Reform of the home-buying and selling process
Momentum has continued to build behind the modernisation of residential property sales, with consultations exploring how to reduce delays, improve transparency and cut fall-through rates. Proposals under discussion include stronger material information requirements, greater use of digital property data, and more consistent documentation across the process.
Propertymark has long campaigned for reform in this area and has fed members’ experiences directly into policy discussions. Our Future of Home Buying and Selling Position Paper emphasises the need for proportionate regulation, better upfront information and recognition of the central role agents play in keeping transactions moving. As digital-first compliance expectations grow, we have supported members with practical advice on adapting systems and processes.
Renters’ Rights Act moves closer to delivery in England
The most substantial change to the private rented sector in a generation, the focus shifted to implementation, with confirmation that phase one will come into force on 1 May 2025. These include new tenancy structures, revised grounds for possession, and limits on rent increases.
From the initial stages of UK Government policymaking, Propertymark consistently engaged with ministers and officials to highlight the operational impact on agents and landlords plus and the potential unintended consequences for tenants. As a result of sustained lobbying, amendments were secured to protect the student market, ensuring one- and two-bedroom student properties can continue to operate with workable tenancy turnaround times under Ground 4A.
We have also published detailed guidance to help members prepare for the changes and understand enforcement expectations as local authorities receive additional funding to increase oversight of the sector.
Renters' Rights Act 2025 Toolkit
The toolkit breaks down the Act and helps you to inform your landlords and tenants. It includes guidance, training, fact sheets, FAQs, and resources to help you prepare for the changes.
Scotland: Housing reform and the visitor levy
The Housing (Scotland) Act progressed during 2025, introducing further reforms to the rented sector against the backdrop of an ongoing housing emergency. Propertymark has engaged closely with the Scottish Government, raising concerns about supply impacts, enforcement capacity and the cumulative effect of regulation on landlords and agents.
Alongside housing reform, Scotland also moved forward with the implementation of a visitor levy. Propertymark worked with members operating in tourist-heavy areas to highlight the practical implications for short-term lets, mixed-use properties and local housing markets, ensuring policymakers understood how the levy interacts with existing licensing and planning controls.
Wales: Short-term lets and second homes
The Senedd’s approach to short-term lets and second homes has continued to harden. New registration, licensing and planning requirements have increased complexity for agents operating across different tenures.
Propertymark regularly engages with the Welsh Government on how the system can be improved, arguing for clearer guidance, better alignment between licensing and planning, and realistic implementation timescales. We have consistently warned that poorly coordinated regulation risks reducing supply and increasing costs for consumers
Northern Ireland: Dilapidation reform
In Northern Ireland, progress on the Dilapidation Bill has aimed to give councils clearer powers to deal with vacant and neglected buildings. Propertymark has welcomed the focus on regeneration but has stressed the importance of proportionate enforcement and clear guidance for agents involved in commercial and mixed-use property.
We have worked with local stakeholders to ensure members understand the proposed changes and to highlight how bringing empty properties back into use can support wider housing and economic goals when done correctly.
Agent regulation to tackle economic crime
Fraud, identity theft, and money laundering continue to pose risks to agents, consumers and the wider housing market. Property transactions remain attractive to criminals due to high values, complex processes and, in parts of the UK, limited regulation of who can operate as a property agent.
Propertymark has consistently highlighted that existing anti-money laundering (AML) requirements place significant responsibilities on agents, while gaps in regulation leave the sector exposed. We have continued to call for stronger, joined-up action from government, including clearer guidance, better intelligence-sharing, and greater recognition of the frontline role agents play in detecting suspicious activity.
We’ve also pressed for long-promised regulation of property agents to be delivered, arguing that minimum qualification standards, mandatory training and a statutory Code of Practice would help reduce the risk of economic crime. Our work has emphasised that professional, well-trained agents are a key line of defence against money laundering, particularly as criminals adapt their methods and exploit new technologies.
Alongside our policy work, we have supported members with practical guidance on AML compliance, reporting obligations and best practice, helping businesses manage risk while meeting regulatory expectations. As threats continue to evolve, Propertymark will keep working with enforcement bodies and policymakers to ensure measures to combat money laundering are effective, proportionate and workable for agents on the ground
Energy efficiency targets and retrofit policy
Carbon-cutting remained high on the agenda in 2025, particularly following Budget announcements confirming £1.5bn for the Warm Homes Plan. While increased funding is welcome, uncertainty remains around delivery frameworks and consumer protections following the closure of previous schemes.
Propertymark has supported higher energy efficiency standards in principle but has repeatedly stressed that targets must be realistic, flexible and backed by grants and advice. Earlier in the year, we raised serious concerns about poor-quality retrofit work affecting tens of thousands of homes, reinforcing the need for strong oversight as retrofit activity expands. Members have been supported with updates on funding, compliance and best practice throughout the year
Energy efficiency
The UK housing stock is amongst the least energy efficient in Europe and the Committee on Climate Change says that energy use in homes accounts for about 14 per cent of UK greenhouse gas emissions. Non-domestic buildings account for around one-third of UK emissions from the building stock.
Housebuilding targets and planning reform
Housing supply remained a defining issue in 2025. The UK Government reaffirmed its ambition to deliver 1.5 million homes during the current Parliament, alongside announcing the largest affordable housing investment in decades. However, delivery continues to lag targets due to planning delays, skills shortages and development costs.
Planning reform featured heavily across all UK nations. However, while reform is necessary, changes to planning alone will not solve the housing shortage. Through research and member engagement, we have highlighted the need to support small and medium-sized developers, address capacity issues within local authority planning teams and unlock the potential for councils to build more homes directly.
