Changes to the rules on private parking charges, council and TfL tickets, hire cars, renting and flight delays, and when they apply. General information, not legal advice.
27 October 2026ComingRenting
Landlord database: registration due to start on 15 December 2026
The government's 'Register your rental property' service for private landlords in England is due to open on 15 December 2026, starting in the West Midlands and then rolling out region by region. The regulations behind it are still in draft and need Parliament's approval.
- Landlords will have three months to register once their area is called forward.
- The government says all landlords actively letting property must be registered by 14 November 2027.
- The landlord ombudsman comes after the database. No start date has been set yet.
Read more: Deposit deductions: how to get your money back
20 October 2026ComingPrivate parking
Government Private Parking Code laid before Parliament
The first statutory code for private car parks. It replaces the industry's own code once in force. It's reported to be due for issue on 30 November 2026, which would mean it applies from 21 December 2026; GOV.UK hasn't confirmed this yet.
- £100 maximum charge, and at least 40% off if paid within 14 days.
- Charges must be cancelled for honest mistakes like small registration typos, breakdowns, illness and broken payment machines.
- Charges reduced to £20 for things like a permit not on display or the wrong registration entered.
- At least 5 minutes to read the terms and 10 minutes after your time ends, in most car parks.
- Operators that don't follow it can lose access to DVLA keeper details.
Read more: New Private Parking Code 2026: what changes
20 October 2026ProposedPrivate parking
Debt recovery fees: further consultation promised
Fees added by debt collectors stay capped at £70 for now. The government has said it will consult again on reducing or scrapping them.
- Nothing changes until the consultation has happened and the government decides.
Read more: Debt collector letters and court claims
2 October 2026ComingFlights
EU flight delay compensation changes adopted: they apply from October 2027
The changes to EU261, the EU rules on delays and cancellations, are now law as Regulation (EU) 2026/2202. It was adopted on 16 September 2026 and published on 2 October 2026. It applies from 23 October 2027. The 3-hour delay threshold for compensation stays.
- Proposals to raise the threshold to 4 or 6 hours were dropped.
- This changes the EU rules, not the UK's own rules (UK261). The two will differ from 23 October 2027.
- Until then, the current rules still apply.
Read more: Flight delay compensation: what you're owed
1 May 2026In forceRenting
Renters' Rights Act: first changes in force in England
The first phase of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 started on 1 May 2026, mainly for private renting in England.
- Section 21 'no fault' evictions have ended.
- Landlords can't ask for more than one month's rent in advance.
- Deposits still have to be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days, and the cap is still five weeks' rent (six if the yearly rent is £50,000 or more).
- A later phase adds a landlord database, due to start from 15 December 2026, and then a landlord ombudsman.
Read more: Deposit deductions: how to get your money back
8 April 2026In forceBills
Quicker route to the ombudsman for broadband and phone complaints
You can now take an unresolved broadband, phone or TV complaint to the free dispute scheme after 6 weeks, down from 8.
- A 'deadlock letter' from your provider still lets you go straight away.
- Both schemes (Communications Ombudsman and CISAS) are free.
Read more: Unfair bills and fees: how to challenge them
2 January 2026In forceCouncil and TfL
Congestion charge rises to £18, and electric cars now pay
The London congestion charge went up to £18 a day (£21 if paid within three days after travel). Electric vehicles are no longer exempt: they get a Cleaner Vehicle Discount instead.
- The penalty for not paying is still £180, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days.
- TfL plans to raise the charge every year from now on. The ULEZ charge isn't affected.
Read more: Council and TfL tickets: how to challenge them
7 April 2025In forceCouncil and TfL
London council penalties went up by £30
Parking, bus lane and moving traffic penalties went up across all 32 London boroughs and the City of London.
- Higher-level parking penalties: £160, or £80 if paid within 14 days.
- Lower-level parking penalties: £110, or £55 if paid within 14 days.
- Bus lane and moving traffic penalties: £160, or £80 if paid within 14 days.
Read more: Council and TfL tickets: how to challenge them
6 April 2025In forceHire cars
Hidden fees banned from headline prices
Under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, businesses must include every fee you can't avoid in the price they first show you. That includes car hire.
- Fees you can genuinely choose not to pay can still be shown separately.
- The Competition and Markets Authority can now fine businesses directly, up to 10% of their worldwide turnover.
Read more: Hire car damage charges: what to check
17 January 2025In forceBills
Inflation-linked price rises banned in new broadband and mobile contracts
New broadband, mobile and pay TV contracts can't include price rises tied to inflation. Any rise must be set out in pounds and pence when you sign up.
- It applies to contracts taken out from 17 January 2025, not older ones.
Read more: Unfair bills and fees: how to challenge them
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