Housing research

Propertymark's monthly Housing Insight Report has identified a significant deterioration in the number of transactions progressing from offer acceptance to exchange of contracts within 12 weeks. In the first of our research spotlight series, this report looks into the reasons why the time taken to exchange contracts is elongating.

Labour's reworked Renters' Rights Bill is intended to replace the Renters (Reform) Bill, and whilst it, essentially remains the same, its implications may be more significant for landlords and the private rented sector (PRS). Insights into the Bill from the landlord's perspective, obtained from Propertymark letting agent members' landlords in March 2024 are still prevalent. Established worries remain unaddressed, and more concrete guidance is necessary.

The Renters' Rights Bill has been reworked following Labour taking power in July 2024, which is intended to replace the Renters (Reform) Bill, and whilst it essentially remains the same, its implications may be more significant for the private rented sector (PRS). Research conducted with a geographically representative sample of Propertymark letting agent members provide valuable evidence that policymakers can use to help shape the Bill and inform its implementation. Established worries remain unaddressed, and more concrete guidance is necessary.

Financial implications, practicality, consequences, and communication surrounding energy efficiency measures are key concerns cited in Propertymark’s latest report which provides recommendations to help homeowners, landlords, and tenants save money, create new jobs and fight climate change.

The Labour Government has committed to driving forward the enforcement of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024. Propertymark has campaigned on leasehold reform since 2017, including the lack of a ban on new leaseholds, restrictions on ground rent, and no ground rent cap for existing leaseholders. This research, produced in 2023, highlights the ongoing issues and sentiments of Propertymark Member agents and is still prevalent in our campaign to drive change.

This report analyses the sentiment of letting agents in Wales regarding the Welsh Government’s plan to introduce fair rents. 41 per cent of agents reported that landlords had raised concerns with them about the potential fair rent legislation, indicating anxiety about the impact on their ability to provide homes in Wales.

In December 2022, we responded to a call for evidence from the Scottish Government using data from a survey of Propertymark member agents. This report is based on a follow-up survey that was open in February 2023 and looked predominantly at the impact of the extension to the temporary measures of The Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act.

Propertymark reveals concerns and opportunities for the property sector and an analysis of market trends in 2022. Above all, we saw more people than ever looking to live in the private rented sector and seasonal peaks and troughs coming back, as well as a return to a buyer’s market by the end of the year that is the status-quo pre-pandemic.

The Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022 came into force on 28 October 2022 and introduced temporarily restrictions on landlords from increasing the amount of rent they can charge and restrictions on evictions from residential tenancies.

This research piece presents an updated picture of the current market for short-term lets (STLs), looks at the broader costs/benefits to our communities, and potential solutions that could maximise the benefits while minimising the drawbacks as seen by property agents.