Member representation: Consultation responses and position papers

One of the ways we represent our members is by responding to public consultations organised by the government or parliamentary committees. In these responses, we convey our members' perspectives on how proposed legislation or existing policies affect the property industry.

Our policy papers provide a detailed examination of the key issues impacting property agents, presenting our recommendations to policymakers and stakeholders through thorough research, industry insights, and expert analysis.

By representing our members in these ways, we not only ensure that their voices are heard but also facilitate constructive dialogue and collaboration aimed at shaping the property landscape.

Feel free to contact our policy team at [email protected] if you have any questions regarding these responses or policy papers.

Our latest position paper
Impact of tax changes on the private rented sector, position paper.jpg
04 Sep 2023

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.

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Displaying 178 results
Edinburgh landscape
13 Mar 2024
Pathway to clean heat in buildings charted

The Scottish Government has set out proposals for how homeowners and landlords can meet energy efficiency targets and reconfirmed its intention to ban polluting heating systems from 2045. Whilst Propertymark welcomes the ambition, we believe enhancements are needed to make the plans achievable.

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11 Mar 2024
Tougher powers to address anti-social behaviour should extend to PRS

Proposed changes to legislation in Northern Ireland would expand the definition of anti-social behaviour to include provisions around housing, putting it on a par with other parts of the UK. However, absolute grounds for possession are limited to the social rented sector, and the measures will not avoid the remaining difficulties with evicting troublesome tenants that are still seen in England and Wales.

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07 Mar 2024
Agent membership could supercharge Good Landlord Charter

A proposed voluntary scheme from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) invites landlords from the private and social sectors to commit to standards which go beyond the minimum required by law and aims to help tenants recognise and identify a good landlord. Whilst Propertymark welcomes these aims, we believe the scheme would be strengthened if agents were also considered for membership.

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21 Feb 2024
Fairness is vital for success of Building Safety Levy

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) carried out a first consultation on the implementation of the levy which closed on 7 February 2023. The current technical consultation concentrates on the methodology for levy calculation, the collection process, disputes and appeals and further exemptions.

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18 Jan 2024
Shadow minister and leasehold leader echo Propertymark call for agent regulation

Matthew Pennycook, MP, has put forward an amendment which would lead to implementation of the Regulation of Property Agents working group report within 24 months of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill becoming law, whilst Martin Boyd, Chair of the Leasehold Advisory Service, lent his full support to the statutory regulation of agents, stating that it is ‘simply wrong’ that there are no qualification requirements for private sector property managers.

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09 Feb 2024
Clear land ownership details to reduce economic crime

The UK Government wants to improve the transparency of land ownership involving trusts, which will prevent unnecessary barriers to the sales process. Propertymark generally supports these efforts that will ensure agents can effectively help money laundering and economic crime in the UK property market. Agents, however, must be included in the list of professionals who can access the enhanced ownership details.

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31 Jan 2024
Street vote scheme may not be the best way to engage residents in planning

Propertymark has strong reservations about the wisdom of proposals for street vote development orders (SVDOs), which will give residents the ability to propose new developments on their streets and vote on whether planning permission should be granted. We are not convinced that the benefits outweigh the additional burden on local planning authorities, who are already under significant pressure.

Children's letter blocks spelling out the word rent with hand holding a house block
26 Jan 2024
Expiry of emergency measures will not end complexity

Proposals have been laid in the Scottish Parliament for the transition away from the rent cap and eviction moratorium under the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022, which ends on 31 March 2024. We acknowledge that provisions to prevent rents rising to a level that will cause hardship to some tenants are justified, however, the Scottish Government must provide more detail about how the transition measures will be applied.

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25 Jan 2024
Propertymark 2024 Spring Budget representation

Our pro-growth solution to tackle challenges the housing sector is experiencing has been sent to HM Treasury which focuses on increasing supply in the private rented sector, will boost home ownership, and generate momentum in the wider property market.

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23 Jan 2024
Owners must take more accountability for building safety

Propertymark welcomes clarification that the Scottish Government intends to apply and enforce the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 and fully support measures that will improve safety in high-rise buildings. However, we are concerned that the current proposals for a time limit on enforcement may leave some buildings less safe for residents.

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22 Jan 2024
Solving leasehold injustice could have bigger benefits

The UK Government should take advantage of the momentum in leasehold reform to stamp out ground rents, invigorate property sales, and promote professional management of leasehold property by qualified and regulated agents.

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12 Jan 2024
Local authorities must view the PRS as a key housing provider to prevent homelessness

Propertymark has responded to the Welsh Government consultation on Ending Homelessness White Paper and welcomes the decision not to place a legal duty on private landlords to refer tenants at risk of homelessness to housing teams. We strongly urge local authorities to consider agents and landlords as part of the solution and actively develop positive relationships with them.

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