Private Rental Sector (PRS)

The PM has asked housing secretary Steve Reed to investigate claims that Criterion Capital has evicted large numbers of tenants before they gain new rights.

The private rented sector is the only housing market to have contracted over the past three years, decreasing by 5.1% in value since 2022.

Border to Coast is making its debut investment in single-family housing by forward-funding the development by Bellway and Latimer.

The second phase will add three new buildings to the north London Meridian One scheme, which will have around 1,000 homes when completed.

According to chief executive Helen Gordon, the BTR landlord “continues to perform strongly” and has maintained “strong levels of occupancy across the portfolio".

The new regulations, subject to parliamentary approval, will come into force from April this year.

Experts say the reforms will add to the private rented sector’s workload, but they are unlikely to push it ‘over the edge’.

According to the Irish government, the measures will attract new investment into the sector and boost supply, while also increasing security of tenure for renters.

The transaction brings a 5,478-unit single-family housing portfolio under the ownership of the joint venture.

There will be 277 apartments across five buildings of between four and six storeys, plus another 221 two-, three- and four-bedroom homes.

The government has set out the timeline for the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act, which secured Royal Assent last month.

BPF assistant director Kate Butler said here are still too many "unanswered questions” about the act's implementation, echoing the concerns of many in the industry.

Housing secretary Steve Reed called the act "the biggest leap forward in renters’ rights in a generation".

The REIT reported an 18% dip in profits before tax to £77m in the year to the end of June, but revenue rose 14%.

Councils have the power to cap rent rises on some properties at a maximum of 6%, but the BTR and student accommodation sectors have been exempted.

Potential rival bids from KKR and Long Harbour remain on the table until shareholders vote on the sale.

The proposed amendment to the Renters' Rights Bill, allowing all student landlords to reclaim properties in time for the start of the academic year, has been rejected.

Unite reported that 94% of its portfolio had been leased for the 2025-26 academic year as of 7 September, while Empiric reported an 84% occupancy rate.

The US private equity firm has entered the sale process for the single-family housing provider, with Long Harbour also in the running.

Industry warns that proposal to levy National Insurance on private rental income could dent the sector’s health and have unintended negative impacts on tenants.