[
 {
  "slug": "landlord-key-dates-2026-2027",
  "title": "Landlord Key Dates 2026–2027: Every Deadline That Matters, in One Place",
  "description": "The landlord register, Making Tax Digital, the 2027 property tax rise, Awaab's Law and EPC C: every key date for London and Surrey landlords, checked today.",
  "category": "Regulation",
  "date": "2026-10-23",
  "stats": [
   [
    "15 Jul 2027",
    "London's landlord register window opens (Surrey: 15 Mar 2027)",
    "MHCLG"
   ],
   [
    "£65",
    "Register fee per property, per year",
    "MHCLG / NRLA"
   ],
   [
    "7 Nov",
    "Next Making Tax Digital quarterly update",
    "HMRC"
   ],
   [
    "24%",
    "Basic rate on property income from 6 April 2027 (announced)",
    "Autumn Budget 2026"
   ]
  ],
  "number": 1,
  "dates": [
   [
    "2026-10-28",
    "28 Oct 2026",
    "Autumn Budget: property income tax rates from April 2027 raised to 24%, 44% and 49%.",
    "Announced"
   ],
   [
    "2026-11-07",
    "7 Nov 2026",
    "Making Tax Digital quarterly update due (period to 5 October), for landlords already in MTD.",
    "Confirmed"
   ],
   [
    "2026-12-15",
    "15 Dec 2026",
    "Landlord register opens, starting with the West Midlands.",
    "Confirmed"
   ],
   [
    "2026-12-18",
    "18 Dec 2026",
    "Consultation on extending Awaab's Law (damp, mould and hazard deadlines) to private rentals closes.",
    "Consultation"
   ],
   [
    "2027-01-31",
    "31 Jan 2027",
    "Self Assessment return and payment for 2025–26.",
    "Confirmed"
   ],
   [
    "2027-03-15",
    "15 Mar 2027",
    "Register window opens for the South East, including Surrey (closes 14 June 2027).",
    "Confirmed"
   ],
   [
    "2027-04-06",
    "6 Apr 2027",
    "Property income tax rates rise to 24%, 44% and 49% (announced). MTD extends to income over £30,000.",
    "Announced"
   ],
   [
    "2027-07-15",
    "15 Jul 2027",
    "Register window opens for London (closes 14 October 2027).",
    "Confirmed"
   ],
   [
    "2027-11-14",
    "14 Nov 2027",
    "Every rented property in England must be on the register.",
    "Confirmed"
   ],
   [
    "",
    "2028",
    "Private rented sector landlord ombudsman: membership expected to become compulsory.",
    "Expected"
   ],
   [
    "2028-04-06",
    "6 Apr 2028",
    "Making Tax Digital extends to income over £20,000.",
    "Confirmed"
   ],
   [
    "2030-10-01",
    "1 Oct 2030",
    "All private tenancies must reach EPC C, with spending capped at £10,000 per property. Regulations are expected in 2027.",
    "Expected"
   ],
   [
    "",
    "2035",
    "Decent Homes Standard applies to private rented homes.",
    "Confirmed"
   ]
  ]
 },
 {
  "slug": "london-rent-tracker-october-2026",
  "title": "London Rent Tracker, October 2026: What Rents Are Really Doing",
  "description": "London's average rent is £2,338 a month, up 3.5% in a year (ONS). Borough figures for West London, asking rents, supply and demand, and what it means for landlords.",
  "category": "Market data",
  "date": "2026-10-23",
  "stats": [
   [
    "£2,338",
    "Average monthly rent paid in London, September 2026",
    "ONS"
   ],
   [
    "+3.5%",
    "Annual rise in London rents (England: +4.0%)",
    "ONS"
   ],
   [
    "£2,825",
    "Record average asking rent on new London listings, Q3 2026",
    "Rightmove"
   ],
   [
    "−9%",
    "Fewer London homes available to rent than a year ago",
    "Rightmove"
   ]
  ],
  "number": 2,
  "dates": []
 },
 {
  "slug": "making-tax-digital-landlords-2026",
  "title": "Making Tax Digital for Landlords: The 7 November Deadline and What Comes Next",
