Your weekend roundup of top news, views and features

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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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.

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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BLOG: The Chancellor is locked on the horns of a dilemma

The Autumn Budget is beginning to look less a Budget and more an underwater ‘Houdini tangle’ with the key to the lock, lost, writes Trevor Abrahmsohn.

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Residential conveyancers: 'We're working three years ahead of reforms'

Why wait for buying and selling reforms to become law? Residential conveyancers are already on a public education and implementation mission, says Lisa Isaacs.

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Estate agent CRM software platforms embrace the AI revolution

CRMs are the absolute bedrock of your agency. Now AI is unlocking your dormant data with promising results, discovers Lisa Isaacs.

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The Ombudsman Files – Goodwill property repair turns into grievance

The Property Ombudsman highlights the importance of contractor oversight, communication and complaint handling when a property repair goes wrong.

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House price growth hits two-year low after summer slump

Homebuyers are becoming more cautious on pricing amid higher borrowing costs, says Zoopla’s Richard Donnell.

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Landlords plan rent hikes and exits as rental reforms bed-in

Landlords have moved on from 'wait and see' mode after the Renters’ Rights Act came in, says Matt Trevett from The DPS.

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London bucks the trend as tenant demand rises amid national dip

Tenant demand has fallen nationally, but Rightmove’s Colleen Babcock says high prices in the capital mean more are renting.

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Regulation of managing agents confirmed - property industry reacts

Housing Secretary Angela Rayner confirmed in her speech to the Labour Party Conference that the regulation will go ahead.

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Tenants expect to stay renting despite desire to buy

Jennifer Harris, of the TDS Charitable Foundation, says 44% of renters believe they will stay renting.

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Andy Burnham vows to bring 'hope' back to the housing market

Prime Minister Andy Burnham used his Labour Party Conference speech to pledge first-time buyer support and a clampdown on bad landlords.

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More than half of 'Mumlords and Dadlords' return child’s rent

Many parents are charging their adult children rent but returning it as a house deposit to help buy a property, says Nationwide.

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The Negotiator Awards 2026 Shortlist is published

See who's contending for the major accolades at this year's leading awards programme for estate and letting agents and suppliers.

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