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The success of a two-year education programme for letting agents and landlords covering all aspects of deposit protection has led to the launch of the TDS Academy by the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. 

A local authority is to build new homes for private rental. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea will be building on its own land, following the Government’s announcement of support for a new build-to-let sector. 

Police in London are enlisting letting agents and landlords in the war against drugs. 

New financial products are to be sought to help people who will be receiving the new Universal Credit. 

A former housing minister under the Labour government, Keith Hill, has been appointed as independent regulator for the Association of Residential Managing Agents. 

Direct payment of housing benefits to landlords rather than tenants will be allowed – but only in Northern Ireland. 

Housing minister Mark Prisk has followed his party’s line by claiming that private rents have been going down. 

Unforeseen costs, including unexpected maintenance and a shortfall in rent, are hitting landlords in the pocket. 

Classified advertising vehicle Gumtree says that the volume of London property rental ads on its site has risen by over one third in the last year. 

Keystone Buy to Let Mortgages has improved its lending criteria and is now offering loans up to £500,000 per property transaction to existing landlords. This represents an increase of £150,000 on its previous limit. 

A debt counselling charity is warning of a huge increase in rent arrears which will keep people off the housing ladder for the foreseeable future.