The UK Government’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative is transforming how taxes are reported and managed, with significant implications for property agents. Self-employed individuals and landlords earning over £50,000 per year must comply with MTD for Income Tax Self-Assessment (ITSA) from 2026, and those earning over £30,000 from April 2027. In her Spring Statement on 26 March 2025, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, MP, announced that the threshold will decrease to £20,000 in 2028.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered her Spring Statement, outlining the UK Government’s plans for housing, planning, and welfare benefits as part of its broader economic strategy. The Statement was framed as a continuation of the government's existing strategy rather than a full Budget, with no major tax changes and only a limited number of new policies aimed at correcting a gap in public finances.

The Scottish Government has launched a technical consultation on proposed changes to lodgement fees and penalty charges as part of its ongoing reform of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). This follows the publication of the Scottish Government’s response to a 2023 consultation on EPC reform and outlines plans to introduce new EPC regulations in 2025, with enforcement scheduled for 2026.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MCLHG) and the Welsh Government have proposed new regulations overhauling how insurance costs are charged to leaseholders in multi-occupancy buildings, to increase transparency and prevent leaseholders from being overcharged through commissions and hidden fees. While Propertymark supports efforts to ensure fairness for leaseholders, we have warned Ministers that these reforms alone will not bring down insurance premiums; a focus on building safety and insurer confidence is needed to achieve real change.

The Scottish Government has launched a review of fire safety regulations following the fatal Cameron House Hotel fire in 2017. Recommendations from the Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) highlighted key safety failings and proposed regulatory changes to prevent similar incidents in the future with a particular focus on traditional buildings converted to be used as hotels.

Propertymark has responded to the UK Government’s consultation on proposals to streamline the infrastructure planning process consultation, highlighting key areas where improvements can be made while ensuring the interests of local communities and property professionals are safeguarded. Importantly, we recommend a stronger emphasis on public approval during the pre-application process to ensure that only well-supported projects move forward quickly.

The Bill aims to modernise the UK's planning system, promoting rapid housing development and infrastructure while balancing environmental sustainability. Members should prepare for a dynamic landscape with new opportunities and responsibilities as these reforms take effect, offering new avenues for growth while necessitating adaptability to regulatory changes and a commitment to sustainable development.

The UK Government has committed to banning the sale of new flats on a leasehold basis and reforming the legal framework for commonhold, so it becomes the default and preferred tenure. It will also become easier for existing leaseholders to convert to commonhold, although the complexities of this may take longer to work out. Few agents in England and Wales have experience with commonhold, as less than 20 developments currently exist, so Propertymark has broken down some key parts of the proposals to help members understand the change.

The UK Government has announced its next steps in a significant programme of reform to property ownership, aiming to abolish the traditional leasehold system and promote commonhold as the standard tenure for flats in England and Wales.

A programme of grants covering up to 100% of the costs for a Propertymark Qualifications Level 3 (SCQF Level 6) Certificate in Property Agency has been a huge success, with the ‘Class of 2025’ now set to receive their funding. The scheme, launched at the start of 2025, aims to help learners take a step toward professional growth and contribute positively to the future of the property industry.

The Propertymark Protected company, Cheffins, purchased the machine in 2024 from an onsite auction which the firm hosted and hopes it could now raise up to £20,000. The fully restored 1963 Fordson Super Dexta will go under the hammer in October 2025, with all proceeds going to the Addenbrookes Charitable Trust.

The UK Government has announced a significant change in fire safety oversight, transferring responsibility from the Home Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) effective from 1 April 2025. The move responds to a recommendation of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report and puts responsibility for building safety and fire under a single Secretary of State, enabling a more joined-up approach.

As many towns and cities embark on substantial regeneration projects, there is huge potential in the medium and long term in delivering prolonged growth across many commercial channels and as time progresses, we expect to see a substantial keenness from many investors.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) in Scotland are to be revised and updated to give consumers a clearer picture of their home’s energy performance and link better with the drive to cut emissions from buildings. The proposed changes include a new rating system with clearer information on the fabric energy efficiency of a property, the emissions, efficiency and running costs of its heating system, and the cost of energy to run the home.

The Ministry for Housing, Planning and Local Government (MCLHG) has issued an update on their plans for a generation of new towns six months after the launch of a dedicated task force. More than 100 potential sites across England have been suggested after the UK Government asked for expressions of interest from councils, housing developers and landowners.