The Industry Wire — archive, page 5

AI A recent industry poll by Countrywide Surveying Services (CSS) found that 77% of property professionals believe proposed homebuying reforms will bring positive change. The poll, conducted during a webinar on upfront property information, surveyed over 300 professionals including surveyors and mortgage brokers. Of those, 18% were "very confident" and 59% "somewhat confident" about the reforms' impact, while 21% were not very confident and 2% believed changes would not occur. The discussion focused on providing information earlier in transactions to reduce delays and improve certainty.

AI Mannleys Group, a Shropshire-based estate agency formed in April through the merger of Mannleys and Samuel Wood, has announced a new sponsorship agreement with League Two football club Shrewsbury Town. The deal involves Mannleys Group sponsoring the Arthur Rowley Suite at the club's Croud Meadow stadium, a venue used for conferences, events, and match-day hospitality. As part of the agreement, the agency will receive VIP tickets for all Shrewsbury Town home games, which it intends to distribute to clients selling properties and to landlords. The combined agency operates offices in Wellington, Shrewsbury, Ludlow, and Craven Arms.

Enteka Ai will be TPFG's preferred AI platform and help boost franchise profitability, says TPFG boss Gareth Samples. The post TPFG takes major stake in agency AI platform appeared first on The Negotiator .

New data from LightWork AI highlights the pressure on estate and letting agents to remain available beyond the 9am-5pm working day.

Buyer demand has turned more negative for the first time since March, warns RICS’s Tarrant Parsons. The post Subdued property market set to continue, RICS warns appeared first on The Negotiator .

"The next Conservative Government will legislate so nobody will ever pay Inheritance Tax on their family home," says Kemi Badenoch.

Agents and vendors are facing struggles when it comes to selling flats across the country, says e.surv's Rob Owens.

Matthew Cumber, of Countrywide Surveying Services, says there is "broad acceptance that the homebuying process can work better". The post Upfront property information backed by agents – but will it work?

The housing market remained subdued during September amid higher mortgage costs, global tensions and Budget uncertainty.

AI Dwelly has significantly expanded its lettings portfolio in 2026, completing 10 acquisitions to reach over 15,000 properties under management. The latest acquisition was London-based Paramount Properties, adding 1,100 fully managed properties. Dwelly also secured $170 million (£129 million) in new funding from investors like EQT Growth and General Catalyst to support further acquisitions and AI investment. The company believes increasing regulation, such as the Renters’ Rights Act, will drive demand for professional property management services as landlords seek assistance with compliance. For landlords: Dwelly's acquisition of Paramount Properties means 1,100 fully managed properties in London are now under Dwelly's management.

AI The UK Government has launched its Anti-Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Strategy 2026–2029, backed by £550 million, to combat economic crime. The strategy aims to strengthen supervision and intelligence sharing, with a focus on high-risk activities. A key commitment is a planned consultation in 2026/27 on the scope of AML regulation for letting agents, who are currently regulated for transactions with monthly rents of £10,000 or more. This could lead to secondary legislation in 2027/28 and implementation in 2028/29. The strategy also highlights a case involving high-value London property where AML checks aided an investigation. For landlords: The government will consult on changing the scope of AML regulation for letting agents, which currently applies to transactions with monthly rents of £10,000 or more.

AI Northern LGPS and LPPI have launched Four Corners, an in-house property management company, to oversee their joint residential portfolio of 5,478 rental homes across England, Scotland, and Wales. The joint venture plans to invest £1 billion over the next decade to expand its portfolio by over 15,000 homes, aiming for a total of 20,000. This move reflects a trend towards large-scale institutional ownership, with Savills reporting over £900 million invested in build-to-rent in Q3, bringing year-to-date volumes to £4.2 billion. Four Corners aims to raise standards and improve the renter experience, encouraging personalisation and offering flexible pet policies. Border to Coast also recently acquired an £400 million portfolio of 866 single-family homes in the South East.

