News and reports

Upward-only rent reviews will be outlawed in new leases across England and Wales under the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. Concerns have been raised by the sector about how this move could affect property values and investor confidence. Plus, a shift of this magnitude requires careful implementation to prevent unintended consequences for future development and commercial supply.

In a significant policy announcement on 15 July 2025, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, MP, unveiled plans to enhance homeownership opportunities across the UK by providing government backing to lenders who offer mortgages with deposits as low as 5%. By making this scheme permanent, the UK Government aims to stabilise the housing market and assist more people in becoming homeowners.

The Bill has completed its crucial Report Stage in the House of Lords, bringing significant changes and implications for letting agents and landlords. It will now move to its Third Reading in the Lords on 21 July 2025 (typically a short stage to tidy any final amendments) and then return to the House of Commons for approval of the amendments from 8 September 2025. Here's our summary of the main changes that agents need to be aware of, and how Propertymark is supporting members through the transition.

The Social and Affordable Homes Programme, as outlined in the June 2025 Spending Review, has been announced, which will see 300,000 homes delivered across England, with at least 60% for social rent.

Reforms include longer tenancy requirements, reduced discounts, and new protections to improve delivery, reduce fraud, and help councils replace the homes they lose have been announced by the UK Government following a consultation period.

All new tenancies in England will become open-ended periodic tenancies with a rent period not exceeding a month, with existing tenancies converted, too. Landlords will no longer be able to serve a Section 21 or old-style Section 8 notices to evict tenants, ending fixed-term contracts and overturning decades of rental practice.

A new Building Safety (Wales) Bill has been introduced in the Senedd that includes wide-ranging reforms to improve the safety of flats and other multi-occupied residential buildings, with guidance expected later this year.

Sweeping changes have been announced in a bid to accelerate housebuilding and clear the backlog of stalled high-rise projects, with updated operational guidance expected in the Autumn alongside further steps to establish the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) as a standalone construction regulator.

A record £7.9 billion has been committed over ten years to protect hundreds of thousands of homes, small businesses, and vital infrastructure from the growing threat of flooding. From high-performance flood barriers to nature-based solutions like wetland restoration, the programme will deliver long-term protection for communities and strengthen local economies, delivering on the UK Government’s Plan for Change.