February 2026 - Industry Updates

  Making Tax Digital: What Landlords Need to Know Before 2026 The UK tax system is undergoing a major transformation through a government initiative called Making Tax Digital (MTD) . While many landlords may have heard the term mentioned by accountants or in industry news, there is still some confusion about what it actually means and how it will affect property owners. If you earn income from rental property, these changes could apply to you sooner than you think. Understanding the basics now will help you avoid unnecessary stress when the new rules begin to take effect. What Is Making Tax Digital? Making Tax Digital is the government’s plan to modernise the UK tax system by moving tax reporting fully online. Under the new system, individuals and businesses will be required to: Keep digital records of income and expenses Use approved accounting software Submit regular updates to HMRC The aim is to reduce errors, improve transparency, and move away from paper records and once-a-yea...

  Rent increases are one of the most delicate aspects of managing a rental property. In Wales , the rules are clearly defined under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 , but compliance is only part of the equation. The real question for landlords is not just whether a rent increase is lawful, it is whether it's the right thing to do. Understanding both the legal framework and the wider financial implications is essential if you want to protect your yield without destabilising a good tenancy. What’s Legal in Wales? Welsh legislation is relatively straightforward in this area. Rent can only be increased once every twelve months , and landlords must give at least two months’ written notice before the increase takes effect and only applies to periodic occupation contracts. If the tenancy is in a fixed-term and there is no rent review clause built into the agreement, the rent cannot be increased during that term unless the contract-holder agrees. Notice must be properly served and ...

  Are Traditional Rental Bonds Out of Date? Working within the Welsh lettings sector, it’s clear that attitudes toward tenancy deposits are changing. Traditional rental bonds are still widely used, but tenants and landlords alike are increasingly questioning whether they remain the most practical or fair option. Rising moving costs, greater awareness of legal rights, and the introduction of alternative products have all shifted expectations in recent years. This doesn’t mean deposits are obsolete but it does mean they need to be better understood. Why take a bond in the first place? A tenancy deposit exists primarily as a form of financial security for the landlord. It is not designed to penalise tenants, nor should it ever be treated as an automatic fund for end-of-tenancy costs. Its purpose is to cover genuine losses arising from a tenant’s breach of the occupation contract, such as damage beyond fair wear and tear, missing items, insufficient cleaning, or unpaid rent. Althoug...

Property Maintenance:  Why Early Reporting and Cooperation Matter Property maintenance is one of the most important and often misunderstood parts of renting. In Wales, where renting is governed by occupation contracts , both tenants and landlords have clear legal responsibilities. When each party understands those obligations and work together, issues are resolved faster, costs are reduced, and stress is kept to a minimum. At the heart of good property management is a simple principle: communication and cooperation protect everyone involved . Why Tenants Must Report Maintenance Issues ASAP Under Welsh law, tenants have a legal obligation to report repair and maintenance issues as soon as they become aware of them. This is not about blame, it’s about prevention. Small issues can quickly escalate into serious and costly problems if left unreported: A minor leak can become structural damage A loose roof tile can lead to water ingress A faulty pipe can cause mould or flooding Early re...

The Warm Homes Plan & Changes to MEES On 21 January , the UK Government published its Warm Homes Plan , setting out how it intends to improve housing standards and reduce energy bills. Alongside this, it released its long-awaited response to the consultation on improving energy efficiency in the private rented sector, confirming major reforms to Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) . So what’s changing? The current requirement for rental properties to meet EPC E will be replaced with a higher standard equivalent to EPC "C" . This new requirement will come into force on 1 October 2030 and t here will be no phased introduction . New and existing tenancies will all be treated the same, with a single compliance deadline. How will compliance be measured?      The new standard will be assessed using reformed EPCs , based on updated metrics produced through the Home Energy Model . To meet the standard, landlords will be expected to invest up to £10,000 per prop...