The Price Index of Private Rents (PIPR) measures private rent inflation for new and existing tenancies. The UK House Price Index (HPI) measures house price inflation.

England

Average monthly rent for England was £1,446 in June 2026, up by 3.4% (£47) from a year earlier. This annual rise was unchanged in the 12 months to May 2026 (3.4%).

On 1st May 2026, Phase 1 of the Renters' Rights Act came into force – the most significant overhaul of the private rented sector since the Housing Act 1988 (Amended). Assured Shorthold Tenancies gave way to periodic agreements, Section 21 was abolished,  Section 8 became the only notice landlords can rely on to obtain possession and Section 13 the only lawful route to increase rent; rent in advanced has been limited to one monthly payment; landlords are not able to accept offers above the advertised asking price; there is no rent control or caps on rent increases, and rents can be increased in line with market rent; joint tenants can serve notice to bring the tenancy to an end without consulting with their co-tenants.

The first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 came into force on 1st May 2026, marking one of the most significant historical changes to possession proceedings since the introduction of assured and assured shorthold tenancies under the Housing Act 1988 (Amended).

The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has published correspondence from Matthew Pennycook, Minister of State for Housing and Planning, which states that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will be unable to issue a response to the Committee’s report before the two-month deadline of 27 July 2026.

It is doubtful that anyone is surprised that Angela Rayner MP has been bought back into the fray and is back in post at Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government - civil servants welcomed her back and put her official portrait back where it once was little over 10 months ago. There are many schools of thought that feel aggrieved given the alleged misunderstanding over the payment of Stamp Duty, however, there is a job to be done - she knows how the land lies - she is more than familiar with the department and Matthew Pennycook is forging ahead with ensuring the Labour Manifesto for Housing is well and truly adhered to.

As the UK experiences more frequent and more prolonged periods of extreme heat, landlords and letting agents are increasingly having to think seriously about how well their properties perform in warm weather — something that has traditionally received far less attention than winter preparedness. Where a burst pipe or a failed boiler was once the typical emergency call, an unbearably hot flat in July is now just as likely to prompt an anxious message from a tenant, and agencies that treat heat as a genuine housing condition issue, rather than simply “the weather”, tend to manage the summer season considerably more smoothly.

On 20 July 2026, Andy Burnham was appointed Prime Minister after being elected unopposed as Labour leader following Sir Keir Starmer's resignation. It is a change of leader rather than a change of governing party — there has been no general election. But for an agency built around the private rented sector, a change of Prime Minister with as long and as specific a housing track record as Andy Burnham's is not a footnote. It is worth understanding properly, both for what is unlikely to change.

Summer holidays, longer daylight hours and warmer weather tends to bring an increase in noise-related complaints, particularly in flats, apartments and properties with gardens. Handling these fairly and consistently, matters more than ever now that landlords must rely on Section 8 (Form 3A) should they wish to end a tenancy.

On 17th July 2026, we welcomed members to our latest webinar, continuing a programme that has become one of the most valuable ways we keep our clients informed, answer questions and provide practical guidance during periods of legislative change.

What began as a response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved into an established benefit, helping professionals stay informed and prepared as the regulatory landscape continues to change.

As temperatures soar during the summer months, so too does pest activity. Heatwaves create ideal conditions for insects and rodents, resulting in a noticeable increase in reports of ants, flies, wasps, rodents and other unwelcome visitors finding their way into rental homes.

Whilst many pest issues are relatively straightforward to resolve, they can quickly become probelmatic if it is unclear who is responsible for dealing with them. This is where a well-drafted tenancy agreement, supported by good communication between landlord and tenant, becomes invaluable.

In 2018, the Regulation of Property Agents (RoPA) working group Chaired by Lord Best examined the options for raising standards across the property agent sector.

The working group made recommendations on:

• a model for an independent property-agent regulator

• a single, mandatory Code of Practice for property agents

• minimum entry qualifications and continuing professional development for property agents

• clarifying processes and charges for leaseholders

2nd July 2026, sees House of Commons sit from 09:30 am. The primary business will centre around oral questions to government ministers, the Business Statement, and backbench debates as follows:-
09:30 am: Oral questions to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle
Following Trade Questions: Business Statement to the Leader of the House

Videos created with The Guild of Letting & Management

The Deposit Protection Service (The DPS) has released a series of webinars for landlords and letting agents about the Renters’ Rights Act. The free-to-view videos cover:-

• Changes to tenancy structures

• Rules on raising rents

• Pets in rented properties

• Enforcement powers

The Government has announced plans to abolish insured tenancy deposit schemes which means landlords and letting agents will no longer be permitted to hold tenants' deposits in their client accounts, even where those deposits are protected through an approved insurance-backed scheme.

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook confirmed that the Government intends to move to a single custodial model, requiring all tenancy deposits to be transferred to an authorised custodial tenancy deposit scheme at the outset of the tenancy.

The proposal forms part of the Government's wider programme of housing reform and is intended to strengthen consumer protection by ensuring that tenancy deposits are always held by an independent third party.