Audit Property Adverts, Referencing Processes and Notices
Almost six months after Phase 1 of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 came into force, enforcement is no longer a future concern. An agent has been fined for breaching the Act and councils across England are now publishing their enforcement policies, setting out exactly what they will be looking for and what breaches will cost landlords and letting agents.
For letting agents, the message is clear, a routine slip - error - omission - repeated across dozens of tenancies, for example, property details, a referencing question that has not been reviewed or a notice template that pre-dates 1st May 2026.
MHCLG Consultation - Extending Awaab's Law to the Private Rented Sector
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published a consultation on extending Awaab's Law to private rented sector tenancies and to certain types of accommodation occupied under licence.
Awaab's Law was introduced in social housing sector in October 2025 and requires social landlords to investigate and address hazards such as damp and mould within set timescales. The consultation will use these existing social housing requirements as its starting point, however, it recognises that there are significant differences between the social and private rented sectors and seeks views and evidence on whether the same requirements would work effectively in the private rented sector, or whether modifications are needed to achieve the best outcomes.
Provide User Feedback for the PRS Database Development Team
Following a TLIC meeting last week, Theresa Wallace has asked us to share an opportunity for letting agents to trial the Government's Register Your Property Service as part of the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database private beta.
The PRS Database team at MHCLG have advised that the most effective way for letting agents to provide feedback on the service is to participate in the private beta.
A Sector in Transition - Angela Rayner announces Crackdown on 'Cowboy' Leasehold Property Agents
Ewan Somerville - Political reporter - BBC
Labour Party Conference - 29th September 2026
Leaseholders will be given extra protections from "cowboy" property agents and hidden fees, Angela Rayner has announced.
The housing secretary told Labour's annual conference the government would legislate for a new independent regulator and launch a consultation to cap "rip off" administrative fees.