Agent expertise can help fill the mortgage knowledge gap
As the home finance market grows more complex, estate agents are urged to help educate consumers on their options. Buyers often struggle to understand the range of products available or how affordability is assessed, and property professionals are well placed to guide clients towards independent advice and trusted resources.
How letting agents can support landlords and tenants amid unpredictable energy prices
With energy prices in the UK remaining volatile, both landlords and tenants are feeling the strain. For letting agents, this presents a critical opportunity to step in as a valuable intermediary—helping both parties navigate rising costs, understand new regulations, and adopt energy-efficient practices that protect everyone’s financial wellbeing.
Regulations widen the pool of expert ivory assessors
Three new museums are set to join the list of bodies that can advise the Animal and Plant Health Agency on applications for exemption certificates under the Ivory Act 2018. If an owner wants to sell ivory-containing items which were made before 1918 and are of outstandingly high artistic, cultural, or historic value, they must be expertly assessed by recognised institutions.
Non-domestic property risks missing 2030 energy targets by a decade
Recent research from Search Acumen indicates that the commercial property sector is on track to miss the UK Government's 2030 Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) target, with full compliance projected only by 2040. Around half of all energy consumed in commercial and industrial buildings in England and Wales is in the rented sector, placing the onus on landlords to make energy efficiency and heating improvements.
Empty homes face fast-tracked takeovers
Westminster City Council wants a change in the law to allow local authorities to take control of private sector properties when they have been left empty for more than six months, significantly reducing the current threshold under the national Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO) framework. Propertymark recognises the vital importance of maximising housing supply and supporting sensible measures that bring empty homes back into use, however, we do, advocate for approaches that are proportionate, transparent, and fair to property owners.
Handling rent arrears disputes: what letting agents need to know in 2025
With private rents rising across England and Wales, it’s no surprise that rent arrears have become an increasing feature of tenancy deposit disputes. Though formal deposit disputes remain rare, affecting fewer than 1% of Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) tenancies, the most recent TDS data shows that claims for unpaid rent appeared in over one in five deposit disputes. While not as frequent as cleaning or damage disputes, rent arrears cases can be more complex, often involving misunderstandings, poor communication, or a lack of proper documentation.
UK Government pursues stronger powers to tackle tax non-compliance
Plans are afoot to strengthen HMRC (HM Revenue and Customs) to act quickly and robustly against professional tax advisers who help clients avoid paying the correct tax. Propertymark welcomes this because it aligns with our calls to the Treasury, and we support HMRC’s ambition to ensure the financial sector upholds the highest standards and integrity of the tax system.
Housing is the foundation that's needed to get Britain working
Propertymark urges the UK Government to make access to housing a central part of its welfare system reform. Without suitable affordable housing options, it will be much harder to address other barriers to work, such as improving physical and mental health or engagement with education and training. Proposals in the Pathways to Work Green Paper will overhaul the existing system and introduce new initiatives, including unemployment insurance, to create sustainable health and disability benefits and employment support.
Welsh Revenue Authority prepares for bigger role as visitor levy plans progress
A new Corporate Plan for 2025 to 2028 sets out how the Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA) will expand its responsibilities and strengthen service delivery. The plan signals a step change in the WRA’s role, with implications for agents operating across the short-term lettings and tourism sectors in Wales.
Make material information your superpower
The time it takes to complete a property sale in the UK remains stubbornly high, with buyers and sellers facing delays that can cause deals to fall through and create stress. Propertymark’s Housing Insight Report demonstrates that 32% of member agents reported it takes an average of 17 weeks or more to progress from offer to acceptance to exchange.
Four common causes of professional indemnity claims against letting and sales agents
Trust is placed in lettings and sales agents by individuals and businesses who seek expertise, knowledge and attention to detail. With that trust, however, comes risk – and that's why it's essential to consider Professional Indemnity (PI) Insurance. Gallagher, the industry-approved supplier of insurance for Propertymark, offers cover for agency businesses to help protect them from the legal costs involved should a client make a claim against them due to a mistake or incorrect advice.
Crime and Policing Bill offers new tools to address anti-social behaviour
Propertymark has submitted a response to the House of Commons Public Bill Committee's call for evidence on the Bill, focusing on key areas that affect the property sector, particularly anti-social behaviour (ASB) and the protection of vulnerable tenants from exploitation such as cuckooing and county lines activity. Our key message is clear: no matter how strong the tools , they will only work if landlords and property agents are informed and engaged in the implementation.
Trump tariffs and the UK auction market: adapting for the future
US trade tariffs are shifting global auction dynamics, and UK auctioneers are being drawn into the ripple effects of international policy. While these measures are largely designed to protect US industries from Chinese competition, theyâve also had knock-on effects on transatlantic trade, complicating the movement of goods and altering buyer behaviour in ways that UK auction businesses are starting to feel. So, how can UK auctioneers respond with confidence to a changing market?
Housing Insight Report: February 2025
It’s likely that we will now see a return to a normal pace in the sales market now that the Stamp Duty threshold changes have taken effect in England and Northern Ireland. This spurred on a spike in momentum which is likely to tail off in line with previous trends seen on the back of property tax changes.
FAQ: Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2025
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCC Act) was enacted on 24 May 2024 and provides regulation of competition in digital markets, amending the Competition Act 1998 and the Enterprise Act 2002 and encompassing the protection of consumer rights and other related rights.
Fact Sheet: UK Sanctions Reporting Obligations for High Value Dealers
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 Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) if they suspect they are engaging with a client who is under financial sanctions.