Your round-up of the week's top news

Keynote speaker announced – ORDER your tickets now!

The ultimate 'Speaker' – the Rt Hon John Bercow will be the keynote speaker at The Negotiator Conference on 29th November – 3 weeks today! The Rt Hon John Bercow will join an amazing line-up of 25 speakers – industry leaders, innovators and influencers at this year's conference for estate and letting agents. Hosted by Lord Daniel Finkelstein OBE, Associate Editor of The Times.

Click here to read Keynote speaker announced – ORDER your tickets now!.

Rent controls are ‘dead in the water’ confirms housing Secretary

Robert Jenrick reveals a change in direction for his department, which last year was considering rent controls to help 'make tenancies more secure'.

Click here to read Rent controls are ‘dead in the water’ confirms housing Secretary.

HomeLet and LetAlliance merge as impact of tenant fees ban is felt across industry

HomeLet, Rentshield and Let Alliance will now all operate under the Barbon insurance broker umbrella in a bid to weather the 'tough and challenging' letting market.

Click here to read HomeLet and LetAlliance merge as impact of tenant fees ban is felt across industry.

‘Countrywide thinks it’s too big to fail’ claims industry analyst

Andrew Stanton argues that witness statement made by Countrywide COO Paul Creffield in RICS case reveals 'alarming' attitudes within the company.

Click here to read ‘Countrywide thinks it’s too big to fail’ claims industry analyst.

Another senior Purplebricks exec leaves to join hybrid competitor

Howard Russell says he's joining Accommodation.co.uk partly because the company culture at Purplebricks has changed dramatically after the Bruce brothers left.

Click here to read Another senior Purplebricks exec leaves to join hybrid competitor.

Rogue agent starts seven-year prison sentence after ‘sophisticated fraud’

Employer, Martin & Co. dismisses property manager, compensates clients and says it is reassured internal system picked up the fraud.

Click here to read Rogue agent starts seven-year prison sentence after ‘sophisticated fraud’.

Foxtons gambles on fees ban by not hiking charges to landlords

The famously bullish estate agency says that despite lower revenues in lettings, the tactic has already helped the company gain more market share.

Click here to read Foxtons gambles on fees ban by not hiking charges to landlords.