Propertymark has defended its decision to invite Angela Rayner as a speaker, despite industry backlash, noting that the former housing secretary and deputy prime minister is “highly expected” to return to frontline politics soon – making her a timely and authoritative voice for delegates at Propertymark One in London on 12 June.
Her confirmation last week drew criticism from some agents, with comments posted on Property Industry Eye expressing concerns over her participation.
During her tenure as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Rayner oversaw significant legislative changes affecting the private rented sector, including the Renters’ Rights Act and the Planning and Infrastructure Act, and set a target to deliver 1.5 million new homes in England during the current parliamentary term.
Her appearance comes amid ongoing reform in the housing sector, with regulatory and legislative developments remaining a central focus for property professionals.
Responding to the negative comments on Property Industry Eye, Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, told this publication: “Propertymark One has always been focused on bringing a wide range of relevant speakers direct to an audience who are passionate about their profession.
“Each year we invite government ministers to attend along with alternative well-known names from across the political arena to speak on stage, and while Angela Rayner could be viewed as controversial for a number of reasons, her appearance though will provide a very rare opportunity to listen to a central figure who has recently been directly responsible for implementing many new housing policies we are experiencing today.
Someone not reading the room it seems.
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So typical of property mark, completely selfish and out of touch with the members.
As if rayner or anyone else in government will listen to or care about landlords and agents, they hate us and are determined to destroy our industry before they retire with their gold plated pensions.
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What an embarrassing decision on behalf of our industry.
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Vote with your feet.
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Propertymark have shot themselves in the foot with this. If the members do not approve, they should, as you say, vote with their feet and membership fees.
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Don’t know why people are so concerned; she won’t be able to attend. She’ll be Prime Minister by then
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Propertymark should remain politically neutral in what is already a deeply divided industry. Rather than appearing to align with any political agenda, the organisation should focus solely on representing and protecting the interests of its members.
Many members feel uncomfortable with political participation at Propertymark events. The priority should be upholding professional standards and supporting those who operate legitimately and ethically within the sector.
If a Propertymark member were found to have acted unlawfully, particularly in matters such as tax evasion they would likely face serious prosecution action, including the potential loss of membership. The same principle of accountability should apply consistently. It is important that standards are upheld across the board, and that unlawful behaviour is not seen to be endorsed or overlooked by an organisation that represents professional integrity within the industry.
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Kelvin MacKenzie (ex Sun editor etc) reporting on X that Propertymark are paying Rayner “around £15,000”. If so, it’s a dreadful waste of members money.
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Property Mark “defence” response to have lets say a candidate with a minuscule of property insight along with an alternative / different presentation as opposed to usual candidates is unacceptable.
The above comment certainly points out if a member acts incorrectly or “criminally” let’s say tax avoidance – likely to be struck off.
I really do wonder at Property Mark where they get this deluded idea to engage some one like Rayner to address a professional audience.
Perhaps Property Mark might have some one like Gerald’ Rayner lined up to talk about marketing & promotion.
Lastly it beggars belief this government has proven how “good & caring” they are with possibilities of Rayner resurfacing again – need one day more.
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Kelvin MacKenzie
@kelvmackenzie
You couldn’t make this up. Angela Rayner is to pocket around £15,000 for speaking at an estate agents and landlords conference in London in June about the challenges of leadership and decision making. Decision making? Shall I pay £40K stamp duty on my house or not bother? Mmmm
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At Propertymark Two will they have Rachel Reeves from Complaints to discuss landlord licensing.?
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To add to my comment as above – typo being Gerald Ratner as opposed to Gerald Rayner- there being such a similarity of two losers.
Am I correct in saying Property Mark are actually paying Rayner £15,000 ? If so just goes to show the poor judgement & waste of members money.
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DILY MAIL
Three-homes Rayner set to pick up five-figure sum from speaking gig at estate agents’ conference
By GABRIEL MILLARD-CLOTHIER, POLITICAL REPORTER
Published: 00:49, 1 March 2026 | Updated: 02:01, 1 March 2026
Angela Rayner is set to earn a five-figure sum as the keynote speaker at an estate agents’ conference this summer – just months after she was forced to quit the Cabinet over her property dealings.
