6 million UK households cannot afford to keep warm this winter
Propertymark has long campaigned for incentives and realistic funding for landlords, tenants, and homeowners to upgrade their properties so we can see more energy-efficient homes, lower bills, and reduce emissions in the property sector. We are pleased to support National Energy Action’s Fuel Poverty Awareness Day on 27 November 2024, which highlights how the continuing energy crisis is stretching household, leaving many people struggling in cold, unsafe and unhealthy homes.
Avoiding hidden liabilities: why deposit reconciliation is essential
Ensuring tenant deposits are properly recorded and protected is a vital task for letting and estate agents, and one that carries significant legal and financial responsibilities. The Letting Partnership (TLP), a leading provider of specialist services to the lettings industry, emphasises the importance of accurate reconciliation and highlights the risks associated with discrepancies.
Target unsafe cladding levy at the culprits, not the whole sector
Propertymark has criticised the Scottish Government’s proposals for implementing a Building Safety Levy, stating that it is not the best way to fund the remediation of unsafe cladding, and risks cutting the supply of homes. Instead, charges should be directed to the developers and individuals responsible for installing the cladding in roughly 6,000 buildings across the country.
More ambitious plans are needed to provide essential housing
The Northern Ireland Executive’s draft Programme for Government identifies providing access to affordable, sustainable, and quality housing as an immediate priority and acknowledges the pressing need for action. Propertymark supports this aim and has made specific recommendations to accelerate progress.
Leasehold reforms see further consultations and regulating managing agents
Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook MP candidly admitted that the current Act contains flaws requiring further legislative action and has unveiled a series of consultations and measures. He has also committed to strengthening the regulation of managing agents, including as a minimum, mandatory professional qualifications.
Housing must be high on Welsh Government's Budget agenda
Propertymark calls for fiscal policy geared towards stimulating supply in the private rented sector, boosting homeownership, and tackling the scourge of empty commercial properties that blight Welsh communities.
Housing Insight Report: September 2024
The announcement of Stamp Duty rises in England and Northern Ireland from April 2025 will likely push more people to the market in hopes of completing to, in some cases, save thousands on their next home purchase. Howevefr, tightened purse strings are being seen across the whole private rented sector.
Heat network pilot program: a step forward
In 2021, the UK Government's Heat and Buildings Strategy outlined a commitment of £338 million for the Heat Network Transformation Programme to scale up low-carbon heat network deployment. Fast forward to 2024 and a pilot program is now rolled pilot program across Hull, Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Rochdale, and Stafford to start the reduction of reliance on traditional heating methods. It will see the zoning of areas where communal heating solutions would be most cost-effective, calling on data such as building type, size, and existing energy use.
Auctions are a buyer's friend in the dash to avoid Stamp Duty increases
Choosing to sell properties by chain-free auction can avoid lengthy and uncertain buying procedures and save buyers time and money ahead of the Stamp Duty Land Tax increases in April 2025.
Energy efficiency still a hot topic
Propertymark’s analysis underscored the UK Government’s Heat in Building strategy that 30% of UK emissions in 2019 came from buildings, with 17% from homes, and whilst Wales Climate Week take place, how practical it is for landlords and homeowners across the UK to reduce carbon emissions.
Ministers should not ignore Housing (Scotland) Bill report findings
The Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee has published its Stage 1 Report on the general principles of the Housing (Scotland) Bill. Propertymark gave evidence to the Committee in June 2024, and it is pleasing to see our commentary and suggestions to amend the Bill referenced throughout the report.
Scotland’s planning reform to shake up the delivery of new homes
Planning has not created a housing emergency — but it can help solve the challenges. The Scottish Government is focused on identifying how its planning system can help to provide solutions with the introduction of a new Housing Planning Hub that will be launched and operational in early 2025.
Auctions to help solve problem of vacant commercial properties
Regulations come into force on 2 December 2024 which will allow local authorities in England to auction off the leases of persistently empty high street shops. The UK Government states that the scheme will breathe life back into town centres and drive local growth and opportunities. Propertymark welcomes the move, but we would like to see more detail on which areas will benefit the most, how the powers will be funded, and how they will be used in practice by councils.
Making identity proofing easier, cheaper and more secure
The Data (Use and Access) Bill was introduced to Parliament on 23 October 2024. It lays out the legal framework for Digital Verification Services (DVS) in the UK, which are long-awaited tools to speed up property purchases, reduce fraud and improve the experience of home buying and selling.
What estate agents need to know about the Renters Rights' Bill
Agents working with landlords who want to sell a property with sitting tenants must be well-versed advising clients effectively on realistic pricing and the potential impact on the buyer pool, and with tenancy reform at the heart of the Renters’ Rights Bill, watertight paperwork and record-keeping will be more important than ever, for buyers, sellers and agents.
Issue 57: Winter 2024
In our final issue for 2024 we're looking to the future with an insight into our work with REACH UK to scale up prop-tech innovation to empower agents to fly high. Keeping our feet firmly on the ground, we tell you everything you need to know about subsidence (and why UK homeowners can't just live with it), and talk to Propertymark's Liz Callan about what it is she does all day.