Propertymark Sets Out Housing Priorities Ahead of Senedd Elections

With the 2026 Senedd elections fast approaching, the property profession’s attention is firmly fixed on which policies the incoming Welsh Government will pursue. Propertymark, the professional body representing estate and letting agents across the UK, has weighed in with a dedicated Welsh housing manifesto, setting out what it believes must change if the country’s housing market is to function more effectively for buyers, sellers, tenants, and landlords alike.

The document, published in both Welsh and English under the title Boosting Housing and Growth for Wales, draws on the experiences of property professionals working on the front line across the country. It arrives at a time when housing is expected to be one of the defining issues of the election campaign, with pressure mounting across both the sales and rental markets.

Building More Homes Across Every Tenure

At the heart of Propertymark’s proposals is a call for a significant uplift in housing supply. The manifesto argues that Wales needs more homes across the board, not just social housing, but also private rental properties and homes available for owner-occupation. It highlights the planning system as a key area for reform, advocating for more consistent, better-resourced local planning processes that are properly aligned with genuine demand for different types of housing in different communities.

The organisation is also pushing for an infrastructure-led approach to new developments, so that new housing is accompanied by the roads, schools, and services that make communities viable places to live long-term.

Supporting the Private Rented Sector

The manifesto devotes considerable attention to the private rented sector, which plays a vital role in housing provision across Wales. Propertymark is urging the next Welsh Government to review the impact of Land Transaction Tax on additional property purchases, arguing that the current regime may be deterring the long-term investment that the rental market needs. The organisation suggests that targeted incentives could help encourage landlords to commit to the sector rather than exit it.

Bringing vacant homes back into use features prominently as well. Propertymark is calling for improved access to grants and interest-free finance for property owners willing to renovate and re-let empty dwellings, presenting this as a practical route to increasing supply without relying solely on new-build programmes.

A Warning on Rent Controls

On the politically sensitive question of rent regulation, Propertymark’s position is clear: it opposes the introduction of rent controls in Wales. The organisation points to evidence from other parts of the UK suggesting that such measures tend to reduce supply and discourage investment, ultimately making the situation worse for the tenants they are designed to help. Instead, the manifesto advocates for tackling the root causes of affordability pressures, including ensuring that housing benefit levels reflect actual market rents and committing to a sustained programme of social housebuilding to relieve demand on the private rented sector.

Raising Professional Standards

Another central theme is the push for mandatory regulation of property agents. Propertymark has long campaigned for a framework that would include minimum qualification requirements, a statutory code of practice, and a fitness test for individuals operating in the sector. The manifesto argues that such measures would protect consumers, weed out unscrupulous operators, and support the agents who already invest in training and compliance.

The document also addresses the threat of economic crime within the property sector, calling for stronger coordination between government bodies and clearer guidance for agents on anti-money laundering obligations.

Industry Voices

Timothy Douglas, Propertymark’s Head of Policy and Campaigns, has stressed the urgency of the situation. He commented: “Housing pressures are now being felt across every tenure and in every part of Wales. These manifestos are grounded in the day-to-day experience of property professionals, and they set out practical, deliverable solutions that the next governments can act on immediately.”

A Local Perspective from Williams & Goodwin

Melfyn Williams from Williams & Goodwin welcomed the publication of the manifesto and reflected on the broader challenge facing whichever administration takes office after the election:

It’s great to see that Propertymark have provided a thought provoking manifesto on the Welsh housing market, whether people choose to vote for a person, their party or their promises, it’s vital that the next term looks at the whole property market, not just sectors to ensure that Wales can thrive. The challenge of course to whoever is elected in May, will be to encourage economic dynamism, whilst at the same time, conserve our environment, Welsh language and cultural heritage. Many may agree, by providing good employment opportunities, it should in turn help to retain our local talent and enable them to secure homes. Of course, time will tell, which person or party offered promises and who delivered.

What This Means for Buyers, Sellers, Landlords, and Tenants in Wales

Regardless of which party or coalition takes power following the Senedd elections, housing is set to be at the top of the political agenda. For landlords, the outcome could shape everything from tax treatment to regulatory requirements. For tenants, the balance between affordability measures and supply-side reform will be crucial. And for those looking to buy or sell, the health of the wider market, including transaction costs, mortgage confidence, and the pace of new housebuilding, will all be shaped by the decisions made in Cardiff Bay over the coming term.

Williams & Goodwin is a leading estate and letting agency operating across North Wales and Anglesey. For expert advice on buying, selling, letting, or renting property in Wales, contact your local Williams & Goodwin branch.