The Planning and Infrastructure Bill has received Royal Assent and will soon become law, aiming to accelerate the delivery of new homes by reforming the planning system. This legislation is intended to support the government’s target of building 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament, a development that landlords should monitor closely as it may impact housing supply and rental market dynamics.

Overview of the Planning and Infrastructure Act

The new Planning and Infrastructure Act introduces significant changes to the planning process in England. One of the key measures allows local councils to set their own planning fees, enabling them to cover the full cost of assessing applications for new homes and infrastructure projects. This is expected to provide councils with better resources to handle planning applications efficiently.

Additionally, the Act restricts legal challenges to major infrastructure decisions by limiting appeals that are considered without merit to a single attempt instead of three. This change is designed to reduce delays caused by prolonged legal disputes, potentially speeding up the approval of large-scale developments.

Planning committees will also be restructured to prioritise decisions on the most significant developments, allowing smaller housing schemes to proceed more quickly. Development corporations will receive enhanced powers to accelerate large projects, including the creation of new towns and affordable housing schemes.

Implications for Landlords and the Housing Market

For landlords, the Act’s focus on speeding up housing delivery could lead to an increase in the supply of rental properties over time, helping to address the ongoing housing shortage. Faster planning decisions and reduced delays may encourage more development, including affordable homes, which could influence rental demand and pricing.

However, the government’s ambitious target of 1.5 million new homes by 2029 remains challenging. Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, highlights that without a skilled workforce and adequate supply chains, meeting this target could prove difficult. Landlords should be aware that while planning reforms are a positive step, the actual pace of new housing delivery will depend on broader factors such as construction capacity and labour availability.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed emphasises that the Act aims to remove barriers to growth and enable projects to progress more swiftly, supporting economic growth and environmental goals. He states: “We’re ushering in a new era to build 1.5 million homes that will give families a secure roof over their head, alongside key infrastructure to create high-paying jobs and power our homes and businesses.”

Challenges Ahead for Housing Delivery

Despite the legislative reforms, the housing sector faces practical challenges. Propertymark’s Nathan Emerson points out that a significant increase in housing supply is essential to stabilise house prices and meet demand. However, the shortage of skilled workers in construction could hinder progress. He calls for clarity on how the government plans to ensure the necessary skills, capacity, and supply chains are in place to deliver the homes promised.

For landlords, this means that while planning reforms may facilitate development, the overall impact on the housing market will depend on how effectively these challenges are addressed. Monitoring government updates and industry responses will be important for anticipating changes in housing availability and rental market conditions.

TLA Update: Trusted Partners Hub Launching in 2026

The Landlord Association (TLA) is preparing to launch a new Trusted Partners Hub in the first quarter of 2026. This platform will feature verified and approved service providers selected to support landlords, tenants, and property management businesses. Legal, trades, insurance, financial, mortgage, tenant screening, and other service providers are invited to register their interest to join the hub at https://landlordassociation.org.uk/become-a-tla-service-partner/.

This initiative aims to provide landlords with reliable access to essential services, complementing the broader efforts to improve housing supply and management in the UK.