Property industry news

Following major changes in global sanctions since 2018, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has sought views on how to update its penalty, disclosure, and settlement frameworks. Reforms should both strengthen deterrence and make it easier for businesses, including property agents, to comply and report breaches confidently.

Proposals to remove consultation requirements from the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects process could result in poorer-quality developments being fast-tracked at the expense of long-term outcomes. While a faster system is important, this must not come at the cost of scrutiny and public confidence. Skipping or shortening consultation stages risks creating legal challenges and public backlash that could ultimately delay, rather than speed up, projects.

The legislation gained Royal Assent on 27 October 2025. Implementation will be staged via secondary legislation, and the UK Government has stated it will allow time for a smooth transition and engage the sector on commencement dates. Propertymark has hit the ground running, with training, events, and downloadable resources to support the sector through the most significant transition in private renting for a generation.

The Act equips Local Housing Authorities (LHAs) with stronger rights to investigate whether a landlord or letting agent has breached certain housing laws – measures which apply to letting of private rented accommodation, and actions that may involve illegal eviction, poor standards, and non-compliance.

HM Treasury must not delay any longer on measures to tackle the growing pressures across the housing market. Without bold action, the supply of homes to rent and buy will continue to fall short of demand. Our message to the Chancellor is clear - stability in the property market depends on policies that make investing, renting, buying and selling homes affordable and sustainable. The Budget on 26 November 2025 is the UK Government’s opportunity to restore confidence and drive growth across the housing sector.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is considering the design of transparency and standardisation measures to be implemented in England and Wales under the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024. In addition, it has outlined new proposals around the fees and charges leaseholders pay, reform of the major works regime, and mandatory qualifications for managing agents.

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.

The Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2025 have now been published, which are seen as the vehicle for wider EPC reform. These regulations will include redesigned certificates, clearer metrics, and a five-year validity period, with the new regime coming in on 31 October 2026. The changes are to support the journey to net zero whilst improving the information that buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants receive.

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.

REACH UK has opened applications for its 2026 cohort, inviting high-potential tech companies that are solving real problems for agents, landlords, buyers and renters. Propertymark and TDS are long-standing partners of the program, which connects founders with an unparalleled industry network, expert guidance and routes to adoption—speeding up the journey from promising prototype to practical, scalable tools used in day-to-day agency work.

The Northern Ireland Dilapidation Bill aims to modernise and consolidate the rules which equip local authorities to tackle run-down, dangerous, or dilapidated buildings and land. It creates a single toolkit to support earlier action to protect amenities, aid regeneration, and keep people safe. The overall direction of the legislation is sound, and Propertymark is engaging with Ministers and MLAs to make improvements so that it will work better in practice.

Propertymark co-signed a letter with a coalition of more than 40 housing, landlord, and homelessness organisations, which was also backed by the Mayor of London, calling on the UK Government to urgently lift the freeze on Local Housing Allowance (LHA) in the Autumn Budget. Inadequate rates are pushing renters to the cliff edge, with many unable to cover rent and forced into poverty or homelessness.