Propertymark appoints Head of Policy and Campaigns
Propertymark is delighted to announce that Timothy Douglas has been appointed Head of Policy and Campaigns. Timothy joined Propertymark's policy team in 2015, and has a strong track record of delivering key campaigns and working with our members to ensure their voice is heard and they are well represented.
UK Government plans to reform Leasehold and commonhold systems
The UK Government has launched a consultation seeking views on Law Commission proposals to allow more residential leaseholders in England and Wales to buy the freehold of their property or take over the management of their buildings.
What next for Right to Rent video checks?
The Home Office is researching options for a more secure system of remote checks on UK nationals using digital verification, when current Covid measures end in April 2022.
Welsh Government opens Tenancy Hardship Grant applications
The announcement by the Minister of Climate Change Julie James MS, who also has a responsibility over housing, also marks the closure of the Tenancy Saver Loan scheme.
Commonhold Council launched
An advisory panel of leasehold and industry groups has been launched to inform the UK Government on the future of commonhold homeownership, with the aim of giving people greater control over the costs of homeownership.
The Queen's Speech 2021: four key issues for property agents
The UK Government announced their plans for the next parliamentary session in the Queen’s Speech today. The plans include several significant changes to planning rules, a new Building Safety Regulator, ground rents and the next steps for Renters Reform.
Housing a priority for Scottish political parties
Ahead of the elections on 6 May, the main political parties in Scotland have published their policies for the housing sector. We have outlined the key areas, and our own manifesto details the areas Ministers should focus on.
Land Registry requires written evidence before granting extensions
From 17 May 2021, conveyancers and solicitors will need to provide written evidence to show they have taken steps to resolve a request for information before the Land Registry will grant an extension.
Scottish First Home Fund closes its doors
The First Home Fund, a shared equity pilot scheme, was launched by the Scottish Government to provide first-time buyers with funding, however, it has closed for applications five days after it re-opened.
Long term financial plan needed for greener property sector
The UK Government announced that the Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme launched last year will close to new applications on 31 March 2021, twelve months earlier than originally planned.
Propertymark releases action plan for next Welsh Government
With the Welsh elections due to take place in May, Propertymark has published its manifesto containing key asks to support the housing sector in Wales.
Lack of direct financial support for the sector in the Budget
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has announced a number of measures affecting the property industry in the UK Government’s 2021 budget, but Propertymark believes more should be done in order to tackle COVID-related rent arrears.
Calls continue for a Welsh Housing Survey
Propertymark is continuing to back the National Residential Landlords Association’s (NRLA) in their campaign for the introduction of a Welsh Housing Survey (WHS). Laura Jones MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Housing Minister, and Mike Hedges MS, Welsh Labour Chair of the Cross Party Group for Housing recently backed the calls by stating that “a Welsh Housing Survey is needed as evidence-based policymaking should be taken as standard.”
Propertymark’s Scottish Parliament election manifesto focuses on 12 key areas
Ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections scheduled to take place on 6 May 2021, Propertymark has released its key asks to support the housing sector.
Dialogue with politicians supports Propertymark’s lobbying efforts
Lobbying is key to ensuring that our members have a voice as Government and politicians make decisions affecting the sector. One strand of lobbying work is Propertymark’s Ask The Experts parliamentary sessions, which give legislators the chance to get answers to questions on important property sector issues.
Further extension on ban on evictions and mediation pilot announced
On 14 February, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick announced a further extension to the ban on bailiff evictions in order to ‘continue to support renters during the ongoing national lockdown restrictions’.