As a new 440-unit Build-to-Rent (BTR) development is announced, a separate study has found that amid claims by some that the sector is expensive for renters, it is actually more affordable than the Private Rental Sector (PRS). While the BTR segment remains relatively niche with the majority of the developments available in just 20 English cities, on a rent-to-income basis, it is considered affordable by certain standards set by the Office for National Statistics.

As a new 440-unit Build-to-Rent (BTR) development is announced, a separate study has found that amid claims by some that the sector is expensive for renters, it is actually more affordable than the Private Rental Sector (PRS). While the BTR segment remains relatively niche with the majority of the developments available in just 20 English cities, on a rent-to-income basis, it is considered affordable by certain standards set by the Office for National Statistics.

A lack of suitable housing remains a big issue across the UK and the growing Build-to-Rent (BTR) sector is helping to increase the proportion of attractive and affordable rental homes.

As the UK Government battles growing criticism on various fronts, watchdogs and industry bodies are sharing their dissatisfaction. A recent report from the National Audit Office (NAO) suggests government regulation of the Private Rental Sector (PRS) makes it unfair towards renters. That's a view that lettings professionals and even some MPs have shared in the past week or so.

The UK government's 2025 EPC target for the residential rental sector remains in place.

Things change all the time and no country or industry is immune to that fact. One sector which has seen its fair share of change already in just a few years, is the UK's Private Rental Sector (PRS) and now, it's facing yet another challenge - providing lettings accommodation for a broader demographic including older and disabled tenants.

The UK government and Ministry of Justice have launched a new online tool designed to help landlords and tenants understand their rights and responsibilities in relation to repairs.

As more typical activity returns across the UK, a recent industry survey shows that demand from tenants for homes in the private rental sector (PRS) surged in July 2021 to the highest level on record.

The UK government has extended temporary rules allowing Letting Agents to conduct Right to Rent checks via video rather than in person, from May 17 to June 20, 2021.

With more people in the UK renting than ever before, there have been an increasing number of calls for more regulation of the lettings industry including qualifications and licensing requirements.

A recent survey has confirmed that 2020 and the early months of 2021 have been difficult for the student letting sector, as average rents and demand for student rental homes declined notably.

New rules on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in rented properties have recently been announced, as the government continues to push forward safety standards in the private and social rented sectors. While the rule changes have come out of a 2020 white paper on social housing, the amended regulations will affect private rented accommodation too.

As England moves another week towards further easing of coronavirus-related restrictions, recent reports highlight that the way in which the lettings industry operates and tenants engage with it, are changing.

Public sector tenants in Wales should be given the opportunity to agree long-term tenancies on properties leased from the private rental sector following the announcement of new government scheme. The news comes in addition to a previous commitment from the Welsh government to build 20,000 affordable homes for rent in the next five years.

Public sector tenants in Wales should be given the opportunity to agree long-term tenancies on properties leased from the private rental sector following the announcement of new government scheme. The news comes in addition to a previous commitment from the Welsh government to build 20,000 affordable homes for rent in the next five years.

On Wednesday 27 October, the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, delivered his Autumn Budget for 2021. It’s been marketed as a generous package of increased spending to boost the nation’s post-Covid recovery, but as always there are winners and losers – and not everything in it is quite as straightforward as it seems.