AI The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) September residential survey indicates a continued squeeze on the UK rental market. A net balance of +23% of letting agents reported increased tenant demand, marking the third consecutive month of growth, while landlord instructions remained low. Looking ahead, +37% of agents anticipate rent increases over the next three months, a figure higher than the +27% average for the first half of the year. Agents in Essex, Suffolk, and London note tight supply and affordability ceilings for tenants. For landlords: The imbalance between landlord costs and tenant budgets, alongside increased demand, is expected to drive rent increases.

AI The Property Ombudsman has expelled three property firms for failing to pay compensation to complainants. Musgrove & Co, a letting agent based in North Walsham, was expelled for not paying a £300 award to a landlord regarding a mishandled holding deposit and tenancy agreement errors. Coles Property Management (C.P.M (NW) Ltd) of Blackpool was expelled for failing to pay £100 to a landlord concerning delays in transferring tenant deposits and rent. Tothill Residential Surveying Ltd, based in Mundon, Essex, was expelled for not paying £800 to a homebuyer who did not receive a paid-for survey report. These expulsions highlight the Ombudsman's enforcement of compensation awards.

Three businesses expelled for £1,000 of owed awards as Lesley Horton of The Property Ombudsman warns paying redress is not optional.

An update on work to carefully take down Grenfell Tower, including dust, noise and vibration monitoring reports.

AI A government consultation is open until 18 December 2026 on extending Awaab's Law to private renters in England. This law, already active in social housing since October 2025, sets legal deadlines for landlords to fix dangerous issues like severe damp and mould. The proposed extension aims to protect England's 11 million private renters, potentially increasing the total number of households covered from 4 million to around 9 million. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook stated all renters deserve safe homes and timely complaint responses. For landlords: The consultation will inform how Awaab's Law is implemented in the private rented sector, including the timeline for these new protections.

AI The government plans to extend Awaab’s Law, which sets strict deadlines for landlords to repair serious health and safety issues, to the private rental sector in England. This law, initially introduced for social housing last year to address dangerous damp and mould, will now apply to private landlords. A consultation, closing on December 18, will determine how these protections are implemented for England's 11 million private renters. The Renters Rights Act already allows fines up to £7,000 for serious hazards, but Awaab’s Law will mandate quicker action. For landlords: This extension will introduce new legal deadlines for addressing serious health and safety hazards in private rented homes.

AI Reading Council is hosting a free Landlord Information Evening on Thursday, October 15, in partnership with the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA). The event aims to update landlords on legislative changes, NRLA campaigns, and the future of the private rented sector, with NRLA Public Affairs Officer Joshua Helm-Cowley as a guest speaker. Seminars will cover topics like tax, damp and mould, serving notices, rent increases, and local licensing requirements. The council will also promote its Rent Guarantee Scheme and other support available to landlords in Reading.

AI Several activist groups have voiced support for the government's proposal to extend Awaab's Law to the private rental sector across England. Organisations including Generation Rent, the Renters' Reform Coalition, Crisis, Independent Age, and Become welcome the consultation, advocating for its swift implementation. They highlight concerns about renters living in homes detrimental to health, citing issues like damp, mould, and pests, and the need for landlords to address these promptly. The proposed extension aims to ensure all renters, including those in temporary accommodation and care leavers, have safe and suitable homes. For landlords: The government is consulting on applying Awaab's Law, currently for social housing, to the private rental sector, which would introduce stricter standards for property conditions and repair times.

AI Burnley Council has initiated a six-week public consultation regarding proposals to restrict the conversion of properties into Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs). The council is considering removing permitted development rights in six specific wards, which currently allow a single dwelling to become a small HMO without requiring planning permission. This measure, part of a long-term strategy to manage HMOs in the borough, aims to give the council greater control over their number and location. The consultation concludes on November 6, with a decision expected in spring 2027 and potential implementation by September 2027.

