Brownfield, Bills and Broken Chains: UK Rental Market Update (25 September 2025)
Housing supply ambitions are growing, landlords are borrowing more to upgrade homes, and reform is closing in. As compliance tightens and market exits loom, what should landlords and agents do?
The top headlines this week highlight the pressure points building across the housing market. Brownfield capacity claims and Labour’s housing agenda are dominating the supply debate. While data shows landlords borrowing to fund property upgrades, other data show that many are considering selling up and exiting the market altogether. With the Renters’ Rights Bill taking action and the Scottish Bill proposing rent control powers, the direction is clear: higher compliance, stronger enforcement, and rising operating costs. At the same time, fresh focus on fixing broken property “chains” and new proptech investment emphasise opportunities to drive efficiency across the private rented sector.
The Top Headlines:
Report says 1.49m homes possible on brownfield land
CPRE’s new analysis (covered today by The Guardian) finds local brownfield registers could accommodate around 1.49m homes, with around 790k “shovel-ready” (already holding planning permission). CPRE urges firmer “brownfield-first” enforcement; developers cite viability hurdles. The Guardian
Landlord borrowing for property improvements jumps 54%
Landlords raised almost £1.1bn via 6,737 remortgages in the first half of 2025 to fund upgrades - up 54% in value and 45% in volume on last year. It’s the strongest level since 2022, reflecting improved borrowing conditions and a focus on raising PRS standards. Landlord Today
Labour conference agenda reveals housing priorities
Labour’s upcoming party conference (28 Sept–1 Oct, Liverpool) will heavily focus on its pledge to deliver 1.5m homes, with multiple sessions dedicated to skills, local delivery, New Towns, and net zero. The Renters’ Rights Bill gets just one session, while leasehold reform, social housing standards, and second homes/short lets also feature. The Negotiator
Opinion: ‘Professionalising’ the PRS will reshape landlord obligations
A Devonshires partner outlines how the PRS is moving from lightly regulated to more formal, with heightened compliance and enforcement expected under incoming reforms. The Negotiator
Scotland’s Housing Bill: rent control areas and prevention duties
Explainer recaps proposals to let councils designate rent-control areas (caps at inflation +1pp), plus stronger prevention duties on public bodies. It sits alongside Scotland’s wider Housing Emergency Action Plan this month. STV News
Santander: property “chain” failures cost economy £1.5bn a year
New report (Fixing the Broken Chain) says transaction fall-throughs and delays impose around £1.5bn annual costs, calling for digitisation and process reform across the buying/selling journey. FT Adviser
PRS sentiment: potential landlord exits
A new landlord survey this week suggested 39% of respondents are considering leaving the sector within a year, citing the Renters’ Rights Bill as a key concern; others still see letting as viable. PropertyWire
Renters’ Rights Bill timetable: final “ping-pong” pencilled for 14 October
Industry sources report the Bill is due back in the Lords on 14 October for the final round before Royal Assent. Landlords/agents should keep implementation plans warm (end of fixed terms/Section 21, new grounds, redress, Decent Homes extension, etc.). Property118
Landlords & agents: With the Renters’ Rights Bill nearing the finish line, now is the moment to review tenancy agreements, update systems, and prepare for the next wave of reform.
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