The Government hints at ending Insured Deposit Schemes
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.
Renters’ Rights Act - New £7000.00 Fines Implemented
From 22nd June 2026, councils can issue fines of up to £7,000.00 if landlords are found to have serious hazards in their rented properties. From:-
Landlords who don’t fix dangerous problems like damp and mould now face fines of up to £7,000
New power now in force in the Renters’ Rights Act so councils can take stronger action where landlords fail to fix problems, alongside existing enforcement powers
New penalty will speed up fixes, as the Housing Secretary calls on councils to use all powers at their disposal to tackle poor conditions
Private renters will see stronger action on dangerous problems like severe damp and mould, following a new government crackdown.
Councils can now issue fines (from Monday 22 June) of up to £7,000.00 if landlords refuse to fix poor conditions.
Reform of the Property Sector - What’s on the Horizon?
A shift in towards regulation of the property sector is on the horizon within social housing and the Private Rented Sector.
Social Housing
It all began with former Housing Secretary Michael Gove’s announcement in 2023 that Social housing managers would be required to gain professional qualifications under the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 to protect residents and raise standards in the sector and rightly so, in part as a result of the Grenfell Tower tragedy and in memory of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who tragically died in 2020 due to prolonged exposure to severe black mould.
Breaking News - Government Publishes Home Buying and Selling Roadmap
The UK Government has published a roadmap its plans to reform the Home Buying and Selling Process to make transactions easier, quicker and more efficient.
The roadmap sets out a process which is structured, digital with the objective of reducing delays and sales falling through.
There will also be greater emphasis on agents to be thorough when gathering, sharing and using information.