While both sectors remain resilient, there is much that the next government can do to support buyers, renters such as improving the home buying/renting process and professionalisation of the sector via the regulation of agents. More broadly there is a need for a review of property taxes to make changes which stimulate supply and demand.

At the Propertymark AGM today, 28 June 2024, we welcomed three newly elected members of the Propertymark Board and marked the beginning of fresh Presidential terms for the ARLA Propertymark and NAEA Propertymark Advisory Panels. This year's successful Vice-Presidents were also announced and will join the presidential teams for the sales and lettings divisions.

The sale of two historic sea island forts, each auctioned for significantly more than their initial asking prices, demonstrates that sale by auction is becoming increasingly popular for all kinds of property.

In its 2023 Annual Review, The Property Ombudsman (TPO) reported that it resolved 1,663 sales disputes last year, with the main concerns arising from instructions and fees, the under-offer period, and marketing and advertising. Issues of conditional selling and buyer reservation fees were highlighted as key concerns.

The property industry urgently needs a clear strategy and strong, consistent leadership from the next UK Government. As the nation prepares to go to the polls on Thursday 4 July Propertymark has examined the manifesto promises on housing from major parties to see what is on offer to voters who care about the future of our sector.

Insights galore, new initiatives and tangible learning were the top takeaways from #PMOne that took place on Friday 14 June 2024 at ExCel London, where over 1500 delegates joined us to hear 50 speakers all experts in their field impart their wisdom and knowledge to help agents and their businesses grow.

The Leasehold and Freehold Act received Royal Assent on 24 May 2024 and brought an immediate ban on most new leasehold houses. However, only four other sections of the Act are enforced which will come into effect on 24 July 2024.

A brand new Propertymark Qualifications Level 3 (Level 6 SCQF) Certificate in Property Agency was opened for registrations on 14 June 2024 at Propertymark One. This revolutionary new qualification is, for the first time, modular-based, enabling learners to personalise their units relating to specialisms and location with the ability to complete extra units to gain wider sector expertise.

Connect is an exciting new intuitive, bespoke tech platform offering property agents an unprecedented opportunity to deliver potential instructions, increase portfolios and harness an additional income stream.

This decade has presented a near total transformation of the property sector with reduced confidence and supply, economic and interest rate uncertainty, dramatic changes in the conduct of consumers, new expectations among the workforce and the introduction of AI, the consequences of which are still being understood. As the only professional body dedicated to supporting sales, lettings, commercial agents, and auctioneers, Propertymark has reassessed not only the services we offer, but the whole structure of membership.

Propertymark's monthly Housing Insight Report has identified a significant deterioration in the number of transactions progressing from offer acceptance to exchange of contracts within 12 weeks. In the first of our research spotlight series, this report looks into the reasons why the time taken to exchange contracts is elongating.

The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee published its inquiry report on disabled people in the housing sector where Propertymark gave evidence, which examined barriers to accessible housing, increasing the supply of accessible homes, and the support available for adapting homes, including reforms to the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). The overarching conclusion chimes with our long-held position that the ultimate key to tackling the housing crisis is to build more homes of all kinds.

We have received requested advice in respect the use of stock images or artistic impressions in property advertising and scenarios where it is acceptable to use these types of images.

As technology continues to advance, the threat of cyber-attacks becomes increasingly prevalent. Investing in robust cyber defence measures can help property agents protect their sensitive data and systems — but what proportion of an IT budget should be set aside?

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill received Royal Assent and became law on Friday 24 May 2024. It was included as part of the 'wash-up', as the House of Lords dealt with Bills prioritised with cross-party agreement, following the announcement of the General Election on Wednesday 22 May 2024.

In a keynote speech at a conference held by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) on 21 May 2024, Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP, announced policies to combat corruption, including increased registration requirements for trusts which are widely used to disguise the ownership of assets such as property.