Landlord responsibilities
With responsibilities for landlords increasing, costs to meet these responsibilities — such as additional homes surcharge across each of the UK nations’ land transactions systems — are also mounting which could be leading to many landlords selling their properties or diversifying into the short-term lets sector.
Avoiding over-regulation across the UK should be a priority to keep existing landlords in the sector as well as attract new buy-to-let investment.
Propertymark has consistently called for the enforcement of existing rules, which we believe should be the main focus for governments to target rogue landlords rather than adding more red tape that may alienate those who try their hardest to comply/ have an interest in joining the sector.
We have also called for greater regulation of the private rented sector in Northern Ireland, as shown by our recent response to the Assembly’s Call for Evidence, in which we also urge caution against the introduction of too many regulatory changes at once because this could result in landlords leaving the sector.
In our representation to HM Treasury, we proposed that the UK Government develop a private renting sustainment and support programme to help prevent further debt, poverty and homelessness, and to help enhance access to affordable housing for households displaced as a result of COVID-19.
Since lockdown, renters and landlords whose finances have been affected cannot keep tenancies going without additional financial support. The £65 million funding for those in rental debt (England) provides some support, however almost four million low-income households across the UK are in arrears with their household bills, yet this money will be targeted at those who are most at risk of homelessness, excluding a significant number of others from help.
A programme of support would ensure Local Housing Allowance rates and Universal Credit are adequate and more effective so that landlords and letting agents would have more confidence to offer tenancies to claimants. Local councils would also be given adequate funding to drive up standards through enforcement.
Housing courts
The present route to possession via the courts for private landlords is slow, complex, and costly and with the UK Government’s Renters’ Reforms agenda on the horizon, the Chancellor had the perfect opportunity in the Spending Review to ensure there is a court system that can ensure faster access to justice for both landlords and help to safeguard the supply and quality of housing via enhanced confidence in the justice system.
Additionally, Propertymark has supported calls for the development of a specialist housing tribunal in Wales, similar to what has been introduced in Scotland. The implementation of a specialist housing tribunal in Wales could help prevent many more landlords from leaving the sector – particularly those who own a single property – which may mean higher rents and further pressure on social housing providers and local councils due to lack of supply.
Energy efficiency
For many landlords across the UK, the planned changes to energy efficiency rules may potentially lead to further costs that may be unsustainable for their current incomes, risking further landlords to leave the PRS.
Propertymark has long called for decision-makers across the UK to move away from a one-size-fits-all policy and develop energy efficiency proposals that work with the different ages, conditions, and sizes of properties. This way each of the governments across the UK can target grants and funding support based on the characteristics of a property rather than its tenure.
In particular, the UK Government must continue to invest in the Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme or introduce a suitable alternative to help landlords and homeowners improve the energy efficiency of their properties, cut their carbon footprint, and reduce household energy bills.
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Faulty insulation has left households financially exposed
A House of Commons Public Accounts Committee report states that the UK Government’s energy efficiency installation initiative has suffered serious failings at every level, leaving more than 30,000 homes with defects after external and internal wall insulation was installed through ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme.
Decent Homes Standard 2035: criteria for compliance and exemptions confirmed
After a sustained consultation with members and a Propertymark campaign, the UK Government has confirmed an enforcement date of 2035 for the Decent Homes Standard in the PRS. Key exemptions and removal of age-based replacement rules have also been confirmed in a UK Government statement on 28 January 2026.
Meaningful home buying and selling reform must deliver for agents and consumers
Propertymark supports the UK Government’s ambition to reform the home buying and selling process and agrees that change is long overdue. Reform must be practical, proportionate and focused on outcomes. By improving upfront information, raising professional standards, embracing digital solutions and reducing duplication, reform can deliver faster, more reliable transactions that work for agents, consumers and the wider economy.
Material information reform must be shared, digital and realistic
Proposals to standardise the details provided in property listings are intended to improve transparency, speed up transactions and reduce fall-throughs, but without the right structure, shared responsibility, and practical implementation, the reforms risk placing unrealistic burdens on agents and slowing the process further. Propertymark supports the principle of better upfront information, but stresses that the current approach does not reflect how transactions work in practice.
Member-backed campaigning delivers real change as Commonhold reform finally arrives
The UK Government has published the Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill and launched a consultation on banning leasehold for new flats, marking a significant moment in the long-running debate over leasehold reform. For Propertymark, this represents a major milestone after nearly 10 years of sustained campaigning against leasehold, poor practices, and unfair ground rents.
Single sanctions list launches on 28 January 2026 for simpler checks
All UK sanctions designations maintained by the UK Government will be consolidated into an official list and updated in one place. This is a significant operational change for property agents, auctioneers and other regulated businesses, which should make checking clearer and more straightforward. Sanctions compliance are part of wider financial sanctions and anti-money laundering obligations, and failures can carry serious legal and reputational consequences.
