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.

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.

Choosing to sell properties by chain-free auction can avoid lengthy and uncertain buying procedures and save buyers time and money ahead of the Stamp Duty Land Tax increases in April 2025.

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.

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.

The Data (Use and Access) Bill was introduced to Parliament on 23 October 2024. It lays out the legal framework for Digital Verification Services (DVS) in the UK, which are long-awaited tools to speed up property purchases, reduce fraud and improve the experience of home buying and selling.

Agents working with landlords who want to sell a property with sitting tenants must be well-versed advising clients effectively on realistic pricing and the potential impact on the buyer pool, and with tenancy reform at the heart of the Renters’ Rights Bill, watertight paperwork and record-keeping will be more important than ever, for buyers, sellers and agents.

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.

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.

The proposed tax changes and spending increases laid out by the Chancellor are expected to have a multifaceted impact on the UK economy. It is important to note that the long-term economic impact of these measures will depend on various factors, including the effectiveness of implementation, the response of businesses and consumers, and broader, economic conditions.

With membership at an all-time high, we are delighted to extend our support to thousands of colleagues across the industry by locking in our membership fee at 2022 rates for another 12 months. We have worked hard to mitigate the impacts of challenging economic conditions for our members and are proud to offer a robust membership package that delivers tangible benefits across the entire sector.

The UK’s first female Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, MP, delivered the first Labour Budget for 14 years on 30 October 2024, announcing tax increases worth £40 billion. Whilst agents will be relieved not to see a hike in Capital Gains rates, it is disappointing that the reversal of Section 24 and support for property owners to meet Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards have been overlooked. It is also a missed opportunity to give structured support to first-time buyers and downsizers to boost consumer confidence.

The property expert and MoveiQ founder has agreed with the proposals we submitted in our Autumn Budget representation. This Budget offers Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP a real opportunity to promote much-needed progress in the sector. Her decisions regarding SDLT reform, support for first-time buyers and energy efficiency, and the clarity she provides on landlord taxation, will be crucial in determining the future direction of the UK housing market.

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.