News and reports

Cybercrime incidents can impact businesses of all sizes and industries, including property agencies. Propertymark industry supplier, Gallagher, is reminding all property agents about the importance of adequate risk prevention and management.

Gwynedd Council has confirmed it will appeal after a High Court judgement ruled its Article 4 Direction, intended to require planning permission for converting homes into holiday accommodation, was unlawful. The case is the first major legal test of new powers given to local authorities in Wales to control the growth of short term lets and second homes.

Labour’s proposal is bold in scale and ambition — it could reshape growth corridors and open up new development frontiers. But much will depend on delivery, governance and market realism. Propertymark will engage with ministers, departments and stakeholders, pushing for a transparent, accountable, and sustainable delivery model. We’ll ensure our membership’s voice is heard — especially on fairness, consumer protection, and creating high-quality places people want to call home.

The Scottish Government has set out plans to modernise the 200-year-old legislation that underpins Compulsory Purchase Orders, making them fairer, faster and simpler for public bodies to use, and easier for people affected to understand. By removing barriers to the use of these powers, MSPs hope they can be used more frequently to support the delivery of new homes, infrastructure, and regeneration projects. However, the scale of the reform needed means legislation is unlikely to be brought forward until after the next Scottish Parliament Election in 2026.

Stage 3 proceedings for the Housing (Scotland) Bill began on 23 September 2025 in the Scottish Parliament. MSPs are considering around 400 amendments over two days before holding a final vote on whether the Bill should become law. This marks the last opportunity to shape one of the most significant reforms to renting in Scotland since the introduction of the Private Residential Tenancy.

The long-anticipated Renters Reform Bill is due to land this year, and with it comes one of the most significant shifts in the UK rental market in decades: the abolition of Section 21 'no-fault' evictions. Once this change takes effect, landlords and letting agents will no longer be able to regain possession of their property without specific grounds. Propertymark Industry Supplier, Inventory Hive, explains why this will make robust documentation more important than ever.

The latest statistics from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) reveal that supply in England continues to lag demand, with new build activity well below the level needed to reach the UK Government target of 300,000 additional homes per year. Housing Secretary, Steve Reed, MP, has vowed to ‘build, baby, build’, as he doubles down on plans for major planning reform and investment.

Any newly self-employed agents, those earning untaxed income, or receiving income outside PAYE who need to complete a tax return for the first time for the 2024-2025 tax year, must register with HMRC by 5 October 2025.

The charitable arm of Propertymark, who help members, their families, colleagues, and friends in times of hardship, and also funds qualifications and professional development, has a new website designed to make its support more accessible to members than ever before.