AI Allsop has published its tenth residential auction catalogue for 2026, featuring 286 lots across England, Scotland, and Wales. The online auction, scheduled for October 21 and 22, includes 16 lots guided at £1 million or more. Key opportunities include a mixed-use investment in Bournemouth with 50 letting rooms, and Bywater House in Birmingham, a student investment generating £335,505 per annum from 25 studio flats and other units. Also featured is a freehold block in Ashford, Surrey, comprising ten flats and a Superdrug retail unit, with a total rent of £270,000 per annum.

AI Bradley Hall, a property consultancy, has relocated its Manchester office to larger city-centre premises on King Street. This move, announced on 9 October 2026, follows growth in its valuation business and aims to accommodate further recruitment within its residential and commercial property team. The Manchester team, led by associate director Charlotte Williams, serves Greater Manchester, Cumbria, Lancashire, Cheshire, and Merseyside. Recent appointments include Sienna Baker as a graduate surveyor, Benjamin Riddle as associate director, and Matthew Beswick as a chartered surveyor, with more hires planned. The office primarily focuses on residential and commercial valuations for various clients.

AI The government plans to extend Awaab’s Law, which sets strict deadlines for landlords to repair serious health and safety issues, to the private rental sector in England. Introduced last year for social housing, the law currently mandates fixes for dangerous damp and mould. A consultation, closing on December 18, will determine how these protections are implemented for England's 11 million private renters, including timescales for new requirements. The government notes that approximately one in ten private rented homes has a Category 1 hazard, which already carries fines of up to £7,000 under the Renters Rights Act. For landlords: This extension will introduce new legal deadlines for addressing serious health and safety hazards in private rented properties.

AI Lomond has acquired Liverpool-based letting and estate agent City Residential, founded by Alan Bevan in 2001. This acquisition follows Lomond's earlier purchase of Homesure, another Liverpool firm, which will now manage City Residential's portfolio. The deal increases Lomond's total properties under management to 72,000, with over 2,600 employees and 150+ branches across the UK. Lomond operates in regions including Scotland, Yorkshire, the North West, Midlands, London, Kent, and the South Coast.

AI The Property Ombudsman (TPO) has expelled three letting agencies from its redress scheme for failing to pay compensation awards. Musgrove & Co (Musco Property Limited) of North Walsham, Norfolk, Tothill Residential Surveying Ltd of Mundon, Essex, and Coles Property Management (C.P.M (NW) Limited) of Blackpool were removed. Musgrove & Co failed to pay a £300 award to a landlord, Tothill Residential Surveying Ltd did not pay an £800 award to a buyer, and Coles Property Management failed to pay a £100 award to a landlord. TPO's Chief Ombudsman, Lesley Horton, stated that expulsion is a last resort, with only three businesses reaching this stage this quarter. For landlords: The Property Ombudsman's expulsions demonstrate that the scheme takes action against agents who fail to comply with compensation awards, including those made to landlords.

AI A new property management company, Four Corners, aims to improve the rental experience by encouraging tenants to personalise their homes. The firm allows residents to paint walls, hang artwork, and use removable fixings, citing research that 92% of renters desire such customisation. Four Corners also promotes gardening and a flexible approach to pets, moving away from arbitrary limits. Chief operating officer Peter Kennedy states their model prioritises residents' comfort and ability to make a rental feel like home, going beyond basic rights supported by the Renters Rights Act.

AI Self-employed agency eXp UK will host a three-day global event in summer 2027 at a Park Lane hotel in London. The event, eXpcon, will feature eXp Realty's global chief executive, Leo Pareja, and eXp UK's Country Leader, Adam Day. The programme will cover leadership, innovation, strategy, and community, celebrating the growth of eXp agents, who now number over 1,000 in the UK. The event aims to connect UK agents with international counterparts and showcase the UK business.

AI Research by LetCompliance on HMRC's official list of Making Tax Digital (MTD) software reveals that one-third of the 128 products for landlords' British property income cannot yet file a full tax return. MTD for Income Tax launched on April 6, 2026, for landlords and sole traders with income over £50,000, extending to those earning above £30,000 from April 6, 2027. While 84 products are ready for the tax return, 32 are "in development," and 12 do not include it. The first quarterly deadline was in August, with the next in November, and the full tax return for 2026-2027 is due by January 31, 2028. For landlords: The availability of fully compliant MTD software for the 2026-2027 tax return, due by January 2028, is limited.

