The Northern Ireland Executive has published a draft Fuel Poverty Strategy with proposals for improving energy efficiency in homes, protecting consumers, and fostering collaboration across sectors. Propertymark supports the key principles but has highlighted critical areas that need further consideration, including achievable timescales, sensible exemptions, and cost caps that reflect property values.

The Scottish Government has launched a review of fire safety regulations following the fatal Cameron House Hotel fire in 2017. Recommendations from the Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) highlighted key safety failings and proposed regulatory changes to prevent similar incidents in the future with a particular focus on traditional buildings converted to be used as hotels.

As widely expected, there was an uplift in activity in the sales market due mainly to the Stamp Duty thresholds changing in April, which will see many homeowners pay more property tax in England and Northern Ireland.

Fraudsters exploited the vulnerabilities in the property transaction system by stealing a homeowner’s identity and using a fake driving license to set up a bank account in his name to facilitate a sale in 2021. After four years, on 11 March 2025, a County Court finally granted the owner full possession of his home.

Propertymark has responded to the UK Government’s consultation on proposals to streamline the infrastructure planning process consultation, highlighting key areas where improvements can be made while ensuring the interests of local communities and property professionals are safeguarded. Importantly, we recommend a stronger emphasis on public approval during the pre-application process to ensure that only well-supported projects move forward quickly.

The Bill aims to modernise the UK's planning system, promoting rapid housing development and infrastructure while balancing environmental sustainability. Members should prepare for a dynamic landscape with new opportunities and responsibilities as these reforms take effect, offering new avenues for growth while necessitating adaptability to regulatory changes and a commitment to sustainable development.

The UK Government has committed to banning the sale of new flats on a leasehold basis and reforming the legal framework for commonhold, so it becomes the default and preferred tenure. It will also become easier for existing leaseholders to convert to commonhold, although the complexities of this may take longer to work out. Few agents in England and Wales have experience with commonhold, as less than 20 developments currently exist, so Propertymark has broken down some key parts of the proposals to help members understand the change.

Harmless plants, including Bindweed and dogwood, are frequently mistaken as Japanese knotweed, leading to unnecessary alarm and potential complications during property transactions, and further education is needed to help with identification.

The UK Government has announced its next steps in a significant programme of reform to property ownership, aiming to abolish the traditional leasehold system and promote commonhold as the standard tenure for flats in England and Wales.

Cyngor Gwynedd (Gwynedd Council) was quick to use new tax powers to raise the premium rate for second homes and short-term lets (STLs) to a rate of 150% from April 2023 and went on to be the first council to use an Article 4 direction, removing permitted development rights to change a main home into a second home or short-term holiday accommodation, in September 2024. The outcomes of implementing these new measures are being carefully watched by the housing sector.

A programme of grants covering up to 100% of the costs for a Propertymark Qualifications Level 3 (SCQF Level 6) Certificate in Property Agency has been a huge success, with the ‘Class of 2025’ now set to receive their funding. The scheme, launched at the start of 2025, aims to help learners take a step toward professional growth and contribute positively to the future of the property industry.

The Property Ombudsman (TPO) and property chamber Judges from the First-Tier Tribunal have collaborated on new consumer guidance aimed at helping leaseholders navigate the complex landscape for redress, after a sharp rise in block and estate management disputes. TPO received 6,649 enquiries about residential leasehold in 2024, however, most cases had to be redirected to a court or tribunal.

The Propertymark Protected company, Cheffins, purchased the machine in 2024 from an onsite auction which the firm hosted and hopes it could now raise up to £20,000. The fully restored 1963 Fordson Super Dexta will go under the hammer in October 2025, with all proceeds going to the Addenbrookes Charitable Trust.

The UK Government has announced a significant change in fire safety oversight, transferring responsibility from the Home Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) effective from 1 April 2025. The move responds to a recommendation of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report and puts responsibility for building safety and fire under a single Secretary of State, enabling a more joined-up approach.

The buyers of a £32.5 million mansion sued the seller after he failed to give honest information about the state of the property in pre-sale enquiries, particularly, a serious moth infestation. As a result, the court ordered the sale to be reversed, with the buyers receiving a refund of the purchase price plus £4m in damages, including compensation for ruined items.