Renters’ Rights Bill: What Landlords Need to Know - Andrew Culverwell, Connells Group
Kicking off the session, Andrew Culverwell provided a thorough overview of the Renters’ Rights Bill, calling it the “biggest overhaul of regulation in recent years.”
Andrew reiterated that this isn't brand-new legislation, but a culmination of changes long in the making. The bill is expected to reach Royal Assent before 22nd July, with implementation expected to begin in the autumn and in phases.
Key Changes:
- Section 21 "no-fault" evictions abolished.
- All tenancies to become periodic from the outset - no more fixed-term tenancies.
- Tenants can leave with 2 months’ notice; landlords will need to use strengthened Section 8 grounds for possession (e.g., rent arrears, sale, family move-in).
- Only one month’s rent can be taken in advance, raising some concerns for student and overseas lettings.
- Rent increases capped at once per year, with a two-month notice period.
- Landlord Register and Landlord Ombudsman being introduced.
- Blanket bans on families, pets, or those claiming benefits.
- Faster court processes promised for legitimate evictions.
Andrew’s closing advice? “Good landlords have very little to fear but should stay informed and prepare now.”
Rental Investment Trends and Outlook – Richard Donnell, Zoopla
Richard Donnell turned the focus to investment trends in the rental market, sharing data-backed insights into where landlords stand today.
- There’s growing consolidation in the market - 20% of landlords now own 50% of rental stock.
- Nearly 40% of landlords have no mortgage, showing resilience amid rising rates.
- Rental yields are growing, particularly outside London in regionals cities, as rents catch up to what’s affordable locally.
- Strong fundamentals remain, with the same investment motivations now as a decade ago.
- Energy standards (especially post-2030) will become a key consideration in managing portfolios.
Despite the challenges, Richard remains optimistic: “There’s still value in the right London flats - and landlords with good agents and good advice will continue to succeed.”
Energy Efficiency: Staying Ahead of the Curve – James Gladwin, NRLA
James Gladwin of the NRLA addressed the major changes coming to energy performance standards, urging landlords to stay proactive.
What is Changing?
- The current EPC system (A-G rating) will be replaced with a more detailed model by 2026.
- New EPCs will include:
- Fabric efficiency
- Heating system type
- Smart tech readiness
- Projected energy cost
- EPCs will become continuously required, much like gas safety certificates, and be extended to HMOs, listed buildings, and short lets.
- A new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) will make it illegal to rent non-compliant properties:
- By 2028 for new tenancies
- By 2030 for existing tenancies
What Should Landlords Do?
- Consider renewing your current EPC early if your property already meets a ‘C’ rating.
- If close to a ‘C’, investing now might be cheaper than waiting for the higher cap (£15,000) post-2026.
- Penalties will rise to £30,000 from 2028 for non-compliance.
Landlord Retrofit Tool – Gurdeep Bahra, Birmingham Midshires
To support landlords with energy upgrades, Gurdeep Bahra introduced Birmingham Midshires’ new Landlord Retrofit Tool - designed to make improving EPC ratings easier and more cost-effective.
Key Benefits:
- Higher EPC ratings can boost property value and command premium rents.
- Lower energy bills attract more tenants and reduce voids.
- Retrofitting now means cheaper labour and better availability than waiting.
- The tool offers landlords tailored guidance based on their property type, location, and existing energy performance.
Gurdeep concluded: “There’s a window of opportunity now to act before compliance becomes urgent and costly.”
Enhancing Rental Returns through Corporate Lettings – Sinead Conlon, John D Wood & Co.
Sinead Conlon shared how corporate relocation services can provide landlords with an alternative to traditional long-term lets.
Landlord Benefits:
- Access to a vetted tenant base of professionals, VIPs, and diplomats.
- Higher rental yields and reduced vacancy.
- Fully managed service including compliance and tenant vetting.
- Flexibility: properties can be let from four weeks to five months, ideal while selling or waiting out legislative changes.
- John D Wood & Co. receives one enquiry every 10 minutes from corporate tenants.
- John D Wood & Co. collaborates with 100+ companies and 2,000 international offices.
Mortgage Solutions for Every Landlord – Amit Gupta, Capital Private Finance
Closing the morning, Amit Gupta introduced the services offered by Capital Private Finance (CPF), part of the Connells Group.
CPF can help landlords navigate everything from:
- Buy-to-let and portfolio mortgages
- Equity release and bridging
- International and foreign currency lending
- Protection and insurance cover
Why CPF?
- Backed by Connells Group, which arranges over 3,700 mortgages a month.
- Access to over 5,000 mortgage products at any time.
- Estimated £2.5bn in mortgage business monthly.
Final Thoughts
The common thread across all six speakers? Change is here - and good advice has never been more valuable. Staying informed and agile is key to thriving in today’s rental sector.
If you couldn’t attend or would like to speak to any of the experts mentioned, please get in touch. Our team is here to help you navigate these changes with confidence.
