News and advice from John Grants
Plain-English guidance on selling, buying, renting and letting in London and Hertfordshire.
Landlords · 17 October 2026 · 7 min read
Can a landlord refuse pets in 2026? What the Renters’ Rights Act says
Since 1 May 2026 a tenant on an assured tenancy in England can ask in writing to keep a pet, and the landlord must answer in writing, usually within 28 days. Here are the valid reasons to refuse, what cannot be charged, and a dated example.
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Selling · 17 October 2026 · 8 min read
Material information in property listings: what sellers need to know
Estate agents have had to include material information in listings since 2008, and since 6 April 2025 the rule sits in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. Here is what Parts A, B and C cover, what to gather before you list and what you owe your solicitor.
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Landlords · 17 October 2026 · 8 min read
How long is a landlord gas safety certificate valid in England?
A landlord gas safety record is valid for 12 months, and a check in the two months before the deadline keeps the original date. Here is who gets a copy and when, what the record must show, what to do if a tenant will not give access, and a dated example.
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Landlords · 17 October 2026 · 8 min read
Landlord EICR rules in England: 5-year test, 28-day repairs, £40,000 cap
Landlords in England must have a rented home's fixed electrics tested by a qualified person at least every five years and give tenants the report. Here is what the codes mean, the 28-day repair deadline, the £40,000 cap and two 2026 changes.
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Selling · 17 October 2026 · 8 min read
Capital gains tax when you sell a rental property or second home
Selling a buy-to-let or second home can bring Capital Gains Tax on the gain. For 2026 to 2027 GOV.UK gives a £3,000 allowance and rates of 18% or 24%, with any tax reported and paid within 60 days of completion. A worked example is included.
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Buying · 16 October 2026 · 7 min read
Stamp duty at Edmonton and Enfield prices: worked examples
Stamp Duty Land Tax worked through at real local price points: a typical Edmonton flat, terraced house and Enfield home, for a mover, a first-time buyer and someone buying an additional property. Plus the two cliff edges buyers misjudge.
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Selling · 16 October 2026 · 8 min read
Selling a house with a tenant in situ: your options after the Renters’ Rights Act
You can sell a rented home with the tenant staying, or ask for it back first. Since 1 May 2026 the second route needs a Section 8 notice, four months’ notice and a court order if the tenant does not leave. Here is how each route works.
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Landlords · 16 October 2026 · 8 min read
Raising the rent under the Renters’ Rights Act: what landlords can do
Since 1 May 2026 a landlord can raise the rent of an assured periodic tenancy only by a Section 13 notice on Form 4A. Here is how the notice, the 52-week rule and a tenant’s challenge at the tribunal work, with a dated example.
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Legislation & rules · 16 October 2026 · 7 min read
The landlord register in London: what to have ready before 15 July 2027
The government says the legal requirement to register London rental properties starts on 15 July 2027, with a deadline of 14 October 2027 and a fee of £65 per property per year. You can register earlier. Here is what is settled, what is draft, and what to gather now.
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Landlords · 16 October 2026 · 7 min read
EPC C for rented homes by 2030: what is law, what is confirmed and what is not settled
A rented home covered by the regulations must be EPC E or better today. The government has confirmed a plan for EPC C by 1 October 2030, but it still needs Parliament, and the new-style EPCs it relies on have been delayed. Here is where each piece stands.
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Legislation & rules · 16 October 2026 · 8 min read
Awaab’s Law and private rented homes: what applies now, what is only proposed
Awaab’s Law, with its fixed deadlines for damp and mould, is in force for social housing only. For private landlords the government says it will extend it, and is consulting on how until 18 December 2026. Here is what is law, what is not, and what you can sensibly do now.
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Selling · 16 October 2026 · 4 min read
How much is my house worth in Edmonton? What sold prices say
A typical Edmonton home sold for £415,000 in the year to July 2026, but terraced houses and flats sit more than £170,000 apart. Here is what recent sales can and cannot tell you, and how a valuation works.
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