Your weekend roundup of top news, views and features

Green Party-controlled local authority launches Rogue Landlords Taskforce

Lewisham Council's Natalie Thomas says landlords who cut corners and break the rules should expect to be caught.

Click here to read Green Party-controlled local authority launches Rogue Landlords Taskforce.

Choose your categories and enter now – 15 days left to enter!

The UK's leading awards programme for estate and letting agents and their suppliers closes for entry in just over two weeks – which is plenty of time to produce an award-winning submission for your company and staff. It's free to enter and is your chance to prove what you've said all along – you're the best!

Click here to read Choose your categories and enter now – 15 days left to enter!.

Two out of three homeowners overvalue their properties

There is a clear disconnect between homeowners’ perceptions and objective property valuations, according to new research.

Click here to read Two out of three homeowners overvalue their properties.

New calls emerge to revive Help to Buy

Help to Buy was good for buyers and the Treasury, says the Home Builders Federation's Neil Jefferson.

Click here to read New calls emerge to revive Help to Buy.

FEATURE: Turn web traffic into landlord enquiries – not just clicks

Nelly Berova reveals seven steps for turning a letting agent's high performing website traffic into landlord instructions.

Click here to read FEATURE: Turn web traffic into landlord enquiries – not just clicks.

Britain's largest lettings agency bought by huge private equity firm

OpenRent's founders have sold a majority stake in their firm to Luxembourg-based CVC, although the money involved has not been disclosed.

Click here to read Britain's largest lettings agency bought by huge private equity firm.

Mansion Tax increases predicted in upcoming Budget

Knight Frank’s Tom Bill says Andy Burnham faces “tough choices’ in order to meet his Government's spending plans.

Click here to read Mansion Tax increases predicted in upcoming Budget.

Estate agency CEO puts firm's service 'through its paces' with own home

Yopa boss Verona Frankish has tasked one of her agents with selling her luxury barn conversion in Nottinghamshire for £895,000.

Click here to read Estate agency CEO puts firm's service 'through its paces' with own home.

REGIONAL, TOWN AND CITIES - Local property market prices performance update

"Property maintenance is one area where delaying expenditure can end up costing more in the long run," warns Rushbrook's Roma Sharma.

Click here to read REGIONAL, TOWN AND CITIES - Local property market prices performance update.

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.

Click here to read ENTRY GUIDANCE: The good, the bad and the award-worthy.

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.

Click here to read INTERVIEW: The Negotiator Awards judges reveal the secrets to standing out.

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.

Click here to read AWARDS ENTRY TIPS: Evidence to include in your award entry.

Buy-to-let investors snap up bargains in slow property market

David Fell, of Hamptons, says investors are making the most of their chain-free status to secure properties below asking price.

Click here to read Buy-to-let investors snap up bargains in slow property market.

Simplify Right to Rent guidance, urges Propertymark

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

Click here to read Simplify Right to Rent guidance, urges Propertymark.

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.

Click here to read Landlord income up 23% but arrears are significant.

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.

Click here to read New interest-free loan scheme for first-time buyers set up.

BLOG: AI is creating havoc in US for estate agents so is Britain next?

Well-known American agent warns that while AI is causing significant verification problems in the US, agents here better tools - and should use them.

Click here to read BLOG: AI is creating havoc in US for estate agents so is Britain next?.