Your weekend roundup of property news and views

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.

Click here to read Brutal industry reaction as Purplebricks looks for 'new ownership structure'.

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.

Click here to read xxxx.

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 />.

Naive first time buyers put plans on hold after discovering 'hidden costs'

New research reveals one in seven first time buyers suspend intention to buy due to raft of 'unexpected' fees and Stamp Duty.

Click here to read Naive first time buyers put plans on hold after discovering 'hidden costs'.

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 />.

It's time to get your entries in!

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 It's time to get your entries in!.

Rogue and aggressive letting agent landlord fined £8,000 by London borough council

Covid pandemic and other issues meant the case from 2017 against the since dissolved Tower Hamlets business has only just been heard now – nearly six years later. 

Click here to read Rogue and aggressive letting agent landlord fined £8,000 by London borough council.

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 />.

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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Landlords and tenants face 'big squeeze' warns Bank of England report<br />

The bank's Financial Stability Report warns that landlords face the double whammy of higher interest rates and tax regulatory changes.

Click here to read Landlords and tenants face 'big squeeze' warns Bank of England report<br />.

New CEO takes over reins at big international property portal

Kyero Co-founders Martin and Louise Dell have handed the leadership role to Gemma Coles.

Click here to read New CEO takes over reins at big international property portal.

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.

Naive first time buyers put plans on hold after discovering 'hidden costs'

New research reveals one in seven first time buyers suspend intention to buy due to raft of 'unexpected' fees and Stamp Duty.

Click here to read Naive first time buyers put plans on hold after discovering 'hidden costs'.

BLOG: Business support, software and services – how to get 'bang for your buck'

When times are hard, it’s critical to analyse your investments – from software tools to additional services or business support, says Brian Farrell.

Click here to read BLOG: Business support, software and services – how to get 'bang for your buck'.

WARNING: Estate agents 'will go bust' unless conveyancing speeds up

Paul Sams from Dutton Gregory says some solicitors take too long to process home buying deals, and it is putting agents at risk.

Click here to read WARNING: Estate agents 'will go bust' unless conveyancing speeds up.

Naive first time buyers put plans on hold after discovering 'hidden costs'

 

HMRC stamp duty errors 'costing buyers millions'

Cornerstone Tax says most homebuyers assume they have paid the correct amount of SDLT when often they have not.

Click here to read HMRC stamp duty errors 'costing buyers millions'.

OTM reveals healthy financials but fewer agents listing properties

'Agent-owned' portal says it is performing to expectations but sales sales market is challenging in particular for those listing on its site.

Click here to read OTM reveals healthy financials but fewer agents listing properties.

Renting reforms 'unlikely' until much later this year, hints Minister

Rachel Maclean was unable to confirm when her Government's Renters (Reform) Bill would make progress through Parliament.

Click here to read Renting reforms 'unlikely' until much later this year, hints Minister.

FEATURE: Lettings getting too tough?

Lisa Isaacs talks to the lettings experts who can alleviate the pain of property management.

Click here to read FEATURE: Lettings getting too tough?.

COMMENT: 'The courts are not fit for purpose'

The Neg's Head of Content, Nigel Lewis pulls back the curtain on the county court system and what a disastrous lack of funding means for letting agents and landlords.

Click here to read COMMENT: 'The courts are not fit for purpose'.