News
The private rented sector is ever-changing and fascinatingly complex which is another reason why we love what we do!
Our blog articles lift the veil and present you with the most accurate information available, explaining everything in simple, jargon-free terms. We explain and decipher the legislation and requirements that landlords and letting agents must adhere to, as well as keep you up-to-date on the latest news and developments in the private housing sector.

Study Shows Councils Earn £327 million from PRS Licensing – Report & Analysis
Some new research has investigated how much revenue local authorities are generating from their PRS licensing schemes. In this post we will take a closer look at the findings, including who is earning the most money from licensing

Tribunal Decision Overturns HMO Occupancy Restriction
In a significant ruling concerning the regulation of HMOs, the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber – Residential Property) has overturned a condition imposed by a Local Authority limiting the occupancy of a property. Here we take a look at the decision and the implications.

The Future of HMOs in 2025: A Detailed Look at Emerging Trends
The housing market is undergoing a significant transformation, and at the heart of it, HMOs are playing a crucial role in shaping the future of shared living. With rising demand for affordable housing, evolving tenant expectations, and increasing regulatory pressures, landlords and property investors must adapt to stay competitive. This article explores the key trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of HMOs in 2025, based on a recent report from COHO.

Energy Performance Rules for Rented Properties: Latest Developments
Proposals to tighten up on energy performance standards in rental properties are nothing new. In 2025 the new Labour government has taken up the baton on energy efficiency in the PRS with a set of new proposals.

Housing Standards Improving? Findings from the Latest English Housing Survey
In this post we will look at what the English Housing survey has found, at whether the quality of housing is really getting better, covering all housing tenures including owner occupied homes, social housing and the private rented sector or PRS.

Important Changes to Selective Licensing: General Approval 2024
Selective licensing gives local housing authorities the power to designate an area within which all PRS properties require a licence. A change has just been made to the rules on introducing a selective licensing scheme in England. We will look at this change here, and at what it might mean for landlords and the wider housing sector.

A Report: Landlord Complaints & Prosecutions
Information on housing complaints and to what extent local authorities prosecute in response to them is always of interest to those involved in housing enforcement. However, reliable information of this kind is typically difficult to find. Now a new research report has collated some information on this topic, and we will consider some of its findings here.



Rent Repayment Orders: A Recent Legal Case Explores Liability
In this post we will look at rent repayment orders and at an interesting appeal case in the Upper Tribunal. It has provided more insight on rent repayment orders and also who is liable to pay them.

Spelthorne’s New Article 4 Direction: Briefing and Analysis
In this post we will outline Spelthorne Borough Council’s recent decision to apply an Article 4 direction to the conversion of houses into small HMOs and look more closely at the actual story behind it. Article 4 directions for HMOs …. and what is important to know about them.

An Interesting Case Surrounding the Use of Improvement Notices
Improvement notices are an enforcement action available to local authorities under Part 1 of the Housing Act 2004. Improvement notices are just one of the measures a local authority can use when hazards are identified. In this post we will look at an interesting recent tribunal case surrounding the use of improvement notices
Guest Publications
We are always happy to accept guest publications from persons or professional organisations within the housing industry. Contact us if you wish to submit.