The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has called for stronger enforcement, better local authority funding, and faster implementation of key protections for tenants in the private rented sector (PRS). Propertymark gave evidence to the enquiry, highlighting that standards must be improved through clear, practical and consistent rules that support responsible landlords and agents, while targeting those who deliberately operate outside the law.

The property market remains an attractive target for money laundering because of the value of property assets and the ability to hide ownership through companies, trusts, and overseas structures. An estimated £6.7 billion of UK property was bought with wealth suspected to have come from questionable sources between 2016 and 2022 — yet the National Crime Agency (NCA) reports that the volume of SARs from the property sector remains low.

As periods of hot weather become more frequent and intense, overheating in homes is moving from a comfort issue to a health, safety, and property management concern. For professional agents, the key risk is not simply that a home feels warm in summer, but that the property design, condition, or management allows indoor temperatures to become excessively high and potentially harmful to occupiers.

Sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000 should now be using Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD), and further deadlines in 2027 and 2028 will bring many more agents, property owners, and businesses into the new system. MTD requires affected taxpayers to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC using compatible software.

A draft Code of Practice for avoiding unlawful discrimination is intended to help landlords and agents in England comply with the Right to Rent Scheme while meeting their duties under equality law. Discrimination has no place in the private rented sector, and Propertymark strongly advocates for clear guidance that helps agents to apply checks fairly, without bias or assumptions, while still meeting the legal requirements of the scheme. To achieve this, the current draft Code must be made easier for agents to use in day-to-day lettings practice.

Landlords and letting agents in Northern Ireland could soon face new requirements to strengthen the Scheme as an enforcement tool; however, the success will depend on clear implementation. Also, agents need certainty about their role, landlords need a straightforward process, and both require confidence that data will be used responsibly.

Local housing authorities in England have gained new investigatory powers under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, including the ability to enter rental sector business premises as part of enforcement activity. Officers can request and seize documents, but their powers are not unlimited. Agents should know what officers can lawfully ask for, what notice should be given in routine cases, and what protections apply to legally confidential material.

Propertymark has highlighted the challenges property agents face when identifying the hidden influence of Designated Persons in transactions. The Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) is examining how the rules are applied in practice, and we’ve been clear that whilst agents are committed to preventing financial crime, the current expectations are often difficult to meet.

From 6 April, 125,000 landlords and sole traders in the property sector must use Making Tax Digital (MTD) software, in the biggest change to the Self-Assessment system since 1997. Support is available to those impacted, and HMRC has confirmed that no penalties will be issued for late quarterly updates in the 2026 to 2027 tax year as the system beds in.

The Renters’ Rights Act directly addresses rental discrimination practices, and the UK and Scottish governments have worked closely to extend these protections to Scotland. The new rules make it illegal for landlords and letting agents to disadvantage prospective or existing tenants because they have children or receive benefits.

Prioritising clear, proactive communication, ensuring transparent agreements and fees, and keeping robust records of actions and transactions are the top ways agents can reduce the likelihood of complaints escalating to formal disputes in an increasingly regulated housing market. The findings from The Property Ombudsman (TPO) reinforce the value of strong training, clear processes, and high service standards in maintaining trust with consumers and protecting the reputation of the sector.

Reforms coming into force during 2026, following the Employment Rights Act 2025, will affect recruitment, staff management, and workplace policies across the UK, including in property agencies. With many firms employing a mix of negotiators, property managers, administrative staff, and apprentices, understanding the changes early will help agencies remain compliant and continue to operate effectively.