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.

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.

Jersey’s Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel's are conducting an in-depth review examining the scope for regulation of estate agents in Jersey and they have reached out to Propertymark asking for our specific contributions.

The Welsh Government has sought views on whether powers afforded to local authorities to charge a council tax premium on second homes and long-term empty properties are effective at tackling housing issues.

Propertymark has long called for greater regulation of the private rented sector in Northern Ireland, our recent response to the Assembly’s Call for Evidence cautions against the introduction of too many regulatory changes in one go, which could result in landlords exiting the sector and undermining the ambitions of the Bill.

The Scottish Government sought further evidence on its Short-Term Lets Licensing Order, under which all councils in Scotland will be required to have an operational licensing system by October 2022.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) specifically asked for data about, and insights into, experiences of dispute resolution within and outside the court system to help them understand a range of factors including drivers of engagement, outcomes, standards and skills and training.

Estate agents, letting agents and auctioneers were among those called upon to help improve the overall effectiveness of the UK’s anti-money laundering (AML) regulatory and supervisory regime.

Propertymark responded to the Scottish Government’s consultation on Building Standards (Fire Safety) on External Wall Systems.

The Scottish Government has set out a series of actions and long-term commitments in its Heat in Buildings Strategy to accelerate the decarbonisation of homes and buildings across Scotland in order to meet its net-zero target by 2045.

The 2021 Autumn Budget will be delivered on October 27 alongside a three-year spending review and HM Treasury’s call for representations to be considered as part of its decisions closed 30 September 2021.

The Welsh Parliament’s Local Government and Housing Committee recently invited views on what the priorities of the committee should be during the Sixth Senedd with emphasis on priority areas to be addressed.

The RoPA Steering Group recently consulted on its draft Block Management Sector Code as part of its commitment to elevate standards within the sector.

A new licensing scheme is being developed to help ensure that short term lets are safe and help address issues faced by local residents and communities. All Scottish councils will have to adopt a short-term lets licensing system by October 2022.

There is equally high demand for new housing between homes for private ownership, within the PRS and social housing with not enough homes available to fulfil the growth in demand.

The Law Commission has recently consulted on its draft 14th Programme of Law Reform, which sets out the areas of law that it intends to review.