  "description": "Making Tax Digital for landlords explained: who's in now, the £30,000 threshold from April 2027, quarterly deadlines, the penalty-free first year, and what to do.",
  "category": "Tax",
  "date": "2026-10-23",
  "stats": [
   [
    "7 Nov",
    "Next quarterly update (period to 5 October 2026)",
    "HMRC"
   ],
   [
    "£30,000",
    "Income threshold for joining from 6 April 2027",
    "HMRC"
   ],
   [
    "£20,000",
    "Threshold from 6 April 2028",
    "HMRC"
   ],
   [
    "0",
    "Penalty points for late quarterly updates in 2026–27",
    "HMRC"
   ]
  ],
  "number": 3,
  "dates": [
   [
    "2026-11-07",
    "7 Nov 2026",
    "Quarterly update due for 6 July to 5 October (landlords already in MTD).",
    "Confirmed"
   ],
   [
    "2027-01-31",
    "31 Jan 2027",
    "Self Assessment return and payment for 2025–26. This return decides whether you join MTD in April 2027.",
    "Confirmed"
   ],
   [
    "2027-02-07",
    "7 Feb 2027",
    "Quarterly update due for 6 October to 5 January.",
    "Confirmed"
   ],
   [
    "2027-04-06",
    "6 Apr 2027",
    "MTD extends to income over £30,000. Property income tax rates rise by 2 points.",
    "Law"
   ],
   [
    "2028-04-06",
    "6 Apr 2028",
    "MTD extends to income over £20,000.",
    "Confirmed"
   ]
  ]
 },
 {
  "slug": "winter-ready-damp-mould-heating-landlords",
  "title": "Winter-Ready: The Landlord's Damp, Mould and Heating Pack",
  "description": "Damp, mould and heating duties for landlords this winter: what the law requires now, where Awaab's Law is heading, and a practical winter checklist for rentals.",
  "category": "Compliance",
  "date": "2026-10-23",
  "stats": [
   [
    "£40,000",
    "Maximum civil penalty for serious or repeat housing breaches",
    "GOV.UK"
   ],
   [
    "18 Dec",
    "Awaab's Law consultation for private rentals closes (2026)",
    "MHCLG"
   ],
   [
    "24%",
    "Share of serious (Category 1) hazards in private rentals caused by excess cold",
    "NRLA"
   ],
   [
    "2035",
    "Decent Homes Standard applies to private rented homes",
    "MHCLG"
   ]
  ],
  "number": 4,
  "dates": [
   [
    "2026-12-18",
    "18 Dec 2026",
    "Consultation on extending Awaab's Law to private rentals closes.",
    "Consultation"
   ],
   [
    "",
    "2027 at the earliest",
    "Awaab's Law could start for private rentals, probably in phases.",
    "Proposed"
   ],
   [
    "2030-10-01",
    "1 Oct 2030",
    "All private tenancies must reach EPC C (regulations expected in 2027).",
    "Expected"
   ],
   [
    "",
    "2035",
    "Decent Homes Standard applies to private rented homes.",
    "Confirmed"
   ]
  ]
 },
 {
  "slug": "rates-briefing-october-2026",
  "title": "Rates Briefing, October 2026: Bank Rate, Mortgage Costs and the November Decision",
  "description": "Bank Rate is 3.75% and inflation has risen to 3.5%. Average fixed mortgage rates, buy-to-let lending, stress tests and the 5 November decision, explained for landlords.",
  "category": "Finance",
  "date": "2026-10-23",
  "stats": [
   [
    "3.75%",
    "Bank of England Bank Rate, unchanged since December 2025",
    "Bank of England"
   ],
   [
    "3.5%",
    "CPI inflation, September 2026 (up from 3.1%)",
    "ONS"
   ],
   [
    "5.95%",
    "Average 5-year fixed mortgage rate, all mortgages, October 2026",
    "Moneyfacts"
   ],
   [
    "5 Nov",
    "Next Bank Rate decision (2026)",
    "Bank of England"
   ]
  ],
  "number": 5,
  "dates": [
   [
    "2026-10-28",
    "28 Oct 2026",
    "Autumn Budget.",
    "Announced"
   ],
   [
    "2026-11-05",
    "5 Nov 2026",
