Tenant campaigning group ACORN is to hold a public meeting to which Leeds City councillors have been invited so that extension of selective licensing across more areas of the city can be put to the councillors by residents.

As Blackburn and Darwen council approves a proposal for and starts to consult on selective licensing in the areas of Ewood and Mill Hill in the borough (a larger licensing scheme covering 5 areas expired in May 2022) a Conservative councillor, Cllr. John Slater, has welcomed the new proposal saying "We welcome this .... I would like to see this done elsewhere." and "I would like to get as many areas as possible."

A survey of 2000 private rented sector tenants appears to show that a significant number of tenants are not happy with the quality level of communication from the letting agent managing their home.

Research from Paragon bank reportedly says there is increased demand for HMO rentals and that prospective tenants are demanding better, faster broadband, better furniture and en suite bathrooms. The bank suggests this could be the result of more people working from home and having spent more time online during the pandemic.

The owner of a Newmarket lettings agent - Smart Residential Letting Agents - has pleaded guilty to 2 offences relating to unlawfully retaining rent and deposits under the Fraud Act 2006.

Property management company Maybach Lettings has been fined £5,100 by Telford & Wrekin council for failure to carry out essential repairs to a home in the borough despite previous requests from the council for the repairs to be carried out.

Landlords in 3 areas of north Bristol will be now required to seek planning permission to convert family homes in that areas of Filton, Stoke Park and Cheswick after 93% of the public supported council proposals to restrict the growing numbers of HMOs following a public consultation.

Just published statistics from the Ministry of Justice reveal that landlord possession claims, court orders, bailiff warrants and successful repossessions by landlord have all increased this year well in excess of the same period in 2021. Possession claims increased by 160% whilst successful repossessions increased by 210%.

A landlord in London who was prosecuted by Islington council for 15 property licence conditions breaches and 2 breaches of property management regulations and who was convicted at Highbury Magistrates court in January lost his appeal at Snaresbrook Crown court.

In a sign of increasing enforcement action in the private rented sector by London local authorities the amount of fines imposed on landlords and managing agents has increased, over the last 12 months from £6,502,932 in August 2021 to £8,010,344 at the start of August 2022.