Since 1 May 2026, landlords who want to sell a tenanted property must rely on specific possession grounds under Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988. For sales agents and auctioneers, this changes how rented property is valued, marketed and sold. Sellers may still be able to sell with vacant possession, but the process is no longer as straightforward as many landlords expect.

The UK Government has set out its plans for reform, with changes aimed at making transactions faster, clearer, and more reliable. The roadmap points towards a more structured, more digital, and more accountable system which aims to reduce delays and fall-throughs. It will also place greater expectations on agents to gather, explain, share, and manage information from the start of the process.

Property auctions can offer speed, certainty and access to properties that may not be available through the traditional sales market. However, analysis of complaint data from The Property Ombudsman (TPO) shows that consumer understanding cannot be left to chance. The findings suggest that consumers are entering the process without appreciating the risks, timescales, fees, or the point at which they become legally or financially committed.

Transactions are taking longer than at any point in recent years, creating uncertainty for consumers and placing additional pressure on property agents working to keep chains together. Although market activity is showing some resilience, movers are facing waits of up to 17 weeks to exchange, exposing ongoing inefficiencies in the system.

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.

Propertymark supports the UK Government’s ambition to reform the home buying and selling process and agrees that change is long overdue. Reform must be practical, proportionate and focused on outcomes. By improving upfront information, raising professional standards, embracing digital solutions and reducing duplication, reform can deliver faster, more reliable transactions that work for agents, consumers and the wider economy.

The Property Ombudsman (TPO) has issued new guidance in responding to growing concern about the prevalence of aggressive practices in the home-buying process, empowering buyers to recognise and challenge unfair practices. With complaints on the rise and increased scrutiny from redress schemes and Trading Standards, estate agents should take time to review their processes, staff training and messaging to ensure compliance.

Despite a multi-year commitment to affordable housing supply and increased investment in acquisitions and homelessness prevention, it is surprising that the Scottish Government is yet again failing to tackle the housing emergency, and the Budget misses an important opportunity to address the growing tax burden on housing. At a time of acute housing pressure, Scotland needs policies that encourage mobility and investment across all tenures.

Head of Policy and Campaigns, Timothy Douglas, has followed up our written submission to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee inquiry into housing affordability with in-person evidence on 6 January 2026. Our evidence reinforces the need for a joined-up approach to affordability which considers housing supply, rental market pressures, financial products, taxation, and consumer costs together.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has confirmed a wide-ranging review of mortgage rules to support sustainable home ownership while ensuring standards of consumer protection remain high. The reform signals positive change on the horizon for first- and last-time buyers, self-employed people, and vulnerable customers, who may have experienced limited access to borrowing under the current rules.

Propertymark has worked tirelessly to ensure members’ voices are heard, practical concerns are addressed, and reforms are workable as the UK and devolved governments have pushed ahead with major legislative changes. Long-standing challenges around supply, affordability and standards have remained firmly in focus, and we will continue to scrutinise legislation, challenge unclear proposals and provide practical guidance to support members as reforms move from policy into practice across the UK.

Joining industry leaders at FutureFinance.AI Proptech conference on 7 November 2025, our CEO, Nathan Emerson, discussed the crucial role that data quality and regulatory reform will play in driving growth and emphasised that agents need to have confidence that the digital product will have longevity before making significant investments.

Plans for a transparent and balanced system are welcome and could have significant benefits for Scotland’s regeneration and housing ambitions. However, reform must not come at the expense of fairness. Clearer legislation, early engagement, and collaboration with qualified property professionals will ensure that public projects can proceed efficiently while protecting the rights and confidence of property owners and agents.

By 2035, automation, AI, and digital registers will speed up transactions and strengthen fraud protection, bringing major opportunities and responsibilities for property agents. HM Land Registry’s (HMLR) ambitious plan will reshape how information is stored, verified and shared across the property sector.

A package of fundamental reforms, centred on upfront information, digital data and ID, higher professional standards, and earlier binding agreements, has been released for a 12-week public consultation. Designed to make home moves quicker, more certain, and less stressful, the changes could cut typical timelines by up to four weeks and save consumers about £255m a year, according to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).