Following the Welsh Government’s confirmation that the Renting Homes (Wales) Act will be implemented from 15 July 2022, regulations have been laid which set out the required content of occupation contracts.

The Bill's committee stage took place over 16 meetings starting on 9 September concluding on 26 October 2021. The remaining stages are due to take place in the Commons on Wednesday, 19 January, after which the Bill will move to the House of Lords.

A new report, published by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), in partnership with Architects Declare, has called on the built environment sector to drastically reduce its carbon emissions to work towards the UK Government’s Net Zero: Build Back Greener Strategy.

Changes, announced 14 January 2022, are set to target homeowners who leave properties empty rather than letting out to holidaymakers.

The Welsh Government have embarked on a three-pronged approach to tackle what many are calling a ‘second homes crisis’ in some areas across Wales.

Propertymark welcomes the latest announcement by the Welsh Government after it has adjusted the eligibility criteria, meaning every tenant in Wales who has COVID-related arrears can apply for financial help.

The Act, which was first passed in 2016, represents the biggest change to housing law in Wales for decades. It increases protections for tenants and contract-holders through the introduction of a single, clear framework.

The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), Michael Gove MP, has today, 10 January, announced an overhaul to the Government’s approach to building safety.

The Home Office has invited private sector, digital identity checking service providers to apply for approval to deliver Right to Rent ID checks on those who cannot currently use Home Office online services, including British and Irish citizens.

Propertymark’s The Future of Renting position paper has been referenced in research briefing on ending no fault Section 21 evictions.

Northumbria Law School and the Open University are conducting research into whether private rented sector (PRS) landlords rent to tenants with pets and the issues and/or benefits of doing so.

The Welsh Government has set out revenue and capital spending for the next three years, focusing on supporting Wales’s economic recovery as it emerges from the pandemic, seeking to strengthen it in a sustainable way to deliver a greener Wales.

The Scottish Government sought views on their proposals to include the introduction of an energy target for new buildings, in addition to the current emissions target, as well as an uplift to the 2015 standard of energy efficiency for new buildings – both domestic and non-domestic.

The Welsh Government has launched a consultation as part of its ‘three-pronged approach’ to address perceived affordability issues and the impact of second homes and holiday lets in some parts of Wales.

A Draft Rented Sector Strategy has been published by the Scottish Government, setting out how they will work with landlords and tenants to provide accessible and affordable homes.

The average number of new prospective tenants was the highest on record for the month of November with 82 per Propertymark member branch. It's a significant rise from October's figure of 71.