The Secretary of State for Energy has committed to boosting minimum energy efficiency standards by consulting on proposals for private and socially rented homes to achieve Energy Performance Certificate C or equivalent by 2030.

As part of its brownfield-first approach to development, the UK Government has announced plans to support and expedite the approval of urban sites to sit alongside their plans to deliver 1.5 million homes.

The Housing (Scotland) Bill was introduced on 26 March 2024 and Section 1 raises a key contention – a commitment to introduce rent controls decided by local authorities. As the Bill is proceeding unaltered, the Scottish Government has ignored sector feedback which outlines the new legislation could do more harm than good for prospective tenants struggling to find a place to live.

To represent Propertymark members’ views and the property sector to ensure their voices are heard, we interpret key policy developments and lobby for change. Working with members, we research and survey to develop evidence-based arguments to campaign for policy change across the devolved nations on issues, including supply of property, tenancy management, economic crime, property taxation, enforcement, material information, and welfare reform.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC), has announced a £50 million fund to help older and disabled people in England, make adaptations to enable them to continue to live independently in their own homes.

Purchasing property in the UK is a common method that can be used by serious organised criminals to launder the proceeds of criminal activity. This position paper includes recommendations that the UK Government should include in future legislation as well as other plans and reforms to reduce economic crime.

Propertymark has published a position paper with key recommendations the UK Government should include in future legislation as well as other plans and reforms to reduce economic crime in the property sector.

The Independent Fiscal Commission has published their report following a consultation on devolution of fiscal powers in Northern Ireland and made 23 recommendations with the goal of providing a comprehensive framework for delivering fiscal powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

In our written submission to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) call for evidence we highlight concerns in the net zero review. The review outlines the UK Government’s ambitious plans to be Net Zero by 2050.

Timothy Douglas, Propertymark's Head of Policy and Campaigns, has  given evidence to the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee of the Scottish Parliament warning of the impact of proposed legislation to limit rent increases and evictions on the supply of private rented property in Scotland.

Propertymark are feeding into the UK Government at a range of levels on different issues. In a current industry roundtable on refugee access to the Private Rented Sector (PRS) we are discussing key issues for those in the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme.

Propertymark is delighted to announce that Timothy Douglas has been appointed Head of Policy and Campaigns. Timothy joined Propertymark's policy team in 2015, and has a strong track record of delivering key campaigns and working with our members to ensure their voice is heard and they are well represented.

The UK Government has launched a consultation seeking views on Law Commission proposals to allow more residential leaseholders in England and Wales to buy the freehold of their property or take over the management of their buildings.

The Home Office is researching options for a more secure system of remote checks on UK nationals using digital verification, when current Covid measures end in April 2022.