What's changing,
and when.

Letting agents managing HMOs or advising landlords on property conversions in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. · 1. Review the Barking and Dagenham Article 4 direction consultation document on the council's planning portal before 6 July 2026. 2. Verify with landlords whether any planned HMO conversions in the borough will require planning permission if the direction is confirmed. 3. Consider submitting a consultation response if your portfolio or client base will be materially affected by borough-wide HMO planning controls. 4. Check the council's published timeline for when the direction would take effect, if confirmed.

Letting agents operating in the local authority area running the consultation. · 1. Check the Landlord Today article published on 21 May 2026 to identify which council is consulting. 2. Review the consultation document on that council's website before 13 July 2026 to understand the proposed tenant assistance scheme. 3. Note any proposed referral mechanisms or eligibility criteria that may affect tenant enquiries or landlord decisions. 4. Consider whether to submit a response by 13 July 2026 if the scheme will materially affect your local lettings business.

Letting agents and estate agents marketing or managing flats in multi-storey residential buildings (over 11 metres) with external cladding. · 1. Review the RICS guidance published on 13 May 2026 to understand the new valuation and survey requirements for properties with cladding from 1 November 2026. 2. Check your current portfolio for properties in buildings over 11 metres with external cladding and note which have outstanding EWS1 forms or are undergoing remediation. 3. Confirm with your valuers and surveyors that they are aware of the RICS standard taking effect on 1 November 2026. 4. Consider whether tenant or landlord guidance materials referencing cladding safety need updating before 1 November 2026.

All letting agents managing properties for private landlords who must join an approved redress scheme by 1 December 2026. · 1. Review the Draft Private Landlord Redress Schemes (Approval and Designation) Regulations 2026 referenced in HL Paper 3 to confirm the approval criteria for schemes your landlord clients will need to join. 2. Verify with your compliance team that landlord onboarding materials reflect the mandatory redress requirement from 1 May 2026 under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. 3. Check whether any landlords you manage have already joined The Property Ombudsman, Property Redress Scheme, or another approved scheme ahead of the 1 December 2026 deadline. 4. Note that the SLSC report includes correspondence on immigration fees regulations, which may affect Right to Rent checks if fee structures change — monitor for final publication.

All letting agents managing residential tenancies that will renew or be re-let during 2027. · 1. Note that income tax on property income rises by two percentage points from April 2027 (Autumn 2025 Budget). 2. Review your landlord communication strategy to confirm clients understand the tax change and its timing. 3. Consider how potential rent increases from early 2027 may affect tenant retention and renewal conversations. 4. Monitor NRLA and landlord sentiment reporting through the remainder of 2026 for market pricing signals.