FAQs: Non-domestic private rented property: minimum energy efficiency standards for commercial property

Tenants and leaseholders in England could gain a clearer route to installing electric vehicle (EV) charge points under ‘ability to charge’ proposals, which aim to make permissions quicker and more consistent. A new UK Government consultation focuses on homes with off-street parking, including rented, leasehold, and shared ownership properties.

This report highlights continued economic uncertainty across the commercial property sector, with expectations of steady industrial demand, increased supply of pubs and restaurants, and varying sentiment around capital values and investment yields.

Housing was firmly at the centre of this year's political conference season, with the major parties setting out competing visions for home ownership, renting, planning reform and economic growth. While Labour's position as the party of government meant it made announcements with the most immediate implications, conferences across the political spectrum provided important insight into how housing policy may evolve in the coming years.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has proposed a new scheme to allow first-time buyers in England to purchase a new-build home with a 2.5% deposit, along with plans to let councils intervene sooner when homes stand empty, and a £210 million package to bring disused high street buildings back into use. Propertymark’s Policy and Campaigns Team is at the Labour Party conference to discuss these announcements directly with MPs and explain how members and their clients could be affected.