Your weekend round-up of top news, views and features

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.

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.

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.

Click here to read OFFICIAL: Property sales market 'treading water' as Budget looms.

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.

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.

Rental stock rises 25% despite Renters’ Rights Act fears

Rental stock levels are building in England as tenants elect to move more slowly, ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act.

Click here to read Rental stock rises 25% despite Renters’ Rights Act fears.

Foxtons’ branch blockaded during Global Day of Housing Action

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.

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.

Click here to read The Ombudsman Files – Deposit registration failure leads to landlord compensation.

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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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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.

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.

BLOG: AI super complaints and why managing client expectations is getting harder

Lawyer Matt Giles, explores how the rise of AI-generated complaints is reshaping the way clients interact with property professionals

Click here to read BLOG: AI super complaints and why managing client expectations is getting harder.

Starmer warned of mass Labour rebellion if leasehold reforms watered down

Former Labour Minister, Justin Madders, warns party must make good on its pledge to cap ground rents in much-delayed draft leasehold bill.

Click here to read Starmer warned of mass Labour rebellion if leasehold reforms watered down.

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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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FTBs in ‘driving seat’ for housing market in 2026, according to big lender

Nationwide's senior economist says first-time buyer activity was up around 20% on last year, with high loan-to-value lending at its highest level for more than a decade.

Click here to read FTBs in ‘driving seat’ for housing market in 2026, according to big lender.

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.

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.

Foxtons snaps up Birmingham lettings agent in first move outside South East

It's a significant development for the London-based agency, says CEO Guy Gittins, signalling the agency's intention to expand nationally.

Click here to read Foxtons snaps up Birmingham lettings agent in first move outside South East.

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.

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.

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.

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?.

'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.

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.

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.

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.

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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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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

FEATURE: Losing your telephone voice? Outsourcing could be the answer

If video killed the radio star, has email killed the telephone? How will AI intervene? Lisa Isaacs explores call answering and telephony in 2026.

Click here to read FEATURE: Losing your telephone voice? Outsourcing could be the answer.

Government confirms wording of new tenancy agreements

NRLA's James Wood warns landlords could face local authority penalties of up to £4,000 if they keep using outdated AST-era agreements after new rules come into force in May.

Click here to read Government confirms wording of new tenancy agreements.

BLOG: “Why estate agents wearing ‘pyjamas’ needs to stop!”

Independent property consultant, Alex Goldstein, says estate agents need to ditch the dress-down days of Covid and return to professional attire.

Click here to read BLOG: “Why estate agents wearing ‘pyjamas’ needs to stop!”.

FEATURE: Achieving high quality estate agent content in the age of AI

Creating content with AI can make your life easier, but to be effective quality is everything, says digital marketing expert, Nelly Berova.

Click here to read FEATURE: Achieving high quality estate agent content in the age of AI.

Buy-to-let repossessions jump more than a quarter, lenders reveal

Repossessions of landlord properties were up 28.6% in Q3 last year, according to new figures from banking trade body UK Finance.

Click here to read Buy-to-let repossessions jump more than a quarter, lenders reveal.