Government delays response on Leasehold Reform Bill Report
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.
Angela Rayner back at MHCLG - What does this mean for the PRS?
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.
New Prime Minister, New Government:- What Andy Burnham as PM could mean for the Private Rented Sector
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.
Follow Up from the Debate on RoPA
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