What's next for the UK housing market?

All sales and letting agents in England are urged to share their experience to inform the future of property industry qualifications and regulation. Propertymark strongly supports the introduction of professional standards and mandatory qualifications – regulation is essential to improve trust , protect consumers, and ensure high standards across the board. This survey will provide decision-makers with a clear picture of the current landscape and help influence how any new regime is implemented.

Propertymark was pleased to see our campaign work pay off on the first day of the Renters’ Rights Bill Report Stage debate in the House of Lords (1 July 2025) as Peers supported a proposal to allow Ground 4a to be extended to non-HMO student properties. The Report Stage provides an opportunity for further scrutiny and refinement of the Bill with two further sessions scheduled for 7 and 15 July.

The Act, now over 70 years old, gives business tenants a legal right to renew their leases in many circumstances — a framework that has faced growing criticism for being outdated and overly complex. Propertymark responded to the consultation, advocating for modernisation of the legislation to reflect the current needs of businesses. These initial recommendations come as part of a wider review focusing on how well the law is functioning for commercial property leases.

The modern rental property is working harder than ever, with millions of people adopting remote or hybrid work patterns in the last five years and spending more time at home. This increased usage isn’t unreasonable: it’s reality. But under current rules, tenants are being penalised for “damage” that’s normal use, whilst landlords are absorbing more frequent replacement costs. Propertymark emphasises the importance of understanding fair wear and tear and applying it appropriately to avoid misunderstanding, confusion, and disputes.