall-through rates and speed up sales, with suitable properties completing in around six weeks.

AI A letting agent, Tony Singh (also known as Amun Singh Judge), operating as Morgan, Payne & Knightly in Birmingham, Telford, and Wolverhampton, is accused of failing to return deposits to over 100 tenants and not passing on rent to landlords. A BBC investigation found tenants and landlords are collectively out of pocket by hundreds of thousands of pounds, with individual sums ranging from £700 to £16,000. Landlord Mike Heighway, for example, is owed £16,000 in unpaid rent since July 2024. The company is also accused of not placing deposits in registered schemes, and eight county court judgments have been made against Singh and MPK. Trading Standards in Wolverhampton confirmed instances of unregistered deposits but noted properties were in neighbouring areas.

AI New research from the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) suggests that rent controls could lead to a decline in rental supply and property quality. The IFS report indicates that landlords facing rent restrictions have less incentive to invest in renovation and maintenance, potentially leaving tenants in unsuitable homes. It also notes that rent controls can make it harder for tenants to find new properties and may encourage landlords to exit the market. Despite Housing Secretary Angela Rayner dismissing the idea, tenant groups continue to advocate for rent controls. The IFS recommends addressing housing costs through increased supply and using tax and benefit policies for income redistribution.

AI Over 30 tenants' organisations, including Acorn and the London Renters Union, have written to Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook, advocating for the inclusion of rent and eviction data in the new PRS Database. They argue that this information, if publicly accessible, would empower renters to challenge above-market rent increases and make informed decisions about landlords. The groups also suggest it would help align Local Housing Allowance with market rents, enable HMRC to identify tax avoidance, and assist local councils in monitoring criminal landlords. They propose an annual fee of £46 per property to fund enforcement activities when the database launches later this year. For landlords: The proposed database changes could lead to new data reporting requirements and an annual registration fee per property.

AI Landlords and letting agents are still making errors regarding the Renters’ Rights Act, three months after its first phase began in May. AdvoCATS East Mids, a pet campaign group, reports a rise in casework, noting landlords are using unlawful tenancy clauses. These include requiring tenants to pay for professional cleaning, prohibited since the Tenant Fees Act 2019, and mandating pet damage insurance, a provision removed from the Renters’ Rights Bill. This occurs as landlords adapt to new pet rules, which grant tenants greater rights to request pet permission. AdvoCATS provides free templates like a Pet CV and Vet Reference to assist with these decisions. For landlords: The article highlights common errors in tenancy agreements, such as unlawful clauses for professional cleaning and pet insurance, which could lead to legal challenges.

AI The article discusses strategies for landlords to adapt rental properties to modern tenant expectations, which are increasingly focused on long-term living. Key areas for improvement include enhancing energy efficiency to meet the minimum EPC rating of C by October 2030, with nearly 50% of younger tenants seeking additional bedrooms. Providing dedicated workspaces and parking, a top priority for tenants over 55, are also highlighted. Furthermore, the article suggests considering the addition of low-maintenance private outdoor spaces and the potential for converting properties into Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) to maximise yields. These adaptations aim to reduce void periods and tenant turnover. For landlords: The article outlines practical property upgrades and considerations relevant to attracting and retaining tenants in the current market.

AI LRG has agreed to acquire the residential agency business of Henry Adams, with the deal set to complete on September 1. This acquisition expands LRG's presence across Sussex, Surrey, and Hampshire, adding Henry Adams' 12 offices, including locations like Chichester, Bognor Regis, and Haslemere. Henry Adams, which began as Wyatt & Son in Chichester in 1826 and adopted its current name 35 years ago, will maintain its brand, leadership, and local staff. The acquisition integrates a business with a 200-year history into the LRG group.

AI The UK property market is experiencing significant delays in transactions, with Connells Group figures showing an average of 104 days from sale agreed to exchange of contracts, up from 73 days a decade ago. Leasehold properties take even longer, at 155 days compared to 97 for freeholds, and one in three deals collapses. In April, 61% of deals took longer to exchange than to find a buyer. This slowdown is attributed to both a pricing problem in the second-hand market, where vendor expectations are too high, and a drought of new-build homes due to fewer planning permissions and stalled starts. The article calls for government action on stamp duty, upfront information for transactions, and declaring a housebuilding emergency.

AI A GetAgent survey of UK estate agents, published on 25 August 2026, indicates that 78% expect property market activity this summer to be below normal levels. This slowdown is attributed to the traditional school holiday period, which typically sees 64% of agents report a decline in seller activity and 58% fewer new buyer enquiries. This year, 91% of agents reported that prolonged hot weather further reduced activity in their local markets, with 55% noting a significant impact, particularly on property viewings (53%). Despite fewer new enquiries, 74% of agents remain busy progressing existing transactions.