Your weekend roundup of top news and views

Property market has 'biggest sales pipeline' since 2021 says Zoopla

But over-stretched budgets in both the sales and rental markets mean estate agents must “engage with the market in a different way” to be successful, says Zoopla's Richard Donnell.

Click here to read Property market has 'biggest sales pipeline' since 2021 says Zoopla.

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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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.

Foxtons’ branch blockaded during Global Day of Housing Action

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

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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.

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

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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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

Connells Group chief reveals plan to 'take lead' on property sales reform

Helen Charlesworth says agents can't wait for Government reforms to be implemented, and wants her company to lead industry-wide attempt to improve process.

Click here to read Connells Group chief reveals plan to 'take lead' on property sales reform.

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.

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.

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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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.

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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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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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.

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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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'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.

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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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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.

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.

The Ombudsman Files – Deposit registration failure leads to landlord compensation

A case concerning a dispute between a landlord and letting agent over the handling of a tenancy deposit results in huge compensation pay out.

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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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Estate agents to be celebrated on national awareness day

National Estate Agent Day, created by online auction firm Iamproperty, will "shine a spotlight on the dedication, resilience and hard work of estate agents".

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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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Minister renews attack on FirstPort over service charge complaints

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook says he is unconvinced by the property management company's response to concerns from MPs and residents about its performance.

Click here to read Minister renews attack on FirstPort over service charge complaints.

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.

£25,000 raised for breast cancer charity at The Negotiator Awards

CoppaFeel, the charity dedicated to raising awareness among young people, was the big winner at the recent awards gala dinner, thanks to the generosity of the 800 guests.

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Good idea to tax 'rich landlords' harder say activists

Renters’ Reform Coalition backs Budget’s property taxes despite warnings that it will tighten supply and force up rents.

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Estate agencies fined £860,000 during Trading Standards CMP crackdown

Over 70 firms in the Midlands were caught failing to comply with Client Money Protection rules, it has been revealed.

Click here to read Estate agencies fined £860,000 during Trading Standards CMP crackdown.

Big estate agency fined £120k for unauthorised works at Grade I listed branch

Judge calls Knight Frank ‘reckless’ after agency ignored conservation officer’s advice over alterations to listed building.

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BLOG: Estate agents 'beware' as Source Of Funds checks become harsher

A property deal is at risk if a client is unable to prove satisfactory SOF, and the pressure on estate agents is increasing.

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