Renting Rules, Red Tape & Renovations: July’s Landlord Lowdown

Adapting to Change: What East London Landlords Need to Know This Month

Author

Tristan Gage
July 04, 2025

Pet Rules, Red Tape & Renovations: July’s Landlord Lowdown

From proposed licensing changes in Hackney to fresh tweaks in the Renters Reform Bill, the private rental sector is shifting… again. But it’s not all red tape and restrictions: landlords who adapt are still seeing great returns, especially those investing in upgrades to futureproof their homes. In this issue, we break down what’s changing, what it means for you, and how to stay ahead.

Features in this edition:

Big Changes On The Way For Hackney Landlords

Hackney Council is consulting on two major new licensing schemes for private landlords - and if approved, they’ll apply to most rented homes in the borough.

  • Selective Licence: £925 for lets in 17 wards

  • Additional HMO Licence: £1,400 for HMOs not already covered under national licenses

💡 Discounts are available for EPC ratings of B/C, landlord accreditation, and multi-dwelling applications — but this will still mean new costs and conditions for many.

The consultation runs until 21st September.

Got questions or want to talk it through? Just reply to this email — we’re on it.

🐾 Pet Insurance U-Turn: Latest Twist In The Renter’s Rights Bill

The base office dogs Pixie & Diamond

As part of the upcoming Renters’ Rights Bill, the government originally proposed that tenants with pets would be required to take out pet damage insurance - a move many landlords welcomed. But in a late-stage amendment, that requirement has been scrapped.

👉 What’s changed?
Tenants are no longer obliged to insure against pet-related damage, leaving landlords potentially exposed if a furry friend causes costly issues.

👉 Why the reversal?
Insurers pointed out there’s currently no dedicated pet damage insurance available on the market, making the original clause difficult to enforce in practice.

👉 Industry reaction:
Groups like the NRLA have slammed the decision as a “shoddy and outrageous” shift that risks reducing landlord confidence in accepting pets. Campaigners like AdvoCATS also argue it undermines both tenants and responsible landlords.

👉 What’s next?
The House of Lords is now considering a potential compromise: allowing landlords to charge an additional “pet damage deposit” (up to three weeks’ rent). No decision has been made yet.

🛠️ Why Our Clients Are Refurbing, Not Selling

With demand softening and renters becoming more selective, many landlords are choosing to upgrade rather than offload. A well executed refurb can help a property stand out - and seriously boost rental returns.

An owner with a new instruction recently came to us to take the reins on a Shoreditch flat in need of modernisation. The kitchen and bathroom were tired, the decor dated — but the bones were strong.

We oversaw a light-touch refurb: kitchen and bathroom works, redecorating throughout, and new fixtures to bring the home up to today’s standards. Not only did we find fantastic tenants for this rental in record time, but we also provided a stress-free process for the owner, who described our project management as “a godsend… I can’t overemphasise how well that went for me.” You can watch the video testimonial on our instagram below. 🎥

Thinking of upgrading your property, but not sure where to start? We can help plan, budget, and manage the whole process, making sure you don’t overcapitalise, but still get results.

📩 Drop us a line if you’d like to chat through your options.

In other news…

Recent Hot Picks You May Have Missed…

🏡 Recent New Instruction: Knapp Road, E3 - https://tour.giraffe360.com/beck-square-2-lea-bridge-road/
💬 Feedback that made us feel all glowy (from a new instruction owner, no less): “I'd gladly recommend Base to anyone who needs an agent, especially when it comes to the full management of a property. Base is equipped with a great team which makes sure that landlords and tenants alike are supported wherever needed.” 🩵
🎉 Blog Post: After a Podcast episode with Kristjan and Ben Madden, this blog post discusses the very important topic of mental health in property - https://www.baseps.co.uk/blog-posts/beyond-bricks-and-mortar-why-mental-health-conversations-matter-in-property

P.S. For those of us in London who have experienced the recent heatwave, this may come to you as either good or bad news… following a wet weekend, the hot weather is on its way back, as the end of next week looks to soar back to 31ºC! Stay cool and hydrated!

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