    "Bank of England Bank Rate decision.",
    "Confirmed"
   ],
   [
    "2026-11-18",
    "18 Nov 2026",
    "Next ONS inflation and rent figures.",
    "Confirmed"
   ],
   [
    "2027-04-06",
    "6 Apr 2027",
    "Property income tax rates rise to 24%, 44% and 49% (announced); mortgage interest credit expected at 24%.",
    "Announced"
   ]
  ]
 },
 {
  "slug": "pets-in-rented-homes-landlords-28-day-rule",
  "title": "Pets in Rented Homes: The 28-Day Rule and When Landlords Can Say No",
  "description": "Tenants can now ask to keep a pet and landlords must reply within 28 days. When a refusal is reasonable, how deposits and insurance work, and what to do now.",
  "category": "Lettings",
  "date": "2026-10-26",
  "stats": [
   [
    "28 days",
    "To answer a tenant's written pet request, in writing",
    "GOV.UK"
   ],
   [
    "+7 days",
    "Extra time after asking for more details, if later than day 28",
    "GOV.UK"
   ],
   [
    "5 weeks",
    "Maximum deposit, pets included, where annual rent is under £50,000",
    "GOV.UK"
   ],
   [
    "2028",
    "Landlord ombudsman expected, able to hear pet complaints",
    "MHCLG"
   ]
  ],
  "number": 6,
  "dates": [
   [
    "2026-05-01",
    "1 May 2026",
    "Pet request rules apply to private tenancies in England.",
    "In force"
   ],
   [
    "",
    "Late 2026",
    "Private Rented Sector Database roll-out begins.",
    "Expected"
   ],
   [
    "",
    "2028",
    "Landlord Ombudsman membership becomes mandatory; tenants can complain about pet decisions.",
    "Expected"
   ]
  ]
 },
 {
  "slug": "rent-arrears-landlords-3-month-rule",
  "title": "Rent Arrears Step by Step: Three Months, Four Weeks and What Landlords Should Do",
  "description": "Since 1 May 2026 the mandatory rent arrears ground needs three months' arrears and four weeks' notice. The rules, the court timings and the steps to take early.",
  "category": "Property management",
  "date": "2026-10-27",
  "stats": [
   [
    "3 months",
    "Arrears needed for mandatory Ground 8, on monthly rent (13 weeks if weekly)",
    "Renters' Rights Act 2025"
   ],
   [
    "4 weeks",
    "Minimum notice on the rent arrears grounds (was 2 weeks)",
    "Renters' Rights Act 2025"
   ],
   [
    "27.1 wks",
    "Median time from landlord claim to repossession, Apr–Jun 2026",
    "Ministry of Justice"
   ],
   [
    "23,635",
    "Landlord possession claims, Apr–Jun 2026, up 6% on a year earlier",
    "Ministry of Justice"
   ]
  ],
  "number": 7,
  "dates": [
   [
    "2026-05-01",
    "1 May 2026",
    "Section 21 ends for private tenancies; Ground 8 rises to 3 months' arrears and notice to 4 weeks.",
    "In force"
   ],
   [
    "2026-07-31",
    "31 July 2026",
    "Last day to start court claims on Section 8 or Section 21 notices served before 1 May 2026 under the old rules.",
    "Law"
   ]
  ]
 },
 {
  "slug": "autumn-budget-2026-landlords",
  "title": "Autumn Budget 2026: What It Means for Landlords",
  "description": "The Autumn Budget 2026 raises tax on rental profits to 24%, 44% and 49% from April 2027. The key landlord changes, dates and what to do now, in plain English.",
  "category": "Tax",
  "date": "2026-10-31",
  "stats": [
   [
    "24%",
    "Basic rate on property income from 6 April 2027",
    "Autumn Budget 2026"
   ],
   [
    "44%",
    "Higher rate on property income (49% additional)",
    "Autumn Budget 2026"
   ],
   [
    "+4 pts",
    "Rise on today's 20%, 40% and 45%",
    "Budget 2025 + Budget 2026"
   ],
   [
    "Apr 2028",
    "High Value Council Tax Surcharge starts (£2m+ homes)",
    "Autumn Budget 2026"
   ]
  ],
  "number": 8,
  "dates": [
