With all eyes on the Renters’ Rights Bill, discussion around the regulation of property agents (RoPA) has taken a back seat. However, responding to a question in Parliament, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook MP stated that reforming the sector included raising professional standards amongst agents to protect consumers and defend the reputation of good agents from the actions of rogue operatives.

Since its launch, REACH UK has successfully run four programs, providing startups with unparalleled access to the real estate industry. Backed by strategic investment and partnerships with Propertymark and TDS, the 2025 program continues to offer high-impact support and industry connections, empowering startups to scale and driving innovation in real estate and adjacent sectors.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has published in-depth advice for anti-money laundering (AML) regulated firms to explain the legal protections around sharing client data. The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency (ECCT) Act 2023 introduced provisions that allow businesses to tackle AML by voluntarily sharing and receiving information, however, agents have raised concerns that they may be liable for breaches of confidentiality.

From 31 October 2024, Part 5 of the Building Safety Act 2022 will be updated to clarify landlords’ responsibilities for remediation, to make remediation orders more effective, and to provide more detail about who can be required to contribute to the cost of remediation works. The UK Government is committed to enacting the legislation and has indicated that work to formulate further regulations is in progress.

The Local Government Association (LGA) submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system has been released. It urges the UK Government to collaborate more closely with local councils, to improve and increase the delivery of affordable and social housing and calls for the necessary resources and powers to ensure the successful delivery of local housing plans.

Inadequate or insufficient insurance cover may result in serious financial loss and can affect organisations of any size. Underinsurance can have potentially serious consequences for a business when they make a claim. Gallagher, Propertymark’s official insurance broking partner, offers advice on the potential impacts and how to avoid them.

Propertymark has prepared deliverable and achievable spending commitments that will increase the supply of privately rented accommodation, boost owner-occupation, and support landlords and homeowners decarbonise properties. Our proposals include Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) reform to encourage last-time buyers to downsize, reversing Section 24 of the Finance Act, and interest-free energy-efficiency loans.

For many property agents, self-assessment tax returns are the norm. Created in 1996, self-assessment has streamlined tax collection for those with untaxed income who declare and pay tax on it and has evolved into an online mechanism for digital tax returns.

The UK’s largest property conference is set to bring together 40 speakers, 70 industry suppliers, and 2,000 property professionals at ExCeL London on 13 June 2025 for an exhilarating day of learning and networking followed by an exclusive post-event after party. With the first 250 tickets available at an exclusive price, delegates are urged to book their spot to be part of property excellence, shaping a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive future for all property agents.

Propertymark, alongside organisations from the UK property sector, has reopened dialogue with the UK Government to outline three key actions Ministers should consider during this parliament: embedding the Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN) in public sector projects, enabling market adoption, and ensuring ethical data use.

A Local Authority has been given the go ahead by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to repossess a rental property left empty and in disrepair since 2018. Objections raised by the property owner were overruled by a Planning Inspectorate hearing and the Council will now ensure the building is sold to a new owner who will renovate and occupy it within a reasonable timeframe.

Targeted at clearing empty buildings, former car parks, and industrial land for development, the £68 million will be delivered directly to 54 councils through the Brownfield Land Release Fund. The UK Government has stated that 5,400 houses will be built across the UK with projects in Manchester, Eastbourne, Northampton, and Weston-Super-Mare already confirmed.

Despite a reputation for being draughty and inefficient, old houses were designed to work with their environment and can still do that well if properly repaired and maintained. To understand the performance of a particular building, and identify opportunities for improvement, owners and managers should consider all the factors that impact energy use and efficiency and remember that some retrofit measures may simple not be feasible.

From the end of October 2024, UK banks will be able to hold payments for up to four days whilst investigations of potential fraud are carried out, raising concerns that the large transactions needed for property purchases may be incorrectly blocked. The change follows stricter rules on fraud compensation which came into force on 7 October 2024, meaning that banks must refund scam victims up to £85,000 within five days.

Practical measures to ensure local demand is properly considered and a realistic approach to incentives for developers and landowners are key issues Propertymark members highlighted in the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) consultation.

Although the economic outlook remains mixed, the quarter ended with inflation in line with the Bank of England’s target, a precursor to a long-awaited reduction in the base rate. Our agents are bullish regarding capital values and rent levels in key sectors including the Industrial and Land and Yards sectors where demand continues to outstrip supply.