AI The London Renters Union has stated that government plans to tackle rogue landlords and build more council homes will take years to have an effect. They argue that while these measures are essential, they will only work at scale and will not address the immediate affordability crisis faced by millions of tenants due to soaring rents and energy bills. The Union is advocating for rent control as a policy that could provide immediate relief and save billions in housing benefit. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government countered that the Renters' Rights Act protects tenants from excessive rent increases and that long-term affordability will be achieved by boosting housing supply with a £39 billion investment in social and affordable housing. For landlords: The London Renters Union is stepping up campaigns for rent control.

AI Propertymark has released a new guide for letting agent members on managing tenant pet requests, aiming to reduce disputes and risks. The guide covers rules across the UK, noting that in England, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 grants tenants the right to request a pet, with landlords unable to refuse unreasonably and a 28-day consideration timeframe. It also highlights varying deposit rules across Britain and advises on assessing property suitability, checking lease restrictions, and encouraging tenant-provided references. Propertymark suggests allowing pets can increase property desirability and tenancy length. For landlords: the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 will require consideration of pet requests within 28 days and prohibits unreasonable refusal.

AI The Guild of Property Professionals' regional tour, covering areas including Cornwall, Exeter, Bristol, the South West, and Cardiff, reveals how agents are adapting to a challenging housing market. Key changes include developing new service opportunities beyond sales commission, such as premium marketing and conveyancing referrals. Agents are also increasingly using AI for tasks like property descriptions and workflow automation, and improving operational efficiency to address concerns like transaction times, which can extend to 16-20 weeks. These adjustments aim to meet evolving consumer expectations and manage increased stock and reduced buyer urgency.

AI Jonathan Hawthorne has been appointed Sales Director at Romans, part of LRG, marking his twenty-fifth year with the estate agency. Hawthorne joined Romans in 2001 as a Trainee Sales Advisor, progressing to Manager of the Bracknell office in 2014, and subsequently to various sales director roles. He will now lead the sales operation for Romans, which operates 27 offices primarily in the Thames Valley. This appointment comes as agents navigate changing market conditions.

AI Spain's left-leaning government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has introduced measures to address a housing crisis, including new regulations for holiday lets and a ban on evictions for vulnerable individuals until 2030. These proposals, reported in publications like El Periódico de Catalunya, have faced opposition from right-wing parties, leading Sánchez to call a snap general election. The Confederation of Tenants’ Unions has campaigned on issues like the eviction of an 87-year-old woman. The article suggests Spain's situation could foreshadow potential developments in the UK if a minority Labour government comes to power after the 2029 general election, particularly concerning rent controls or eviction bans, which UK charities like Shelter and groups like Generation Rent have advocated for.

AI The Property Franchise Group (TPFG) has acquired a 25% stake in the conversational AI platform Enteka Ai. TPFG is investing £900,000 for a 15% equity interest, with an additional 10% stake issued upfront, subject to a three-year commercial agreement making Enteka TPFG's preferred AI provider. Enteka's technology, which handles enquiries across various communication channels and manages leads and appointments, is already in use in over 210 TPFG offices, including brands like Belvoir and Martin & Co. This move aims to expand AI use across TPFG's network, affecting its franchisees and their operations.

AI UK house prices remained flat in September, with the average property price at £298,441, according to the Lloyds House Price Index. This followed a 0.3% fall in August and no change compared to September last year, though prices slipped 0.2% quarterly. Higher mortgage rates and economic uncertainty are restraining the market, but buyer interest has improved, with new enquiries reaching their highest level since February. Borrowing costs, with fixed mortgage rates near 6%, are a significant factor, alongside upcoming Budget speculation. For landlords: The flatlining house prices and increased buyer caution, particularly in North London as noted by Jeremy Leaf, indicate a more challenging sales environment for residential properties.

