February 2026 - Industry Updates

Tenant Referencing in the UK Rental Market: Why it matters and why it’s often Misunderstood In the UK rental market, tenant referencing is essentially a risk-management process . It may only provide a snapshot of a tenant’s circumstances at a specific point in time, but it remains the industry’s primary tool for deciding who is entrusted with a property that could be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. For landlords and letting agents, referencing isn’t about predicting the future with certainty. It’s about reducing risk to the lowest reasonable level before handing over the keys . Let’s break down how the system works, why it exists, and where its limitations lie.

  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 ...