Regulation news: page 2
- June 2026
Deadline for landlords to issue updated contract terms
Landlords in Wales had to give existing contract holders updated contract terms by 14 June 2026, under changes in force from 1 June 2026 aimed at stopping discrimination against tenants.
High Court appoints special administrators over EES
The High Court has appointed special administrators over Euro Exchange Securities UK Ltd after the FCA required the firm to stop carrying on regulated electronic money and payment services.
DWP opens consultation on amending pension transfer scam protections
The Department for Work and Pensions has opened a consultation on amending the 2021 pension transfer scam rules, proposing a new red flag for transfers into Small Self-Administered Schemes.
Government launches cohabitation law reform consultation
The government has opened a consultation on cohabitation law reform in England and Wales, seeking views on property, pension and inheritance rights for around 3.5 million unmarried couples.
BNPL to come within FCA regulation from summer 2026
Buy now, pay later will fall under Financial Conduct Authority regulation from summer 2026 under legislation already passed by the Government, with the FCA having consulted on draft rules for firms.
FCA updates BCOBS 5 on set-off, Consumer Duty and financial difficulty
The FCA has updated BCOBS 5, its post-sale banking rules, with guidance on payment instruction ordering, set-off and subsistence balances, and customers in financial difficulty, effective 26/06/2026.
Government publishes response to home buying and selling reform consultation
The government has published its response to the October 2025 home buying and selling reform consultation, committing to reforms and setting out a timetable running to the end of this Parliament.
MCOB 11 updated with Consumer Duty references and revised exceptions to affordability assessment
The FCA Handbook's responsible lending chapter was updated on 26 June 2026, adding Consumer Duty wording to its purpose and revising the exceptions to the mortgage affordability assessment rule.
- May 2026
Deadline for landlords to issue government factsheet and statements of terms for pre-existing tenancies
Landlords of private tenancies in England that began before 1 May 2026 must issue the government factsheet, or a written statement of terms for unwritten agreements, by 31 May 2026.
OPFS responds to new energy price cap announcement
One Parent Families Scotland has responded to the new energy price cap announced by Ofgem on 27 May 2026, setting out the money and debt support it offers to single parent families.
Consumer Scotland responds to FCA and Financial Ombudsman consultation on modernising the redress framework
Consumer Scotland has responded to the FCA and Financial Ombudsman Service consultation on modernising the redress framework, backing a light touch registration stage but warning that many specific dismissal rules could make the service inflexible.
Government publishes FOS review consultation outcome with package of proposed reforms
The government has published the outcome of its review of the Financial Ombudsman Service, proposing a 10-year complaint time limit, an adapted Fair and Reasonable test and new FCA referral duties.
Financial Services and Markets Bill introduced in the House of Lords on 19 May 2026
The Financial Ombudsman Service has confirmed changes to how it handles complaints, with formal rule changes taking effect from 1 October 2026 and pilots on fraud and scams casework starting the same month.
FCA crackdown on finfluencers: conviction, warnings and account removals
The Financial Conduct Authority worked with 16 overseas regulators on a week of action against illegal financial promotions, identifying more than 1,200 suspect posts and securing one conviction.
FCA confirms it will defend compensation scheme against legal challenge
The FCA has confirmed its motor finance compensation scheme has been legally challenged and says it will defend the scheme as lawful, with parts of it suspended by the Upper Tribunal.
Government publishes FOS consultation response and final reform plans
The government has confirmed final plans to reform the Financial Ombudsman Service, including a 10-year complaint time limit and a narrower Fair and Reasonable test, and will not make it an FCA subsidiary.
Regulations come into force and scheme period begins
The Warm Home Discount (Scotland) Regulations 2026 came into force on 1 May 2026, continuing the scheme in Scotland to 31st March 2031 with a £150 rebate for eligible households.
Rental bidding above advertised price banned in England
From 1 May 2026 landlords and letting agents in England cannot let a property above its advertised rent, and cannot ask for more than one month's rent in advance.
Renters' Rights Act increases ground 8 arrears threshold
From 1 May 2026 private landlords in England need three months of unpaid rent before using ground 8 to evict, up from two months under the Renters' Rights Act.
Rules on 'no fault' evictions changed
The rules on "no fault" evictions changed on 1 May 2026, according to StepChange, which says tenants who receive an eviction notice should act quickly and not leave straight away.
- April 2026
FCA opens consultation on simplifying consumer credit financial promotions rules
The Financial Conduct Authority has opened a consultation on simplifying consumer credit financial promotions rules and improving how the cost of credit is disclosed to consumers.
FCA publishes Research Note informing CONC 3 cost disclosure review
The FCA has published a research note on how consumers compare the cost of credit, findings from which it says informed its discussion paper on cost disclosure rules in CONC 3.
Warm Home Discount (Scotland) Regulations 2026 signed and consented
The Warm Home Discount (Scotland) Regulations 2026 were signed on 29 April 2026, continuing the Scottish scheme with a £150 rebate and a scheme period running to 31st March 2031.
90-day notice rule applies to accounts opened on or after 28 April 2026
Accounts opened on or after 28 April 2026 now carry a minimum 90 days' notice before a bank can terminate them, and the bank must give a clear reason for the closure.
Renters Right Act comes into force
The Renters' Rights Act came into force on 1 May 2026, abolishing section 21 no-fault evictions in England and replacing assured shorthold tenancies with periodic assured tenancies.
Bank of England publishes 2026 Q1 Credit Conditions Survey
The Bank of England's 2026 Q1 Credit Conditions Survey reports that secured credit availability to households rose while unsecured availability was unchanged, and secured default rates increased slightly.
Fair4All Finance opens Small Sum Lending pilot bidding with up to £25m of funding
Fair4All Finance has opened bidding for its Small Sum Lending pilot, publishing an application pack for lenders and setting out plans to allocate up to £25m of funding.
Tenant Fees Act 2019 tenant guidance first published
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published GOV.UK guidance for tenants in England setting out the fees and payments landlords may charge under the Tenant Fees Act 2019.
COBS 15 cancellation rules updated
The FCA updated the COBS 15 Cancellation chapter of its Handbook on 6 April 2026, including the table of cancellable contracts, cancellation periods, disclosure duties and exemptions.
Energy bills to be cut as government removes policy costs from electricity bills
The government has removed some policy costs from electricity bills from 1 April 2026, cutting unit rates and standing charges for households on variable and fixed tariffs in Great Britain.