Changes will include cheaper contents cover for some households, Flood Performance Certificates, premium discounts for resilient properties, and a revised approach to claims. The Scheme has helped more than 742,000 households access flood insurance since its launch in 2016, but rising claims, higher reinsurance costs, and the growing number of properties identified as being at risk have put it under increased pressure.

The UK Government has taken its most significant step towards regulating property agents since the RoPA (Regulation of Property Agents) Working Group published its recommendations in 2019. Property professionals can prepare for future requirements now by gaining a recognised qualification, with financial support available through The Propertymark Trust’s Class of 26 initiative.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first days in office have brought several announcements and appointments with implications for the property sector. Angela Rayner has returned as Housing Secretary, rent controls have been ruled out for England, targeted business rates support has been announced, and Burnham has confirmed that Stamp Duty will not change at the Autumn Budget.

While we have seen a slight dip in prospective buyer registrations, stock levels have edged upwards, giving consumers more choice and helping to create a more balanced sales market. Although tenant demand increased throughout May, available stock fell slightly, leaving an average of eight applicants competing for every available property.

Responding to the UK Government’s consultation, our primary concern is the practicality of identifying and valuing properties that would be subject to the High Value Council Tax Surcharge (HVCTS). Many high-value homes have not been sold for several years, meaning accurate valuations cannot be based solely on online estimates or market appraisals.

Propertymark has responded to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's consultation on proposed changes to the House Sales Scheme. Whilst reforming the scheme is the right approach, we urge the Housing Executive to protect social housing supply while maintaining opportunities for home ownership.

More than 834,000 homes have left the UK private rented sector over the past decade, but a rise in new listings—driven partly by Build to Rent—means that rental supply is currently at its highest level for seven years. Professional agents play a crucial role in helping landlords understand their obligations, adapt to regulatory change, and operate successfully. Supporting responsible landlords to remain in the market is vital if tenants are to have access to an adequate choice of safe, affordable, and suitable homes.

New research covering more than 2,000 buildings in remediation programmes in England and Wales shows that insurance rates remain higher where flammable cladding or other external defects are present. The findings reinforce our call for faster remediation, transparent pricing, and premiums that respond when building risks are reduced.

Nearly ten years after we first began campaigning on this issue, reform is still not moving fast enough. Flat owners remain trapped by rising costs, complex rules, and a sales market that is becoming harder to navigate. We’ve drawn on fresh evidence from more than 1,200 leaseholders and over 200 Propertymark members to expose the current impact of unaffordable costs linked to building safety defects, the difficulty of challenging unreasonable service charges, and the increasing barriers to sale which are putting the market under significant pressure.

Despite legislative progress, leaseholders remain trapped by rising costs, complex rules, and an uncertain market. Based on evidence from Propertymark members and leaseholders, this report sets out why we continue to campaign for reform to go further and faster.

£35 million of new lending has been announced to unlock around 2,500 homes and regeneration projects in Salford, Bromley, and Ludlow. The Bank’s ability to offer flexible finance and work with a wide range of partners is welcome. However, its success must ultimately be judged by how quickly announced investment delivers completed homes of the types and tenures needed in each local market.

Despite global economic uncertainty, the auction profession remained resilient in Q1 2026, with 80% of surveyed members reporting that the number of lots achieving their reserve price stayed the same or increased compared with the previous quarter.

The UK Government has announced new funding for the remediation of unsafe cladding on eligible residential buildings under 11 metres in England, delivered through the existing Cladding Safety Scheme and administered by Homes England. Applications will open on 17 August 2026, with funding prioritised according to the cladding fire safety risk posed to residents.

Since 1 May 2026, landlords who want to sell a tenanted property must rely on specific possession grounds under Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988. For sales agents and auctioneers, this changes how rented property is valued, marketed and sold. Sellers may still be able to sell with vacant possession, but the process is no longer as straightforward as many landlords expect.

The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has called for stronger enforcement, better local authority funding, and faster implementation of key protections for tenants in the private rented sector (PRS). Propertymark gave evidence to the enquiry, highlighting that standards must be improved through clear, practical and consistent rules that support responsible landlords and agents, while targeting those who deliberately operate outside the law.