Unmet demand creates daily challenges for clients and businesses alike. Across all four UK nations, the conclusion is the same: planning reform is necessary but not sufficient. Governments must take a broader view of housing delivery, including the role of local authorities, the construction workforce, developer incentives and the effective use of existing permissions. For Propertymark members, this reinforces the importance of engaging with housing policy debates at every level.

Member feedback has highlighted the growing phenomenon of AI tools helping consumers create detailed, legal-sounding complaints in minutes. While many complaints are reasonable and well-intentioned, the speed and volume made possible by AI are creating new pressures for property agents, especially smaller firms with limited staff capacity. Propertymark is working to ensure members are supported through clear guidance, professional standards, and a strong voice with policymakers.

Propertymark head office is the proud home of a giant circus-themed gavel which was sold as part of the Bidpath Foundation’s Gavel Art Trail and Charity Auction in November 2025. The Foundation was set up in honour of Bidpath colleague and NAVA Propertymark Advisory Panel member George Wade following his brain tumour diagnosis in 2024. It aims to raise funds for underrepresented causes through community-led auction initiatives.

The UK Government has announced long-term investment packages for new and expanded Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs), with a clear focus on unlocking housing delivery and revitalising high streets. These agreements will give local leaders devolved powers and funding settlements to drive regeneration, build new homes, and support economic growth.

Despite weeks of speculation, the Chancellor’s speech contained no changes to Stamp Duty and, disappointingly, no announcement on LHA rates , which remain frozen. However, Rachel Reeves, MP, has pushed ahead with plans for a ‘mansion tax’ on properties worth over £2 million, an increase in property income tax, and increases to the National Minimum Wage.

The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) launched the Panel to give publicans reliable, specialist support on property and valuation matters. Advisors are selected only after demonstrating rigorous professional standards, deep sector expertise, and a strong track record, and we are delighted that three Propertymark members have been appointed to this national panel.

Plans for a transparent and balanced system are welcome and could have significant benefits for Scotland’s regeneration and housing ambitions. However, reform must not come at the expense of fairness. Clearer legislation, early engagement, and collaboration with qualified property professionals will ensure that public projects can proceed efficiently while protecting the rights and confidence of property owners and agents.

By 2035, automation, AI, and digital registers will speed up transactions and strengthen fraud protection, bringing major opportunities and responsibilities for property agents. HM Land Registry’s (HMLR) ambitious plan will reshape how information is stored, verified and shared across the property sector.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will become the Single Professional Services Supervisor (SPSS) overseeing Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) compliance for the legal, accountancy, and trust and company service sectors. HMRC will continue to supervise agents under the Money Laundering Regulations, and firms that are already compliant do not need to make any changes to their existing AML procedures.

Stability is returning to the UK commercial property market as stats and sentiment reveal steady base rates, easing inflation, and renewed confidence across industrial and office sectors.

Proposals to remove consultation requirements from the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects process could result in poorer-quality developments being fast-tracked at the expense of long-term outcomes. While a faster system is important, this must not come at the cost of scrutiny and public confidence. Skipping or shortening consultation stages risks creating legal challenges and public backlash that could ultimately delay, rather than speed up, projects.

HM Treasury must not delay any longer on measures to tackle the growing pressures across the housing market. Without bold action, the supply of homes to rent and buy will continue to fall short of demand. Our message to the Chancellor is clear - stability in the property market depends on policies that make investing, renting, buying and selling homes affordable and sustainable. The Budget on 26 November 2025 is the UK Government’s opportunity to restore confidence and drive growth across the housing sector.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is considering the design of transparency and standardisation measures to be implemented in England and Wales under the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024. In addition, it has outlined new proposals around the fees and charges leaseholders pay, reform of the major works regime, and mandatory qualifications for managing agents.

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.

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.