As the autumn political party conference season draws to a close, housing policy has taken center stage across the political spectrum. From Labour’s proposals for tighter rental regulations, empty property interventions, and mandatory agent licensing, to the Conservatives’ focus on tax cuts and planning reform, every major party has set out a distinct vision for the future of UK housing.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats, Greens, and Reform UK have outlined ambitious ideas spanning social housing targets, rent controls, and brownfield development incentives.

Here is our roundup of the key policy announcements every landlord and property investor needs to know!

The Labour Party

As the party in Government, Labour’s announcements have the greatest potential to affect landlords in the short to medium term.

Stronger action against poor-quality rental homes

The Prime Minister announced plans to give councils stronger powers to deal with landlords who fail to maintain rented properties.

Landlords of the poorest-quality homes would initially be required to make improvements. Where they failed to act, councils could ultimately be given powers to acquire the property and bring it back into use.

Further legislation may be needed before these powers can be introduced, and the detailed process and safeguards have not yet been published.

For responsible landlords, the message is familiar: property condition, maintenance records and evidence that reported problems have been addressed promptly will become increasingly important.

Earlier intervention on empty homes

Labour also proposed allowing councils to intervene when properties have been empty for six months, rather than the current two-year period required for an Empty Dwelling Management Order.

These orders allow a council to take over the management of a property while the owner retains ownership. No implementation date has yet been confirmed.

Regulation of property agents

Estate, letting and property management agents would be required to obtain a licence and hold appropriate qualifications.

An independent regulator would be tasked with setting professional standards, overseeing complaints and would have the power to withdraw licences from agents that fail to meet the required standards.

Many practical details remain outstanding, but at Pace, we welcome any measures that raise standards and make it easier for landlords to distinguish experienced, responsible agents from unqualified operators.

Energy-efficiency improvements

Responsibility for delivering the Government’s existing £15 billion Warm Homes Plan would be devolved to mayors and local authorities. This could lead to more locally managed schemes for insulation, heating and other energy-efficiency improvements. We will watch closely for any funding opportunities or requirements affecting landlords in Southend and the wider Essex area.

Leasehold charges

Labour also confirmed plans to consult on caps for certain administration, permission and document fees charged to leaseholders and homeowners on privately managed estates. This may be relevant to landlords who own leasehold flats.

The Conservative Party

The Conservatives focused on reducing taxation and the cost of building and owning homes.

Inheritance tax on family homes

The party pledged to abolish inheritance tax on the family home.  This proposal relates to a person’s main residence but doesn’t currently suggest that buy-to-let or other investment properties would receive the same exemption.

Stamp Duty

The Conservatives renewed their commitment to remove Stamp Duty from purchases of primary residences.  Again, this is aimed at owner-occupiers rather than additional or buy-to-let properties, so the higher Stamp Duty rates applying to landlord purchases would not necessarily be removed.

High-value Council Tax surcharge

The party said it would cancel the Government’s planned High Value Council Tax Surcharge, which is due to be introduced in April 2027.

New-build and planning costs

The Conservatives also proposed replacing Section 106 agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy with a single developer charge. Section 106 agreements are legal arrangements between developers and local councils. They help ensure new developments contribute to the communities around them, for example by providing affordable homes or funding towards roads, schools and public spaces.

They also proposed removing elements of the Future Homes Standard and associated low-carbon heating requirements, arguing that these changes could reduce the cost of a new home by up to £50,000.

These policies would mainly affect developers and purchasers of new homes, although changes to construction standards could have longer-term implications for running costs and energy efficiency.

The Liberal Democrats

The Liberal Democrats concentrated primarily on increasing housing supply and reducing reliance on temporary accommodation. The party committed to building 380,000 homes a year, including 150,000 social-rent homes. It also proposed allowing councils to borrow to build more homes, giving local authorities the power to suspend or end Right to Buy in their area, and introducing locally determined targets for affordable and social housing.

The party also called for routine inspections of homes used as temporary accommodation, together with minimum standards for natural light, outside space and essential facilities.

These proposals would be particularly relevant to landlords who provide temporary accommodation to local authorities. Increasing the supply of social housing could also affect demand within some parts of the private rented sector over time.

The Green Party

The Green Party made the most direct proposal affecting private rental property.

Three-year limit on rent increases

The party proposed a three-year “emergency brake” on rent increases in England and Wales.  Under the proposal, annual rent increases would be limited to the lowest of Consumer Prices Index inflation, average wage growth or 2%.

The Greens also proposed protections intended to prevent landlords using eviction or a change of tenancy to avoid the cap. The three-year measure would be followed by a longer-term Fair Rents Guarantee.

Supporters argue that this would give tenants greater certainty. Property-sector organisations have warned that rent controls could discourage investment, reduce the supply of rental homes and make it harder for landlords to meet increasing maintenance and finance costs.

The party also called for greater investment in social housing and more action to return empty properties to use.

These proposals are not Government policy and would require significant new legislation before they could take effect.

Reform UK

Reform UK used its conference to publish a detailed consultation document called the Planning Teal Paper. Its central aim is to make it considerably easier to build homes on previously developed or brownfield land.

The proposals include a presumption that brownfield residential developments should receive planning approval, along with the removal of Community Infrastructure Levy payments and most Section 106 contributions from these schemes. Reform UK is also considering reducing affordable-housing requirements on brownfield developments, expanding permitted development rights so that more commercial buildings can be converted into homes, and giving local authorities greater control over greenfield development. The party has also restated its ambition to support the construction of an additional 50,000 affordable homes a year.

Potential landlord tax incentives

Reform UK is also considering substantial tax incentives for new homes built on brownfield sites. These could include ten-year exemptions from Stamp Duty, income tax on rental income and Capital Gains Tax.

If introduced, these incentives could be significant for landlords purchasing qualifying new properties. However, the Planning Teal Paper is currently a consultation rather than confirmed party policy, so these tax proposals should not be treated as settled commitments.

The party also reinforced its opposition to net-zero policies. Suggestions discussed around the conference included removing heat-pump subsidies and other decarbonisation schemes, although not every proposal discussed has been adopted as formal party policy.

What should landlords do now?

None of these conference announcements creates an immediate new obligation for landlords.  The most relevant developments to watch are Labour’s proposals for stronger council intervention, property-agent regulation, empty homes and energy-efficiency improvements, as these are being made by the current Government.

For now, landlords should continue to do all of the usual things we discuss regularly.  Keep gas, electrical and energy-performance documentation up to date.  Maintain clear records of inspections, repairs and tenant communications. Always respond promptly to maintenance and property-condition concerns.  If you do have empty properties, keep them secure, maintained and under regular review.

Finally, always seek professional advice before making investment decisions based on a political proposal.  There is still a considerable gap between a conference announcement and a final, workable law. Pace will continue to monitor the details, particularly where they affect landlords and rental properties.

If any firm changes are introduced, we will explain what they mean and provide clear guidance on the steps you need to take.

If you have any questions about your property or current landlord responsibilities, please contact the Pace team on 01702 445600.