What's next for the UK housing market?

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.

The Welsh Government has confirmed it will not proceed with proposals that would have required landlords to pay tenants compensation when issuing a Section 173 possession notice. The decision follows extensive consultation and lobbying from Propertymark and other sector stakeholders, who welcomed the move as a win for common sense and fair reform.

Amendments to the Renters’ Rights Bill discussed on 12 May 2025 highlight growing support for the regulation of property agents (RoPA), including professional standards and mandatory qualifications, as well as increasing awareness of the market imbalance between the private rented sector (PRS) and holiday lets. Led by Lord Best and backed by senior peers, the amendments sought to push the UK Government to take faster action, referencing Propertymark’s campaign positions on both these key issues.

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.