Local Authority Investigatory Powers

The UK Government has published details of its new ‘Register your rental property’ service, which will be introduced across England in stages starting this winter. Registration will begin in the West Midlands, with the rest of England following on a regional timetable. Propertymark is in continued contact with officials from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to clarify the role of agents in the process and to directly raise questions and concerns from our members.

The Online Procedure Rule Committee has published a draft practice direction for a new digital service for County Court possession proceedings in England and Wales. Letting agents are unlikely to use the service in its first phase unless they work with an eligible social landlord. However, the pilot signals the direction of travel for possession proceedings.

The Future Homes and Buildings Standards will introduce new minimum requirements for energy efficiency, low-carbon heating and renewable electricity in new homes and non-domestic buildings in England. For property professionals, the changes will affect the homes coming to market, the systems buyers and tenants need to understand, and the information agents may need to provide about heating, ventilation, solar panels and energy performance.

As thousands of students prepare to begin university and move into new accommodation, letting agents must have a clear understanding of how the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 has changed the student market so they can effectively support landlords and tenants. Planning is also beginning for the 2027-28 academic year, making the rules and timelines for regaining possession especially important.