The professional body
for the property sector

Housing was firmly at the centre of this year's political conference season, with the major parties setting out competing visions for home ownership, renting, planning reform and economic growth. While Labour's position as the party of government meant it made announcements with the most immediate implications, conferences across the political spectrum provided important insight into how housing policy may evolve in the coming years.

Once implemented, the Building Safety (Wales) Act 2026 will introduce a new regime for assessing and managing building safety risks in multi-occupied buildings, led by a designated local authority in each of Wales’s three fire and rescue authority areas. The success of the regional Building Safety Authorities (BSAs) will depend on sufficient resources, clear guidance, and meaningful engagement with property and managing agents to support a consistent approach across Wales.

Party Leader Zack Polanski's speech and wider conference policy discussions have outlined a series of housing and property proposals, including plans for a three-year cap on private rents, increased investment in social housing, and wider reforms aimed at addressing housing affordability. Propertymark supports policies that improve access to safe, secure, and affordable housing. However, we continue to oppose rent control measures that risk serious unintended consequences for people seeking suitable homes.