Buy-to-Let & Landlord News Round-Up | Dec 8, 2025

Court Delays Costing Landlords Thousands in Lost Rent

New data from the High Court Enforcement Officers Association (HCEOA) shows severe court backlogs are leaving landlords thousands out of pocket.

• Average loss nationally: ~£12,700 in unpaid rent
• In London: losses rise to ~£19,200, with eviction timelines commonly stretching 8–12+ months

Industry groups including NRLA, Propertymark and Landlord Action are calling for reforms to allow faster “transfer up” of cases from the County Court to the High Court.

What this means for landlords:

Expect continued delays in regaining possession of properties. Budget for longer arrears periods and consider rent-guarantee / legal-expense protections where appropriate.

PRS Database: Government Says It Will Consider Landlord Privacy Concerns

With the new national Private Rented Sector (PRS) database planned under the Renters’ Rights Act, the government has stated it aims to balance landlord privacy with tenants’ right to assess a landlord’s track record.

Key points emerging from recent updates:

• Ministers say tenant access to information must be “proportionate” further to landlords concerns about personal data being publicly identifiable.
• The government has indicated it will refine the database design to ensure legitimate privacy safeguards while still improving transparency and enforcement in the sector.

What this means for landlords:

Expect mandatory registration when the database launches, but details on what data is published are still being worked out. More consultation likely in 2026.

Energy Standards Back in the Spotlight

A recent media story raised questions about the cost of meeting proposed energy-efficiency rules, after reports suggested upgrades for certain properties could run into the thousands of pounds.

• Future minimum EPC standards may tighten again despite previous proposals being shelved in 2023.
• Industry analysts warn landlords should plan for potential insulation, window and heating-system upgrades over the coming years.
• Average national EPC upgrade costs for older homes are often estimated in the £5,000–£10,000 range depending on property type.

What this means for landlords:

No firm new EPC regulations are in place yet, but the policy conversation is re-emerging. Landlords with older or less efficient stock should keep an eye on consultations in 2025–26.