The Labour Celebration Convention runs from Sunday 28 September to Wednesday 1 October 2025.
Rental reform
Renters’ Rights Invoice implementation
Allison Thompson, Nationwide Lettings Managing Director of LRG:
“Because the Renters’ Rights Invoice nears the end line, what the sector wants now’s a transparent and sensible plan for implementation. The Invoice marks a major shift. It ends Part 21, strikes all new and present tenancies to periodic tenancies, tightens the grounds for possession, limits hire will increase to every year, and introduces each a PRS ombudsman and a nationwide property portal.
“These are optimistic steps. Nevertheless, success will in the end rely on how the reforms are carried out. The transition have to be fastidiously phased and underpinned by clear, usable steering.
“First, the courts. Eradicating Part 21 earlier than court docket techniques are prepared dangers leaving critical instances ready longer to be heard. The federal government must decide to clear targets for itemizing occasions, broaden using housing-specific court docket lists, and be certain that digital submitting genuinely accelerates the method.
“Second, the swap to periodic tenancies. The plan to maneuver all assured shorthold tenancies over in a single step creates a danger of confusion. We’d like fastened dates, standardised phrases, and clear transitional guidelines, together with affirmation that present rent-in-advance preparations can proceed.
“Third, the brand new ombudsman and property portal. These may drive actual change, however provided that they’re easy to make use of. We assist a single nationwide knowledge customary and file format, enabling brokers to bulk add portfolios and combine with present licensing and enforcement techniques. With the appropriate techniques in place, compliance turns into the default and renters profit quicker.”
Respectable Properties Normal – a sensible, phased customary with clear steering
Allison Thompson, Nationwide Lettings Managing Director, LRG:
“We assist the introduction of a Respectable Properties Normal within the non-public rented sector, nevertheless it needs to be sensible to observe and constant to implement. Too many landlords need to do the appropriate factor however are left guessing what’s required.
“The main focus ought to be on fixing the very best dangers in older houses. That features damp and mildew, poor insulation and outdated amenities. The federal government ought to publish clear steering on what work is required, the way it’s evidenced, and the way lengthy it ought to take.
“The PRS should not be left behind in the case of time-bound repairs. However the rollout have to be lifelike. Align any new duties with the broader rental reform timeline, and provides landlords sufficient time to plan, finances and full works correctly. That’s one of the simplest ways to enhance housing high quality with out creating voids, confusion or unintentional non-compliance.”
A smart path to EPC C
Allison Thompson, Nationwide Lettings Managing Director, LRG:
“Enhancing power effectivity is one thing the sector helps, nevertheless it must be delivered in a method that retains good landlords out there. If EPC C is the goal for 2030, then landlords want readability now.
“The federal government ought to set a single nationwide price cap, a easy exemption course of, and sensible steering that displays real-world eventualities. This contains steering for studios the place landlords could also be restricted by lease phrases or have shared accountability for the constructing’s material. The intention ought to be to get every property as near C as doable inside the cap, fairly than penalising landlords the place full compliance isn’t bodily achievable.
“Timing is essential. Any modifications to power effectivity guidelines ought to align with the rollout of the Respectable Properties Normal. Monetary assist ought to be simply accessible and embrace schemes that cater to typical PRS enhancements, resembling loft insulation and boiler upgrades. EPC knowledge ought to be linked to the nationwide property portal, in order that compliance is seen and enforcement will be centered the place it’s most wanted.
“With the appropriate construction, we will ship hotter, greener houses with out lowering rental provide.”
Block administration
Regulate managing brokers
Robert Poole, Director, Glide Property Administration (a part of LRG):
“Leasehold reform will solely ship for residents if buildings are run by folks with the appropriate {qualifications} and accountability. Which means a compulsory framework that features skilled requirements, a statutory code of apply, and one constant path to redress.
“This has already been by session. What is required now’s a scope and a transparent timetable so managing brokers can put together, prepare their groups and get techniques prepared. This can assist minimize unhealthy apply and rebuild belief between brokers, freeholders and leaseholders.”
A transparent LAFRA implementation roadmap
“Profitable reform will depend on everybody having a transparent view of what’s altering and when. We want to see authorities publish a single, joined-up timeline protecting all elements of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act, together with new guidelines on managing brokers, service fees, redress and Proper to Handle.
“Set out the dates, the templates and the transition durations. Verify how techniques ought to be up to date and when steering might be accessible. With readability and time to organize, brokers and freeholders will ship the modifications rapidly and constantly.”
Monetary Companies
Align affordability and full the LTI assessment
Tom Davies, Group Monetary Companies Managing Director, Mortgage Scout (a part of LRG)
“The mortgage market wants steady, proportionate guidelines that mirror at the moment’s situations. Lenders need to assist patrons, however additionally they want readability on what lies forward.
“Current modifications to loan-to-income exemptions are an excellent first step, however we now want the complete assessment accomplished. Preserve the upper £150 million threshold for smaller lenders, verify the way forward for the 15% cap, and supply a transparent timeline for the following steps. That certainty helps lenders plan merchandise and sources, which in the end advantages clients.
“Affordability guidelines ought to mirror actual danger. For instance, extra flexibility based mostly sturdy credit score scores, energy-efficient houses and sustainability of historic mortgage or rental funds. The mix of predictable regulation and smarter underwriting will assist each market stability and entry to finance.”
Stability and signalling on property taxation
Tom Davies, Group Monetary Companies Managing Director, Mortgage Scout (a part of LRG)
“Authorities ought to set out any intentions on stamp obligation and housing taxes as early as doable, ideally phasing modifications over time fairly than cliff-edge modifications. Important shifts pause chains, distort pricing and create avoidable rework for conveyancers, surveyors and lenders. With discover and a steady timetable, lenders can worth with confidence, maintain service ranges sturdy and assist completions by year-end and into early 2026.”
Modernise dwelling shopping for and promoting
Tom Davies, Group Monetary Companies Managing Director, Mortgage Scout (a part of LRG)
“Half 1,000,000 transactions fail every year as a result of the method is sluggish and opaque. The federal government’s push on digital property knowledge, native land fees and standardised upfront info is the appropriate path. We want to set up agency milestones and adoption necessities throughout the chain, from property knowledge packs to quicker native search protection, in order that weeks are faraway from the completion course of. Shorter pipelines scale back fall-throughs and make service ranges rather more resilient throughout charge strikes.”
