Propertymark’s Policy and Campaigns Team is gathering member input for our response, with written submissions open until 29 August and public evidence sessions in the autumn. We are keen to gauge members' thoughts and encourage them to share their insights.
Our position
We have consistently called for long-term, sustainable reforms that support home ownership while improving the buying and selling process. Now is the time to make the case for consistent standards, better collaboration across sectors, and smarter regulation that supports agents.
The inquiry highlights the growing recognition that affordability barriers and fragmented processes are slowing down market activity, a theme often echoed by our Housing insight reports. While affordability improved slightly in recent years, 34% of adults reported difficulty paying their rent or mortgage between 4 and 29 June 2025—first-time buyers continue to face constrained stock, tight lending criteria, and rising upfront costs.
We have also urged the UK Government to consider the mortgage advice gap and the role agents can play in supporting consumers through what is often a complex and opaque journey.
Making the process work
As part of our response to the inquiry, Propertymark will draw on the findings from our Future of Home Buying and Selling position paper, which highlights the practical barriers our members encounter daily, from fragmented communication between stakeholders to inconsistent regulation and long-standing technology gaps. We continue to push for clearer roles, minimum standards for agents, and greater transparency from all parties involved.
Our research shows that fall-throughs, delays, and consumer frustration often stem from a lack of early-stage preparedness. Our Mortgage Guide is designed to help consumers by setting expectations and signposting key steps, particularly where affordability is stretched.
The Committee will also examine the impact of the recent decision to make the mortgage guarantee scheme permanent, a move welcomed by Propertymark, noted that greater access to 95 per cent LTV products could give a much-needed boost to buyer confidence—if combined with clear advice, well-prepared vendors, and upfront information.
Propertymark will monitor the inquiry closely and provide further updates and briefings as the process develops.
