A Note from Amanda McNeil, Head of Real Estate

Howard Kennedy at UKREiiF 2026

Next week, I will be attending UKREiiF alongside our team - Jade Chalmers, Mark Pritchard, Charles Maxwell, Paul Moran and Maria Slater.  Howard Kennedy are delighted to be sponsoring the inaugural HOUSED Shared Living Summit alongside a number of impressive organisations shaping the living sector. If you are attending UKREiiF we would love to see you at one of the following events, or please feel free to contact us.

Jade and Mark will both be participating in panel discussions as part of the HOUSED programme, which promise engaging and thought-provoking debate.  The 'Regulation Nation' panel will explore the increasing weight of regulation across the industry and its impact on development and investment. 

With the Renters' Rights Act coming into force on 1st May, I would be delighted to meet with you to discuss any questions or implications for your business.

In other news, there has been a recent flurry of regulatory activity in real estate.  We hope the following updates provide some valuable insights for our clients and contacts affected by these changes.  Our team would be happy to discuss any queries.

Our UKREiiF HOUSED Panels

House Shared Living Summit Panel Sessions
Tuesday 19 May: 12.15 pm – 12.45 pm
Panel: Question Time with the Sector Experts

Operators and investors from PBSA, HMO, BTR, Co-living, SFH and rented later living face direct, unscripted questions. Is the model evolving or under strain? Where is the sector falling short? What must improve to protect growth and reputation? A fast-paced, audience-driven debate designed to surface uncomfortable truths and practical solutions.

Panellists: Jade Chalmers (Head of Planning & Construction Howard Kennedy); Jermaine Brown, (Co-Founder, Ark Co-Living); Neil Burton, (Chief Operating Officer, Arlington Group); Jessica Hardman, (CEO and Co-Founder, Aboria Capital); Tom Ferber, (Founder, Homie); Paula Broadbent, (Senior Leader, Public & Prive Sector, Founder – APPI).



Wednesday 20 May: 12.40 pm – 1.10 pm
Panel: Regulation Nation – the growing weight of policy and politics on rental living: 

From the Renters’ Rights Act to Building Safety reform, regulation is reshaping rental housing. Which policies genuinely improve standards and which add cost without impact? A grounded discussion on operational implications, compliance pressure and the political voice of renters.

Panellists: Helen Kings, (Managing Director, Asset Management, Inhabeo); Mark Pritchard, (Co-Head Building Safety & Construction Partner, Howard Kennedy); Hashi Mohamed, (Barrister, Landmark Chambers): Niamh O'Connor, (Founding Partner, Summix).

Renters’ Rights Act 2025

Key Actions for Landlords Ahead of 1 May 2026

On 1 May 2026, the first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 comes into effect. At this stage, all existing assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) will automatically transition into assured periodic tenancies. This is a major development for the private rented sector, with important implications including how landlords can recover possession, rent increases, rental bidding, anti‑discrimination rules, and tenants’ rights—such as the ability to keep pets.

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The Renters' Rights Act: a market shift already shaping investor behaviour 

The Renters’ Rights Act is already shaping the Living sector, influencing pricing, deal structures and investment focus. Investors remain active but are prioritising compliant, stable assets, with regulatory risk now central to valuation, due diligence and overall deal strategy.

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Building Safety Changes in 2026

Building safety reforms coming into effect in 2026 are set to significantly impact Living sector projects, influencing viability, funding, design and delivery. Key changes, including second staircase requirements, the Building Safety Levy and evolving regulatory duties, are shifting the focus from basic compliance to strategic risk management. Early engagement with these issues will be critical for protecting value, maintaining investor confidence and ensuring successful project outcomes.

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UORR Ban on Upwards-Only Rent Reviews

What the New Legislation Means for Commercial Leases

The new ban on upwards-only rent reviews, expected from 2027–28, will prohibit fixed upward rent increases across commercial leases, encouraging more flexible, market-aligned rents. The change is set to rebalance risk, benefiting tenants while pushing landlords to adopt shorter leases and alternative rent structures.

           
                                                                                                

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London plan emergency measures – the Support for Housebuilding LPG

London’s emergency planning measures aim to boost housebuilding by easing density rules, simplifying planning with lower affordable housing requirements, and offering targeted relief and funding. While they may unlock stalled schemes, they are temporary and only partly address deeper housing sector issues. 

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Supporting You Through Change

This information does not just comprise of legal updates but strategic shifts that affect how our clients build, invest, and operate. 

Whether you're navigating compliance, assessing risk, or planning your next move, we’re here to help you make sense of the change - and turn it into opportunity.

Contacts: