From 9–15 September, we will again support the biggest awareness campaign to highlight the importance of regular gas safety checks emphasising this year’s theme, Checking – Every Check Counts.

Lloyds Banking Group has announced an injection of £2bn to help prospective homeowners secure mortgage funding. An improved loan-to-income multiple will allow eligible first-time buyers to borrow up to 5.5 times their annual household income.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has launched a new initiative to speed up the completion of stalled housing developments across England, estimating it could deliver 300,000 new homes. The announcement comes hot on the heels of a warning from the New Homes Ombudsman that only 55% of new builds are currently covered by its service.

Health risks, regulation, proactive property management, and responding effectively to tenants' reporting issues are key messages in the UK Government’s updated guidance on understanding and addressing dampness and mould in rented homes. Plus, they stress the importance of building relationships with professionals and ensuring contractors understand the issues, process, and legal requirements are paramount.

Propertymark has responded to consultations about plans to introduce additional or selective property licensing schemes in Enfield, Reading, and Wandsworth . We have objected to all the proposals because we strongly disagree that licensing is the best method to improve housing stock within the private rented sector (PRS).

Under the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012, a valid EPC rating must be shown in any property listing produced by the seller, landlord, or agent, unless the building has a valid exemption. This includes listings on property portals, window displays, and any printed material. Failure to comply with the law could result in a fine of £200 per advertisement.

Emergency services were called to the mixed-use residential and commercial block in Dagenham, East London, on 26 August 2024, and declared the scene a major incident. The building is one of 4,613 across the UK currently being monitored by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government due to unsafe cladding.

An in-depth examination of nearly 200 studies has evaluated the consequences of rent controls and underlined the negative impacts, echoing Propertymark's evidence to the UK and devolved Governments. The focus of policymakers must be on other actions to make the private rented sector (PRS) more affordable, ensuring an adequate housing supply that meets increasing demand, and tackling existing inequalities of income and wealth.

Property agents must obtain a certificate confirming membership of an approved Client Money Protection (CMP) scheme and meet specific in-branch and online display requirements to comply with the law. Breaches can result in civil penalties of up to £5,000.

At the current rate of progress, it will take an extra 12 years for all rented homes to achieve EPC C or above. Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband MP, has indicated the UK Government will reinstate the minimum energy efficiency target, which was scrapped under the previous government.

The Housing (Scotland) Bill was introduced on 26 March 2024 and Section 1 raises a key contention – a commitment to introduce rent controls decided by local authorities. As the Bill is proceeding unaltered, the Scottish Government has ignored sector feedback which outlines the new legislation could do more harm than good for prospective tenants struggling to find a place to live.

Managing tenant deposits is a crucial part of any letting agent’s responsibilities. Ensuring compliance with regulations and safeguarding both landlord and tenant interests requires meticulous attention to detail and a thorough understanding of the deposit protection process. The Letting Partnership, a Propertymark Industry Supplier, specialises in client accounting for letting agents throughout the UK and understands what is required to keep compliant. This guide delves into key practices and considerations for handling tenant deposits effectively.

Complaints from residents and businesses have prompted authorities in Warwickshire to remind sales and letting agents that they must comply with the law on advertising boards, or they could be penalised by the local planning authority. The consequences of illegal or poorly maintained boards can include injury or nuisance to the public, damage to the reputation of property businesses, and potential fines of up to £2,500 per board.

In April 2024, HMRC announced fines of over £1.6 million for agents found to have committed various breaches, and we are concerned that agents, including some Propertymark members, may be incorrectly applying, failing to apply or not maintaining an accurate and up-to-date registration with HMRC.

For many self-employed property agents, self-assessment is how they declare their tax liabilities. However, self-assessment has only been in place since 1996 and was created to streamline the tax collection process for those with untaxed income who declare and pay tax on it. With the move to an online service, HMRC went from zero to 97% of Self-assessment filers submitting their tax returns online.