The professional body
for the property sector

The UK Government has published the Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill and launched a consultation on banning leasehold for new flats, marking a significant moment in the long-running debate over leasehold reform. For Propertymark, this represents a major milestone after nearly 10 years of sustained campaigning against leasehold, ‘fleecehold’ practices, and unfair ground rents.

All UK sanctions designations maintained by the UK Government will be consolidated into an official list and updated in one place. This is a significant operational change for property agents, auctioneers and other regulated businesses, which should make checking clearer and more straightforward. Sanctions compliance are part of wider financial sanctions and anti-money laundering obligations, and failures can carry serious legal and reputational consequences.

Letting agents and build-to-rent (BTR) operators continue to navigate a market where demand is high, but affordability checks are increasingly complex. With more renters facing stretched budgets, irregular income patterns, or limited UK credit history, passing referencing isn’t always straightforward — even for tenants who would otherwise make excellent long-term occupants. Propertymark Industry Supplier, flatfair, explores how guarantor-backed tenancies can make a meaningful difference.