Following the success of the Class of 25 initiative, The Propertymark Trust has opened its 2026 bursary programme, offering vital financial support to individuals working towards industry qualifications. Promoting professionalism and supporting access to education for people who would otherwise struggle to meet the costs of training, membership and assessment sits at the heart of the Trust’s work.

Formal regulation marks a major shift in how these systems are overseen and how consumers are protected. For property agents, this change is important because it will affect how heat networks are operated, what information consumers must receive, and how agents advise clients and market properties connected to networks. Hundreds of thousands of homes, particularly in blocks of flats and new developments, are already connected, and their use is expected to grow as part of the UK’s decarbonisation plans.

Fresh analysis shows that there are fewer homes available in 14 Scottish local authority areas than in 2022, despite the introduction of rent control measures. Propertymark has consistently warned that restricting rents without tackling supply and costs can create unintended consequences for tenants, landlords and the agents supporting them.

The Department for Communities (DfC) plans to extend notice- to-quit periods for tenants who live in homes for longer periods to provide greater stability; however, this goal must be balanced with a structured and predictable framework for letting agents and landlords.

The UK Government has announced a multi-million-pound funding package to expand access to free legal advice for people in England facing eviction or home repossession. The investment aims to ensure more households can get early, practical legal support to help them stay in their homes or secure alternative accommodation where needed. This comes at a time when demand for housing advice remains high, with many households facing affordability pressures and uncertainty.

In a major setback for long-awaited housing reform, the UK Government has failed to publish the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill before the end of 2025 as repeatedly promised to Parliament — delaying crucial leasehold overhaul legislation until early 2026. The omission, confirmed in correspondence from Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook to the Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee, has drawn sharp criticism from MPs, campaigners and sector bodies alike.

The UK Government has announced that an expansion of its Rent Repayment Orders (RROs) pilot scheme will see the trial rolled out to 41 local authorities across England following early success in recovering public funds and deterring poor housing practice.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is keeping up the pace of change by beginning consultation on ‘definitive’ changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) before the ink is dry on the newly approved Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, which received Royal Assent on 18 December 2025. The latest proposals are the final step in the regearing of the planning system, which the UK Government says will be followed by a period of stability and laser-focused delivery.

Propertymark has worked tirelessly to ensure members’ voices are heard, practical concerns are addressed, and reforms are workable as the UK and devolved governments have pushed ahead with major legislative changes. Long-standing challenges around supply, affordability and standards have remained firmly in focus, and we will continue to scrutinise legislation, challenge unclear proposals and provide practical guidance to support members as reforms move from policy into practice across the UK.

The English Housing Survey (EHS) for 2024-25 provides a detailed picture of how people across England are buying, renting and coping with rising housing costs. For Propertymark members, the findings highlight important shifts in first-time buyer behaviour, demand in the private rented sector (PRS), and growing affordability challenges — with London continuing to stand apart from the rest of the country.

The latest figures reveal a steadier, more confident property market, with committed buyers driving sales and rental arrears falling to their lowest level since 2022. In spite of slight dips in demand, rising stock levels and stabilising rents signal a sector gradually finding its balance.

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.