Property industry news
Housing (Scotland) Bill published
Introduced to the Scottish Parliament on 26 March 2024, the Bill sets out plans to make changes to the law, covering rent controls, tenants’ rights to keep pets and decorate their homes, and a mechanism to delay evictions under certain circumstances.
Homeowners to have more time to claim back tax payments
Propertymark supports Welsh Government proposals to extend the time allowed to apply for refunds and exemptions to land transaction tax (LTT) higher residential rates for taxpayers affected by fire safety defects or emergency restrictions but calls for the Covid-19 restrictions to be included.
MPs call for a guarantee that benefits will be uprated annually
After campaigning over several years, Propertymark welcomes the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee’s recommendations of an annual uprate of working-age benefits and Local Housing Allowance (LHA).
Lords tell UK Government to get on with agent regulation
Following a short inquiry, at which Propertymark gave evidence, the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee has bluntly asked the UK Government why it has not yet established a regulator of property agents, four years after it committed to doing so.
London Mayor ordered to take further action on housing plan
Rt Hon Michael Gove, MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, has demanded a partial review of the London Plan focusing on industrial land and opportunity areas in the capital, and wants the average rate of delivery to increase from 37,200 to more than 62,300 homes a year to tackle housing delivery backlogs.
The importance of managing property boards
Agents mustn't become complacent when it comes to property sales and lettings boards, as badly maintained, or illegally erected ones can cause injury or nuisance and could result in legal action.
Reforming the PRS: landlord views of the Renters (Reform) Bill
In this report, we share insights into the Renters (Reform) Bill from the perspective of landlords, which was obtained via Propertymark letting agent members' landlords. If the Bill is implemented, landlords whose properties are managed by Propertymark member agents will receive professional support to assist with implementation and compliance. However, it remains to be seen if the UK Government plan to provide further guidance, and whether it is sufficient to support self-managing landlords.
New homes to boost progress to net zero
The UK Government’s detailed proposals for the 2025 Future Homes and Buildings Standards will amend existing legislation to set new minimum energy efficiency requirements for buildings in England. Most changes will apply to new homes and non-domestic buildings and should ensure no further work will be needed for new buildings to produce zero carbon emissions as the electricity grid decarbonises.
Information for agents about XL Bully dog rules
Following several high-profile attacks by XL Bully dogs in recent years governments across the UK have put measures in place to ban the breed and impose requirements on people who own them. There has been understandable concern from agents and landlords about the implications for them of the introduction and operation of the new safeguards.
Propertymark outlines the importance of protecting fixed-term tenancies
During a meeting with Housing Minister, Jacob Young MP, who has responsibility for the Renters (Reform) Bill, our CEO and Head of Policy and Campaigns outlined why the retaining of fixed-term tenancies will provide security for tenants and increase flexibility in the private rented sector.
Economic Crime levy to increase after income target missed
Very large property agencies, based on their UK revenue, will see contributions to the Levy double from April 2024 after receipts for the period April 2022 to March 2023 showed a shortfall against the target of raising £100 million per year, which is used as long-term sustainable funding to tackle economic crime.
Double tax on empty homes takes effect on 1 April 2024
Homes in England with no residents will attract a council tax premium of up to 100% from next month as tax reforms aimed at supporting people in areas where empty properties prevent them from finding affordable housing come into force.