The Chancellor of the Exchequer's Autumn Spending Review and Budget provided clarity on measures affecting the property industry which have been announced over the last three-six months including the levy on developers re unsafe cladding. Other factors announced affecting property agents provide some good news, however, it leaves a lot to be desired.

Propertymark contributed to an event jointly organised by CEPI (European Association of Real Estate Professionals) and the European Parliament’s URBAN Intergroup to discuss short-term rental platforms and their impact on the real estate sector, and cities in Europe.

On 21 October 2021, the report entitled 'Lagging behind – energy efficiency in low viability properties' was launched by the think tank, Localis at the Council Room, One Great George Street, Westminster. The research was sponsored by Propertymark and the NRLA.

As life expectancy in Britain continues to rise, Propertymark highlights the need for a greater supply of affordable homes for the ageing population.

This report raises concerns over the affordability of retrofitting properties and highlights that residents in the North of England will be the hardest hit. Failure to factor in huge regional variations in property costs when incentivising homeowners and landlords to meet national net zero targets risks deepening economic inequality.

Propertymark responded to the Scottish Government’s consultation on Building Standards (Fire Safety) on External Wall Systems.

As part of its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, the UK Government has launched a plan to lower the cost of energy efficient heating systems and incentivise homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has released £57.8 million to councils in order to develop quality housing.

The Scottish Government has set out a series of actions and long-term commitments in its Heat in Buildings Strategy to accelerate the decarbonisation of homes and buildings across Scotland in order to meet its net-zero target by 2045.

The new strategy announced by the Scottish Government requires over a million homes and the equivalent of 50,000 non-domestic buildings to convert to zero emissions by 2030.

Propertymark called for a review of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) to boost Britain’s economy in our response to the 2021 Autumn Budget and Spending Review.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that employers wanting to hire apprentices are to continue benefitting from £500 million jobs support package until January 2022.

The 2021 Autumn Budget will be delivered on October 27 alongside a three-year spending review and HM Treasury’s call for representations to be considered as part of its decisions closed 30 September 2021.

The Act, due to come into force from 1 October 2021, clarifies parts of a premises that are covered by the Fire Safety Order (FSO).

Agents can breathe a sigh of relief as Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax is pushed back, allowing businesses more time to prepare.