There’s only one way to describe 2026 so far - relentless! And no. You’re not imagining it. 

In the last three months, we’ve seen products pulled at short notice; rates being adjusted overnight; new applications submitted and logged onto the system immediately for fear of them becoming misplaced, leading to some awkward conversations down the road.

This has meant long days, quick decisions, and a strong emphasis on managing client expectations – often in real-time. Having to explain why something that was right yesterday only for it to be wrong today has become the status quo. 

We see that and understand how challenging it is.

Regulation is raising the bar (and creating opportunities)

There have been several important regulatory developments recently, particularly in the wealth sector. This has clear implications for all advice firms. 

These developments have distinct read-across for all advice firms. What is clear is that there is a clear shift in direction — one that will shape future conversations. 

The bar has been raised with:

• A stronger focus on suitability and client outcomes

• Evidence of fair value

• Greater expectations around MI, monitoring, and consistency of advice 

In addition to this, regulators continue to place emphasis on:

• Consumer understanding and support

• Later-life lending

• The overall advice journey

What this means in practice is clear – strong advice will be more valued; firms who demonstrate unmistakable evidence of their experience and expertise will be in a strong position; and areas like protection, later-life and holistic advice offer real growth opportunity.

Changes to renters’ rights come into effect this quarter

The Renter’s Rights Act 2025 comes into effect this quarter, bringing major reforms to England’s private rental sector, marking a significant shift in the housing market and affecting almost three million private landlords.

Designed to strengthen tenant protections and improve standards across the private rental sector, the proposed reforms represent a significant move towards greater transparency, accountability, and security.

Once the Act comes into effect, landlords will be subjected to increased compliance expectations and signal the end of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions. Moreover, tenants will benefit from more robust protections and longer-term security, with changes to how and when possession can be gained also coming into effect.

It’s likely to have a considerable impact on existing landlords – and anyone thinking about investing in property. A more cautious approach, one that considers tenants’ rights, and a greater focus on yield, structure and long-term viability, are likely to become key considerations. 

You can expect to be increasingly asked for detailed strategic advice and planning, not just straightforward guidance, to explain how to build or scale a property portfolio; this is just another example of how the role of advisers is evolving to meet market demands, navigating not just mortgages but the broader property landscape. 

So, as you can imagine, we were thrilled to see so many of you at our dedicated webinar with Roger Morris on the subject — definitely the most popular virtual event of the year so far!

Technology & AI: starting to make a real difference

The property sector – like so many others – is not immune to the impact of technology and AI, and we’re beginning to see a wave of changes driven by these innovations.

These changes include faster information processing and decision-making, more efficient data use to support advice, and improvements in compliance and documentation. Over time, this will lead to less time spent on admin, and more consistency and free time that could be better spent with clients.

Our focus is on helping advisers to adopt and scale technology, including AI, to genuinely support your business – not just encouraging people to learn how to leverage modern technology while they’re already trying to keep up with using the platforms that they already do. 

Out on the road: what we’ve seen together

One of our highlights of Q1 has been out on the road with all of you! We’ve now delivered nine events across the UK, bringing together advisers, lenders, and providers. But what really stood out was the conversations we’ve had with everyone. 

From learning about what’s really happening in your businesses, having an open dialogue about the challenges you’ve faced in Q1 2026 and learning from one another, we’ve thoroughly enjoyed our interactions with you.

We would like to take this opportunity to express a big thank you to everyone who joined us. There is a real strength in this community – and you can feel it when we’re in the same room!

Our Acre partnership

Some of you are using the Acre CRM platform which you may have seen has recently been acquired by ClearScore. Our partnership with Acre continues to be an important part of how we support you today. 

As some of you approach renewal of your contract, our focus over the coming months will be on how Acre is working for you in practice, talking through your options and making sure you have full visibility of our broader technology stack so you can make the right choice for your business.

In today’s evolving market, we know that conversations around technology aren’t always straightforward. Our promise to you is simple: to support you with clarity, transparency, and choice, helping you to make the right IT infrastructure investments for the future.

Looking to the rest of 2026 – and beyond

If the start of 2026 has taught us anything, it’s that the market will continue to change and evolve. The result? Client requirements will continue to become increasingly complex, and this will require a more fluid, strategic, and tailored adviser approach. 

It’s not about finding the lowest rate anymore. It’s about guiding people through uncertainty and helping them make important decisions, keeping everything moving when it feels like the market is evolving a mile a minute.

Amid rapid AI and quantum computing innovations, relationships will change. We will continue to support you as technology evolves, helping you to build and maintain customer trust. 

You are adapting, delivering, and making a real difference, creating a valuable service for all your clients, and we’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you for the work you’ve been doing. Thank you for supporting your clients. Thank you for your commitment to building your businesses in a challenging environment. 

As your Proactive Partner for Life, we’re here with you – and are genuinely grateful to be part of your journey.

We’re looking forward to welcoming you to our Conference on 6 May at The Vox in Birmingham! Don’t forget that space is limited. Register today to avoid missing out!