AI Homeflow has introduced an AI live chat tool for estate agents, designed to manage website enquiries 24/7. Launched on 7 October 2026, this assistant answers questions from buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants, even outside office hours. The system uses agency-specific data on branches, services, and property listings to provide relevant responses and capture contact details, viewing requests, and valuation enquiries, which are then recorded in Homeflow’s Lead Manager for agent follow-up. Bradleys Estate Agents is already utilising the technology, with their AI assistant "Brad" handling hundreds of conversations.

AI Jonathan Hawthorne has been promoted to sales director at Romans, part of LRG, after 25 years with the agency, having joined in 2001. He will now lead sales across Romans' 27 offices, primarily in the Thames Valley. Separately, Charles Lloyd, formerly head of Savills Mayfair, has joined UK Forbes Global Properties as a founder partner, bringing nearly 40 years of prime residential market experience. He will serve clients in Prime Central London and the Home Counties. The ESTAS has also appointed Amy Bibiris as executive director ahead of its 23rd annual awards in London on 16 October. For landlords: Charles Lloyd's appointment at UK Forbes Global Properties means a new founder partner is available for buyers and sellers in Prime Central London and the Home Counties.

AI Berkeley Group, a major housebuilder, has urged the Chancellor to cut stamp duty on new homes in its Budget submission dated 7 October 2026. The company proposes capping stamp duty at 1% for first-time buyers and downsizers, and removing the 5% surcharge for investors purchasing new-build rental properties. Berkeley claims these reforms could unlock 60,000 additional homes annually and generate an extra £4.2bn for the Treasury, despite a 56% fall in private home sales in London last year compared to 2022, with only 8,840 sold. The developer estimates removing the investor surcharge could save a typical investor £13,000 and increase sales by at least 30%. For landlords: The proposed removal of the 5% stamp duty surcharge on new-build rental homes would reduce acquisition costs for investors.

AI Propertymark has released a new guide for letting agents and landlords regarding tenant requests to keep pets. This follows changes in regulations across the UK, including England's Renters’ Rights Act 2025, which grants tenants the right to request a pet, with landlords unable to refuse unreasonably. The guide details the 28-day timeframe for considering requests and outlines grounds for refusal. It also covers differences in rules across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, including tenancy deposits. For landlords: The guide provides practical advice on navigating pet requests under the evolving legal framework in England.

AI Over 500 rental properties daily are estimated to be leaving the private rented sector in 2026, according to TwentyEA, following 181,000 departures in 2025 and 111,696 in 2024. However, John Minnis Estate Agents suggests an inheritance boom could introduce new buy-to-let investors. Resolution Foundation research indicates 2.1 million adults received an inheritance in 2018-20, with 32% receiving at least £50,000. The agency posits that even a small fraction of these recipients investing in property could create thousands of new landlords, potentially offsetting the current decline in rental supply.

The prime minister needs to reach out to the widest electorate constituency

AI Zoopla's research, based on an Opinium survey of 2,000 UK adults in September 2026, reveals that 44% of homeowners have secretly taken steps towards moving without informing other adults in their household. This includes 27% who have browsed listings and 21% who have checked their home's value online. Notably, 10% have secretly viewed a property, and 2% have made a secret offer. London showed the highest proportion of covert property activity at 62%, compared to a UK average of 44%. For landlords: This research concerns homeowners and their moving intentions, not the rental market or landlord-tenant relationships.

AI Research by Zoopla indicates that 44% of UK homeowners have secretly taken at least one property-related action without informing other adults in their household, such as browsing homes or checking their property's value. This includes 38% who browse while watching TV with those they are concealing it from. Among those serious about buying within one to three years, 72% have already taken such actions. London leads the trend, with 62% of residents engaging in secret property research, followed by the West Midlands at 54% and the North West at 53%. For landlords: This research highlights a significant proportion of London homeowners are actively and secretly exploring moving, potentially increasing churn in the sales market.

