Many self-employed property agents and landlords are accustomed to submitting a Self-Assessment tax return annually. However, as the tax and regulatory landscape becomes increasingly complex, the risk of mistakes or missed deadlines could grow, particularly for landlords with small portfolios who must juggle compliance alongside day-to-day responsibilities.

Propertymark has provided the Welsh Government with clear evidence on how short-term and holiday lets affect housing supply, communities and the work of property agents in response to the latest plans for the regulation of self-catering visitor accommodation.

Insight shows a market that remains resilient but measured, with steady new listings, slightly softer sales, and easing inflation, offering cautious optimism. While buyer conditions show signs of balance, demand in the rental market continues to outstrip supply, keeping affordability pressures firmly in focus.

The Property Ombudsman (TPO) has issued new guidance in responding to growing concern about the prevalence of aggressive practices in the home-buying process, empowering buyers to recognise and challenge unfair practices. With complaints on the rise and increased scrutiny from redress schemes and Trading Standards, estate agents should take time to review their processes, staff training and messaging to ensure compliance.

Despite a multi-year commitment to affordable housing supply and increased investment in acquisitions and homelessness prevention, it is surprising that the Scottish Government is yet again failing to tackle the housing emergency, and the Budget misses an important opportunity to address the growing tax burden on housing. At a time of acute housing pressure, Scotland needs policies that encourage mobility and investment across all tenures.

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.

Head of Policy and Campaigns, Timothy Douglas, has followed up our written submission to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee inquiry into housing affordability with in-person evidence on 6 January 2026. Our evidence reinforces the need for a joined-up approach to affordability which considers housing supply, rental market pressures, financial products, taxation, and consumer costs together.

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 Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has confirmed a wide-ranging review of mortgage rules to support sustainable home ownership while ensuring standards of consumer protection remain high. The reform signals positive change on the horizon for first- and last-time buyers, self-employed people, and vulnerable customers, who may have experienced limited access to borrowing under the current rules.

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.