FAQs: Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023

Police have called on auctioneers and high-value dealers to help recover four historic bronze statues stolen from the grounds of Iford Manor in Wiltshire during the night of 19 June 2025. This incident highlights the continued vulnerability of heritage assets and the crucial role that auctioneers and agents can play in preventing the circulation of stolen goods.

With rising enforcement by HMRC and an increase in consumer complaints to The Property Ombudsman (TPO), the risks to property businesses from non-compliance are growing fast. At the same time, complexity and the pace of change are escalating; rules around financial sanctions reporting, material information, and unfair commercial practices have shifted in recent weeks, and for the lettings sector, the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Bill is rapidly approaching.

Propertymark works to ensure our members understand the full extent of their legal obligations, and for letting agents this includes tenancy deposit protection. The Siddeeq v Alaian court case highlighted concerns about how and when prescribed information must be served, and with the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Bill on the horizon, it’s a relevant reminder that agents must be precise and compliant when dealing with tenancy deposits in England and Wales.

Property agents and landlords across England and Wales are increasingly facing prolonged delays when attempting to evict problem tenants—an issue being described as a postcode lottery due to the inconsistent and regionally varied response times within the County Court system. In response, the High Court Enforcement Officers Association (HCEOA), in partnership with Propertymark and other stakeholders, have launched a campaign to speed up possessions, calling on landlords to consider High Court enforcement as a more efficient solution in the most severely affected areas.