Minister announces new plans to drive down property transaction timescales
Matthew Pennycook, MP, stated that the UK Government will work with HM Land Registry to digitise property data, making information more accessible and reducing delays caused by manual processes. This move is expected to streamline transactions and provide agents quicker access to essential property details.
Leasehold Right to Manage reforms take effect on 3 March 2025
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (Commencement No. 3) Regulations 2025 mark the latest significant step towards strengthening the rights of leaseholders and providing them with greater powers and protections. These changes will directly impact estate and letting agents across the UK, as they affect how leasehold properties are managed, bought, and sold.
Issue 58: Spring 2025
This issue introduces Connect, a new lead-generation platform designed to enhance collaboration among property professionals. As a core benefit of Company Advantage, Connect allows agents to generate and manage leads efficiently across the UK and beyond. Other topics covered include flexible office spaces, employee ownership trusts, and sustainability initiatives.
Shaping Wales's rental future: Propertymark's response to adequate housing proposals
One of the key themes of the White Paper is the Welsh Government’s commitment to achieving housing adequacy — a concept that includes affordability, security, and access to quality housing. While Propertymark agrees with this goal and supports enshrining housing adequacy as a human right in Welsh law, we have urged policymakers to focus on pro-growth policies rather than introducing restrictions that will force landlords out of the market.
Fact sheet: Writing a risk assessment
Under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (the MLRs) all Estate Agency Businesses and Letting Agency Businesses with properties that have a monthly rent that is the equivalent to 10,000 Euros or more, must produce a risk assessment.
PRS energy performance back on the UK Government's agenda
A consultation has been launched on Improving the Energy Performance of Privately Rented Homes in England and Wales by 2030, following on from the 2020 consultation, that will set new proposals whilst providing a government response to the previous consultation. At the same time, a Review of the Fuel Poverty Strategy consultation has opened to ensure warmer and safer homes for low-income and vulnerable households is a priority.
Fact sheet: UK sanctions reporting obligations
Under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018, the UK Government introduced a new regime of issuing financial sanctions following the UK’s departure from the European Union. Under the Act, businesses specified in the Act have to report to the OFSI if they suspect they are engaging with a client who is under financial sanctions.
Housing insight report: December 2024
Winter is historically quieter in the sales market as people hunker down for the festive period. However, with the announcement that many will see increases in their Stamp Duty bill from April 2025, in some cases costing the average buyer thousands of extra pounds, we expect there to be a noticeable shift in activity moving into 2025.
Major Build-to-Rent scheme opens in Wandsworth
Legal & General (L&G) has announced the completion of one of the UK's largest purpose-built rental developments, with 1,034 homes across 18 buildings, marking one of the UK’s most significant Build-to-Rent (BTR) schemes, to date. As BTR continues to reshape the private rented sector, Propertymark offers a specialist training course to help agents stay ahead in this growing market. Covering investment trends, legal frameworks, and tenant expectations, the course equips professionals with the knowledge to navigate this evolving sector.
Lords echo letting agents' concerns in their first Renters' Rights debate
The Renters’ Rights Bill reached a critical milestone on 4 February 2025, with its Second Reading in the House of Lords. Propertymark has been at the forefront of discussions, ensuring that the concerns of property professionals are heard, and the impact of more than 200 letters from members was evident during the debate. We have lobbied against specific aspects of the Bill, particularly limits on rent in advance and the lack of clarity regarding short-term let regulation and court resourcing. We call for a clear implementation timeline and improvements to protect vulnerable tenants while ensuring fair treatment for landlords and agents.
AML registration failures place hundreds of agents and auctioneers in jeopardy
The most recent compliance and registration penalties published by HM Revenue and Customs reveal 144 agents sanctioned between October and December 2023. Most fines were for failing to register at the required time, and the amounts ranged from £1,250 to £52,000. However, the largest fine on the list is for a High Value Dealer ordered to pay £175,701 for multiple failures in carrying out risk assessments, having the correct policies, controls and procedures, appropriate staff training, conducting due diligence, and record keeping.
Bureaucracy-busting is Reeve's next move to boost house building
The Chancellor of the Exchequer revealed more about the UK Government’s plans to accelerate housebuilding and reform the planning system in a speech delivered on 29 January 2025. Highlighting the role of housing in economic growth, she announced measures designed to unlock development, remove planning barriers, and encourage investment in infrastructure projects.
ESW1 warnings: what agents need to know about invalid fire safety forms
Recent developments concerning the company Tri Fire and one of its assessors have raised significant concerns over the validity of the EWS1 forms they have issued. Major banks are refusing to lend on properties assessed by Tri Fire, potentially causing delays or halts in property sales and remortgages.
Propertymark members should be exempt from advertising board restrictions
In our response to Westminster City Council’s consultation on the renewal and potential expansion of a requirement for planning permission to erect sales and lettings boards, we argue that our members’ high professional standards mean they should be left out of the plans. Propertymark recognises the need to protect Westminster’s aesthetic appeal but cautions against measures that could disproportionately impact responsible property agents.
65,000 homes at risk from substandard solid wall insulation
The UK Government has taken decisive action following the discovery of widespread quality issues with energy efficiency work carried out under the Energy Company Obligation 4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme. Routine inspections by TrustMark, the independent body overseeing tradespeople working in homes, have led to the immediate suspension of 39 businesses from installing new solid wall insulation.
Propertymark shares member voices in Housing Bill forum
Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, provided evidence on the Housing (Scotland) Bill to the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee of the Scottish Government on 28 January 2025, highlighting significant concerns from our members and stressing the proposed measures fail to address the critical housing supply challenges.