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Falling inflation does not mean falling pressure for the UK’s small and micro businesses.

18 Feb 2026

6 min

In the video, Liz Barclay, Britain's former Small Business Commissioner, discusses the recent drop in inflation to 3% from 3.4%. While this is good news for households, Barclay emphasizes the challenges still faced by small businesses. She explains that businesses are dealing with wage increases, rent increases, and business rates increases, with some reporting significant hikes in costs such as employer's liability insurance. She suggests that if businesses can absorb these costs without raisin...

Where the Market Will Be in 5 Years

2 Jun 2026

0 min

In part three, Liz Barclay and Keith Giddons look at the wider market impact: rent tribunals, rent-in-advance restrictions, overseas tenants, students, buy-to-let confidence and whether good landlords may decide the risk is no longer worth it.

“Good landlords need to understand the new rules before they panic.” “This is meant to protect tenants, but if landlords leave, tenants may still pay the price.” “The law of unintended consequences is written all over parts of this reform.” “Referencing, record keeping and communication with tenants now matter more than ever.” “One bad decision on a tenant can cost a landlord thousands.”

Why the market should normalise in 5 years

4 Jun 2026

0 min

The Renters’ Rights Act is now reshaping England’s private rental market. In this three-part Business111 Coffee Podcast series, Liz Barclay talks to Keith Giddons of Royal Arsenal Residential, an estate agent of 30 years and a landlord himself, about what the reforms mean in practice for tenants, landlords and the rental market.

Landlord exits will push rents higher

3 Jun 2026

0 min

Landlords may sell up. Tenants could pay the price If landlords leave the market, rental supply falls. If rental supply falls, rents rise. That is the uncomfortable possibility behind the Renters’ Rights Act.

If landlords leave the market, rental supply falls. If rental supply falls, rents rise. That is the uncomfortable possibility behind the Renters’ Rights Act.

Part three: Will landlords quit the market?

29 May 2026

11 min

Landlords may sell up. Tenants could pay the price This may be designed to protect tenants, but could it end up reducing the number of homes available to rent? If landlords leave the market, rental supply falls. If rental supply falls, rents rise. That is the uncomfortable possibility behind the Renters’ Rights Act. In part three, Liz Barclay and Keith Giddons look at the wider market impact: rent tribunals, rent-in-advance restrictions, overseas tenants, students, buy-to-let confidence and wh...

The Renters’ Rights Act is now reshaping England’s private rental market. In this three-part Business111 Coffee Podcast series, Liz Barclay talks to Keith Giddons of Royal Arsenal Residential, an estate agent of 30 years and a landlord himself, about what the reforms mean in practice for tenants, landlords and the rental market.

Part two: Pets, possession and problem tenants

28 May 2026

8 min

Most tenancies work perfectly well. But when they don’t, thecost can be brutal. This episode looks at the practical risks landlords cannot afford to ignore.The Renters’ Rights Act is not just about eviction notices.It changes the balance of power around pets, rent arrears, antisocial behaviour, possession grounds and court action. In part two, Liz Barclay asks Keith Giddons what happens when things go wrong. How should landlords protect themselves? What role should estate agents play? And why d...