Member representation: Consultation responses and position papers

It has been argued that the existing planning system is no longer fit for purpose, that it is blocking the delivery of new homes. Across the UK, national governments have looked to reform the planning sector—Propertymark explores if this will be enough to build the homes we need.

Our Councillor briefing pack provides an introduction to Propertymark, our work, the role of property agents and the standards our members adhere to within your local community. It also contains useful questions and areas to consider within the housing sector to support residents.

Includes recommendations on how those dependent on welfare support can have better access to the Private Rented Sector (PRS), and how letting agents and landlords can be supported to improve access to the PRS for other vulnerable groups.

Regulation offers the potential to professionalise the industry, stamp out bad practice, create transparency and give consumers more control over who manages their property. Minimum qualification requirements and statutory Code of Practices to be adhered to by all letting and managing agents in England and sales agents across the UK should be introduced.

Propertymark’s position paper comes off the back of the renewed efforts to improve the home buying and selling process. In this paper, we have presented the agents’ perspective to ensure that future regulations reflect the evidence our members are seeing on the ground and that future actions respond to the largest challenges affecting the process.

Using survey data from Propertymark members, and other private and public sector organisations, this position paper highlights the detrimental impact that government decisions since 2015 have had on the tax and financial situation for landlords in the PRS.

Purchasing property in the UK is a common method that can be used by serious organised criminals to launder the proceeds of criminal activity. This position paper includes recommendations that the UK Government should include in future legislation as well as other plans and reforms to reduce economic crime.

The Future of Renting features our recommendations to the UK Government and its plans to reform the private rented sector in England. We want to help shape and influence the UK Government’s Renters’ Reforms White Paper which is due to be released in 2022.