Your weekend roundup of hot news, views and features

Section 21 gas safety battle heads to Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is to decide a likely landmark case on when a Section 21 eviction is valid.

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Three weeks to get your entry in for The Negotiator Awards

Deadline extension to 6th September gives agents and suppliers a shot at glory and recognition. Start your entry or improve your submission – or add another category. Remember – award-winning businesses win more business! Free to enter.

Click here to read Three weeks to get your entry in for The Negotiator Awards.

New interest-free loan scheme for first-time buyers set up

Scottish Housing Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville says the First Homes Fund will offer first-time buyers £10,000 towards a deposit.

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Landlords 'raising asking rents as bidding war ban hits'

Chestertons' Katinka Hill and Rightmove data reveal new industry trend as more intended consequences of Renters' Rights Act land.

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Feuding family at top of Winkworth now in talks

Company Chair Simon Agace has agreed to suspend any move to replace board members while discussions take place.

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Four out of five flats fail to sell 'within six months', warns Zoopla

Flats are struggling to sell amid weaker demand and greater uncertainty, warns Richard Donnell, Executive Director of Zoopla.

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Savills bucks trend with revenue up

Savills' Simon Shaw reports revenue rose 9% across its global business despite a slowdown in Britain.

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New portal launches for off-market sales

Platform connects discreet sellers with identity-verified or fund-verified buyers, through partner estate agents, using binding contracts.

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Hope for first-time buyers despite mortgage rate hikes

"For first-time buyers, there is a silver-lining, with house prices more or less standing still," says Moneyfactscompare.co.uk's Adam French.

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ENTRY GUIDANCE: The good, the bad and the award-worthy

From impressive growth stats to unsupported claims and missing evidence, here’s how the judges sort the wheat from the chaff at The Negotiator Awards.

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Simplify Right to Rent guidance, urges Propertymark

Agents need clearer guidance and practical tools to help them comply with Right to Rent rules.

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Landlord income up 23% but arrears are significant

Managing risk and the right portfolio structures are vital in keeping rental properties profitable, says LegalforLandlords’ Sim Sekhon.

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INTERVIEW: The Negotiator Awards judges reveal the secrets to standing out

Storytelling and strategy is what we’re looking for. The Judges tell Charlotte Flake what impresses and what disappoints when it comes to submissions for The Negotiator Awards.

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AWARDS ENTRY TIPS: Evidence to include in your award entry

Metrics, testimonials, screenshots, retention figures, workflows and reviews - the best entries for The Negotiator Awards should combine storytelling with substantiated results.

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Will the looming ground rent cap help or hinder property sales?

A £250 cap may offer real relief to many leaseholders, but reform can only be achieved by considering the impact on all stakeholders says expert.

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