Your weekend roundup of news, views and features

COLUMN: How the Government’s tax grab is causing ordinary people to flee the UK

Adam Walker demonstrates how successful property professionals are being penalised financially, to the point that they are leaving the UK market.

Click here to read COLUMN: How the Government’s tax grab is causing ordinary people to flee the UK.

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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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

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

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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.

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LSL Estate Agency Franchising expands service offering

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

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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.

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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.

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'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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Foxtons’ branch blockaded during Global Day of Housing Action

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.

James Cleverly named as new Shadow Housing Minister in Badenoch reshuffle

The ex-Foreign Secretary becomes Angela Rayner's opposite number in Parliament, taking over the role of Shadow Housing Minister from Kevin Hollinrake.

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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.

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Angela Rayner to leave Government following independent investigation

It's been announced that the Housing Secretary will go following Sir Laurie Magnus's probe into her decision to pay the lower Stamp Duty rate on her Hove flat.

Click here to read Angela Rayner to leave Government following independent investigation.

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.

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'NI on landlord income to force up rents by £1,000'

Propertymark ARLA President says their research suggests landlords will simply pass on the extra cost of NI by pushing rents up.

Click here to read 'NI on landlord income to force up rents by £1,000' .

New housing secretary appointed following Rayner resignation

Steve Reed moves from Environment to Housing as PM reshuffles his cabinet during a roller-coaster week in politics.

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GUEST BLOG: How to win an agency award

As the entry deadline for The Negotiator Awards nears, best-selling author and founder of August Awards, Donna O'Toole offers her recipe for success – sign up for her webinar.

Click here to read GUEST BLOG: How to win an agency award.

BLOG: NI on rental income will be 13th major change in 10 years

North London agent argues that seemingly endless extra burdens on landlords and letting agents is slowly asphyxiating a once healthy market.

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POLL: Landlords 'not prepared' for Renters' Rights Bill

Only one in six property investors say they are fully prepared for the Bill, according to a survey released by David Adams at Cavendish.

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FEATURE: Essential components of a lead-generating property website

A function of your property website is to generate and convert leads, but there’s more to it than meets the eye, says marketing expert, Nelly Berova.

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Looking for landlords? Spectre unveils rebuilt prospecting tool

Spectre has relaunched its lettings prospecting tool, combining the UK’s most complete landlord dataset with AI-driven insights and omni-channel marketing.

Click here to read Looking for landlords? Spectre unveils rebuilt prospecting tool.

Need cash to get qualified? New generous bursaries revealed

The Propertymark Trust has extended its Class of 25 initiative and is inviting applications from those looking to gain industry qualifications, with bursaries available of up to 100%.

Click here to read Need cash to get qualified? New generous bursaries revealed.

Enter The Negotiator Awards – you've got until next Sunday!

The UK's leading awards programme for estate and letting agents and their suppliers closes for entries next Sunday at midnight – it's free to enter, so all to gain, nothing to lose. There's an award for all types of agent and supplier with 35 categories to choose from – and regional awards too – be part of it and end the year on a high.

Click here to read Enter The Negotiator Awards – you've got until next Sunday!.