The 2025 Autumn Budget confirmed a new £1.5 billion allocation for the Warm Homes Plan, intended to support insulation and low-carbon heating upgrades across England. According to the UK Government, the funding will target households in the least efficient homes, as part of a long-term ambition to upgrade up to five million properties.

Homes England’s latest edict on building specifications and best-practice sets out a modern blueprint for housing that is energy-efficient, moisture-resilient, comfortable, and easy to live in. While formally aimed at the social and affordable housing sectors, the scale of Homes England-funded delivery and its influence on design culture mean its impact will be felt far beyond those boundaries.

Checking carbon monoxide (CO) alarms and heating systems can help prevent avoidable tragedies. Known as the ‘silent killer’, CO has no smell, taste, or colour, yet even small amounts can be fatal. Hundreds of people are hospitalised each year due to this poisoning, and many could be prevented with simple maintenance and alarm checks.

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.

Propertymark has responded to the Government of Jersey’s consultation on new Fire Precautions (Tall Residential Buildings) Regulations, which will extend protections to around 8,500 islanders living in 125 high-rise homes. The proposed framework would cover buildings over 11 metres in height and introduce measures drawn from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1, including stricter duties for building owners and managing agents.

As the Senedd examines the Building Safety (Wales) Bill, Propertymark’s Head of Policy and Campaigns, Timothy Douglas, set out members’ priorities to ensure the new framework is practical, proportionate, and aligned with existing regulations.

Stage 1 scrutiny of the Bill is underway in the Senedd Local Government and Housing Committee, and Propertymark is set to give evidence in person on 9 October. We have also submitted written feedback, outlining how the legislation can be improved to ensure it achieves its aims.

Propertymark has submitted a detailed response to the UK Government consultation based on roundtables and surveys with agents across England. Our engagement shows that most properties managed by our members are already largely compliant. However, the extension of the Decent Homes Standard (DHS) will bring new obligations, particularly around damp and mould, safety measures, and clearer repair thresholds. We support a data-driven, proactive approach to property management that considers tenant experience.

This year, trees across Britain began shedding leaves weeks ahead of schedule. At a glance, it might seem like a charming sign of an early autumn - in reality, it’s a stress response. Propertymark Industry Supplier, Inventory Base, explains why this subtle ecological shift has very real consequences for the lettings sector.

We are proud to renew our support for the annual safety campaign, which is running from 8–14 September 2025. Coordinated by the Gas Safe Register, the week raises awareness of the importance of gas safety and highlights what individuals can do to protect themselves, their clients, and their communities. This year’s theme, “Looking after your home, friends, and family”, emphasises that gas safety is everyone’s responsibility. Agents, landlords, and homeowners can all take small steps which make a big difference in keeping people safe.

The Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee inquiry into housing conditions in England focuses on the proposed extension of the Decent Homes Standard and the application of Awaab’s Law across social housing and the private rented sector (PRS). Evidence gathered from Propertymark members demonstrates why current initiatives do not go far enough to drive up standards or consistently protect tenants. Reforms must be proportionate, backed by strong enforcement, and packaged with meaningful support for agents and their landlords.

Hackney Council is consulting on plans to introduce two new five-year licensing schemes in the private rented sector (PRS) from early 2026, arguing that they will improve standards. Propertymark supports the aim of raising housing standards, but we strongly urge Hackney and other local authorities to rethink their approach. A healthy PRS is fundamental to meeting growing housing demand, and under-resourced licensing schemes too often end up penalising good landlords and agents while allowing poor practice to persist.

A consultation on the Fire Precautions (Tall Residential Buildings) (Jersey) Regulations sets out proposals from Deputy Mary Le Hegarat, the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, to introduce mandatory fire safety requirements, directly responding to recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 report.

The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee continues its inquiry into the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) and quizzed Dame Judith Hackitt, Chair of the Building Control Independent Panel (BCIP), who said that the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) will do more to unblock delays and improve collaboration with industry.

Propertymark has submitted a detailed response to the Scottish Parliament’s Finance and Public Administration Committee as part of its call for views on the proposed Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill. While we support the principle of improving building safety, we are concerned that the Bill, in its current form, risks worsening Scotland’s housing emergency and unfairly penalising responsible developers.