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London Christmas quiz: Do you know the answers?

#London Christmas quiz: Do you know the answers?

 By Daisy Mason


<h2 class="intro_basic">Take our festive trivia quiz to see how good your London Christmas knowledge is. Will your score be a Christmas cracker or cold turkey? Press the 'Start quiz' button below to get started.</h2>
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Landlords

Property market updates

<h2 class='intro_basic'>Our latest lettings market report reveals key trends shaping the London rental market as we head into the final quarter of the year. While October saw a seasonal slowdown in demand, the fundamentals remain strong, with rental values holding firm and supply continuing to improve.

<h2 class='intro_basic'>Key Highlights from the Report:
<p style="margin-left: 25px">•	Demand eased by 33% compared to September, following expected seasonal patterns.
<p style="margin-left: 25px">•	Competition cooled significantly, from 20 renters per property in August to 9 in October.
<p style="margin-left: 25px">•	Budgets remain resilient, averaging over £550 per week.
<p style="margin-left: 25px">•	Supply up 10% year-to-date, supporting a healthier market.
<p style="margin-left: 25px">•	Average rents dipped 3% in October but remain 2% higher than 2024.

<h2 class='intro_basic'>Getting ready for change
<p>The recent Royal Assent of the Renters’ Rights Act and confirmation of Phase 1 implementation on 1 May 2026 mark a major regulatory shift. Compliance will be critical for landlords to protect returns and avoid risk.

<p>Foxtons Property Management offers expert guidance and full-service solutions to keep your portfolio compliant and performing. Acting now ensures you stay ahead of legislation and maintain tenant confidence.


<br>
<p><center><p style="background-color: #cce3e0;"><a href='https://cms-assets.foxtons.co.uk/Foxtons_Lettings_Market_Report_October_2025_customer_e3e9e4c933.pdf' target='_blank'>See the full story in the <b>Lettings Market Report - October 2025</b></a></big></center>

Legislation

Landlord Essentials

<h2 class='intro_basic'>Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, was recently found to have let her Dulwich home without having secured the necessary selective licence from the London Borough of Southwark. This came only a few weeks after former Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, resigned having failed to pay the correct level of stamp duty when purchasing a flat. This makes one thing is very clear, it is more important than ever to get expert advice when navigating the complex regulatory systems in UK residential property.

<h3>What licenses do you need?
 
<p>Ms Reeves is certainly not alone in finding the UK residential property processes a little difficult to understand. There are 38 London boroughs and each has its own licensing scheme that imposes its own particular licensing conditions, with many operating more than one scheme. 

<p>Different rules apply for different types of letting: 
<p style="margin-left: 25px">•‘mandatory’ houses in multiple occupation (those with five or more occupants forming two or more households) are caught by one set of rules
<p style="margin-left: 25px">•smaller HMOs (still two households but perhaps only three occupants) are caught by ‘additional’ licensing rules. 
<p style="margin-left: 25px">•properties that are not HMOs, but are located in zones designated by local authorities, come under ‘selective’ licensing schemes

<p>All of this makes for a complex picture for London’s landlords. 

<h3>We get it done, so you don’t have to

<p>Foxtons property management keeps you ahead of compliance requirements: 
<p style="margin-left: 25px">•we uses specialist technology that tracks, on an ongoing basis, emerging licensing schemes
<p style="margin-left: 25px">•	our teams are trained to read, understand and explain to landlords the level of works they need to do to comply with licence conditions
<p style="margin-left: 25px">•our inspection teams are training to conduct a higher level of inspections for licensed properties
<p style="margin-left: 25px">•we track our 24 hour response times in resolving maintenance issues with increased vigilance for Iicensed properties.

The regulatory landscape is unlikely to get simpler, any time soon and the penalties for ‘inadvertent mistakes’ are severe. Renting a property without the necessary licence is a criminal offence, punishable by a fine of up to £30K or, on prosecution, an unlimited fine. On top of that, tenants can apply for refunds of up to twelve months’ rent for the period for which the property remained unlicensed (called ‘rent repayment orders’).

<p>So don’t trust just any agent with your property, choose the UK’s largest lettings agent* and the peace of mind in knowing that we get it done, so you don’t have to. 

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<a href="https://www.foxtons.co.uk/landlord/property-management">Find out more</a>


<p>*TwentyCI data, 2024 new lettings instructions at an estate agent brand level


Renting

<h2 class='intro_basic'>September saw a seasonal slowdown in applicant demand, with 32% fewer registrations month-on-month. However, rental values remained strong, with average rents reaching nearly £600 per week, the highest September figure in four years. Increased stock levels and resilient applicant budgets suggest a more balanced market is emerging across London. 

<p>Looking ahead, landlords should prepare for the upcoming Renters’ Rights Act, due to take effect from 2026. Key changes include the end of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions, the introduction of rolling tenancies, and stricter rules around rent increases and property standards. A new national landlord register and compliance framework will also be introduced in a second implementation phase.

<p>Foxtons is actively supporting landlords through these changes, ensuring properties remain compliant and well-managed. If you have questions about how the reforms may affect your portfolio, our team is here to help.

<br>
<p><center><p style="background-color: #cce3e0;"><a href='https://cms-assets.foxtons.co.uk/Foxtons_Lettings_Market_Report_September_2025_customer_27f43ebcee.pdf' target='_blank'>See the full story in the <b>Lettings Market Report - September 2025</b></a></big></center>


<h2 class='intro_basic'>By this point, just about everyone had expected the Renters' Rights Bill to have become law. In this blog we look at what’s happened and where we are now. We’ll also look at the next steps and the likely timeframe within which it actually will become law. 

<p>We’re now in a phase called ‘ping-pong’, a colloquial name given to the last stages of a bill's passage before it becomes law. During this phase of a bill’s passage, the two Houses (Commons and Lords) bounce the bill to each other, exchange debate and see if they can agree on the text and various amendments that, during the previous stages of the bill’s passage through parliament, each has suggested be made to the wording of the bill.  

<p>The first round of ping-pong took place on September 8 when the Commons rejected just about all of the amendments as had been proposed by the Lords. The next round of this process will see the bill being returned to the Lords for consideration of those rejections. 

<p>Exactly when that will happen is uncertain and depends on the Lords’ diary. Parliamentary diaries and schedules are always busy with a multitude of competing laws and debates all vying for time. 

<p>We do know that both the House of Commons and the House of Lords are currently in recess (the Commons for the party conference season). Each House returns on 13 October so we can probably expect to see a date in the Lords’ diary fairly shortly after that.  

<p>At that point, the Lords must decide whether to oppose the Commons’ rejections or concede to them. Conceding will mean that the contents of the bill are agreed, which, by definition, means no more debate is necessary and the bill will then be handed back to the Commons for Royal Assent, the stage at which the bill is declared law and becomes what will be known as the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. Barring any further delays, that seems likely to happen in the second half of October or perhaps early November. 

<p>Of course, that is not the complete picture. Just because a bill becomes law, does not mean it comes into effect immediately. Each new bill contains what is known as a ‘commencement date', which is the date on which it actually comes into force. The reason for delayed implementation is to give notice to those affected by the new law so they can prepare. The Government is on record as saying that it will provide sufficient time in which to allow a smooth transition from the old law to the new. Quite how long they consider is necessary to enable this is uncertain, with estimates ranging from three months (January 2026) to six months (April 2026).  

<p>As the bill receives Royal Assent and the Government issues further guidance before the commencement date, we will keep you informed of developments.</p>

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