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.

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.

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.

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.