The former Deputy Prime Minister is booked to speak at the £200-a-head ‘propertymark one’ event in June.
It emerged with Ms Rayner still awaiting the result of an HMRC inquiry into the tax row that led to her resignation last year over claims she failed to pay a £40,000 stamp duty bill on her new £800,000 flat in Hove.
She quit as Deputy PM and Housing Secretary last September over the row although allies have since claimed that she will be cleared by the inquiry for making an ‘inadvertent error’.
The sum for her speaking gig could help to pay that bill.
Last night, Tory party chairman Kevin Hollinrake took aim at Ms Rayner’s speaking engagement.
He told the Mail on Sunday: ‘Only in the world of the champagne socialism could someone resign in disgrace as Housing Secretary over not paying their property taxes and then pop-up weeks later earning thousands for a star turn at a property conference.’
According to advance publicity for Ms Rayner’s speech, she will tell estate agents about the ‘challenges of leadership and decision-making in complex environments’.
Tory party chairman Kevin Hollinrake told the Mail: ‘Only in the world of the champagne socialism could someone resign in disgrace as Housing Secretary over not paying their property taxes and then pop-up weeks later earning thousands for a star turn at a property conference’
The conference, in London’s Excel Centre, is billed as ‘not just an event – it’s an experience’.
There will also be an ‘after party’, ticketed at £75-a-head.
One Labour insider joked that if Ms Rayner attends that party, she can demonstrate how to make her famous ‘venom’ cocktail comprised of a bottle of vodka, a bottle of Southern Comfort whiskey, ten bottles of blue WKD and a litre of pure orange juice.
Ms Rayner was contacted for comment.
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They have had all weekend to reconsider their position and they decide to double down.
Maybe it will be a sell out. Take you pick:
An event for which all tickets are sold.
A betrayal of one’s principles for reasons of expedience.
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I get a ‘free’ ticket as part of my Company Advantage membership so may still go. If I do attend, I will go to Angela’s talk and get up and leave the room as she gets on stage, perhaps others would like to join me in making the same protest?
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I also get a free ticket and may still attend. If they don’t sack her off in the meantime I would join your walk out.
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There is a disconnect between PM and agents. When income is more important than representation the problems start.
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This is simple really – no agent or anyone should attend which hopefully will embarrass Property Mark for such a foolhardy idea to engage a loser & devoid Rayner of a £15k fee. Anyone even the curious attending shows exceptionally poor judgement.
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Cancelled my ticket, admittedly it was free with my membership so I thought I’d do the polite thing and let PM know. Sent an email to cancel… heard absolutely nothing back.
So I called. The receptionist who answered hadn’t the faintest idea who I needed to speak to and passed me over to “membership” where, naturally, the line went dead. Outstanding service as always.
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Latest From PropertyMark in justification to the controversy.
We know how tough it feels to work in property right now.
Renters’ Rights. Disruption to leasehold markets following incomplete reform. New Employment Rights legislation. National Insurance increases. Rising minimum wage costs. Reduced supply and fragile consumer confidence.
The pressure on margins and compliance is real.
That’s why Propertymark exists — to fight your corner, make your voice heard in the corridors of power, and hold legislators to account.
I continue to listen and talk to members every day. Propertymark support remains focused on your day-to-day issues:
Dedicated helplines, quality guidance, specialist templates and resources
Expert-led webinars on legislative change
Independent regulation that strengthens your credibility
Company Advantage, helping thousands of members reduce business costs
And much more, in addition to 4 years of artificially suppressed membership fees, despite inflationary pressures
Propertymark One is focused on personal performance and business profits — tax and finance, compliance, profitability, representation and regulation.
But support alone is not enough. Representation matters.
And crucially, #PM1 is your only opportunity to put your questions directly to Angela Rayner.
As Secretary of State, she was responsible for wide-scale lettings and leasehold reform — decisions with long-term consequences for sales and rental markets. Those reforms have shaped the property sector across the country.
At #PM1, she will answer delegates’ questions in the room.
This is not about endorsement. It is about accountability.
If policymakers are to make better decisions in future, they must hear directly from the professionals delivering services on the ground. This is your chance to be heard.
Be in the room.
Ask the questions.
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A politician answering questions. That is a novel idea.
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