Education & Training for Property Professionals

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.

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.

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.

Possession proceedings in England and Wales are moving online. A new digital court service is being launched in stages, and while most private landlords and their agents are unlikely to use the service, the direction of travel is clear. PCOL already exists but only for claims that relate to rent arrears or breach of a mortgage agreement.

What has changed?

The Online Procedure Rules 2026 came into force on 7th September 2026 with the introduction of a separate set of court rules for cases run online, sitting alongside the Civil Procedure Rules rather than within them. Possession claims are the first type of case to be brought under the new rules.

The Letting Industry Council (TLIC) co-founded by Theresa Wallace and Kate Faulkner OBE comprises of lettings experts from across the industry, professional bodies, deposit schemes, service providers for both landlords and tenants, and representatives from large and small lettings agents. Government advisors also proactively attend the meetings enabling two-way feedback on current issues.
Members are united by their desire to help standards rise across lettings and this wide group represents the views of all parties in the PRS.

The Renters' Rights Act represents the biggest change to the private rented sector in a generation. Much of the commentary since implementation began has focused on landlords leaving the market, but it is important to look past the headlines and look at letting agents and property managers who can offer landlords the expertise, structure and reassurance the new rules demand.

Published by the Government

This winter we’re rolling out the ‘Register your rental property’ service, as part of the second phase of Renters’ Rights Act implementation.

If you’re a landlord of an assured or regulated tenancy, then you must register yourself and each of your properties through the service.  

You won’t need to register on the service if you’re a landlord of supported exempt accommodation as set out in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023. You can see whether this applies to you by checking Section 12 of the Act. 

There’s an annual £65 registration fee per property, and you’ll need to renew your registration each year. If you don’t register your properties, then you risk being fined. Offline registration routes will be available for landlords who need them. 

Press Release

The Guild of Letting & Management Limited (GLM) supports Gas Safety Week 2026 and urges people to “Take No Chances” with gas safety 

Gas Safety Week takes place from 14th–20th September 2026, bringing together organisations, businesses, community groups and Gas Safe registered engineers across the UK to help keep the nation gas safe.

As a supporter of this year’s campaign, GLM is taking part by sharing gas safety advice with letting agents, posting campaign content on social media, reminding landlords to book an annual gas safety check.

Even though summer has consisted of heatwave after heatwave, it’s important for landlords to start thinking about heating supply, appliances and installations in their rental properties.

Timing this article around Gas Safety Week (14th - 20th September 2026) is no accident. Coordinated annually by the Gas Safe Register, the campaign brings the gas industry, landlords, letting agents and consumer bodies together to reinforce one message - every check counts.

As the Autumn approaches, letting agents, landlords and most important of all, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) are preparing for the second phase of the Renters’ Rights Act. It is the Private Rented Sector Database - to be known as “Register Your Rental Property” which has created a stir since the Conservative government announced all landlords in England would be required to register their rental properties on a database.

Starting 1st September 2025., MHCLG will be starting a pilot of the database in Birmingham, Gateshead and Nottingham. The pilot will involve completing a 3-part registration process which includes providing personal details, property details and compliance information (e.g. Gas safety certificates). The data provided will be viewed by local council enforcement officers but won’t be used for enforcement purposes.

Since 1 May 2026, Section 13 (Form 4A) of the Housing Act 1988 (Amended) has become the only mechanism for increasing rent on an assured periodic tenancy in England. Rent review clauses, informal agreements, and the pressure of a tenancy renewal have all been swept away, and letting agents managing rent reviews now need a considerably more disciplined process than many were used to under the old fixed-term system.

In June 2022, Michael Gove the then Secretary of State made the following statement:- “Everyone has a right to a decent home. No one should be condemned to live in properties that are inadequately heated, unsafe, or unhealthy. Yet more than 2.8 million of our fellow citizens are paying to live in homes that are not fit for the 21st century. Tackling this is critical to our mission to level up the country. The reality today is that far too many renters are living in damp, dangerous, cold homes, powerless to put things right, and with the threat of sudden eviction hanging over them. They’re often frightened to raise a complaint. If they do, there is no guarantee that they won’t be penalised for it, that their rent won’t shoot up as a result, or that they won’t be hit with a Section 21 notice asking them to leave. This government is determined to tackle these injustices by offering a New Deal to those living in the Private Rented Sector; one with quality, affordability, and fairness at its heart.”