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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Jayne Bryant MS, The Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government has outlined the progress of the controversial Second Homes Pilot Scheme in the Dwyfor areas and expansion plans that 21 other local authorities will charge a council tax premium on second homes and long-term empty properties from April 2025.The Scheme looks to implement higher tax rates for second homes and holiday lets and introduce grants for first-time buyers to renovate empty homes.

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.

Minister for Housing, Paul McLennan, MSP, has outlined proposals to introduce a rent cap linked to the Consumer Price Index as part of the Housing (Scotland) Bill. Propertymark has campaigned robustly against the introduction of rent controls since the Scottish Government first enacted them as part of emergency measures under the Cost of Living Act, including launching a legal challenge against that legislation. We are continuing our engagement with policy makers to assert that alternative policy must be developed to improve affordability in the private rented sector (PRS).