New EPC rules: what will change for the property market
The Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2025 have now been published, which are seen as the vehicle for wider EPC reform. These regulations will include redesigned certificates, clearer metrics, and a five-year validity period, with the new regime coming in on 31 October 2025. The changes are to support the journey to net zero whilst improving the information that buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants receive.
Compliance Café: Material Information
Propertymark’s 2025 Compliance inspections find that less than 50% of agents are compliant with Material Information requirements and could be vulnerable to enforcement action.
Stronger fire safety framework needed to protect tall buildings
Propertymark has responded to the Government of Jersey’s consultation on new Fire Precautions (Tall Residential Buildings) Regulations, which will extend protections to around 8,500 islanders living in 125 high-rise homes. The proposed framework would cover buildings over 11 metres in height and introduce measures drawn from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1, including stricter duties for building owners and managing agents.
Building the agent-ready proptech tools of tomorrow
REACH UK has opened applications for its 2026 cohort, inviting high-potential tech companies that are solving real problems for agents, landlords, buyers and renters. Propertymark and TDS are long-standing partners of the program, which connects founders with an unparalleled industry network, expert guidance and routes to adoption—speeding up the journey from promising prototype to practical, scalable tools used in day-to-day agency work.
Councils to get clearer powers to tackle vacant and neglected buildings
The Northern Ireland Dilapidation Bill aims to modernise and consolidate the rules which equip local authorities to tackle run-down, dangerous, or dilapidated buildings and land. It creates a single toolkit to support earlier action to protect amenities, aid regeneration, and keep people safe. The overall direction of the legislation is sound, and Propertymark is engaging with Ministers and MLAs to make improvements so that it will work better in practice.
Unfreeze LHA now, say agents, tenants, landlords, councils, and charities
Propertymark co-signed a letter with a coalition of more than 40 housing, landlord, and homelessness organisations, which was also backed by the Mayor of London, calling on the UK Government to urgently lift the freeze on Local Housing Allowance (LHA) in the Autumn Budget. Inadequate rates are pushing renters to the cliff edge, with many unable to cover rent and forced into poverty or homelessness.
Building safety evidence session sees agent voices heard
As the Senedd examines the Building Safety (Wales) Bill, Propertymark’s Head of Policy and Campaigns, Timothy Douglas, set out members’ priorities to ensure the new framework is practical, proportionate, and aligned with existing regulations.
£10 billion could be laundered through the UK property sector every year
The 2025 National Risk Assessment (NRA) has once again placed the property sector in the spotlight as one of the most attractive ways for criminals to conceal illicit wealth. Complex ownership structures, offshore companies, and opaque trusts continue to disguise the identity of the individuals behind transactions, with both residential and commercial sales and lettings vulnerable.
Record crackdown exposes rental tax gap
HMRC has clawed back £107 million in unpaid taxes from buy-to-let landlords in 2024/25, the highest annual total on record. The recoveries were made through the Let Property Campaign (LPC), HMRC’s disclosure scheme for landlords with undeclared income, and show a doubling of repayments compared with three years ago.
Propertymark backs urgent transfer up option to High Court enforcement
New research from the High Court Enforcement Officers Association (HCEOA), supported by Propertymark, provides stark evidence of the severe County Court backlogs which are delaying evictions for months, costing landlords thousands, and constraining supply across both the social and private rented sectors. The report sets out two quick changes the UK Government could make now, and practical steps for agents and landlords to minimise losses.
Agents urged to shape material information guidance
A 12-week consultation will shape how estate agents provide upfront information to potential buyers during residential property transactions. This is a key opportunity for professionals to educate policymakers on how property marketing works in practice, highlight challenges, and outline what guidance is needed to make implementation effective and proportionate.
Faster moves, fewer fall throughs: the UK Government plan to fix home sales
A package of fundamental reforms, centred on upfront information, digital data and ID, higher professional standards, and earlier binding agreements, has been released for a 12-week public consultation. Designed to make home moves quicker, more certain, and less stressful, the changes could cut typical timelines by up to four weeks and save consumers about £255m a year, according to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
Housing insight report August 2025
The latest Propertymark Housing Insight Report shows the UK market edging toward recovery in August 2025. Sales activity and stock levels are rising, but affordability pressures and tax uncertainty continue to weigh on buyers. In lettings, rent growth is easing and arrears are falling, offering early signs of a market finally catching its breath.
UK Government set out vision to reform home buying and selling
The UK Government has launched two consultations aimed at understanding the measures needed to improve the home buying and selling process, boost consumer confidence, speed up transactions, and improve the availability of material information in property listings.
Annual Finance Bill is the best solution for the property market
Propertymark has responded to proposals on how future changes to the Welsh Tax Acts should be made, recommending that the Welsh Government should adopt a Land Transaction Tax (LTT) system that promotes accessibility, simplicity, and predictability, while avoiding excessive surcharges or complex rules that could slow transactions.
The Housing (Scotland) Bill has passed, but change is still some way off
The Bill completed Stage 3 in the Scottish Parliament on 30 September, leaving Royal Assent as the final step before it becomes law. The legislation provides a framework for rent control, fresh rights for tenants to keep pets, and stronger tools to prevent homelessness. However, most of the key measures require further consultation and regulations, meaning agents and landlords are unlikely to see rent controls in place until 2028.