A consultation was launched yesterday, 1 December 2021, as part of wider measures to which aim to improve standards of tenancies within the Private Rented Sector in Northern Ireland. Proposed improvements include the extension of Notice to Quit (NTQ) periods that landlords must give to their tenants.

Propertymark is working to boost awareness of the ways in which letting agents can fight against organised crime, specifically in the area of modern slavery and human trafficking (MSHT).

PRS Report: Propertymark members reported the lowest number of new prospective tenants in October since December 2020.

HOUSING MARKET REPORT: The number of available properties per branch has decreased to 21, the lowest figure on record and 46 per cent lower than October 2020.

The Programme set in place two schemes, run by Nest and Arbed, which provided free advice and energy-efficient measures to those struggling with the costs of their current energy need as well as arranged the installation of measures, including insulation, to homes in particular areas in Wales respectively.

The Welsh Government has launched a consultation which proposes changes to the planning system that could mean that planning permission is required for a change of use from primary to a secondary home or holiday let.

The UK Government has today, 23 November 2021, responded to its consultation on proposals to extend the rules for domestic smoke and carbon monoxide alarms within all rented accommodation in England.

The Scottish Government has published a report laying out its response to the consultation on the draft Short-Term Lets Draft Licensing Order.

Propertymark Policy Manager, Daryl McIntosh, gave oral evidence on 18 November 2021 to the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Communities to address proposals in the Private Tenancies Bill.

How can the private rented sector (PRS) best prepare for the UK Government’s net-zero targets?

Jersey’s Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel's are conducting an in-depth review examining the scope for regulation of estate agents in Jersey and they have reached out to Propertymark asking for our specific contributions.

The purpose of Homes England was outlined in the Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee session on 15 November 2021 where it uncovered important aspects of the workings of the department and actions taken to deliver UK Government policy on housing.

With around 170 different pieces of legislation that must be adhered to within the private rented sector (PRS), the everchanging landscape of compliance combined with the mounting financial pressures triggered by policies such as Section 24 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 2015 and, more recently, debt arrears caused by COVID-19 more must be done to support landlords.

The annual Awards ceremony taking place soon will celebrate the very best of professional learning with a total of nine awards that learners, agents, employers, and training providers from up and down the country have been submitting nominations for.

Official UK Government figures show the number of possession actions across court stages in England and Wales were higher than those reported in 2020 but significantly lower than in the same quarter of 2019.