Investigated by Wolverhampton Council trading standards, the fraudulent letting agent also awaits sentencing for unfair trading offences. His agency traded as a Martin & Co franchise.

The designation of new private rented sector selective licensing schemes by local authorities continued apace through 2022. Some schemes involved the licensing of tens of thousands of urban PRS properties.

Sandwell Borough Council's planning committee refused planning permission for a former pub to be converted into a large house in multiple occupation (HMO) despite permission being recommended by its planning department.

Rogue private rented sector landlord Thomas Flight pleaded guilty to committing consumer protection offences against his tenants at Bristol Crown Court after an investigation by Bristol Council's private housing team into his use of false identities and fake letting agencies.

The Labour MP for Leeds West and and local Labour Councillors are reportedly calling for selective licensing to be used to improve Private Rented Sector housing standards in the Armley area of the city.

Already having a selective licensing scheme, Southend Council's proposed new "supplementary" housing standards enforcement policy will apply to the PRS across the city, particularly to HHSRS category 2 hazards.

The new selective licensing scheme proposals went out for public consultation in May 2022 and will require PRS landlords to get a licence showing they and their properties meet required housing standards.

The NRLA has criticised the Government's private rented sector energy efficiency plans saying they "have no hope of being met following the Government's failure to respond to [its own consultation]" which closed in January 2021.

In 2022 a number of councils setting up selective licensing schemes mentioned fuel poverty in private rented sector households when justifying their decision to utilise selective licensing as part of the housing standards regulatory toolkit.

The private rented sector property in Grangetown, Cardiff, had been changed into 4 self contained flats which were found to be unsafe and dangerous when inspected by council officers following a tenant complaint.