Enforcement Watch12 May 2026·Landlord Insights Editorial
Enforcement Watch: Edition 002, May 2026
First post-Renters' Rights Act prosecutions emerge in Rotherham and Derby as councils exercise new statutory enforcement powers, with the 31 May Information Sheet deadline adding a live £7,000 civil penalty exposure for landlords who have not yet complied.
Legislation07 May 2026·Landlord Insights Editorial
Section 21 abolition: what landlords must do before October
The Renters' Rights Act abolishes Section 21 notices from 1 October 2026. This guide sets out what landlords need to check, update, and do before that date arrives.
Enforcement Watch07 May 2026·Landlord Insights Editorial
Enforcement Watch: Edition 001, May 2026
Civil penalty ceilings raised to £40,000 and rent repayment orders doubled to 24 months as the Renters' Rights Act came into force on 1 May 2026, alongside £41 million in new enforcement funding distributed to English councils.
Guides05 May 2026·Landlord Insights Editorial
How to increase rent legally under the Renters' Rights Act: a step-by-step guide
From 1 May 2026, rent can only be increased once per year using the Section 13 process. Contractual rent review clauses are no longer valid. This guide walks through the exact steps landlords must follow to increase rent lawfully.
Guides03 May 2026·Landlord Insights Editorial
Pet requests under the new rules: how to handle them properly
From 1 May 2026, tenants have the right to request permission to keep a pet. Landlords cannot unreasonably refuse. This guide explains what counts as a reasonable refusal, how to require pet damage insurance, and how to handle requests professionally.
Legislation02 May 2026·Landlord Insights Editorial
Rent repayment orders doubled to two years: how to protect yourself
From 1 May 2026, tenants can claim rent repayment orders covering up to two years of rent, doubled from the previous one-year maximum. This article explains which offences qualify, how the tribunal calculates awards, and what landlords must do to avoid exposure.
Legislation01 May 2026·Landlord Insights Editorial
Section 21 abolished: what landlords need to know about the new possession grounds
Section 21 no-fault evictions were abolished on 1 May 2026. This guide explains the new possession grounds available to landlords under the reformed Section 8 process, including the 12-month protected period and expanded grounds for sale and move-in.
Enforcement Watch30 Apr 2026·Landlord Insights Editorial
Enforcement Watch: Edition 006, April 2026
The government announces £41 million in enforcement funding for 317 English councils ahead of Renters' Rights Act commencement, as Brighton & Hove approves its enforcement policy and Kensington & Chelsea consults on its post-RRA penalty framework.
Guides20 Apr 2026·Landlord Insights Editorial
The landlord's checklist for 1 May 2026: everything you need to have done
1 May 2026 marks the biggest change to private renting in England in a generation. This checklist covers everything landlords need to have in place before the Renters' Rights Act takes effect.
Compliance15 Apr 2026·Landlord Insights Editorial
The information sheet deadline: what every landlord must do by 31 May 2026
Every landlord in England with an existing tenancy must send the government's Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet to all named tenants by 31 May 2026. Failure to do so carries fines of up to £7,000. Here is exactly what you need to do.
Property Standards01 Apr 2026·Landlord Insights Editorial
The complete guide to HMO fire safety requirements in 2026
Fire safety is one of the most inspected and most penalised areas of HMO compliance. This guide covers every requirement, from smoke alarms to fire doors to escape routes, and explains what inspectors are looking for.
Enforcement Watch31 Mar 2026·Landlord Insights Editorial
Enforcement Watch: Edition 005, March 2026
NRLA Freedom of Information research reveals English councils collected just 25 per cent of civil penalties imposed on landlords over two years, while Rotherham launches new selective licensing and Brighton prepares enforcement policy for the Renters' Rights Act.
Tax & Finance15 Mar 2026·Landlord Insights Editorial
Making Tax Digital for landlords: what you actually need to do
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax becomes mandatory from April 2026 for landlords earning over £50,000 in rental income. This guide cuts through the confusion and explains exactly what is required, what software you need, and when the deadlines apply.
Licensing01 Mar 2026·Landlord Insights Editorial
Selective licensing in London: which boroughs require it in 2026
A growing number of London boroughs now operate selective licensing schemes. This guide covers which boroughs require licences in 2026, what the fees are, and what happens if you let without one.
Enforcement Watch28 Feb 2026·Landlord Insights Editorial
Enforcement Watch: Edition 004, February 2026
Harrow Council approves six new selective licensing designations covering over 10,000 properties, while HMO prosecution cases emerge in Derby, Sheffield, and Leeds as councils step up enforcement ahead of the Renters' Rights Act.
Property Standards20 Feb 2026·Landlord Insights Editorial
MEES Band C by 2030: what it will cost and how to prepare your portfolio
The government has confirmed that all privately rented properties must reach EPC Band C by 2030. With a spending cap of up to £15,000 per property, landlords need to start planning now. Here is what the changes mean and how to budget for them.
