Propertymark is urging estate agents to gain professional qualifications ahead of planned regulatory reforms, following the government’s latest proposals to modernise the homebuying and selling process.
As part of its reforms, the government has confirmed that a non-statutory Code of Practice will be published later this year and that it intends to consult in 2027 on introducing mandatory qualifications for estate and letting agents in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The proposals mark the most significant progress since the Regulation of Property Agents (RoPA) Working Group published its recommendations in 2019.
While the reforms are primarily aimed at improving the speed and reliability of property transactions, they also signal a renewed focus on raising professional standards across the sector.
Propertymark said agents should prepare now rather than wait for regulation to become mandatory. Its members already commit to recognised qualifications, a code of conduct and independent regulation on a voluntary basis.
The organisation also pointed to growing demand for qualifications. During 2025, almost 3,500 new learners registered for Propertymark courses, 7,400 examinations were completed and 1,500 qualifications were awarded.
Nathan Emerson, CEO at Propertymark, said: “A code of practice and mandatory qualifications for property agents are two changes that Propertymark has long campaigned for, and we welcome their inclusion within the UK Government’s proposed homebuying and selling reforms.
“However, with consultation on mandatory qualifications not expected until 2027, there is no reason for property professionals to wait. Agents can take proactive steps now by gaining recognised qualifications and demonstrating their commitment to higher standards.
“With growing consumer awareness of Propertymark’s work and increasing demand for professional qualifications, there has never been a better time to invest in becoming a qualified property professional.”
Comments (6)
Is this the same Propertymark, the professional body and trade association for UK estate and letting agents, that paid Angela Rayner a £20,000 fee for a two-hour speaking engagement at their Propertymark One conference
Propertymark – ROPA IS GOOD!
Also Propertymark – Buy our qualifications!
Definitely not a conflict of interest there.
But agents are the least of your worries, LANDLORDS are the ones that need to be regulated as by comparison to property professionals, their knowledge can be shocking.
My staff have been employed and have worked in this game for decades. They should receive grand father rights, especially after this years RRB learning.
I remember when financial services became regulated, including mortgage advisers. The principle was clear: regulate the people providing the advice, not just the product providers.
So why, when it comes to property, does it seem to be a case of regulating the agents while leaving landlords largely outside the same framework?
What concerns me most is Propertymark actively campaigning for mandatory qualifications and regulation of agents while financially benefiting from that very system through training, examinations and membership. That raises a serious question: is this really about protecting consumers and raising standards, or is it also about creating a bigger revenue stream for Propertymark?
The contrast with the NRLA is striking. They represent private landlords without apparently campaigning for the same kind of mandatory professional qualification regime for their members.
If regulation is genuinely about raising standards and protecting consumers, then surely both landlords and agents should be held to appropriate standards—not one organisation pushing for regulation of the very professionals who fund it.
Agents should be asking themselves: who is actually representing our interests?
It’s landlords managing themselves who need to be regulated. Otherwise they should have to use agents.
The problem is the majority of letting people in offices are minimum wagers with no life experience.