Your weekend roundup of news and views from The Neg

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.

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.

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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.

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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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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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Rightmove shares hit five-year low amid anger over fee hikes

The portal's share price reached a high last year before nosediving after it revealed it planned to spend £60 million on AI development.

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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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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.

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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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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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 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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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.

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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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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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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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.

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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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.

'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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Foxtons’ branch blockaded during Global Day of Housing Action

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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BLOG: Why Making Tax Digital is a welcome evolution for the sector

Neil McGimpsey, Chief Operating Officer, Lomond, says the rollout of Making Tax Digital is far less momentous than it appears.

Click here to read BLOG: Why Making Tax Digital is a welcome evolution for the sector.

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.

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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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.

PM Law closure – emergency advice offered to housebuyers and sellers

The Home Buying & Selling Council chaired by Kate Faulkner OBE, has produced an emergency information kit for buyers and sellers caught up in the closure of the major conveyancing firm.

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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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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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Government considers Help to Buy revival

Slowdown in new-build sales prompts discussions at ministerial level about how to boost demand.

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London borough brings in some of the country’s toughest landlord rules

Brent’s licensing schemes now cover all types of HMOs as well as standard rental homes – and all are held on a central database for enforcement.

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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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Fraudsters hijack letting agency identity in rental scam

Short-term holiday let used to stage fake tenancy viewings and extract upfront rent and deposits.

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Conveyancers hit back at Government over tax advice proposal

The Chairman of The Society of Licensed Conveyancers has slammed the Government's proposal to require conveyancers who submit Stamp Duty returns, to register as tax advisers.

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Nationwide trailblazes digital signature of mortgage deed

The UK's biggest building society claims a milestone has been achieved in speeding up the homebuying process by allowing a Qualified Electronic Signature.

Click here to read Nationwide trailblazes digital signature of mortgage deed.

Landlord optimism rises as worries ease, study reveals

Despite regulatory and cost pressures, landlords say they are adapting to the new operating environment.

Click here to read Landlord optimism rises as worries ease, study reveals.