Gove U-turn | Agent fines | Countrywide top hire




Brutal industry reaction as Purplebricks looks for 'new ownership structure'

When Purplebricks announced on Friday it was looking for a buyer it didn’t take long for the knives – and jokes – to come out. Industry reaction has been both funny and brutal.

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Sunak appoints replacement for housing minister - sixth in a year!<br />

Rachel Maclean has been appointed as a DLUHC minister to take over from Lucy Frazer, who was promoted to the Cabinet.

Click here to read Sunak appoints replacement for housing minister - sixth in a year!<br />.



Belvoir Group reports record revenue after £4 million jump

Revenue at the Group increased to a record £33.5 million from £29.6 million in 2021 buoyed by an increase on rents on new tenancies increasing by 10.8% during 2022.


Click here to read Belvoir Group reports record revenue after £4 million jump.



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The Neg's Head of Content, Nigel Lewis takes a long, cold look at the new bill to reform the PRS.

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MORTGAGE PAIN: Two-year deals more expensive after rate rise<br />

Rightmove's home loans tracker shows that two-year fixed rate deals are 0.26% higher than a week ago.

Click here to read MORTGAGE PAIN: Two-year deals more expensive after rate rise<br />.



Experienced Countrywide lettings senior promoted to national role

Ian Culbert is promoted from overseeing estate agency's northern lettings operation to become national boss.

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The July 2023 issue is published – online for you to read now. Just click and flip!<br />

In this month's issue:
 
• The Negotiator Awards open for entry – you have one month left to enter!
 
• Artificial Intelligence – it's here now, but where is it going? We talk to the property software experts.
 
• Purplebricks – the deal's been struck and it's rising from the ashes.
 
• Agent interview – this letting agent's business could be the model for all letting agencies.
 
• Lettings – how to ease the stress of an increasingly difficult business.
 
• Plus: latest national house price analysis; hybrid agents, best ways to blog, charity efforts, The Ombudsman Files, agency and supplier news and much more. 

Click here to read The July 2023 issue is published – online for you to read now. Just click and flip!<br />.



Has peak rental demand peaked passed? New data says yes<br />

Figures from Barrows and Forrester reveal a quarterly and annual drop in tenant demand despite a crisis in the mortgage market pricing many people out.

Click here to read Has peak rental demand peaked passed? New data says yes<br />.



The Negotiator Awards are open for entry!

The UK's leading awards programme for estate and letting agents and suppliers is now open for entries. Register now to start your entry process.

Click here to read The Negotiator Awards are open for entry!.



Estate agencies fined £80,000 over unlicensed and unsafe property

Court found all four parties guilty of offences under the Housing Act 2004 for letting an unlicensed HMO and the failure to comply with regulations.

Click here to read Estate agencies fined £80,000 over unlicensed and unsafe property.



Purplebricks launches national £999 selling fee under new ownership<br />

Strike, which bought the firm for £1 just a few days ago, says bold new strategy will help grow the firm.
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Click here to read Purplebricks launches national £999 selling fee under new ownership<br />.



Letting agents and landlords hit with record fines this year

Penalties imposed by local councils in London have already topped £900,000, with Camden topping the list, according to data firm Kamma.

Click here to read Letting agents and landlords hit with record fines this year.



BLOG: Want to go it alone? Here’s 10 tips to launch your estate agency

Property Webmasters boss Jamie Arthur highlights key actions that will help ensure success when setting up your own estate agency business. 

Click here to read BLOG: Want to go it alone? Here’s 10 tips to launch your estate agency.



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Find Properties will encourage agents to differentiate themselves by improving their own web presence which will also improve standards and competition.

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Michael Gove U-turn? 'Private landlords are vital for the rented sector'

Housing Secretary says landlords provide tenants “with flexibility and choice, and the value for money options that go with them”.

Click here to read Michael Gove U-turn? 'Private landlords are vital for the rented sector'.



Acquisition helps big Belvoir brand hit 40-branch milestone

Purchase of rival business by Lincolnshire agents is driven by the huge lettings expansion the acquisition creates.

Click here to read Acquisition helps big Belvoir brand hit 40-branch milestone.



Rightmove launches month of legislation webinars for agents

Staying compliant continues to rank high on the list of concerns from agents and remains one of the most popular topics covered in the portal's webinars.

Click here to read Rightmove launches month of legislation webinars for agents.



Letting agents have eight weeks to comply with new Northern scheme

The Merseyside scheme requires agents and landlords to submit their applications for a licence by August 31st and so far 600 have been received.

Click here to read Letting agents have eight weeks to comply with new Northern scheme.



INTERVIEW: Alex Sullivan, Smarter Rent

The Neg's Head of Content Nigel Lewis interviews a new kind of letting agent that could provide the model business for the future.

Click here to read INTERVIEW: Alex Sullivan, Smarter Rent.