   [
    "2026-10-28",
    "28 Oct 2026",
    "Autumn Budget announces property income rates of 24%, 44% and 49%.",
    "Announced"
   ],
   [
    "2027-04-06",
    "6 Apr 2027",
    "New property income tax rates take effect.",
    "Announced"
   ],
   [
    "2027-04-06",
    "6 Apr 2027",
    "Making Tax Digital extends to income over £30,000.",
    "Law"
   ],
   [
    "2028-04-01",
    "Apr 2028",
    "High Value Council Tax Surcharge begins on £2m+ homes in England.",
    "Announced"
   ]
  ]
 },
 {
  "slug": "tenancy-deposits-landlords-30-day-rule",
  "title": "Tenancy Deposits: The 30-Day Rule, the 5-Week Cap and How Disputes Are Decided",
  "description": "Protect within 30 days, cap at five weeks' rent, and why a deposit mistake can now stop a possession claim. A short, plain-English pack for London landlords.",
  "category": "Compliance",
  "date": "2026-11-03",
  "stats": [
   [
    "30 days",
    "To protect the deposit and serve the prescribed information",
    "Housing Act 2004"
   ],
   [
    "5 weeks",
    "Maximum deposit where annual rent is under £50,000",
    "Tenant Fees Act 2019"
   ],
   [
    "1–3×",
    "What a court can order if a deposit isn't protected",
    "Housing Act 2004"
   ],
   [
    "~1%",
    "Share of protected deposits that reach adjudication",
    "TDS, year to March 2025"
   ]
  ],
  "number": 9,
  "dates": []
 },
 {
  "slug": "rates-briefing-november-2026",
  "title": "Rates Briefing, November 2026: Bank Rate Rises to 4%",
  "description": "The Bank of England raised Bank Rate to 4% on 5 November 2026. What it means for buy-to-let mortgages, the figures to watch and what landlords should do now.",
  "category": "Finance",
  "date": "2026-11-07",
  "stats": [
   [
    "4%",
    "Bank Rate from 5 November 2026 (was 3.75%)",
    "Bank of England"
   ],
   [
    "8–1",
    "Vote: one member wanted 4.25%",
    "Bank of England"
   ],
   [
    "3.5%",
    "CPI inflation, September 2026",
    "ONS / Bank of England"
   ],
   [
    "6.00%",
    "Average 5-year fixed rate, start of November",
    "Moneyfacts"
   ]
  ],
  "number": 10,
  "dates": [
   [
    "2026-11-05",
    "5 Nov 2026",
    "Bank Rate raised to 4%.",
    "Confirmed"
   ],
   [
    "2026-11-18",
    "18 Nov 2026",
    "Next ONS inflation and rent figures.",
    "Confirmed"
   ],
   [
    "2026-12-17",
    "17 Dec 2026",
    "Next Bank Rate decision.",
    "Confirmed"
   ],
   [
    "2027-04-06",
    "6 Apr 2027",
    "Property income tax rates rise to 24%, 44% and 49%.",
    "Announced"
   ]
  ]
 },
 {
  "slug": "section-13-rent-increases-landlords",
  "title": "Rent Increases in 2026: The Section 13 Rules, Form 4A and the Tribunal",
  "description": "Since 1 May 2026, rent can only go up once a year by Section 13 notice on Form 4A. The rules, the two-month notice, the tribunal and what landlords should do.",
  "category": "Regulation",
  "date": "2026-11-11",
  "stats": [
   [
    "1 a year",
    "Maximum rent increases (once every 52 weeks)",
    "GOV.UK"
   ],
   [
    "2 months",
    "Minimum notice before the new rent starts",
    "Housing Act 1988, s.13"
   ],
   [
    "£47",
    "Fee for a tenant to apply to the tribunal",
    "Shelter"
   ],
   [
    "£7,000",
    "Maximum first fine for rental bidding",
    "GOV.UK"
   ]
  ],
  "number": 11,
  "dates": [
   [
    "2026-05-01",
    "1 May 2026",
    "Section 13 becomes the only route to a rent increase on private assured tenancies.",
    "In force"
   ],
   [
    "2026-07-31",
    "31 Jul 2026",
    "Last day a rent review clause could be used under the transitional rules.",
    "In force"
   ]
  ]
 }
]