The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) (formerly the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities) has published its response to a consultation on contractual controls on land. MHCLG has also published draft regulations (The Provision of Information (Contractual Control) (Registered Land) Regulations 2026) (and accompanying guidance) to invite views on whether the legal drafting is clear, precise and delivers the policy intent as set out in the consultation.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published its response to its March 2023 consultation on Environmental Outcomes Reports (EORs), which sought views on a proposed new system of environmental assessment. In the response, the MHCLG confirms its intention to use powers under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 (LURA 2023) to introduce a domestic, outcomes-based framework to replace the current Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regimes.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published responses to the Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation on proposed amendments to Part 6, Part L and Part F of the Building Regulations 2010. The consultation examined measures to improve the energy efficiency and carbon performance of new dwellings and non‑domestic buildings. Respondents broadly supported the policy objectives, citing potential benefits such as reduced operational emissions and lower energy costs. However, they also raised concerns regarding deliverability, including capital costs, impacts on small and medium‑sized developers, workforce and supply chain capacity and the readiness of new modelling methodologies. Stakeholder also emphasised the importance of flexibility where site conditions, building form, heritage constraints or grid capacity apply. There was also support for retaining existing compliance metrics during a transition period and further technical review of overheating, heat networks and in use building performance. The regulations and amended guidance will come into force on 24 March 2027, subject to transitional provisions.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a roadmap setting out plans to reform the home buying and selling process, including the introduction of upfront property information through sales packs, binding conditional contracts, higher standards for estate agents, and greater use of digital tools such as property logbooks, digital identity checks and electronic signatures. The government says the measures are intended to make transactions faster, reduce costs and lower the number of property sales that fall through. As part of the programme, the government plans to introduce guidance and a Code of Practice for property agents later in 2026, consult on mandatory qualifications for estate and letting agents from 2027 and bring forward legislation during the current Parliament to implement the reforms. MHCLG has also published its response to the consultation on material information in property listings, confirming that it will issue guidance to help estate agents provide buyers with relevant property information earlier in the transaction process.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a roadmap outlining when guidance, tools and funding will become available to support local planning authorities in preparing new local plans under the reformed plan-making system. It highlights resources that are already available, including automation to speed up consultation processing, Gateway 1 readiness materials, and initial guidance on beginning the 30-month plan process. The roadmap aims to support faster plan-making by setting out staged releases of further resources. These will include additional tools, procedural guidance and data standards, alongside the Model Local Plan, a standardised digital ‘call for sites’ form, and further gateway and examination materials such as the Statements of Soundness and Compliance as well and various further guidance.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published its second quarterly report on progress in implementing the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 recommendations. Of the 61 recommendations, 58 remain in progress and three have been completed. The report outlines progress across four key areas: (1) the construction industry; (2) fire and rescue services; (3) response and recovery; and (4) vulnerable people. Since the May 2025 update, MHCLG has completed two Phase 1 recommendations (59 and 61), following the laying of the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025, SI 2025/797, on 4 July 2025, which mandate Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) in high rise and higher-risk residential buildings.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a series of guidance documents for tenants renting from a private landlord in England, covering notices of possession, Rent Repayment Orders and changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act from 1 May 2026.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published its Mid-Tier Core Terms together with its Low-Value Terms and Conditions.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a statement from interim Chief Construction Adviser Thouria Istephan setting out her priorities and planned next steps. The policy paper, published on 25 February 2026, applies to England and relates to building regulation. MHCLG has indicated that translations of the statement will be published soon.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a statement, outlining significant changes to its approach to housing design and quality. Reaffirming its commitment to accelerate housing supply and build 1.5 million new homes over the five years, the MHCLG announced its intention to update the National Design Guide and National Model Design Code in Spring 2025. Additionally, the MHCLG announced a £46m package to support local planning authorities in recruiting and training planners, bolstering design skills and capacity. The MHCLG will also establish a quarterly Steering Boards on design and placemaking to guide development on large-scale sites and communities. It further announced that the Office for Place will be closed, with its staff and functions being redeployed within the MHCLG to better integrate design considerations into planning system reforms.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a statistical analysis report as part of the Better Outcomes through Linked Data (BOLD) programme. The report demonstrates how linking MHCLG's existing datasets with other data sources provides enhanced understanding of the circumstances surrounding repeatedly homeless individuals. MHCLG has allocated an additional £30m, raising the total rough sleeping winter pressures funding to £60m. This allocation, distributed among 295 English local authorities, focuses on preventing homelessness by helping individuals retain their current housing.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published three statutory guidance documents supporting the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) reforms introduced by the Pension Schemes Act 2026 (PSA 2026). Covering fund governance, asset pooling and Investment Strategy Statements (ISS), the guidance was published on the same day that the corresponding amendments made by the LGPS (Amendment) (Governance) Regulations 2026, SI 2026/545 and the LGPS (Pooling, Management and Investment of Funds) Regulations 2026, SI 2026/544 came into force. The guidance aims to clarify how administering authorities need to implement the latest package of LGPS governance and investment reforms.