The Scottish Government has confirmed it will bring forward new legislation to amend the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024, giving councils more flexibility in how they design and run local schemes. This sits alongside the existing timetable for visitor levies to start from spring/summer 2026, with Edinburgh already committed to introducing a 5% levy on overnight stays from 24 July 2026.

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.

The Scottish Government has announced a new national drive to match empty homes with people who want to buy and renovate them, a practical step aimed at reducing the country’s 43,000 long-term empty properties and easing pressure across the housing system. For agents, especially those operating in rural or regeneration areas, this offers new opportunities to support owners, connect with motivated buyers and help local authorities increase housing supply.

The 2025 Autumn Budget confirmed a new £1.5 billion allocation for the Warm Homes Plan, intended to support insulation and low-carbon heating upgrades across England. According to the UK Government, the funding will target households in the least efficient homes, as part of a long-term ambition to upgrade up to five million properties.

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.

Propertymark audit visits are receiving excellent feedback and giving firms greater confidence in their compliance processes—challenging the perception that audits are designed to catch agents out. Increasingly, members use the visits as a practical check on how daily procedures work and to identify improvements early.

Homes England’s latest edict on building specifications and best-practice sets out a modern blueprint for housing that is energy-efficient, moisture-resilient, comfortable, and easy to live in. While formally aimed at the social and affordable housing sectors, the scale of Homes England-funded delivery and its influence on design culture mean its impact will be felt far beyond those boundaries.

Despite acknowledging concerns from Propertymark and others that property firms find pricing more complex because of tax, fees, and other variables, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has pressed ahead with publishing generic guidance on price transparency under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. From 6 April 2025, the DMCCA replaced the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations, so the CMA’s approach will shape day to day advertising for every agent.

Joining industry leaders at FutureFinance.AI Proptech conference on 7 November 2025, our CEO, Nathan Emerson, discussed the crucial role that data quality and regulatory reform will play in driving growth and emphasised that agents need to have confidence that the digital product will have longevity before making significant investments.

Checking carbon monoxide (CO) alarms and heating systems can help prevent avoidable tragedies. Known as the ‘silent killer’, CO has no smell, taste, or colour, yet even small amounts can be fatal. Hundreds of people are hospitalised each year due to this poisoning, and many could be prevented with simple maintenance and alarm checks.

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.