## New Grant Supports Landlords Installing EV Chargers

UK landlords can now apply for a government grant of up to £500 towards installing Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers in their rental properties. This grant covers approximately half the installation cost and is available until March 2027. Applications can be submitted via the OZEV portal until the end of March, after which the government’s Find a Grant service will handle applications from 1 April.

Ben Beadle of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) highlights strong tenant interest, noting that nine out of ten landlords would install an EV charger if requested by tenants. This grant scheme reflects growing demand for sustainable property features and offers landlords a financial incentive to upgrade.

## Disabled Facilities Grant Needs Greater Awareness and Access

The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG), which helps fund home adaptations for disabled tenants, remains underutilised and poorly publicised. Available through local councils, the grant offers up to £30,000 in England and £36,000 in Wales to cover necessary modifications.

Propertymark is urging the government to streamline the application process for private landlords and raise awareness of this funding. Tim Thomas of Propertymark emphasises the importance of adapting properties for an ageing and disabled tenant population:
“Given the changing demographics, with more persons with a disability and older people accessing the PRS, grant funding must support more landlords to improve accessibility.”

Propertymark also calls for better collaboration between local authorities and landlords through an accessible housing database to widen access to the grant. The government has stated that the Renters’ Rights Act will empower tenants to request adaptations without fear of eviction, potentially increasing demand for such funding.

## Letting Agent Complaints Surge by Nearly Half

Complaints against letting agents have risen sharply, with Property Redress reporting a 47% increase in enquiries in 2025 compared to 2024. There were 4,220 complaint enquiries last year, up from 2,863 the previous year. Accepted cases also rose by 41%.

The majority of complaints relate to poor management services, inadequate maintenance, and failure to provide required documentation. Sean Hooker, Head of Redress, stresses the importance of early communication:
“Agents need to be transparent, proactive and responsive in the very early stages” to resolve issues swiftly.

Property Redress, which has around 19,051 members, expelled 85 firms for non-compliance in 2025. The average time to fully process claims has improved, falling from 39 to 34 days, with 53% of cases resolved early.

## AI-Edited Images Pose New Risks for Landlords

A recent study by data firm SAS warns landlords about the use of AI to fabricate damage in tenant-submitted photos. Such images can be altered within seconds, potentially leading landlords to make unwarranted insurance claims or inadvertently mislead insurers.

SAS reports that 40% of people struggle to detect AI modifications and advises landlords to scrutinise photos carefully for “subtle inconsistencies and damage that does not match the impact.” This emerging issue highlights the need for landlords to maintain thorough property inspections alongside photographic evidence.

## Additional Industry News

– Landlords could face eviction costs of up to £3,000 under Section 8 possession claims.
– Local councils’ temporary housing costs are projected to more than double by 2029-30, according to the Local Government Association.
– Clarification is needed on responsibility when letting agents appoint contractors.
– Landlords may face substantial bills to meet new EPC targets proposed by Ed Miliband.
– Evicting problematic tenants could cost landlords around £3,000.

For ongoing updates, see our Quick News Updates on landlord law.