Jas Athwal, MP, has endured a weekend of backlash after reports revealed his tenants were living in flats containing black mould and an infestation of ants. It was also discovered that Mr Athwal, previously the leader of Redbridge Council who introduced the scheme, had not correctly renewed the selective licences for his properties.

To represent Propertymark members’ views and the property sector to ensure their voices are heard, we interpret key policy developments and lobby for change. Working with members, we research and survey to develop evidence-based arguments to campaign for policy change across the devolved nations on issues, including supply of property, tenancy management, economic crime, property taxation, enforcement, material information, and welfare reform.

At the Propertymark AGM today, 28 June 2024, we welcomed three newly elected members of the Propertymark Board and marked the beginning of fresh Presidential terms for the ARLA Propertymark and NAEA Propertymark Advisory Panels. This year's successful Vice-Presidents were also announced and will join the presidential teams for the sales and lettings divisions.

A brand new Propertymark Qualifications Level 3 (Level 6 SCQF) Certificate in Property Agency was opened for registrations on 14 June 2024 at Propertymark One. This revolutionary new qualification is, for the first time, modular-based, enabling learners to personalise their units relating to specialisms and location with the ability to complete extra units to gain wider sector expertise.

Connect is an exciting new intuitive, bespoke tech platform offering property agents an unprecedented opportunity to deliver potential instructions, increase portfolios and harness an additional income stream.

This decade has presented a near total transformation of the property sector with reduced confidence and supply, economic and interest rate uncertainty, dramatic changes in the conduct of consumers, new expectations among the workforce and the introduction of AI, the consequences of which are still being understood. As the only professional body dedicated to supporting sales, lettings, commercial agents, and auctioneers, Propertymark has reassessed not only the services we offer, but the whole structure of membership.

Throughout 2023 the drive has been to offer continued improvements for our members. We are investing in solutions that solve your problems and keep our members ahead of the game — be that through technology, partnerships, or people — with an offer that is focused on quality and value for money.

Six months have now passed since we launched our dedicated Lettings Helpline, providing unlimited free advice to members in England and Wales from landlord and tenant specialists. For many, it has become an essential membership benefit for dealing with lettings issues, no matter how complex, plus, we have ambitious plans to grow the service further.

From 1 March over 200 new members from across the Belvoir Group will become Propertymark Protected, enhancing their existing commitments to honesty, transparency, professionalism and going the extra mile for their clients. We are delighted that Belvoir recognises and values the growing consumer recognition of Propertymark Protection, which eligible members display in branches and on websites.

Thanks to fantastic engagement from members and delegates at Propertymark One, we have made a donation of £5,200 to industry charity Agents Giving to help fund their mission to encourage, support and advocate for fundraising activities that make a real difference to people’s lives.

Acknowledging the impact of ongoing inflationary pressure and high-interest rates, we are delighted to announce that fees for all membership grades will remain at 2023 levels, demonstrating our desire to support members during challenging times.

Richard Worrall, the newly appointed President of NAVA Propertymark, shares his vision for the auctions division, outlining his ambition to help grow the membership fuelled by his drive and determination to make a difference.