The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated its Capacity to Build guidance to reflect the rebranding of the Council Housebuilding Skills and Capacity Programme and its expansion for 2026–29. MHCLG is investing a further £46 million over three years in the programme, which is delivered in partnership with Homes England and the Local Government Association. The programme comprises three elements: (1) the Council Housebuilding Support Service (CHoSS); (2) the Council Housebuilding Support Fund (CHSF) and (3) an expanded Pathways to Planning scheme. CHoSS aims to provide up to 225 tailored support packages. The Pathways to Planning programme aims to recruit up to 150 graduates during 2026–29, with onboarding anticipated to commence from early 2027. MHCLG intends to publish details of the CHSF 2026–27 bidding round in September 2026.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated the Communities for Afghans guidance and associated policy documents, introducing operational and legal clarifications rather than substantive policy changes to the resettlement scheme. The revised documents now expressly confirm that all individuals resettled under the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP) have Indefinite Leave to Remain, clarifying the immigration status of participating households. The update also adds references to devolved Welsh housing and regulatory frameworks, including the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 and Welsh Housing Quality Standards, where households are resettled in Wales. In addition, MHCLG published new Phase 2 privacy notices setting out how personal and special category data will be processed and shared for the administration of the scheme, and clarified that households moving into accommodation after 1 October 2025 fall within Phase 2 arrangements, while councils supporting earlier arrivals should continue claiming Phase 1 tariff funding unless otherwise specified.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated its Council Tax guidance document to include new exceptions to the second home and empty homes premium. The update follows earlier changes that gave councils power to charge additional Council Tax on second homes from 1 April 2025, and the ability to apply empty homes premium after one year instead of two years from 1 April 2024. The guidance provides comprehensive information on Council Tax operations in England, including available exemptions and discounts.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated its guidance on the procedures for reviewing and amending National Policy Statements (NPSs) following changes introduced by the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (PIA 2025). The update introduces a statutory review and amendment cycle requiring the Secretary of State to carry out a full review of each NPS within a defined ‘initial period’ and thereafter at least every five years, with a requirement to amend each NPS following review unless it is withdrawn. The guidance also highlights the importance of keeping NPSs up to date, noting that out-of-date NPSs may make decision-making more difficult and increase the risk of legal challenge.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated the Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) on plan-making to clarify how the implementation provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) apply to plans that have undergone more than one round of Regulation 19 consultation. In such cases, for the purposes of applying Annex 1 of the NPPF, a plan is generally considered to have reached the Regulation 19 stage on the date the first round of consultation commenced. However, in certain limited circumstances—such as where the content of the emerging plan has changed significantly since the initial Regulation 19 stage—the plan may instead be deemed to have reached Regulation 19 on the date a subsequent round of consultation commenced.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated its planning practice guidance (PPG) on Crown Development and Urgent Crown Development by adding new paragraphs 42 to 66 and making further amendments to reflect the implementation of the new Crown Development route and the updated Urgent Crown Development route introduced under the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (LURA 2023). In response to these updates, MHCLG has also amended paragraphs 13 and 14 of its PPG on planning application procedures.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated its Private Rented Sector Housing Guarantee Scheme Rules to reflect that the scheme has been reopened to new applicants. The updated rules also align with current market practices, aiming to provide greater support for the Build to Rent sector.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated both its Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 guidance and its Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 alternative formats guidance to include transitional arrangements for landlords who gave a valid section 8 or section 21 notice before 1 May 2026. In these circumstances, landlords are given one month to provide the Information Sheet from the date the notice becomes invalid or once court proceedings have been concluded. This exemption applies where an assured or assured shorthold tenancy turns into an assured periodic tenancy after 1 May 2026 because the notice is no longer valid or court proceedings have ended without possession being granted, provided there is a written record (either fully or partly) of the tenancy terms.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated its guidance on the Right to Buy (RTB) pooling system, reflecting changes made since 1 April 2021. The guidance revises the terms of Retention Agreements under section 11(6) of the Local Government Act 2003, enabling local authorities to retain RTB receipts, and amends the Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Accounting) Regulations 2003, SI 2003/3146. The updated guidance includes measures from the government’s 2 July 2025 response to its RTB reform consultation. These measures extend the flexibilities introduced in July 2024 indefinitely, further simplify the rules and allow the combination of RTB receipts with grant funding. The changes aim to support local authorities in increasing the supply of social and affordable housing from the 2026–27 financial year.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated its Tenant Fees Act 2019 guidance for landlords and tenants to address guarantor agreements entered into before 1 May 2026. Both sets of guidance advise that the terms of such agreements may be affected by the tenancy reforms under the Renters' Rights Act 2026. Landlords are directed to review existing guarantor agreements and obtain guarantor consent to any required variations. Tenants and guarantors are advised to obtain landlord consent to any variations required. The updated guidance state that both parties are directed to seek independent legal advice where the applicability of the reforms to a given agreement is unclear.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated, published, and added new guidance to its collection on compulsory purchase orders (CPO).

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated its guidance on the compulsory purchase process in England. The guidance covers each stage of the process, key procedural requirements, compensation rules and advice on the use of compulsory purchase powers.