Your weekend roundup of top property news




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 />.



Foxtons finally feels the 'Gittins gold' as profits surge 10%<br />

Estate agency puts the bad old days behind it as recently-installed CEO says his strategies are working.

Click here to read Foxtons finally feels the 'Gittins gold' as profits surge 10%<br />.



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.
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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.

Click here to read xxxxx.



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'.



'We aren't paid enough and we'll be off soon' agents tell poll

A survey of property professionals reveals most believe they should be paid more, and are considering a move within a year.

Click here to read 'We aren't paid enough and we'll be off soon' agents tell poll.



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

 



Tenant 'fair rent' tribunal cases backfire with big rises

Renters often end up with even larger rent increases after a tribunal hearing than the landlord wanted, the i newspaper discovers

Click here to read Tenant 'fair rent' tribunal cases backfire with big rises.



Six out of 10 landlords would rather sell properties than make them energy efficient

EPC targets could lead to shortage of rental properties as landlords would rather sell up than make costly changes to existing properties despite energy savings.

Click here to read Six out of 10 landlords would rather sell properties than make them energy efficient.



Government should delay EPC rule deadline, Gove says

Housing Secretary Michael Gove says landlords must be given more time to achieve the minimum EPC rating.

Click here to read Government should delay EPC rule deadline, Gove says.



Government to relax timing of boiler ban, Gove reveals

Housing secretary Michael Gove warns there may be a "backlash" if the Government doesn't "ease off" on its gas boiler policies.

Click here to read Government to relax timing of boiler ban, Gove reveals.



IAD wants 500 agents in four years’ time

Agency Managing Director Lee O’Brien outlines plans for growth spurt following IAD’s acquisition of David Lee last week for an undisclosed sum.

Click here to read IAD wants 500 agents in four years’ time.



Interest rates of 6% and 7% will be the new normal

Mortgage Advice Bureau boss Peter Brodnicki says that stubborn inflation continues to see the Bank of England pushing rates up.

Click here to read Interest rates of 6% and 7% will be the new normal.