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 2021 (11 May), which includes several significant changes to planning rules, a new Building Safety Regulator, ground rents, and the next steps for Renters Reform.

End to ground rents confirmed

In today’s speech, there was the welcome confirmation of leasehold reform, which will put an end to ground rents as per the announcement from the Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, earlier in the year.

Propertymark has campaigned for years for changes to the leasehold system to resolve the issue of escalating ground rent. We have responded to multiple consultations and in 2018 our research Leasehold: A Life Sentence found that 46 per cent of leasehold house owners were unaware of the escalating ground rent when they purchased their property.

Today’s confirmation is a step in the right direction, however, we encourage the UK Government to extend this to those who already own a leasehold property, as well as all retirement properties, to create a level playing field.

Find out more on Leasehold Reform with NAEA Propertymark’s FAQ Document.

New Building Safety Regulator

As part of the Building Safety Bill, the UK Government intend to establish a new regulator for building safety along with substantial reforms to the building safety regime. A draft Building Safety Bill has already had pre-legislative scrutiny. It was included in the 2019 Queen’s Speech and published in draft form last July. In September last year, we highlighted concerns with the proposals, including the role of estate and letting agents when buying, selling and renting property, material information, and the remediation of any unsafe cladding.

Planning reform and homeownership

Another key announcement in today’s speech was a new Planning Bill, which aims to simplify and speed up the planning process while making it harder for homeowners to block new housing schemes.

With the recent repeated months of record-breaking activity, there is a severe lack of housing stock so simplifying the planning process and increasing the amount of house building will be a welcome answer to this growing problem, however, it must be used effectively at a local level.

Mark Hayward, Propertymark Chief Policy Advisor, said:

“A greater supply of homes will serve to correct the imbalance between supply and demand which has been intensified by the stamp duty holiday. The government has made a number of announcements in the past on simplifying the planning process, however, this will only work if it really reflects local needs and demands.

“We hope the Planning Bill outlined today encourages the development of housing in more affordable areas, as at the moment, most of the development taking place is in areas that are unaffordable to first-time and lower-income buyers.”

Renters’ Reform

Finally, there will be some developments in the coming months for reform in the private rented sector.

The UK Government’s consultation response on reforming tenancy law to abolish Section 21 will be published later this year, along with their proposals on the ‘lifetime’ tenancy deposit scheme. A White Paper detailing the whole reform package will be published in the Autumn with legislation following shortly after.

Timothy Douglas, Propertymark Policy and Campaigns Manager, said:

“The announcement in today’s Queen’s Speech that the UK Government will publish a Renters Reform White Paper in the Autumn demonstrates that Ministers are prepared to engage with the industry to understand the impact any substantial legislative changes will have on those involved in the private rented sector.

“With the focus of the new package on lifetime deposits, landlord redress and greater enforcement, the UK Government must look at ensuring that a system that would allow deposits to be passported can only take place if there is a bridging loan, with the UK Government as the guarantor, in order to ensure the remaining part of the deposit is covered should the tenant default. Additionally, the UK Government must prevent ‘double jeopardy’ and only extend redress membership to properties that are fully managed.

“Propertymark will be engaging with MHCLG and MPs to ensure they fully understand the consequences of any changes. We will also be scrutinising the White Paper and proposed legislation, to ensure the best possible outcome for our members.”

Further details about the UK Government’s agenda as set out in the Queen’s Speech can be found at here.

Kindly shared by NAEA Propertymark