UK Influence and Advocacy Update – July 2025

UK Influence and Advocacy Update – July 2025

As the built and natural environment remained high up the agenda at Westminster ahead of recess, RICS continues to influence policy and legislation in the public interest. In July, there were significant developments across housing, building safety, leasehold reform, and commercial property. The strong voice of the profession is still as vital as ever.

Housing Summit: Convening the Sector at RICS HQ

A major event in the calendar was the Fabian Society Housing Summit hosted at RICS HQ. The event brought together industry leaders, members, and policymakers to explore solutions to the UK’s housing challenges. Attendees heard directly from the Minister for Housing and Planning Matthew Pennycook and the Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh, who welcomed the profession’s insights on sustainable development, energy efficiency, and housing delivery.

Parliamentary Engagement and Evidence

RICS provided expert evidence to Parliament, including:

• Building Safety Regulator: Gary Strong, RICS Global Building Standards Director, gave oral evidence to parliamentarians on how improvements can be made to the regulatory regime to support housing delivery without compromising on safety. RICS is calling for greater resourcing and communication from the regulator to reduce backlogs and improve the quality of applications they review. 
• 1.5 million homes inquiry: As part of the new APPG for Excellence in the Built Environment, chaired by Mike Reader MP, RICS provided evidence to MPs on the link between placemaking, long-term value and viability.
• Building support for the energy transition: RICS, represented by Professor Richard Fitton FRICS, gave evidence to the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee. He highlighted a surveyor’s role throughout the retrofit journey, the importance of Government focus on delivering a 'fabric first' approach and Richard’s experience of the roll out of smart meters. This included learnings that could inform future government thinking in this space.

We also engaged with MPs and peers across the political spectrum—including Government, the Shadow Cabinet, Liberal Democrats, and Reform UK—on key issues such as leasehold reform, commercial rent policy, and building safety.

RICS responses to policy developments

Leasehold reform

RICS welcomed the Government’s latest leasehold reform proposals as a significant step toward raising standards and improving transparency in the sector. We emphasised accountability and professionalism in property management, highlighting that mandatory qualifications for managing agents will help build leaseholder confidence. RICS reaffirmed its commitment to supporting proportionate, meaningful reform and noted that around 30% of leasehold properties are managed by RICS-regulated firms.

RICS CEO Justin Young stressed that qualifications alone are not enough and that RICS is ready to collaborate with the Government to deliver lasting improvements. 

Upwards-only rent reviews (UORRs)

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill proposes banning upwards-only rent reviews in new commercial leases.

While lease structures have evolved to be more flexible, we have highlighted the need for clarity, transparency and ease of use for rent review provisions, as outlined in the RICS Code for Leasing Business Premises (1st Edition, 2020). The standard states that review clauses should be clearly expressed, including the proposed frequency and the method of review. 

RICS will continue to engage with members and stakeholders in response to the legislation. 

Housing (Scotland) Bill Consultation

We responded to the Housing (Scotland) Bill Consultation, arguing against the inclusion of Rent Control measures which could have serious repercussions for the PRS sector in Scotland as well as inadvertently impacting tenants by shrinking the supply of rentals in Scotland.

Building Safety Wales Bill

We welcomed the introduction of the Building Safety Wales Bill, which aligns with our calls for a consistent, risk-based approach to safety across the UK. Read more here.

Looking ahead

In the coming months, RICS will be responding to several major government consultations, including:

• New qualification requirements for Managing Agents
• Social Housing reforms, including:
  • Review of the Decent Homes Standard (also applicable to the Private Rented Sector under the Renters’ Rights Bill)
  • New energy efficiency standards
  • Proposed changes to mandatory qualifications

If you would like to contribute insights or get involved in our advocacy work, please contact Sam Rees, Interim Head of Public Affairs UK&I at srees@rics.org