Landlords and letting agents in Northern Ireland could soon face new requirements to strengthen the Scheme as an enforcement tool; however, the success will depend on clear implementation. Also, agents need certainty about their role, landlords need a straightforward process, and both require confidence that data will be used responsibly.

The new regulations do not alter the minimum property standard – homes must remain safe, and hazards must be identified and managed. However, they will affect how hazards are described, scored, and categorised when councils inspect homes, making evidence of regular checks increasingly important.

The UK Government has ended the Furnished Holiday Lettings (FHL) rules. Since 6 April 2025, all holiday lets are taxed in the same way as normal rental income. This applies across the whole UK and affects anyone running a holiday let, Airbnb-style rental, cottage, annexe, or other short-stay property.

Property auctions can offer speed, certainty and access to properties that may not be available through the traditional sales market. However, analysis of complaint data from The Property Ombudsman (TPO) shows that consumer understanding cannot be left to chance. The findings suggest that consumers are entering the process without appreciating the risks, timescales, fees, or the point at which they become legally or financially committed.

Centre for London has called for a Proportional Property Tax as part of a wider plan to tackle London’s housing crisis. The city not only needs more homes, but also a better way to use, fund, and distribute the homes it already has. Although the report focuses on the capital, many of the pressures it identifies are felt across the UK, including a shortage of social housing, high moving costs, a lack of suitable homes for older people, and barriers to new development.

Launching on 1 June 2026, Connect, a bespoke online platform, links agents through a trusted professional network, helping them send and receive referrals, valuation requests, and instructions across the UK and internationally. Sign up to win more business, create additional income opportunities, and deliver a better service – especially when clients are moving further afield.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a new data collection strategy to support monitoring of the private rented sector (PRS) and evaluate the impact of the Renters’ Rights Act in England. The paper sets out how surveys, local authority data, court and tribunal data, the new PRS Database, Ombudsman Information, and market evidence will be utilised to assess how the reforms are working in practice.

The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has called for major changes to the Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill before it is introduced to Parliament in autumn 2026. Propertymark has long campaigned for meaningful leasehold reform, including action on ground rents, service charges, building safety, consumer information and the regulation of property agents. We welcome the Committee’s recognition that reform must work in practice for homeowners, agents, lenders and managing agents.

Scotland’s visitor levy framework has been expanded after the Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Act received Royal Assent on 21 May 2026, giving councils greater flexibility over how tourist taxes can be charged.

It has been nearly ten years since the Leasehold: A Life Sentence report was published, launching a sustained Propertymark campaign. Despite the introduction of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024—of which only 10 of 125 sections have come into force—leaseholders continue to face significant financial pressures, rising and often unjustified service charges, and ongoing building safety concerns.

Voting opened on 21 May 2026 for members to elect a Propertymark Board Director and the next Vice Presidents for our sales and lettings divisions. By taking part, members help influence how the profession is represented, shape the professional body's future priorities, and strengthen the credibility of member-led representation.

This has been a year of real momentum for Propertymark. In a fast-moving and often challenging market for our members and oursleves, we have continued to strengthen our position as the UK’s leading professional body for property agents - investing in our members, raising standards, and ensuring our voice is heard where it matters most.

The UK Government has launched a consultation on the design of the surcharge, first announced in the 2025 Autumn Budget, which is expected to apply to homes in England valued at £2 million or more from 2028. If the reforms are to address unfairness in the existing system effectively, property values must be assessed consistently and updated regularly and clearly so consumers can calculate their council tax.

Local housing authorities in England have gained new investigatory powers under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, including the ability to enter rental sector business premises as part of enforcement activity. Officers can request and seize documents, but their powers are not unlimited. Agents should know what officers can lawfully ask for, what notice should be given in routine cases, and what protections apply to legally confidential material.

Buyer activity and sales agreed picked up this month as the housing market entered the spring season, with increased stock levels giving consumers more choice despite ongoing affordability pressures. Meanwhile, the rental market remained highly competitive, as tenant demand continued to outstrip supply and concerns over future regulation weighed on landlord confidence.