Member representation: Consultation responses and position papers
Our latest feature
Our position papers
Housing and property agents
Our Councillor briefing pack provides an introduction to Propertymark, our work, the role of property agents and the standards our members adhere to within your local community. It also contains useful questions and areas to consider within the housing sector to support residents.
Improving access to the PRS for welfare-dependent tenants
Includes recommendations on how those dependent on welfare support can have better access to the Private Rented Sector (PRS), and how letting agents and landlords can be supported to improve access to the PRS for other vulnerable groups.
Property agents: the case for regulation
Regulation offers the potential to professionalise the industry, stamp out bad practice, create transparency and give consumers more control over who manages their property. Minimum qualification requirements and statutory Code of Practices to be adhered to by all letting and managing agents in England and sales agents across the UK should be introduced.
The future of home buying and selling
Propertymark’s position paper comes off the back of the renewed efforts to improve the home buying and selling process. In this paper, we have presented the agents’ perspective to ensure that future regulations reflect the evidence our members are seeing on the ground and that future actions respond to the largest challenges affecting the process.
Impact of tax changes on the private rented sector
Using survey data from Propertymark members, and other private and public sector organisations, this position paper highlights the detrimental impact that government decisions since 2015 have had on the tax and financial situation for landlords in the PRS.
Reducing economic crime in the property sector
Purchasing property in the UK is a common method that can be used by serious organised criminals to launder the proceeds of criminal activity. This position paper includes recommendations that the UK Government should include in future legislation as well as other plans and reforms to reduce economic crime.
The Future of Renting
The Future of Renting features our recommendations to the UK Government and its plans to reform the private rented sector in England. We want to help shape and influence the UK Government’s Renters’ Reforms White Paper which is due to be released in 2022.
Read through our consultation responses
Annual Finance Bill is the best solution for the property market
Propertymark has responded to proposals on how future changes to the Welsh Tax Acts should be made, recommending that the Welsh Government should adopt a Land Transaction Tax (LTT) system that promotes accessibility, simplicity, and predictability, while avoiding excessive surcharges or complex rules that could slow transactions.
Property listings should be exempt from invitation to purchase rules
We have responded to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on its draft price transparency guidance under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA). From 6 April 2025 the DMCCA replaced the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations, so the CMA’s approach will shape day‑to‑day advertising for every agent. Our message is clear: property is different, and the guidance must reflect that.
Fair and practical approach is needed to rework holiday let tax rules
Propertymark has responded to the Welsh Government’s consultation, which looks at changes to the way holiday lets are assessed for business rates and Council Tax. The consultation considers averaging days let over multiple years, recognising charitable donations, and introducing transitional arrangements for properties moving from non-domestic rates to Council Tax.
Bold Budget is needed for resilient housing sector
Propertymark has responded to the Welsh Government’s Draft Budget for 2026–27 with a warning that without tax reform, the continued loss of landlords will deepen affordability issues for tenants and increase pressure on local authorities to house more people in the social sector. A vibrant private rented sector (PRS), alongside investment in social and affordable housing, is essential to meet demand and ensure all people in Wales have access to decent and secure homes.
UK-wide alignment a must for rental data
Responding to the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) consultation on the Price Index of Private Rents (PIPR), Propertymark urges better alignment of UK-wide rental data, the use of achieved rather than advertised rents, and faster income statistics to strengthen affordability analysis. Clearer explanations of methodology are needed, as well as greater transparency around Rent Officer data, and quicker publication to make the index more useful.
Unaffordable AML fees could drive greater non-compliance
Propertymark has responded to HMRC’s consultation on plans to increase the fees it charges businesses it supervises under the Money Laundering Regulations, warning that higher costs could affect small, independent agents hardest and risk undermining compliance. Proposals include raising the annual premises fee from £300 to £400, reintroducing a £400 application fee, and restructuring penalty charges into a new sanction regime with fines of up to £2,000.
Wales must learn from mistakes in England to polish Building Safety Bill
Stage 1 scrutiny of the Bill is underway in the Senedd Local Government and Housing Committee, and Propertymark is set to give evidence in person on 9 October. We have also submitted written feedback, outlining how the legislation can be improved to ensure it achieves its aims.
Member feedback delivered on Decent Homes Standard
Propertymark has submitted a detailed response to the UK Government consultation based on roundtables and surveys with agents across England. Our engagement shows that most properties managed by our members are already largely compliant. However, the extension of the Decent Homes Standard (DHS) will bring new obligations, particularly around damp and mould, safety measures, and clearer repair thresholds. We support a data-driven, proactive approach to property management that considers tenant experience.
Progress realistic reforms to achieve higher standards, Propertymark tells MPs
The Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee inquiry into housing conditions in England focuses on the proposed extension of the Decent Homes Standard and the application of Awaab’s Law across social housing and the private rented sector (PRS). Evidence gathered from Propertymark members demonstrates why current initiatives do not go far enough to drive up standards or consistently protect tenants. Reforms must be proportionate, backed by strong enforcement, and packaged with meaningful support for agents and their landlords.
Exemptions regime must be balanced and incentivise upgrades
Propertymark has responded to the Scottish Government’s consultation on how powers in the Housing (Scotland) Bill could be used to exempt properties from rent control, allow rents to rise above the cap in certain circumstances, and change the way joint tenancies are ended.
Timetable for energy efficiency regulations must be realistic and achievable
Propertymark has responded to the Scottish Government’s plans to require private rented homes to meet a new EPC Heat Retention Rating of band C — from 2028 for new tenancies and 2033 for all lets — focusing on a property’s fabric and heating system to better link upgrades with reduced emissions. Whilst we support the principle of improving energy efficiency, we are concerned that the proposals place significant financial and practical pressures on landlords.
Reforms must go further to attract long-term landlord investment
The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on proposals to align reliefs on Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) for investor schemes with those available in England and Northern Ireland, making Scotland more attractive to large-scale investors. Propertymark supports this move but urges Ministers to give equal priority to incentives for individual landlords to ensure a diverse and sustainable property sector.