Your weekend roundup of news, views and features

Guild reports 'thousands of referrals' via network

Guild of Property Professionals chief Iain McKenzie says its referral system has generated 2,086 referrals for its network since the start of the year.

Click here to read Guild reports 'thousands of referrals' via network.

Number of former rental properties for sale rises as CGT changes loom

Research by Rightmove among its listings shows the proportion of former rented properties within the market rising to 18%.

Click here to read Number of former rental properties for sale rises as CGT changes loom.

AUCTION UPDATE: Residential sales driving resilience in auction market

The latest property auction market insights from Essential information Group's David Leary reveals the dominance of residential sales.

Click here to read AUCTION UPDATE: Residential sales driving resilience in auction market.

LSL Estate Agency Franchising expands service offering

MD Paul Hardy announces strategic partnership with B-hive Block Management to boost franchisees' growth potential.

Click here to read LSL Estate Agency Franchising expands service offering.

Estate agent duo recognised for sales success at global event

Mark Buchanan and Amie Brooks, both of whom work within the eXp UK network, flew to the gala estate agent event in Miami.

Click here to read Estate agent duo recognised for sales success at global event.

Airbnb 'won't take down illegally-sublet listings' claims landlord

The short-lets giant has not taken down a listing despite being informed that the Central London property is being illegally sublet, it is claimed.

Click here to read Airbnb 'won't take down illegally-sublet listings' claims landlord.

CLAIM: High St agents face double threat of rising costs and stiffer competition

Bricks-and-mortar estate agencies facing higher staff costs and increased competition from the growing number of ‘personal’ agents according to Property Experts founder.

Click here to read CLAIM: High St agents face double threat of rising costs and stiffer competition.

'Criminal’ landlord trio hit with huge £450k HMO fine

A group of three West Northants landlords have together been fined a total of £452,796 for a series of unlicensed and unsafe HMOs.

Click here to read 'Criminal’ landlord trio hit with huge £450k HMO fine.

Bill to ban Section 21 evictions published – industry reaction

The Government takes its first step towards scrapping Section 21 'no fault' evictions with the first reading in Parliament of the Renters' Rights Bill.

Click here to read Bill to ban Section 21 evictions published – industry reaction.

xxx

Walsall is consulting on plans that will force both the owners of smaller Houses in Multiple Occupation to apply for planning permission.

Click here to read xxx.

Airbnb set to compete with lettings agents for longer rentals

Co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky says the company is eyeing longer-term rentals as a lucrative new area of business, putting his firm soon in direct competition with some agents.

Click here to read Airbnb set to compete with lettings agents for longer rentals.

Decade of dedication for The Propertymark Trust

Veteran estate agency manager and property consultant, John Oakley, is celebrating 10 years as trustee of The Propertymark Trust.

Click here to read Decade of dedication for The Propertymark Trust.

Brokers angered by surge in estate agents' conditional selling practices

Mortgage brokers are once again urging regulators to do more to crack down on conditional selling by estate agents and developers.

Click here to read Brokers angered by surge in estate agents' conditional selling practices.

Huge rise in number of sales fall-throughs reported

Homebuyers are still struggling with higher mortgage rates and so more and more sales are falling through says Moverly’s Gemma Young.

Click here to read Huge rise in number of sales fall-throughs reported.

'Basic' salaries rise for estate agents amid 'talent shortage'

Major recruiter’s 'Salary Guide & Trends Report 2025' offers insights into shifting compensation and workforce priorities in the property industry.

Click here to read 'Basic' salaries rise for estate agents amid 'talent shortage'.

New workers' rights shake-up to impact estate agencies

Employees working for property businesses will be able to claim unfair dismissal from day one of a new job, under a new government bill.

Click here to read New workers' rights shake-up to impact estate agencies.

BIG BUY: LRG acquires £26m turnover competitor Chancellors

LRG, the new name for the Leaders Romans Group, says the purchase of Chancellors is its largest to date and gives it a presence in several new markets.

Click here to read BIG BUY: LRG acquires £26m turnover competitor Chancellors.

Foxtons makes surprise move into London commuter towns with acquisitions

The London-based agent has spent some £12m buying two estate agencies, one in Reading and the other in Watford, both bought from private shareholders.

Click here to read Foxtons makes surprise move into London commuter towns with acquisitions.

Landlord group warns of threat to student housing

'Ill thought-out' possession grounds in Renters’ Rights Bill will reduce the supply of student accommodation and push up rents.

Click here to read Landlord group warns of threat to student housing.

AGENT BLOG: After Scotland's rent cap lifted, guess what happened next?

Nicky Lloyd of ESPC Lettings in Edinburgh reflects on the rental market in Scotland six months after a rent cap and ban on evictions were scrapped.

Click here to read AGENT BLOG: After Scotland's rent cap lifted, guess what happened next?.

xxxx

Mark Ridley is to be replaced by current CFO Simon Shaw as Group Chief Executive of the blue-chip agency.

Click here to read xxxx.

Stamp Duty hike to ‘damage’ rental market warn auctioneers

2% rise in budget for SDLT will lead to investors exiting the market, reduce supply and push up rents says NAVA.

Click here to read Stamp Duty hike to ‘damage’ rental market warn auctioneers.

COURTS: Landlord wins 'important' appeal in rent to rent case

Amlendu Kumar wins appeal in what a leading property lawyer says is an "important new decision" affecting rent-to-rent agreements and rent repayment orders.

Click here to read COURTS: Landlord wins 'important' appeal in rent to rent case.

Foxtons’ branch blockaded during Global Day of Housing Action

EXCLUSIVE BLOG: Leasehold is not broken, so why replace it?

Industry figure says that while leasehold needs to be improved for the benefit of both professionals and leaseholders, replacing it is wrong.

Click here to read EXCLUSIVE BLOG: Leasehold is not broken, so why replace it?.

The Ombudsman Files – Agent ignores communication over refund

Interim Property Ombudsman, Lesley Horton, reviews a case where an agent stopped communicating with a buyer regarding the refund of a reservation fee.

Click here to read The Ombudsman Files – Agent ignores communication over refund.

Interest rates 'set to fall to 3.25% this year'

Morgan Stanley forecasts a series of cuts to the base interest rate by the Bank of England, with an eventual level of 2% possible.

Click here to read Interest rates 'set to fall to 3.25% this year'.

HOUSE PRICES: Latest towns and cities analysis

Kate Faulkner reviews property prices at town and city level, revealing the top and lowest performers according to Hometrack and Land Registry data.

Click here to read HOUSE PRICES: Latest towns and cities analysis.

BLOG: Is it time to retire – or is there a better way to carry on?

Is it time to sell up and buy that yacht? Or is there a way to carry on doing what you're best at and what you love? Adam Walker has some advice.

Click here to read BLOG: Is it time to retire – or is there a better way to carry on?.

PETS IN LETS: Reasonable request or damaging decision?

With the Renters’ Rights Bill progressing, Lisa Isaacs debates whether allowing pets in lets will lead to a rise in deposit disputes or if we're worrying over nothing.

Click here to read PETS IN LETS: Reasonable request or damaging decision?.