The Central England Trading Standards Authorities (CEnTSA) has published a report on a three-year enforcement project across the West Midlands that targeted CMP failures by letting agents and helped protect more than £11.1 million in client money. Propertymark’s compliance team supported the operation by answering hundreds of enquiries from Trading Standards and providing witness statements when required.

Propertymark audit visits are receiving excellent feedback and giving firms greater confidence in their compliance processes—challenging the perception that audits are designed to catch agents out. Increasingly, members use the visits as a practical check on how daily procedures work and to identify improvements early.

Propertymark shared member survey data to illustrate the challenges faced by agents when the UK Government requested evidence on how the UK Money Laundering Regulations could be improved. Ministers have listened, and regulations expected to take effect in early 2026 will have sensible changes to Customer Due Diligence and improve access to compliant business banking services for agencies.

Despite acknowledging concerns from Propertymark and others that property firms find pricing more complex because of tax, fees, and other variables, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has pressed ahead with publishing generic guidance on price transparency under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. From 6 April 2025, the DMCCA replaced the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations, so the CMA’s approach will shape day to day advertising for every agent.

Rules for short-stay accommodation in Wales are becoming more complicated. New licensing standards, tax changes, planning rules and a visitor levy are all being introduced, creating major implications for agents and landlords. For property professionals, this brings both challenges and opportunities — the risk of higher costs, reputational damage, and penalties for non-compliance, but also the chance to stand out by offering well-managed, compliant accommodation that builds trust with guests and demonstrates higher standards.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will become the Single Professional Services Supervisor (SPSS) overseeing Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) compliance for the legal, accountancy, and trust and company service sectors. HMRC will continue to supervise agents under the Money Laundering Regulations, and firms that are already compliant do not need to make any changes to their existing AML procedures.

Following major changes in global sanctions since 2018, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has sought views on how to update its penalty, disclosure, and settlement frameworks. Reforms should both strengthen deterrence and make it easier for businesses, including property agents, to comply and report breaches confidently.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is considering the design of transparency and standardisation measures to be implemented in England and Wales under the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024. In addition, it has outlined new proposals around the fees and charges leaseholders pay, reform of the major works regime, and mandatory qualifications for managing agents.

From 27 October 2025, fixed, enforceable timeframes will be in place for social landlords in England to investigate, make safe and start prevention works to address hazards (including damp and mould), with powers to require alternative accommodation if a home can’t be made safe in time. Similar requirements are set to be extended to the private rented sector (PRS), so now is the time for agents to adopt best practice, future-proof their businesses, and protect tenants and properties.

The 2025 National Risk Assessment (NRA) has once again placed the property sector in the spotlight as one of the most attractive ways for criminals to conceal illicit wealth. Complex ownership structures, offshore companies, and opaque trusts continue to disguise the identity of the individuals behind transactions, with both residential and commercial sales and lettings vulnerable.

HMRC has clawed back £107 million in unpaid taxes from buy-to-let landlords in 2024/25, the highest annual total on record. The recoveries were made through the Let Property Campaign (LPC), HMRC’s disclosure scheme for landlords with undeclared income, and show a doubling of repayments compared with three years ago.

We have responded to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on its draft price transparency guidance under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA). From 6 April 2025 the DMCCA replaced the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations, so the CMA’s approach will shape day‑to‑day advertising for every agent. Our message is clear: property is different, and the guidance must reflect that.

From 18 November 2025, identity verification will become mandatory for the incorporation and appointment of new directors and people with significant control (PSCs). Companies House is encouraging individuals to verify their identities as early as possible.

A BBC investigation has revealed that criminals used the UK Government’s unclaimed estates list to commit probate fraud. The list, published on the Gov.uk website, included details of around 6,000 estates left by people who died without a will or known heirs. It was taken offline in July 2025 after evidence showed fraudsters used it to submit fake wills and claim millions of pounds in assets.