Compliance15 Feb 2026·Landlord Insights Editorial
Deposit protection mistakes that still catch landlords out in 2026
Despite being a legal requirement since 2007, deposit protection errors remain one of the most common landlord compliance failures. This article covers the most frequent mistakes, the penalties, and how to avoid them.
Guides01 Feb 2026·Landlord Insights Editorial
Landlords rushing for the exit: what the data actually shows
Reports of a landlord exodus have intensified since the Renters' Rights Act. But what does the data actually show? This article examines the evidence, separates signal from noise, and explains what it means for landlords who are staying.
Enforcement Watch31 Jan 2026·Landlord Insights Editorial
Enforcement Watch: Edition 003, January 2026
Selective licensing expansion continues across English councils as the sector prepares for the Renters' Rights Act, with multiple prosecution outcomes in England and renewed enforcement activity in Scotland and Wales.
Licensing28 Jan 2026·Landlord Insights Editorial
49 new licensing schemes launched in 2025, with 16 more planned for 2026
Research by Kamma found that 49 new selective and additional licensing schemes launched across England in 2025, with at least 16 more confirmed for 2026. The rapid expansion means more landlords than ever need to check their licensing obligations.
Licensing20 Jan 2026·Landlord Insights Editorial
Northern Ireland landlord registration: what you need to know
All landlords letting property in Northern Ireland must register with the Department for Communities. This guide covers the registration process, the legal requirements specific to NI, and how the system differs from England, Wales, and Scotland.
Property Standards10 Jan 2026·Landlord Insights Editorial
EICR failures: what to do when your electrical report comes back unsatisfactory
An unsatisfactory EICR result requires prompt action. This guide explains the difference between C1, C2, and C3 codes, what remedial works are required, the timeframes you must meet, and the penalties for non-compliance.
Legislation20 Dec 2025·Landlord Insights Editorial
Hackney tribunal case: landlord's reasonable excuse blocked £40,000 rent repayment claim
The Upper Tribunal ruled that a landlord's reasonable excuse for not having an HMO licence, caused by a council website payment fault, meant no offence was being committed during that period, blocking a tenant's rent repayment order application.
Property Standards15 Dec 2025·Landlord Insights Editorial
Gas safety certificates: the annual check you cannot afford to miss
An annual gas safety check is one of the most fundamental legal obligations for landlords. Missing it is a criminal offence carrying unlimited fines and up to six months imprisonment. This guide covers what is required and how to stay compliant.
Legislation11 Dec 2025·Landlord Insights Editorial
New civil penalty tables published: fines start at £3,000 and climb to £35,000
The government published detailed civil penalty tables under the Renters' Rights Act, setting out starting points for fines ranging from £3,000 for minor breaches to £35,000 for breaching a banning order. The tables give councils a clear framework for enforcement.
Licensing01 Dec 2025·Landlord Insights Editorial
Westminster goes borough-wide on selective licensing: what landlords need to know
The City of Westminster launched a borough-wide selective licensing scheme in November 2025, with a notable requirement for overseas landlords to appoint UK-based managing agents. Here is what the scheme covers and who needs to apply.
Property Standards15 Nov 2025·Landlord Insights Editorial
Awaab's Law: what private landlords need to know now
Awaab's Law came into force for social housing on 27 October 2025, with mandatory timeframes for investigating and fixing damp, mould, and emergency hazards. The government has confirmed it will extend to the private rented sector. Here is what that means for you.
Compliance01 Nov 2025·Landlord Insights Editorial
Barnet landlord fined £20,000 and given suspended prison sentence for illegal eviction
A landlord in Barnet who illegally evicted a tenant and demanded extra rent was fined £20,000 and handed a suspended prison sentence. The case shows that illegal eviction is treated as a criminal offence with serious consequences.
Licensing05 Oct 2025·Landlord Insights Editorial
Charnwood landlord fined £29,000 for a single unlicensed property
A landlord in Charnwood, Leicestershire was fined £29,000, rising to nearly £50,000 with costs, for failing to licence a single property under the local selective licensing scheme. The case demonstrates that even one unlicensed property can carry severe financial consequences.
Compliance20 Sept 2025·Landlord Insights Editorial
Greater Manchester enforcement up 43% as region invests £1.5m in housing officers
Greater Manchester has seen a 43% increase in civil penalties and a 50% rise in fines over two years after investing £1.5 million in dedicated housing enforcement officers. The region's Good Landlord Charter is also reshaping expectations.
Compliance15 Aug 2025·Landlord Insights Editorial
Waltham Forest landlord fined £293,000 for planning breach, with prison threat
A landlord in Waltham Forest received a £293,000 fine for a planning breach related to an unauthorised conversion, with the court warning of a potential two-and-a-half year prison sentence if the fine was not paid.
Licensing10 Jul 2025·Landlord Insights Editorial
Gosforth landlord fined £70,000 for ignoring selective licensing, twice
A landlord in County Durham was fined a combined £70,000 after being convicted twice in the same year for failing to licence 14 properties under the local selective licensing scheme. The case highlights the escalating penalties for repeat offenders.
