News and reports

It has been nearly ten years since the Leasehold: A Life Sentence report was published, launching a sustained Propertymark campaign. Despite the introduction of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024—of which only 10 of 125 sections have come into force—leaseholders continue to face significant financial pressures, rising and often unjustified service charges, and ongoing building safety concerns.

Voting opened on 21 May 2026 for members to elect a Propertymark Board Director and the next Vice Presidents for our sales and lettings divisions. By taking part, members help influence how the profession is represented, shape the professional body's future priorities, and strengthen the credibility of member-led representation.

The UK Government has launched a consultation on the design of the surcharge, first announced in the 2025 Autumn Budget, which is expected to apply to homes in England valued at £2 million or more from 2028. If the reforms are to address unfairness in the existing system effectively, property values must be assessed consistently and updated regularly and clearly so consumers can calculate their council tax.

Local housing authorities in England have gained new investigatory powers under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, including the ability to enter rental sector business premises as part of enforcement activity. Officers can request and seize documents, but their powers are not unlimited. Agents should know what officers can lawfully ask for, what notice should be given in routine cases, and what protections apply to legally confidential material.

A recent Upper Tribunal decision has underlined the importance of clear management agreements, robust oversight, and accurate licensing checks for landlords and property managers involved with Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) after a landlord was cleared of responsibility for more than £20,000 in fines relating to an unlicensed rental property.

Published on 14 May 2026, the survey looks at renters’ satisfaction, tenancy security, eviction practices, barriers to renting, and complaints handling. It shows that many tenants report positive experiences, but there are still clear pressure points, especially for people receiving housing support, households with a long-term illness or disability, and renters who need to raise a complaint. The key test will be whether the Act raises standards, improves enforcement, supports effective redress, and ensures landlords and agents have the confidence to keep providing homes.

The UK Government has set out further reforms across housing, communities, and local government. Proposals affect leasehold, building safety, social housing, local authority standards, and tourism levies, all of which could impact local housing markets and influence the way councils, owners, agents and residents interact.

Letting agents in England should be aware of a new tiered fee framework for the Property Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal, introduced to support the new and amended rights created by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. Fee reform may help create a more consistent tribunal framework, but it cannot be a substitute for the wider investment, reform and operational improvements needed across the justice system.

The UK Government is implementing a major overhaul of the Right to Buy scheme, including increasing minimum tenant eligibility to 10 years, cutting the maximum discounts to 15%, and introducing a 35-year exemption for new builds. These reforms aim to stop the rapid depletion of social housing stock, allowing councils to retain and rebuild homes, with 100% of sales receipts available for investment starting in 2026–27.