Welcome to our last Newsround for August. Let’s see what has been in the news this week.
Increase in guarantor demand
Since the start of the Renters Right Act which bans landlords taking rent in advance there has been a gradual increase in tenants being asked to provide a guarantor.
37% of tenants are unaware what a guarantor is but now landlords Housing Hand Managing Director, Graham Hayward says
The fact that tenants no longer have the option to pay several months’ rent upfront is driving (guarantor) demand, with landlords now seeking an alternative form of security.
Housing Hand’s claim that 37% of renters would not know what to do if they could not pay their rent, and 33% of renters do not plan their finances for their future.
Tribunals back tenants in rent disputes
New analysis out this week by LonRes states that the average wait time from application to hearing a case at a rent tribunal is now 96 days; this increases to 142 days in London. Furthermore, two-thirds of rent tribunal cases have been ruled against the landlord, new court figures show.
Since January 2025, there have been 1,325 rent disputes, of which 73% were ruled that the proposed rent was too high, and only 18% agreed the proposed rent. 47% that went to a tribunal hearing had evidence-based discrepancies in rent increase cases.
Chris Welch of LonRes said
It can be both a costly and time-consuming process for a landlord and underscores the importance of setting rent rises correctly from the onset and importantly with a firm evidence base.
A tribunal will never set a higher rent; it will set the rent either lower or the same as what the landlord has stipulated in their notice form, but this does emphasise that landlords need to get their evidence watertight and accurate before commencing a rent increase.
Note that we are developing a new Landlord Law kit to help landlords research and set their rents and deal with tenants tribunal applications. This should be ready shortly.
Longer delays for repossessions
Since the Renters’ Right Act came into force on 1st May this year, landlords regaining their property back claim that it is now more problematic, with 25% saying it is more challenging.
39% of landlords are now a lot more cautious when vetting a new tenant, and 9% are spending more time trying to retain good tenants. This is according to a survey carried out by Goodlord. Further research found that 41 out of every 1000 tenancy applications were suspected as fraudulent between July 2025 and June this year.
23% of landlords have seen their agent letting fees increase, and 29% have been impacted by the stricter compliance regulations and insurance costs.
Snippets
MP’s demand tougher penalties for housing associations
Council vows to ‘come after’ neglectful landlords
Letting agent accused of leaving landlords and tenants out of pocket
Rent controls could cut supply and trap families in unsuitable homes
London landlords’ latest tactic: Inverse bidding wars
See also our Quick News Updates on Landlord Law
Newsround will be back again next week
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