Guide to Local Authority Investigatory Powers

The evidence that underpins the policy has been criticised by the Regulatory Policy Committee as not fit for purpose, with concerns raised about whether it can genuinely drive improvements in housing quality across the private rented sector (PRS). As the UK Government considers extending and reforming the DHS, it is vital that policymakers recognise a simple truth: standards alone will not improve homes unless they are enforceable, understood and supported by a professional, regulated sector.

With two months to go until the first changes take effect, letting agents should now be focused on operational readiness. Continuing our support for members, our latest webinar in a long series addressed the issues most frequently raised by agents. These included written information requirements, payment processes, rent increases, possession grounds and internal systems. With early planning, clear documentation and robust processes, agents can approach 1 May 2026 with confidence.

Our response to the London Assembly Housing Committee’s call for evidence highlights that the success of rental reform in London will depend not only on legislative change, but on whether court capacity, enforcement structures, and market realities are aligned to support it, a position that was echoed by a panel of industry experts in a live evidence session in City Hall on 9 February 2026.

Experts Brian Moran, Advisory Panel Member (Scotland) and Angela Davey, Advisory Panel Member and Regional Executive (Wales), who have first hand experience of similar reforms to the Renters’ Rights Act, shared practical lessons in our webinar with a core message of reassurance. Practical lessons on how Scotland and Wales have managed, on what does and doesn’t work, and where agents should focus their efforts now were imparted, as well as emphasising how essential early preparation, good communication, and robust processes are, so that letting agents can continue to support landlords and tenants while adapting to the new regulatory landscape.