The private rented sector (PRS) is being reshaped by changing motivations and new financial pressures, which help explain the structural changes behind shrinking stock levels, higher churn, and new expectations around compliance and profitability. For agents, these insights help develop and position services to effectively address the needs of their clients in a shifting market.

The UK Government has announced that an expansion of its Rent Repayment Orders (RROs) pilot scheme will see the trial rolled out to 41 local authorities across England following early success in recovering public funds and deterring poor housing practice.

Hackney Council is consulting on plans to introduce two new five-year licensing schemes in the private rented sector (PRS) from early 2026, arguing that they will improve standards. Propertymark supports the aim of raising housing standards, but we strongly urge Hackney and other local authorities to rethink their approach. A healthy PRS is fundamental to meeting growing housing demand, and under-resourced licensing schemes too often end up penalising good landlords and agents while allowing poor practice to persist.

Landlords in Portsmouth are actively opposing the city's proposed selective and additional licensing schemes, arguing that these measures are burdensome and ineffective. Their concerns are echoed by Blackburn with Darwen Council's recent decision to halt a similar licensing initiative, due to fears it would reduce the availability of private rented homes. Propertymark regularly responds to consultations objecting to the introduction of licensing schemes because we strongly disagree that licensing is the best method to improve housing stock within the private rented sector.

Barking and Dagenham Council is set to implement a borough-wide selective licensing scheme, requiring all private rental properties to be licensed from 6 April 2025. The scheme is among the first to leverage a law change introduced by Housing Secretary Angela Rayner at the end of 2024, allowing councils to establish larger licensing schemes without seeking central government approval.

On 30 August 2024, the Scottish Government published a report outlining the progress of its short-term lets (STL) licensing scheme since its implementation in October 2022. Propertymark supports the introduction of STL regulation with the aim of bringing them in line with standards in the private rented sector, and we are encouraged by evidence suggesting the safety and quality of properties is beginning to improve.

Propertymark has responded to consultations about plans to introduce additional or selective property licensing schemes in Enfield, Reading, and Wandsworth. We have objected to all the proposals because we strongly disagree that licensing is the best method to improve housing stock within the private rented sector (PRS).

Following the introduction of a licensing scheme in October 2022, the Scottish Government has been monitoring the impact of the legislation on consumers and the sector. Engagement with accommodation operators has resulted in improvements which allow the transfer of licences, more exemptions, and provisional licences for new properties. MSPs approved these measures on 26 June 2024.

On Thursday 2 May 2024, Londoners will cast their votes for the next Mayor and 25 Assembly Members. With a population of over nine million, and the highest house sales and rental values in the country, London presents unique challenges. Propertymark has written to the candidates outlining our housing plan for London, highlighting key priorities for the next four years and our proposals for addressing the city’s crisis in housing availability.

Plans for statutory registration and licensing for all visitor accommodation in Wales have been announced with legislation expected to be introduced before the end of the year to address the negative impact second homes and short-term holiday lets have on the availability and affordability of housing for local people.

Middlesborough Council who issued the charges has defended it by saying each of the 52 flats in Linthorpe Hall 248 are eligible for the fee under their current selective licensing scheme, which began in 2019.

A property management and letting agency in Enfield received a £7,500 fine and was ordered to pay £1,299 in costs with an additional £2,000 victim surcharge (a total of £10,799), during a recent sentencing hearing at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court.

Responding to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) consultation on the registration options for a short-term lets (STLs) licensing scheme in England, Propertymark stated that any scheme should not be compulsory for local authorities if they can prove they are having no impact on private rented sector supply in their area.

Two separate investigations in Camden and Mansfield involving unlicensed Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) led to sanctions for landlords and agents. West Northamptonshire is the latest council to announce a crackdown on unregulated and poorly managed properties.

Recognising the fact that some members in Wales operate for landlords of short-term holiday lets, Propertymark has responded to the Welsh Government’s consultation to establish a statutory licensing scheme for all visitor accommodation in Wales.