Your round-up of the week's hot news from The Neg

Official: people told delay house moves plans “as far as possible”

Latest advice gives green light to existing house moves to be completed, and the use of tradespeople for property repairs and maintenance.

Click here to read Official: people told delay house moves plans “as far as possible”.

Estate agents “are not an essential service” and must close their branches warns Ministry of Housing

View is from senior civil servant but letting agents say they need to keep their businesses open to organise emergency repairs and look after vulnerable tenants.

Click here to read Estate agents “are not an essential service” and must close their branches warns Ministry of Housing.

Countrywide furloughs mortgage brokers and warns other staff to be ready

The UK’s largest estate agency has told employees today that they face being furloughed as the company reviews its business activities amid the Coronavirus pandemic.

Click here to read Countrywide furloughs mortgage brokers and warns other staff to be ready.

“Some agents aren’t taking Coronavirus seriously and are still doing viewings”

The Negotiator talks to one estate agency boss about his experiences since the virus struck in earnest, including his decision to furlough its 17 staff.

Click here to read “Some agents aren’t taking Coronavirus seriously and are still doing viewings”.

Business rates for estate agents are abolished for a year

U-turn on business rates for sales and lettings agents, suggesting ministers realised it was unfair to charge rates for branches that government had insisted must close.

Click here to read Business rates for estate agents are abolished for a year.

Kristjan Byfield: Why my business has decided to quit Rightmove

The outspoken agent from East London explains his reasoning behind the one thing most agents fear most - making the leap and quitting the UK's No.1 portal.

Click here to read Kristjan Byfield: Why my business has decided to quit Rightmove.

Covid-19 – what can residential landlords expect?

As the UK enters uncharted territory, there will be many changes to ‘business as usual’. Among these changes, there may be significant factors for residential landlords to keep in mind.

Click here to read Covid-19 – what can residential landlords expect?.