Awaab's Law private sector consultation: the week in UK property

The government published a consultation on extending Awaab's Law to private rented tenancies on 9 October 2026, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government announced. The consultation runs until 18 December 2026 and seeks views on how to apply time limits for landlords to fix serious hazards in private rented homes across England, following the law already in force for social housing.

What does extending Awaab's Law to the private sector mean for renters?

The consultation published on 9 October 2026 sets out how the government plans to extend Awaab's Law beyond social housing. The law is named after Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old who died in 2020 from prolonged exposure to mould in his family's social housing flat. The Social Housing Regulation Act 2023 established powers to apply time limits for repairs in social housing, and the Renters' Rights Act 2025 took powers to extend the protections to private tenancies, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government explained.

The consultation asks how best to implement the law for private renters. Under the proposals, landlords would face statutory time limits to investigate and fix serious hazards that place tenants at risk of harm. A new penalty for landlords who fail to remedy category one hazards came into force alongside updated housing health and safety rules in June 2026, the government noted in the consultation document.

The extension would apply to private rented tenancies and licences in England. Councils in England can already take enforcement action against landlords who fail to address serious hazards, but Awaab's Law would set clear time limits and strengthen protections. Some renters may see faster repairs if the proposals become law, though the consultation does not set out the specific time limits that would apply. Anyone affected by poor housing conditions, whether renting privately or in social housing, may wish to speak to a local housing advice service about the support available.

London boroughs plan 50,000 council homes if funding allows

London boroughs have identified sites to build over 50,000 new council homes in the capital if sufficient funding is available, London Councils reported on 1 October 2026. The cross-party group, which represents all 32 boroughs and the City of London Corporation, surveyed members on their submissions to the London Social and Affordable Homes Programme.

The pipeline would represent an almost 15 per cent increase to London's council housing stock, London Councils stated. London boroughs currently own and operate around 390,000 council homes, the organisation reported. Councillor Anthony Okereke, London Councils' Executive Member for Housing and Homelessness, said boroughs have the expertise and vision but need the investment to deliver the pipeline.

Full delivery of the pipeline is estimated to cost 12.3 billion pounds, London Councils noted. The current London Social and Affordable Homes Programme is worth 11.7 billion pounds and is designed to fund a range of organisations including housing associations and private developers as well as local authorities, the group explained. London Councils is making the case for additional grant funding and other financial measures, including access to low-interest loans, ahead of the government's Autumn Budget.

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The government acknowledged in the consultation that half of all council homes built in 2024 to 2025 were located in London, demonstrating what fuller devolution can achieve for council housebuilding.

Mortgage approvals fall as borrowing costs rise

There were 54,918 mortgage approvals in August 2026, the lowest monthly level since December 2023, the House of Commons Library reported on 8 October 2026. The figure represented a fall of 2 per cent compared to July 2026 and a fall of 16 per cent compared to a year earlier, the Library stated, citing Bank of England data.

The average rate for a new two-year fixed-rate mortgage was 4.92 per cent in August 2026, just under one percentage point higher than at the start of the year, the Commons Library noted. Higher mortgage rates may be contributing to weaker demand from potential buyers, the Library suggested. The Bank of England held Bank Rate at 3.75 per cent at its September 2026 meeting, the sixth consecutive meeting at that level.

Inflation was 3.1 per cent in August 2026, above the Monetary Policy Committee's target of 2 per cent, the Commons Library reported. The Bank of England said in September 2026 that inflation is expected to rise in coming quarters, reaching slightly above 4 per cent in the first quarter of 2027, driven by energy price volatility linked to conflict in the Middle East. Governor Andrew Bailey said the longer energy price volatility continues, the more likely the Bank will need to raise Bank Rate to ensure inflation falls back to the 2 per cent target.

Some borrowers on fixed-rate deals ending in the coming months may face higher monthly payments when they remortgage. Lenders signed up to the Mortgage Charter can offer options including switching to a new deal without a fresh affordability check or temporary moves to interest-only payments. Anyone worried about mortgage payments may wish to contact their lender to discuss the support available.

House prices and rents show regional differences

UK house prices increased 1.4 per cent in the year to July 2026, HM Land Registry reported in September 2026. The average property in the UK was valued at 273,000 pounds in July 2026, the data showed. The North East was the English region with the highest house price inflation at 4.9 per cent in the year to July 2026, the ONS reported in September. House prices in London fell 3.3 per cent over the same period, the ONS stated.

Average UK monthly private rents increased by 3.8 per cent in the 12 months to August 2026, the ONS reported on 16 September 2026. This was up from 3.7 per cent in the 12 months to July 2026, the ONS noted. The trend aligns with survey data from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in July 2026, which reported that UK-wide house prices continue to face moderate downwards pressure, particularly in London and the South West and South East of England.

Regional differences in house price growth reflect variations in affordability and local economic conditions. The Commons Library reported in September 2026 that, excluding Northern Ireland, house prices grew fastest in the North East and North West in the year to July 2026. Prices fell in London and the South West over the same period, the Library stated. The next UK House Price Index will be published on 21 October 2026, HM Land Registry confirmed.

The bright spot this week: Homes England partnership to unlock housing in Liverpool

Liverpool City Region and Homes England signed the first Place Delivery Agreement on 2 October 2026, Homes England announced. The agreement marks the launch of a new co-delivery partnership model that aligns national investment and expertise behind mayoral priorities, the housing agency stated.

The partnership will help deliver the government's new 39 billion pound Social and Affordable Homes Programme, the largest investment in social and affordable housing in a generation, Homes England confirmed. The agreement is designed to accelerate the pace of housebuilding and regeneration across the Liverpool City Region by bringing together local and national resources.

Place Delivery Agreements represent a shift towards closer working between combined authorities and the national housing agency. The Liverpool agreement is the first of its kind and may provide a model for other regions seeking to increase housing delivery. As the week draws to a close, the partnership offers a practical example of how collaboration can support progress on housing supply.

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