The professional body
for the property sector

Westminster City Council wants a change in the law to allow local authorities to take control of private sector properties when they have been left empty for more than six months, significantly reducing the current threshold under the national Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO) framework. Propertymark recognises the vital importance of maximising housing supply and supporting sensible measures that bring empty homes back into use, however, we do, advocate for approaches that are proportionate, transparent, and fair to property owners.

With private rents rising across England and Wales, it’s no surprise that rent arrears have become an increasing feature of tenancy deposit disputes. Though formal deposit disputes remain rare, affecting fewer than 1% of Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) tenancies, the most recent TDS data shows that claims for unpaid rent appeared in over one in five deposit disputes. While not as frequent as cleaning or damage disputes, rent arrears cases can be more complex, often involving misunderstandings, poor communication, or a lack of proper documentation.

A major consultation for a new Land Use Framework aims to balance the need for 1.5 million new homes, expansion of energy infrastructure, and the creation of new towns, alongside the protection of the environment and the transition to a low-carbon economy. Propertymark supports a balanced approach to changes in land use, however, we believe the UK Government has significantly underestimated the land required for residential development.