AI The average UK room rent reached a record £769 per month in Q3 2026, with year-on-year rental supply decreasing by 4.7%. SpareRoom data indicates that Belfast and Exeter experienced the largest rent increases among the top 20 cities, while Swansea and Manchester saw falls. Inner London's average monthly room rent hit £1,002, a 2.3% rise from the previous quarter and 1.1% year-on-year, nearing its Q4 2023 record. Outer London's average rent remained stable at £800 per month. Inner London also saw a 7.3% drop in room rental supply. For landlords: The Renters' Rights Act is cited as a factor in landlords leaving the market, contributing to reduced supply and rising rents.

AI An analysis of HMRC's software finder reveals that one-third of products listed for landlords using Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax cannot yet file the final tax return. Out of 128 products supporting UK property income, only 84 are ready for the final tax return, with 32 in development and 12 not including it. This means approximately 34% of available products for UK property income lack this crucial feature. HMRC states its Software Choices tool is regularly updated, and features marked 'under development' are expected to be ready before year-end returns are due. MTD came into force six months ago. For landlords: The availability of MTD-compliant software for filing end-of-year tax returns is currently limited for a significant proportion of listed products.

AI Shadow Housing Secretary Katie Lam reportedly advocated for the repeal of the Renters’ Rights Act at a fringe event during the annual Conservative conference, despite the party confirming this is not official policy. Lam criticised Labour's proposal for managing vacant properties after six months and suggested Conservative plans to reduce new-build home costs by up to £50,000. Other proposals included scrapping the Future Homes Standard, replacing Section 106 and the Community Infrastructure Levy with a single levy, and abolishing Stamp Duty. Propertymark's Timothy Douglas welcomed moves to increase housing supply and simplify planning, noting Stamp Duty removal could improve market mobility, but cautioned against scrapping the Future Homes Standard without careful consideration.

AI Liverpool City Council plans to introduce new Article 4 Directions in five areas: Kirkdale, Everton, County, Walton, Orrell Park and part of Fazakerley; part of Tuebrook Larkhill; Old Swan and part of Stoneycroft; Penny Lane and part of Calderstones and St Michaels and Sefton Park. This aims to manage the growth of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), which currently constitute 3% to 4.6% of the city's housing stock. A recent survey showed 80% of 1,070 respondents supported extending these controls. The council will publish proposals and begin a statutory consultation after cabinet approval.

Minister of State Matthew Pennycook MP has written to the Planning Inspectorate Chief Executive Graham Stallwood on the new National Planning Policy Framework.

AI Spain's government has recently approved tighter rental regulations, including rent controls and stronger eviction protections, following widespread protests. Credit ratings agency Morningstar DBRS warns these measures could deter rental investment, potentially reducing supply and increasing rents. This situation is seen as a potential warning for the UK, where a future Labour government might face pressure to implement similar policies in England. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has proposed rent controls for England from 2027/28, alongside restoring Local Housing Allowance to the 30th percentile of local rents.

AI Greater Manchester has introduced the 12-month Better Renting programme, a pilot scheme by the Dispute Service (TDS) Group and the Nationwide Foundation. It aims to improve landlord compliance by offering practical tools, including a new website, webinars, and guides, to help landlords understand their responsibilities and licensing requirements. This initiative follows research by the TDS Charitable Foundation indicating that keeping up with policy changes is a major challenge for landlords in the region. The programme will also support the Greater Manchester Good Landlord Charter, a voluntary scheme for residential landlords.

AI A new initiative, the Better Renting programme, is launching in Manchester to improve landlord compliance with regulations. Research by the TDS Charitable Foundation found that 21% of landlords nationally struggle to keep up with legal changes, contributing to non-compliance in Greater Manchester's private rented sector, which comprises almost 250,000 households. Led by The Dispute Service Group and the Nationwide Foundation, the programme will provide practical tools and a new website for Greater Manchester landlords, aiming to clarify responsibilities and licensing requirements. It will also assist councils in communicating effectively with landlords, supporting the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act.

