Member representation: Consultation responses and position papers
Our latest feature
The Impact of Section 24 on buy-to-let landlords in England
In the summer budget of 2015, Chancellor George Osbourne, announced his intention to limit the ability of landlords to claim tax relief on finance costs including mortgage fees and mortgage interest payments. Despite the significance of Section 24, it is not clear how landlords have been impacted or of their future intentions. The English PRS is in a state of flux and this research is important to identify and address the challenges.
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
Restrict licensing to priority areas only
Recognising the fact that some members in Wales operate for landlords of short-term holiday lets, Propertymark has responded to the Welsh Government’s consultation to establish a statutory licensing scheme for all visitor accommodation in Wales.
Call for more landlord support in Welsh tourism hotspots
If the main driver of the proposals from the Welsh Government is to increase housing options for local people, they need to support landlords and increase housing supply where tourism is in high demand, including taxation incentives, boosting local authorities’ levels of Discretionary Housing Payments and improving positive communication with landlords.
Opportunity to boost Welsh housing supply and decarbonise stock
The Welsh Government’s proposal to provide discretionary powers for local authorities to apply a visitor levy in Wales should see any revenue raised ringfenced to tackle any housing problems within the local authority area. This could also solve the chronic lack of housing options for vulnerable people and working families.
Short-term holiday lets non-domestic rates
Are proposed changes to the thresholds that short-term holiday let businesses must meet to be eligible for non-domestic rates (NDRs) sufficiently clear?
Proposed introduction of local variation of LTT
As part of its approach to tackling perceived issues arising from second home ownership and short-term holiday lets, the Welsh Government has proposed to introduce local variations to the higher rate of Land Transaction Tax (LTT).
Planning legislation and policy for second homes and short-term holiday lets
As part of its 'three-pronged approach' the Welsh Government has consulted on a proposal to make amendments to planning policy and development management in Wales.
Local Government and Housing Committee inquiry into second homes
The Welsh Government have embarked on a three-pronged approach to tackle what many are calling a ‘second homes crisis’ in some areas across Wales.