Your weekend roundup of top news and views

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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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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'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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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'It's got everything' say estate agents in 'best place to live' town

The Sunday Times 'Best Places to Live' guide has revealed a list of the country’s top locations including the top spot, Saffron Walden.

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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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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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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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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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Big charity-owned estate agency adds £1m turnover with Bath acquisition

Andrews Property Group strengthens its market position in the South West with the acquisition of HomeLets Bath.

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New tax rules are 'last straw' for landlords, Propertymark leader claims

Angharad Trueman tells The Neg many landlords will say a requirement to provide tax info quarterly is too much.

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GUEST BLOG: 'Leasehold reform will reduce flat prices and raise costs for owners'

Leading leasehold expert warns that Labour's leasehold reform plans will likely have dramatic implications for new 'commonholders'.

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Landlords accuse Reeves of 'doing nothing' to ease rental crisis

NRLA CEO Ben Beadle slams the Chancellor for missing an opportunity in her Spring Statement to address supply issues crippling the PRS.

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Agents warned breach of new material info rules could mean hefty fine or ban

Trading Standards has told estate agents to ensure material information is complete or risk heavy penalties.

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Massive jump in LSL’s operating profit

Owner of franchise estate agencies Reeds Rains and Your Move reports that, as a result of restructuring work carried out in 2023, there has been a huge rise in profits.

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Industry reaction to Spring Statement: Chancellor claims Government 'within touching distance' of homes target

Rachel Reeves told MPs Labour is set to build 1.3 million new homes in the next few years at a rate of 305,000 every 12 months.

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