Your roundup of the week's top news stories

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.

xxxx

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 />.

INTERVIEW: Alex Sullivan, Smarter Rent

The Neg's Nigel Lewis talks to an agent whose letting agency could be the perfect model for future property management businesses.

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

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!.

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.
Text

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.

xxxxx

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

Click here to read xxxxx.

Global estate agency giant buys David Lee and launches in the UK<br />

The new proposition covers sales, lettings and property management and the deal gives Iad immediate ‘feet on the ground’.

Click here to read Global estate agency giant buys David Lee and launches in the UK<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'.

More letting agencies asking larger-salary renters to provide guarantor

Tenants earning above £25K asked to supply a guarantor in increasing numbers, says director of insurance at Goodlord.

Click here to read More letting agencies asking larger-salary renters to provide guarantor.

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

 

Crackdown on insurance commissions could 'devastate managing agents'

Property litigator Richard Glover warns agents could face disqualification from both the FCA and RICS for taking ‘secret commissions’.

Click here to read Crackdown on insurance commissions could 'devastate managing agents'.

House prices 'will not rebound', leading economists warn

The latest prediction from S&P Global Ratings is that prices will fall 12% by the end of next year.

Click here to read House prices 'will not rebound', leading economists warn.

Five estate agencies expelled by Property Redress Scheme

Redress scheme the PRS has published its latest 'expulsion list' of agents who failed to comply with the scheme's rulings mainly to do with rented properties.

Click here to read Five estate agencies expelled by Property Redress Scheme.

Estate agency AML fines on the rise due to difficult market conditions

The average AML fine issued to estate agency businesses is £5,350 - a 49% increase versus the average fine issued during the previous year.

Click here to read Estate agency AML fines on the rise due to difficult market conditions.