By 2nd November 2026
Here at UK Property News, we carefully review and hand-pick the most important and reliable property stories from across the media. This roundup covers 5th to 9th of October.
So if you’re a buyer, seller, landlord, tenant, property investor, or property professional working within the industry, the latest roundup of news stories will help you understand what’s really happening in the UK property market now and what’s ahead…
#1 Confused by the Tenant Fees Act? New quick guide explains what landlords and agents can and can’t – charge
Published by David Smith, Landlord & Tenant Partner, Bishop & Sewell
Landlord and tenant law specialist David Smith has published practical guides and checklists for landlords and agents. The resources cover property standards, possession grounds and penalties under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, offering a starting point for checking obligations and managing risk.
#2 Has Vistry found a better way to make shared ownership work for first-time buyers?
Social Media Commentary by Nick Clarke, Property Professional
Vistry is proposing a new “choice-led” shared ownership model which it says could deliver 30,000 homes a year, with buyers purchasing at least 60% of a new-build home worth up to £450,000 and paying rent on the remainder. Its worked example suggests a £300,000 home could cost £1,231 a month, versus £1,440 to buy outright or £1,400 to rent.
The proposal aims to tackle some existing shared ownership problems by focusing mainly on houses and giving buyers a larger initial stake, but questions remain around rising rents, staircasing and whether the interests of buyers wanting full ownership can be reconciled with institutional investors wanting long-term rental income.
#3: Short-term lets register to be fully operational by March as Government promises tougher regulation
The Government has confirmed that its national registration scheme for short-term lets will be fully up and running by March 2027, after the Prime Minister asked ministers to accelerate the work. The register is intended to help councils identify short-term lets, improve enforcement and give local areas better information to balance the needs of tourism with housing for local residents.
The announcement came after MPs raised concerns about short-term lets replacing homes in the private rented sector, breaches of leases and difficulties enforcing London’s 90-day limit. Ministers said the aim is to give local leaders better information and greater ability to respond to the particular housing pressures in their area.
#4: Cannabis farms surge 218% – landlords warned over six-figure property damage
Zurich is warning landlords to be alert to properties being secretly converted into cannabis farms, after fire service incidents rose 218% between 2015 and their 2024 peak and remained close to record levels in 2025. Since 2022, Zurich has investigated 17 cannabis farm-related insurance claims worth £9.4 million, with damage including dangerous electrical alterations, water damage, damp, mould and structural changes – sometimes leaving landlords facing hundreds of thousands of pounds in repairs.
Zurich recommends thorough tenant checks and regular inspections, with warning signs including cash payments, reluctance to allow inspections, blacked-out windows, excessive condensation, unusual ventilation systems and unexplained electrical alterations.
#5: Great Yarmouth cuts licensing conditions after landlords’ challenge
Reported by Helen Gregory, Landlord Zone
Great Yarmouth Council has removed most of the conditions from its draft selective licences after a challenge by the Eastern Landlord Association. The revised licences largely contain mandatory requirements, while any antisocial behaviour condition will be applied case by case; the council says its property inspection programme will continue.
#6 Councils could act after six months to bring empty homes back into use
Published by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
The government has announced reforms to Empty Dwelling Management Orders that would cut the time a home must be vacant before a council can seek an order from two years to six months. It also plans to remove some evidential requirements from the application process; ownership would remain with the property owner while the council manages the home.
#7: Orkney offers landlords £25,000 loans to bring empty homes back into use
Reported by Helen Gregory, Landlord Zone
And maybe the local authorities will Orkney landlords can apply for loans of up to £25,000 to renovate empty properties for affordable private rent. The loans are repayable at 5.5%, and owners must make the homes available to rent for the first five years, giving eligible essential workers priority. The scheme places conditions on the property’s use for ten years after the work is completed.
🔗 Read the full story at source
#8 Scottish landlords face new damp and mould Awaab Law deadlines from 6th October
Published by My Deposits Scotland
New Scottish regulations are expected to take effect on 6th October 2026, requiring landlords to investigate reported damp or mould within ten working days. The mydeposits Scotland guide says landlords must then give tenants written findings within three working days of the investigation and, where safety work is needed, start it within five working days.
#9 Lewisham launches rogue landlord taskforce as couple fined over illegal eviction
Published by Lewisham Council
Lewisham Council has launched a taskforce that will use data and targeted inspections to identify unsafe or unlicensed rental properties. The council says it has issued 153 enforcement notices this financial year and imposed £160,875 in fines since April. In a separate illegal eviction case, a couple were ordered to pay fines, compensation and costs totalling £17,918.
#10 Could tax reform unlock more housing investment without breaking fiscal rules? How would this affect Capital Gains Tax?
Published by David Smith, Landlord & Tenant Partner, Bishop & Sewell
David Smith argues that the government should look for reforms that boost growth while staying within its fiscal rules. He highlights an economist’s proposal to bring forward £10 billion a year of infrastructure and housing investment, which the economist estimates could add 0.3–0.5% to GDP growth, alongside options to reform capital gains tax.
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