AI Nearly four in ten London flats resold between August 2025 and August 2026, after being held for five to ten years, sold for less than their previous purchase price, according to e.surv Chartered Surveyors. This proportion was the highest in Britain, compared to around one-third in the South East and East of England, and just over one-quarter across Great Britain. The disparity between flat and house prices has widened since 2017, influenced by concerns over building safety, cladding, and service charges. London's overall house prices declined by 2.3% year-on-year. For landlords: London flats held for five to ten years and resold in the year to August 2026 frequently changed hands at a nominal loss.

AI UK house prices were unchanged in September at £298,441, following a 0.3% fall in August, according to Lloyds Bank's index. Annually, prices also showed no change compared to September last year, though Northern Ireland saw a 7.4% annual growth. While the overall market has been subdued, property prices have remained resilient despite higher mortgage rates. However, prices are sliding across London, southern England, and East Anglia, where buyers face significant affordability challenges due to mortgage interest rates being at their highest in three years. For landlords: House prices are sliding across London.

AI PropTech platform Dwelly, which has acquired ten independent UK letting agencies in 2025, including Paramount Properties and Eden Harper, and manages 15,000 units, warns the private rental sector faces its toughest period in years. The company, backed by US$170m investment, attributes this to increased regulation, rising operating costs, and the Renters’ Rights Act. Dwelly believes these challenges make the sector ripe for technology, with its AI platform automating administrative tasks to enhance operational efficiency for agents and support landlords.

AI A finance service, Taxd, is calling for increased support for landlords as Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD) expands. Over one million sole traders and landlords are being given six months to prepare for MTD, which currently applies to those with £50,000 gross qualifying income. From April next year, this threshold will decrease to £30,000, potentially including many more landlords who may not realise they are affected due to the gross income calculation. Taxd highlights that the main challenge is the initial setup, which requires landlords to purchase approved software for quarterly submissions to HMRC. For landlords: The MTD income threshold will drop to £30,000 gross qualifying income from next April, requiring affected landlords to use approved software for quarterly tax submissions.

AI Two founding members, Nick Cheshire and Dan Kirby, who operate Essex estate agency Nest, have acquired a majority stake in the Ethical Agent Network (EAN). This change, effective October 8, 2026, means Cheshire and Kirby will manage the network's daily operations and future growth. Founder Jerry Lyons will retain a shareholder and ambassador role, continuing as head of PR and Community Consultancy. EAN, launched in March 2024, is a network for independent estate and letting agencies, requiring members to commit to standards in client service, honesty, staff development, and community involvement. This affects independent estate and letting agencies that are members or prospective members of EAN.

AI Chestertons has appointed Jordana Miles as Head of Short Lets, nearly a year after she joined the company as Business Development Manager. The agency reports increased activity across its lettings division, with tenant demand up 7% and move-ins up 3% since May. Year-on-year, August saw a 13% rise in prospective tenant enquiries and a 6% increase in new landlord instructions. Miles will lead the short lets team, which is experiencing growing demand from corporate clients, international tenants relocating to London, and ex-landlords whose properties have not sold as quickly as expected. For landlords: This indicates a potential opportunity for owners of unsold properties in London to generate income through short lets.

AI Propertymark will engage with the government to clarify details regarding proposed mandatory regulation for letting agents. Propertymark's chief executive, Nathan Emerson, welcomed Labour's proposals for agent licensing and qualifications, alongside a regulator to set conduct and complaints standards, with powers to remove licences. The organisation advocates for a consistent framework to protect consumers and ensure fair conditions for businesses already investing in qualifications and training. Unresolved details include specific qualifications, licence funding, transitional arrangements, and the implementation timetable, as well as how the new regulator would interact with existing redress schemes and professional bodies.

AI The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) September sentiment survey indicates a continued rise in tenant demand for the third consecutive month, alongside a limited supply of available rental homes. A net balance of +37% of RICS members anticipate landlords will increase rents by Christmas, a figure lower than August's +44% but above the +27% average for the first half of the year. The sales market, however, shows weakening buyer demand and falling agreed sales in September, with house prices facing downward pressure. For landlords: RICS members expect rent increases by Christmas.