When the Lionesses lifted the UEFA Women’s Euro trophy, the nation rightly celebrated their sporting prowess — but their journey to the top was no fluke. It was the product of years of targeted investment in grassroots infrastructure, coaching, and pathways for talent development. In short, a long-term plan with delivered results.

All sales and letting agents in England are urged to share their experience to inform the future of property industry qualifications and regulation. Propertymark strongly supports the introduction of professional standards and mandatory qualifications – regulation is essential to improve trust , protect consumers, and ensure high standards across the board. This survey will provide decision-makers with a clear picture of the current landscape and help influence how any new regime is implemented.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (LAFRA) was fast tracked through Parliament in May 2024, ahead of the last UK general election, but not all sections of the legislation have yet been brought into force. The reforms affect approximately 4.5 million leasehold homes in England and Wales, but are now being challenged by freeholders, who claim the provisions infringe their human rights.

The UK Government has set a deadline for the removal of unsafe cladding in England and introduced a new Remediation Bill to ensure that building owners will face legal consequences if they do not rectify life-critical fire safety defects in residential buildings over 11 metres in height by the end of 2031.

The Building Safety Levy (England) Regulations 2025 have been laid before Parliament, marking a significant step in the UK Government’s ongoing effort to secure swift remediation of buildings with historical safety defects. Subject to approval, the Levy will be charged to developers and used to pay for the remediation of building safety defects, protecting leaseholders from those costs, and is expected to raise £3.5 billion over ten years.

194 agents have incurred penalties totalling over £1 million for breaches identified by HM Revenue and Customs between October 2024 and March 2025. The vast majority are a result of failing to register for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) supervision on time – the most common reason agents are fined. This highlights how important it is for property professionals to understand the rules, apply correctly, and maintain an up-to-date registration with HMRC.

July 2025 will see the first EICRs expire following the Electrical Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) regulations coming into force in July 2020 for new tenancies and April 2021 for existing tenancies. Approaching expiry dates should be checked to allow time to arrange contractors and inspections, and any follow-up actions should be suitably recorded.

Upward-only rent reviews will be outlawed in new leases across England and Wales under the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. Concerns have been raised by the sector about how this move could affect property values and investor confidence. Plus, a shift of this magnitude requires careful implementation to prevent unintended consequences for future development and commercial supply.

In a significant policy announcement on 15 July 2025, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, MP, unveiled plans to enhance homeownership opportunities across the UK by providing government backing to lenders who offer mortgages with deposits as low as 5%. By making this scheme permanent, the UK Government aims to stabilise the housing market and assist more people in becoming homeowners.

The Bill has completed its journey through the House of Lords, bringing significant changes and implications for letting agents and landlords. It will now return to the House of Commons for approval of the amendments from 8 September 2025. Here's our summary of the main changes that agents need to be aware of, and how Propertymark is supporting members through the transition.

The Social and Affordable Homes Programme, as outlined in the June 2025 Spending Review, has been announced, which will see 300,000 homes delivered across England, with at least 60% for social rent.

Reforms include longer tenancy requirements, reduced discounts, and new protections to improve delivery, reduce fraud, and help councils replace the homes they lose have been announced by the UK Government following a consultation period.

All new tenancies in England will become open-ended periodic tenancies with a rent period not exceeding a month, with existing tenancies converted, too. Landlords will no longer be able to serve a Section 21 or old-style Section 8 notices to evict tenants, ending fixed-term contracts and overturning decades of rental practice.

A new Building Safety (Wales) Bill has been introduced in the Senedd that includes wide-ranging reforms to improve the safety of flats and other multi-occupied residential buildings, with guidance expected later this year.

Sweeping changes have been announced in a bid to accelerate housebuilding and clear the backlog of stalled high-rise projects, with updated operational guidance expected in the Autumn alongside further steps to establish the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) as a standalone construction regulator.

A record £7.9 billion has been committed over ten years to protect hundreds of thousands of homes, small businesses, and vital infrastructure from the growing threat of flooding. From high-performance flood barriers to nature-based solutions like wetland restoration, the programme will deliver long-term protection for communities and strengthen local economies, delivering on the UK Government’s Plan for Change.