Prioritising clear, proactive communication, ensuring transparent agreements and fees, and keeping robust records of actions and transactions are the top ways agents can reduce the likelihood of complaints escalating to formal disputes in an increasingly regulated housing market. The findings from The Property Ombudsman (TPO) reinforce the value of strong training, clear processes, and high service standards in maintaining trust with consumers and protecting the reputation of the sector.

With elections to the Senedd approaching, we have set out clear priorities for the next Welsh Government to support a stable, professional and sustainable housing sector. Our new manifesto, published in Welsh and English, outlines practical steps to increase supply, raise standards and support property professionals, while ensuring consumers are protected.

Recent headlines may have made fraud sound like a fast-growing threat across the whole market; however, HM Land Registry’s own figures show that in 2024–25 it received 4,429,092 applications to create or update the register and identified only 86 as fraudulent, or just over 0.0019 per cent. Even so, the sums involved can be significant. In the same year, HM Land Registry says it prevented the registration of fraudulent applications against more than £59 million worth of property.

The 2025 data reveal a sharp rise in consumer complaints across the property sector, with a 47% increase compared with 2024 and a 77% rise since 2023. While many cases are resolved quickly, the figures highlight the types of issues that most often lead to disputes and where improvements can help prevent problems from escalating.

Reforms coming into force during 2026, following the Employment Rights Act 2025, will affect recruitment, staff management, and workplace policies across the UK, including in property agencies. With many firms employing a mix of negotiators, property managers, administrative staff, and apprentices, understanding the changes early will help agencies remain compliant and continue to operate effectively.

Whilst nothing significant was delivered defining housing policy, the statement set the tone for future decisions. Yet, without sustained, targeted support for housing, the underlying pressures in the property market will remain. Transactions depend on confidence, investment depends on stability, and supply depends on a coherent long-term strategy.

The Q4 2025 Auctions Barometer reveals a sector gaining confidence as base rates ease and digital innovation accelerates. With rising lot numbers, strong reserve price performance, and online formats leading the way, the report highlights how auctioneers are adapting to economic shifts while continuing to deliver results for buyers and sellers across the UK.

Latest insights reveal the sector is showing growing resilience, with easing inflation, a lower base rate, and rising rents helping to rebuild confidence despite ongoing structural challenges. Shifting consumer behaviour, targeted regeneration, and smarter use of data and technology are set to define the next phase of commercial property growth.

New analysis of a decade of homemover data shows that buyers aged 50 – 59 are now the fastest-growing segment of the UK housing market. The findings highlight a significant shift in market activity that agents should factor into their business planning and service offerings. The growth of the older buyer group does not signal a decline in other segments. However, it does underline the importance of understanding who is driving transactions at any given time.

Energy efficiency policy has major implications for the private rented sector (PRS), homebuyers and sellers, and the wider housing market. Our response to the UK Government’s consultation on reforms to Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and the introduction of the Home Energy Model sets out clear recommendations to ensure changes are grounded in real-world property conditions and avoid unintended consequences for supply.

The new Board formalises the separation between Propertymark’s regulatory and representative functions, ensuring that regulation is independent, impartial and firmly focused on the public interest. This approach aligns us with best practice across other regulated professional sectors, reinforcing our long-standing commitment to high standards and accountability and strengthening professionalism, transparency and public trust across the property sector.

All visitor accommodation in Wales will need to be registered under new Welsh Government legislation, and agents should act now to support their landlords and avoid disruption when the new system goes live. Propertymark has engaged closely with the Welsh Government throughout the development of these proposals, focussing on ensuring that any new framework is proportionate, workable for agents and landlords, and recognises the wider housing pressures facing Wales.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued hundreds of thousands of pounds in new fines to property agents for failures to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, reinforcing the consequences of getting compliance wrong. The latest enforcement action covers the 2025–26 reporting period and includes 170 penalties issued to estate agency businesses, totalling more than £835,000. Letting agents are also within HMRC’s supervisory scope where transactions meet the required thresholds.

Màiri McAllan MSP has written to the UK Government, warning that current rates are failing to keep pace with the cost of renting, increasing the risk of homelessness and placing additional strain on local authorities and temporary accommodation budgets. While housing policy is devolved, LHA rates remain reserved to Westminster. The current approach is unsustainable, and we are continuing to call for meaningful reform to ensure welfare support reflects real-world rental costs.

The UK housing market shows cautious resilience as buyer demand and sales volumes rise, but long transaction times and falling stock continue to limit momentum. In the rental sector, tenant demand has eased slightly, yet pressure remains intense as supply stays tight, rents continue to rise, and uncertainty unsettles landlords and tenants.