New ways of working: a letting agent's guide

The UK Government plans to require agents managing residential property to send HMRC monthly or quarterly reports on landlords’ rental income, collect tax reference numbers from clients, and carry out further checks on their records. Members should input their experience and raise concerns in the consultation, which has opened to seek views on how these duties should work, including reporting deadlines, software requirements, and the time businesses would need to prepare.

Letting agents and property managers will be able to submit and update certain property details on behalf of landlords through England’s new ‘Register your rental property’ service. Guidance published on 29 October 2026 explains how this will work, who is responsible, and how teams can prepare before the service launches in December.

A proposed rent increase can lead to a smaller rise or even a reduction in the rent already payable. We have examined four recent First-tier Tribunal decisions made in August and September 2026 involving properties in Leeds, Manchester, Ashton-under-Lyne, and London. Each shows how the property’s market rental value was assessed and highlights why letting agents and landlords need clear rental evidence, accurate property descriptions, and a realistic assessment of condition.