UK Influence and Advocacy Update August 2025

Throughout August, even with Parliament in recess, RICS continued to strengthen its voice across Westminster and the devolved administrations, engaging with policymakers to raise the profile and influence of the surveying profession.

Our advocacy efforts included targeted briefings and meetings with representatives from the Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, and Reform UK, ensuring that RICS’ expertise and policy recommendations are heard across the political spectrum. From leasehold reform, housing affordability and proposed changes to commercial property rules, our work is helping shape the debate on key issues affecting the built and natural environment.

Leasehold Reform

In August, RICS convened a series of roundtable discussions with members, industry leaders, and government officials to explore the ongoing consultation on leasehold reform.

Among the proposals is the introduction of mandatory qualifications for Managing Agents, a measure RICS supports to enhance the leaseholder experience. RICS is also advocating for the role of professional bodies in maintaining quality standards and regulatory oversight, helping to establish greater consistency across the leasehold sector.

Housing Affordability Inquiry

RICS submitted evidence to the Parliamentary inquiry into housing affordability and challenges facing first-time buyers. Our response highlighted key barriers such as:

• High upfront costs, including deposits, stamp duty, surveys, and conveyancing.
• The need for improved access to upfront information to support informed decision-making.
• The disproportionate impact of recent stamp duty reforms on first-time buyers.
• The lack of incentives for to downsize, which could free up larger homes for new buyers.
   

We urged the government to explore reforms that shift some immediate costs away from buyers and better support housing mobility across life stages.

Across the nations

Northern Ireland

RICS is engaging with Land and Property Services to expand access to property data. This initiative could attract new financial providers to the market, increasing competition and offering consumers more choice.

Scotland

RICS has been active across several key housing and energy policy areas:

• Contributed to the Scottish Government’s final Home Report Review, helping shape recommendations for the Cabinet Secretary for Housing.
• Responded to the Housing Emergency Action Plan, welcoming the initiative but calling for stronger action to accelerate housing delivery.
• Submitted views to the Heat & Energy Efficiency Technical Suitability Assessment consultation, supporting recognition of retrofit assessors while raising concerns about quality, standards, and consumer costs.
   

In response to the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards consultation for the private rented sector, RICS questioned the reliance on the Heat Retention Rating and flagged potential unintended consequences for landlords and tenants.

Wales

RICS responded to the Welsh Government’s consultation on reforms to the non-domestic tax multiplier. We noted that the proposed lower multiplier would not sufficiently address the financial pressures facing businesses. Following engagement with industry stakeholders, RICS recommended retaining and expanding the current retail, leisure, and hospitality relief scheme, which better reflects the realities of the sector and supports a broader range of businesses.

Party Conferences

As party conference season begins, RICS will be attending key events to champion the surveying profession and advocate for the built and natural environment. These conferences offer a vital platform to engage with policymakers, campaigners, and industry leaders. Several of our events which RICS members are invited to join include:

Monday 22 September, 20:00
RICS & RIBA Built and Natural Environment Reception
Liberal Democrat Conference – Marriott Hotel, Bournemouth

Monday 29 September, 18:30
RICS Reception: A Retrofit Revolution
Labour Party Conference – Museum of Liverpool, Liverpool

Tuesday 30 September, 10:00
RICS Panel: It Takes A Village – Placemaking and Infrastructure Behind New Homes
Labour Party Conference – Bluecoat, Liverpool

Monday 6 October, 10:30
RICS Panel with Peabody: Raising the Standard – Improving the Quality of Social Housing
Conservative Party Conference – Conservative Party Conference Security Zone, Manchester (conference pass required)

RICS members are warmly invited to attend these events. Several are outside the security zone, but places are limited. To RSVP and receive full event details, please email Sam Rees at srees@rics.org.