Propertymark has criticised the Scottish Government’s proposals for implementing a Building Safety Levy, stating that it is not the best way to fund the remediation of unsafe cladding, and risks cutting the supply of homes. Instead, charges should be directed to the developers and individuals responsible for installing the cladding in roughly 6,000 buildings across the country.

The Northern Ireland Executive’s draft Programme for Government identifies providing access to affordable, sustainable, and quality housing as an immediate priority and acknowledges the pressing need for action. Propertymark supports this aim and has made specific recommendations to accelerate progress.

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook MP candidly admitted that the current Act contains flaws requiring further legislative action and has unveiled a series of consultations and measures. He has also committed to strengthening the regulation of managing agents, including as a minimum, mandatory professional qualifications.

Propertymark calls for fiscal policy geared towards stimulating supply in the private rented sector, boosting homeownership, and tackling the scourge of empty commercial properties that blight Welsh communities.

The announcement of Stamp Duty rises in England and Northern Ireland from April 2025 will likely push more people to the market in hopes of completing to, in some cases, save thousands on their next home purchase. Howevefr, tightened purse strings are being seen across the whole private rented sector.

In 2021, the UK Government's Heat and Buildings Strategy outlined a commitment of £338 million for the Heat Network Transformation Programme to scale up low-carbon heat network deployment. Fast forward to 2024 and a pilot program is now rolled pilot program across Hull, Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Rochdale, and Stafford to start the reduction of reliance on traditional heating methods. It will see the zoning of areas where communal heating solutions would be most cost-effective, calling on data such as building type, size, and existing energy use.

Propertymark’s analysis underscored the UK Government’s Heat in Building strategy that 30% of UK emissions in 2019 came from buildings, with 17% from homes, and whilst Wales Climate Week take place, how practical it is for landlords and homeowners across the UK to reduce carbon emissions.

The Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee has published its Stage 1 Report on the general principles of the Housing (Scotland) Bill. Propertymark gave evidence to the Committee in June 2024, and it is pleasing to see our commentary and suggestions to amend the Bill referenced throughout the report.

Planning has not created a housing emergency — but it can help solve the challenges. The Scottish Government is focused on identifying how its planning system can help to provide solutions with the introduction of a new Housing Planning Hub that will be launched and operational in early 2025.

Regulations come into force on 2 December 2024 which will allow local authorities in England to auction off the leases of persistently empty high street shops. The UK Government states that the scheme will breathe life back into town centres and drive local growth and opportunities. Propertymark welcomes the move, but we would like to see more detail on which areas will benefit the most, how the powers will be funded, and how they will be used in practice by councils.

Propertymark has welcomed the Welsh Government’s proposal to update the Council Tax system to treat Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) as single dwelling, and ensure that the owner of the property, not the occupant, is responsible for the tax payment. Similar changes were made to the system in England in December 2023.

Prioritising local housing needs is key to addressing the housing crisis. We support the UK Government’s proposals, but they must be thoughtfully implemented to encourage development while ensuring benefits for local communities.

Propertymark has joined organisations representing tenants, landlords, and other housing providers to call for the UK Government to secure Local Housing Allowance to the 30th percentile of rents and carry out a thorough assessment of the case for raising it to the 50th percentile.

The UK Government introduced the Bill to Parliament on 10 October 2024, proposing significant changes to workers' rights and employer obligations across everything from sick pay to trade union membership. Described as the biggest upgrade to employment rights for a generation, the legislation aims to help create secure economic growth, provide better support for businesses, and raise living standards across the UK.