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.

Fraudsters exploited the vulnerabilities in the property transaction system by stealing a homeowner’s identity and using a fake driving license to set up a bank account in his name to facilitate a sale in 2021. After four years, on 11 March 2025, a County Court finally granted the owner full possession of his home.

The Independent Working Group on Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in Scotland has published its multi-sector review of ASB and recommended improved prevention, early intervention and victim support. Propertymark took part in the review, and we welcome many of the Group’s suggestions, however, we now call on the Scottish Government to complete a more targeted review of ASB in the housing sector.

Officers at Portsmouth Council investigated the unnamed business when concerns were raised that a significant number of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) under their management were unlicensed and overcrowded.

A Local Authority has been given the go ahead by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to repossess a rental property left empty and in disrepair since 2018. Objections raised by the property owner were overruled by a Planning Inspectorate hearing and the Council will now ensure the building is sold to a new owner who will renovate and occupy it within a reasonable timeframe.

The culprit claimed she could not afford to carry out maintenance at the property, and ignored an Improvement Notice and further requests from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). For several years, tenants at the property were forced to put up with a temperamental boiler that often left them without heating or hot water, as well as a condemned cooker. An HSE investigation found that the landlord was receiving full rent from the tenant at the time enforcement action was taken.

Our Policy and Campaigns team was invited to feed into an independent working group on anti-social behaviour (ASB) commissioned by the Scottish Minister for Victims and Community Safety. Insight from members highlighted key areas where the Scottish Government can improve its approach to preventing and tackling ASB in the private rented sector (PRS), and what support is needed by agents.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced that fines totalling over £1.6 million have been issued for a variety of breaches including missing documentation, incomplete due diligence, and failures to recognise specific risks, such as Politically Exposed Persons, high risk jurisdictions, companies, trusts and sanctions.

Letting agents and landlords who disregard safety and licensing laws are increasingly facing action from authorities determined to crack down on poor practices and protect renters. Propertymark works hard to regulate our members and make sure consumers know how to access a professional agent. Our members demonstrate their commitment to working to higher standards than the law requires, and have access to training, CPD, and compliance support to ensure both they and their businesses are up to date with relevant standards and legislation.

Watford Council prosecuted the self-managing landlord for failure to put things right after an inspection discovered conditions in the property posed a severe health risk to the tenants.

Underscoring the obligation for letting agents or landlords provide a record to tenants immediately after any gas safety check, the ruling highlights it’s not just in cases of new gas appliance installation or within the initial twelve months of a tenancy. Failing to do this could have serious consequences for regaining possession of the property.

Property agents should be aware of potential risks and help educate their clients and tenants to be on the lookout for common scams, especially with growing awareness that decarbonising homes is on the UK Government's agenda.

The companies were ejected after failing to pay compensation to consumers, bringing the total number of expulsions in 2023 to 13, down from 18 in 2022. Both businesses were referred to The Property Ombudsman (TPO) Compliance Committee, which ruled that they should be excluded from the scheme.

Middlesborough Council who issued the charges has defended it by saying each of the 52 flats in Linthorpe Hall 248 are eligible for the fee under their current selective licensing scheme, which began in 2019.

A Welsh Government White Paper has set out plans to consolidate nine devolved tribunals into a single coherent system which includes both First-Tier and Appeal tribunals. The reforms are intended to create a structure that is easier for users to navigate, allows better management of cases, and more effective use of resources.