Trading Standards is examining the impact of Rent-to-Rent and Guaranteed Rent (R2R) schemes on the private rented sector (PRS) in England, with the aim of identifying and evidencing areas of good practice, and issues of relevant non-compliance or emerging concerns. Propertymark was invited to provide input to an exploratory consultation as an interested party.

NAEA Commercial Advisory Panel and Propertymark Board member Michael Sears, MNAEA MARLA MNAEA (Comm) MNAVA HIDip Ndea, has cautioned against complacency when it comes to commercial buildings insurance to avoid the frustration of claims being invalidated.

We’ve formed a landmark co-investment partnership with TDS to boost funding for REACH UK, a technology scale-up program which helps innovative new technology companies grow in the property sector through education, mentorship, and market exposure.

HM Land Revenue (HMLR) provides vital information for agents listing properties to let and sell and completing the sales process. Quick, cost-effective access to these services is more important than ever as the industry adjusts to the latest material information guidance.

Propertymark is encouraging the UK Government to explore all viable methods of increasing the delivery of homes, however, the approach must not lose sight of the importance of creating decent homes that people want to buy in the places they want to live. In our consultation response to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) we suggest improvements to their proposals that will help avoid unintended consequences.

Every two years, the European Commission assesses the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing affecting both the EU internal market and cross-border activities. As a member of CEPI, the European Association of Real Estate Professionals, we work with them to provide the perspective of the UK market.

Six months have now passed since we launched our dedicated Lettings Helpline, providing unlimited free advice to members in England and Wales from landlord and tenant specialists. For many, it has become an essential membership benefit for dealing with lettings issues, no matter how complex, plus, we have ambitious plans to grow the service further.

Following a short inquiry, at which Propertymark gave evidence, the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee has bluntly asked the UK Government why it has not yet established a regulator of property agents, four years after it committed to doing so.

Rt Hon Michael Gove, MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, has demanded a partial review of the London Plan focusing on industrial land and opportunity areas in the capital, and wants the average rate of delivery to increase from 37,200 to more than 62,300 homes a year to tackle housing delivery backlogs.

Agents mustn't become complacent when it comes to property sales and lettings boards, as badly maintained, or illegally erected ones can cause injury or nuisance and could result in legal action.

The UK Government’s detailed proposals for the 2025 Future Homes and Buildings Standards will amend existing legislation to set new minimum energy efficiency requirements for buildings in England. Most changes will apply to new homes and non-domestic buildings and should ensure no further work will be needed for new buildings to produce zero carbon emissions as the electricity grid decarbonises.

Very large property agencies, based on their UK revenue, will see contributions to the Levy double from April 2024 after receipts for the period April 2022 to March 2023 showed a shortfall against the target of raising £100 million per year, which is used as long-term sustainable funding to tackle economic crime.

The Scottish Government has set out proposals for how homeowners and landlords can meet energy efficiency targets and reconfirmed its intention to ban polluting heating systems from 2045. Whilst Propertymark welcomes the ambition, we believe enhancements are needed to make the plans achievable.

Julie James, MS, Minister for Climate Change has confirmed that the Building Safety (Wales) Bill, which is due to be introduced to the Senedd this term, will go significantly further than the regime in England under the Building Safety Act 2022, much of which Wales has already adopted.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer delivered his Spring Budget on 6 March 2024, likely to be the last before a General Election. Whilst a cut in Capital Gains Tax on property transactions will be welcomed, the sector will be disappointed that key measures, such as stamp duty breaks for last time buyers, increasing mortgage availability and a suspension of the 3% stamp duty land tax premium on buy-to-let purchases have been overlooked.

Propertymark has long called for the regulation and today, 5 March 2024, gave evidence at a House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee Inquiry which examined whether there should be a new regulator as recommended by the report of the Regulation of Property Agents working group in 2019.