Your weekend roundup of news, views and features

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?.

BLOG: How would a mansion tax affect estate agencies?

Chancellor Rachel Reeves considers a Mansion Tax Eamon Shahir looks at how this would affect estate agents operating under and above its £2m threshold.

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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.

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.

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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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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.

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.

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The corporate estate agency has found the number of new properties to let has risen in every month since March.

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OFFICIAL: Property sales market 'treading water' as Budget looms

Buyers and sellers delaying moves ahead of the Budget amid uncertainty over potential tax changes, according to the latest HMRC property transaction data.

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Will Government's leasehold reforms get flats selling again?

Leading expert reveals his views on which parts of the existing and looming leasehold reforms will make a difference for estate agents.

Click here to read Will Government's leasehold reforms get flats selling again?.

Foxtons’ branch blockaded during Global Day of Housing Action

Rightmove share price plummets following AI announcement

Shares lose nearly 14% of their value after company says its profits may drop as huge investment in AI rolls out.

Click here to read Rightmove share price plummets following AI announcement.

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.

Tax bills to double for younger landlords if Reeves imposes NI on rent income

Hamptons warns that National Insurance on rent is one of the 'more likely' changes to be made by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in this month's Budget.

Click here to read Tax bills to double for younger landlords if Reeves imposes NI on rent income.

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.

Collapse in London newbuild property revealed

Sales of new homes have fallen to record lows as affordability crisis, red tape, cladding rules and tax changes bite.

Click here to read Collapse in London newbuild property revealed.

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.

Homeless charity turns to landlording to fix ‘catastrophic’ housing crisis

Crisis, a charity that has long criticised the rental sector for its shortcomings, is to build and manage homes itself as rental property supply collapses.

Click here to read Homeless charity turns to landlording to fix ‘catastrophic’ housing crisis.

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.

REACTION: Rightmove facing £1bn group legal action by estate agencies

Leading financial figure Jeremy Newman is heading up the group which seeks to recoup 'excessive' fees charged by the portal to agents.

Click here to read REACTION: Rightmove facing £1bn group legal action by estate agencies.

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.

Renters' Rights Act to begin implementation on May 1 next year

Housing ministry names date after pressure from landlords, agents and Labour MPs as excitement over Royal Assent began to fade.

Click here to read Renters' Rights Act to begin implementation on May 1 next year.

MARKET FOCUS - Why now can be a smart time to move home

Those wanting to move home shouldn't let the current economic climate stall them. Kate Faulkner looks at why now could be a good time to buy.

Click here to read MARKET FOCUS - Why now can be a smart time to move home.

The Negotiator Conference & Expo – providing answers and guidance in a 'perfect storm'

The Negotiator Conference is just two weeks away, happening at a momentous time in agency – we've brought together an unrivalled agenda of world-class speakers to make sense of the uncertainty facing the industry – the Budget, Renters' Rights Act, AI, the Sales Process reform – all on the agenda. The 28th November could be the most important day of your decade – be there!

Click here to read The Negotiator Conference & Expo – providing answers and guidance in a 'perfect storm'.

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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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.

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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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.

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.

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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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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.

New build property sales drop to lowest in over 15 years

Savills says the last time sales of new homes were this dire was before the global financial crash of 2008-09, in what will be a blow to Housing Secretary Steve Reed.

Click here to read New build property sales drop to lowest in over 15 years.

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.

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.

Click here to read James Cleverly named as new Shadow Housing Minister in Badenoch reshuffle.

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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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.

'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.