The Negotiator - The essential site for residential agents

Ombudsman expulsions | Spicerhaart's new model | Stamp Duty fraud

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.

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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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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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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.

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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%.

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London housebuilding collapses by 84% in a decade

Rising build costs and a weak sales market mean contractors are “going bust” and thousands of London homes have been put on hold, research firm Molior warns.

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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.

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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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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.

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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.

 

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HMRC Stamp Duty investigations double in a year

Angela Rayner case has increased scrutiny of the accuracy of Stamp Duty payments, with the taxman recovering £201m in just twelve months.

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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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Spicerhaart forges new employment model for estate agents

'Forge' gives agents self-employed-style autonomy but with a salary, benefits and full backing from the national group.

Click here to read Spicerhaart forges new employment model for estate agents.

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%.

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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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“Cold feet” scuppers more property sales than bad surveys – but is fixable

LRG calls on ministers to back binding offers and upfront property reports to cut fall-throughs.

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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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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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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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'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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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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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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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.

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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.

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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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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.

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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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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.

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Two property firms expelled by TPO for “failure” to pay compensation awards

The Property Ombudsman says the non-payment of compensation awards is rare for its members, with 99% compliance rate

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Mortgage leaders make charity cycle pledge

Leaders from across the mortgage industry are set to take part in an epic 456-mile cycling challenge to raise money for two chosen charities

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