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.

A Local Authority has been given the go ahead by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to repossess a rental property left empty and in disrepair since 2018. Objections raised by the property owner were overruled by a Planning Inspectorate hearing and the Council will now ensure the building is sold to a new owner who will renovate and occupy it within a reasonable timeframe.

Announcing his Programme for Government on 4 September 2024, the Scottish First Minister said proposals to give local authorities the power to cap rent increases would remain part of the Housing (Scotland) Bill. Ignoring stark warnings from Propertymark and other sector organisations, Mr Swinney claimed the measures will give tenants certainty and encourage investment in the private rented sector (PRS).

Homes in England with no residents will attract a council tax premium of up to 100% from next month as tax reforms aimed at supporting people in areas where empty properties prevent them from finding affordable housing come into force.

The UK Government has opened a consultation which proposes amendments to permitted development rights that remove barriers to the installation of air-source heat pumps and charging points for electric vehicles. Changes to the rules on altering and extending properties are also put forward to ensure they provide flexibility for householders as well as change of use is encouraged to turn derelict and under-used buildings into new homes.

In our pre-budget scrutiny Propertymark has called for an increase in the number of homes available to house the Scottish population, with improved standards, help to reduce energy bills, and a private rented sector (PRS) that is fair for everyone.

The Scottish Government has put proposals before Holyrood which would give local councils the discretion to charge Council Tax premiums of up to 100% on second homes, bringing them in line with long-term empty properties. If approved, the new measures could come into force by April 2024.

Despite push back from the industry in Wales and Scotland, the UK Government continues to progress their proposals to introduce and increase council tax premiums on second and empty homes in England. In our response to the consultation, Propertymark presented a range of exemptions that we urge decision-makers to consider.

The All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) for Ending Homelessness and Housing Market and Housing Delivery has produced a report on Rethinking Commercial to Residential Conversions following an inquiry to explore the potential challenges during planning to occupation.

Responding to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the increasing council tax premiums for second and empty homes, Propertymark’s members are strongly against this approach, especially for second homes, and it is recommended homeowners should be incentivised to bring empty homes back into use.

The Scottish Government want to understand how they can help councils make the best use of existing housing in their area, including managing the numbers of short-term lets, and second and long-term empty homes, where these are causing local housing issues.

Responding to an All-Party Parliamentary Group inquiry about understanding the feasibility of converting empty commercial property into affordable housing, Propertymark believes there is potential, however, warns of several obstacles to a wide-scale programme of conversions.

Showing support for National Empty Homes Week, which runs from 27 February to 5 March, Propertymark continues lobbying on the issue of restoring thousands of empty homes in the UK, with our campaign work contributing to the Welsh Government's National Empty Homes Grant Scheme announcement.

Propertymark campaigning helps lead to the Welsh Government's announcement of a National Empty Homes Grant scheme that will run over the next two years and see up to 2,000 long-term empty properties brought back into use.

Calls for a planning system that is community and environmentally led whilst supporting levelling up across the country were heard at Westminster Hall debate put forward by Bob Seely, the Member of Parliament for the Isle of Wight.

Putting local communities at the forefront is the next step for the Bill, with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLHUC) announcing housing targets are to remain but are a starting point with new flexibilities to reflect local circumstances.