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Spring Statement reaction | Stamp Duty loophole | Rent control campaign

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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%.

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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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'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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REACTION: Low-key Spring Statement overshadowed by Middle East conflict

Rachel Reeves delivers an upbeat view of the economy – while soaring oil prices and swap rates threaten to stoke inflation and push up both mortgage costs.

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Foxtons’ branch blockaded during Global Day of Housing Action

 

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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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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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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Agent complaints jump, but awards are down – ombudsman reports

Sean Hooker at Property Redress says there were more complaints last year, up 47%, but agent professionalism is strong.

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Controversial MP Angela Rayner to be 'held to account' by housing industry

Propertymark has announced its keynote speaker for Propertymark One is to be Angela Rayner – a controversial choice, but a chance for agents to question her directly.

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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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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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London Renters Union ‘ramps up’ campaign for rent controls

Rent activist group gathers its members and allies together to define its rent demands for the capital as part of its 'Cut the Rent' campaign.

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Homeowner wins Stamp Duty loophole ruling

Tribunal finds public towpath meant £4.5m purchase was not “entirely residential” for purposes of SDLT.

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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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Dwelly swoops to acquire second lettings agency this year

The proptech lettings firm has made its acquisition plans clear and signals there will be more to come after announcing major investment last week.

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