Propertymark has urged the UK Government to ensure that reforms to the building lifecycle support property agents, improve the home-moving process, and give consumers confidence that building work has been completed properly. Our members work closely with other professionals throughout the life of a building, and we have highlighted how consistent standards, clear responsibilities, and reliable records would help agents provide a better service to sellers, buyers, landlords, tenants, and leaseholders.

The housing market remained active during June, but buyers and renters continued to show caution. Buyer registrations dipped, while sales agreed remained broadly stable. Demand for rental properties continues to outstrip supply, with nine applicants per available property.

Behavioural research suggests that around 60% of landlords in the private rented sector do not fully understand their responsibilities and often fail to meet basic regulatory requirements as a result. This unintentional non-compliance is driven not by bad intent but by four interconnected behavioural patterns.

Propertymark has written to Baroness Sherlock, OBE, Minister of State at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), calling for action to ensure housing support matches real rents, following her statement that local authority Crisis and Resilience Fund housing payments are available to private tenants who cannot meet their rent. The Fund is a welcome safety net for people facing short-term financial difficulties; however, one-off crisis payments cannot replace adequate levels of Local Housing Allowance to meet ongoing rental costs.

Rent pressures are real, but controlling the price of a scarce product does not create more of it. Rent controls can protect some tenants in the short term, but they do not address the shortage of homes that drives high rents. They can also weaken investment, reduce the number of properties available and make it harder for people seeking a new tenancy to find a suitable home. Evidence from schemes implemented around the world backs Propertymark’s opposition to rent controls and work to challenge and reshape the policy in Scotland.

Cyber crime incidents can impact property businesses of all sizes. A lack of cyber security can leave firms vulnerable to substantial losses and the impact can be huge and long lasting. Even using third-party hosting companies or sites doesn't remove the risk of exposure to crime and subsequent liabilities. Propertymark industry supplier, Gallagher, explains the steps property agents can take to prevent and manage risk.

Revenue Scotland has refreshed its guidance on how Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) applies to leases. The update does not introduce new tax rules but provides a useful reminder that further returns may be required when a lease is reviewed, varied, assigned or ended. By treating LBTT as an ongoing responsibility, rather than a one-off task at the start of a lease, property professionals can support compliance by building tax prompts into their lease processes.

Forty years after estate agent Suzy Lamplugh disappeared while attending a work appointment, her legacy remains a powerful reminder that personal safety must be embedded in workplace culture. Our updated guidance and dedicated eLearning course help property agencies assess risks, strengthen procedures, and give staff the confidence to act when circumstances change.

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.

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.

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 property market remains an attractive target for money laundering because of the value of property assets and the ability to hide ownership through companies, trusts, and overseas structures. An estimated £6.7 billion of UK property was bought with wealth suspected to have come from questionable sources between 2016 and 2022 — yet the National Crime Agency (NCA) reports that the volume of SARs from the property sector remains low.