Housebuilding, leasehold and rental reform are set to be key roles of the new Labour Government’s legislative agenda but agency regulation...
Archive
18 July 2024
From: Breaking News
![More agents turn to PropTech to manage growth, not extra staff](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Special%20Logo's/PropTech%20.jpg)
Letting agents are more confident in technology than ever before and a large majority believe that investing in automation is more...
26 June 2024
From: Breaking News
![Supreme Court overturns Japanese Knotweed redress ruling](/upload/images/shutterstock_1777590785.jpg)
A landmark ruling on the affect of Japanese knotweed on property values has been overturned, which could have implications for home...
10 May 2024
From: Breaking News
![Looking for a client account? Five steps to better lettings banking](/upload/images/adv-2021/sponsored-content/PayProp/Letting%20agent%20today_640x460px.jpg)
You don’t have to simply accept things as they are when it comes to managing your client accounts. If your bank...
19 April 2024
From: Sponsored Content
![Propertymark backs end of HS2 land safeguarding](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/Estate-Agent-400x310.png)
Propertymark has welcomed a move by the Government to lift restrictions on development along the abandoned HS2 route. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak...
23 January 2024
From: Breaking News
![TPO expels two property firms](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/Upfront%20information%20is%20here%20and%20now%20-%20digital%20conveyancing%20is%20next!%20by%20Beth%20Rudolf.png)
Two London firms have been expelled from The Property Ombudsman (TPO) for failing to pay compensation to consumers. This brings the total...
14 December 2023
From: Breaking News
![Conveyancers face ‘too many complaints’ about undertaking breaches](/upload/images/shutterstock_579629260(2).jpg)
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has warned it is receiving “too many complaints” about breaches of undertakings by solicitors. The regulator...
09 August 2023
From: Breaking News
![Labour to use Compulsory Purchase Orders to buy cheaper land](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/PropertyFinancing-400x310.png)
Labour says it will reform how land is valued under Compulsory Purchase Order powers in a bid to increase house building...
31 May 2023
From: Breaking News
![Doorsteps among collapsed agents ejected from redress scheme](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/PropertyNews1-400x310.png)
Eight agents were excluded from The Property Ombudsman (TPO) scheme during the first quarter of 2023 including collapsed online brand Doorsteps for...
06 April 2023
From: Breaking News
![Agency backed AML platform gains B Corp status](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/AML-400x310.png)
Agency-backed risk management platform Thirdfort has received awarded B Corporation status. The certification recognises Thirdfort’s commiutment to goals outside of shareholder profit...
05 October 2022
From: Breaking News
![Hybrid agent easyProperty set for new owner](/upload/images/Miscellaneous/HandshakeSuit-400x310.jpg)
Former Evolve staff are being offered £2,000 ex-gratia payments by the easyGroup after its ownership of easyProperty ended. Jason Bull, national sales...
19 August 2022
From: Breaking News
![Keep summer stress-free – preventing neighbour disputes](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/NeighbourhoodDispute-400x310.png)
As temperatures rise and the holidays begin many of us will be looking to enjoy our gardens and make improvements to...
02 August 2022
From: Legislation & Compliance
![‘Long way to go’ for equality in estate agency - claim](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/MillennialAgents-Meeting-400x310.jpg)
Two senior agency figures have suggested there is more work needed to level the playing field for women in the sector. The...
10 May 2022
From: Breaking News
![Why speedy transactions could be leaving the door wide open to fraudsters](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/EvictionNotice-400x310-min.jpeg)
In this guest piece, Colum Smith, a property expert at law firm Taylor Rose MW, sets out why speedier transactions could...
07 May 2022
From: Features
![How to Prove Your Rented Property is Safe for Habitation](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/Surveyor-Tablet-400x310.jpg)
As amendments to smoke and carbon monoxide alarm legislation loom for rented properties later this year, we look at how inventory...
09 April 2022
From: Features
![Essex online agent expelled from TPO scheme](/upload/images/library/UniversityOfEssex-400x310.png)
It was a quiet first quarter this year for sanctions at The Property Ombudsman (TPO). The redress scheme has revealed that just...
08 April 2022
From: Breaking News
![The real life horror behind the drama - why we must be on our guard against fraud](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/EvictionNotice-400x310-min.jpeg)
In a new column, solicitor Colum Smith, an expert in combating fraud at Taylor Rose MW Solicitors, explains why those looking...
26 March 2022
From: Features
![More politicians back seizure of oligarchs' London property assets](/upload/images/Locations/London400x310.png)
Momentum is building up in support of the government’s probe into whether the London homes of oligarchs on the sanctions list...
04 March 2022
From: Breaking News
![Government may seize homes of key Russians without compensation](/upload/images/library/MoneyLaundering-1-400x310.jpg)
The government is considering seizing British property owned by Russian oligarchs on the sanctions list without paying compensation. The Financial Times says Housing...
03 March 2022
From: Breaking News
![Stop Property Fraudsters - new guide released](/upload/images/library/Tenancy-fraud400x310.png)
A new guide to help avoid property title fraud, where home ownership can be stolen, has been released by the Fraud...
15 December 2021
From: Breaking News
![Ban Referral Fees For Agents - petition demands government action](/upload/images/library/Referrals-400x310.png)
A petition is being started, urging the government to ban the payment of referral fees to estate agents. It’s reported to have...
06 December 2021
From: Breaking News
![The presents agents need for Christmas to improve their business in 2022](/upload/images/Today%20Site%20Images/Xmas%2C%20Easter%2C%20Halloween/ChristmasScene-400x310.jpg)
With 2022 swiftly approaching, businesses in the property industry are likely to be reflecting on the trials and tribulations that have...
04 December 2021
From: Features
![Reservation Agreements give “absolute certainty” to agents - claim](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/Millennials-Handshake-400x310.jpg)
Reservation Agreements provide agents with absolute certainty that both sellers and buyers are being honest. “If they’re lying or… shall we say,...
05 November 2021
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks share price crashes after huge business slump](/upload/images/library/Purplebricks-2019Logo-400x310.jpg)
Purplebricks' share price tumbled a remarkable 34 per cent this morning when trading opened on the London Stock Exchange. The price crashed...
04 November 2021
From: Breaking News
![Rental Sector Enforcement - time to pull our fingers out](/upload/images/Rental%20Market/RentalMarketImage-1-400x310.jpg)
Within weeks the focus of the industry will be on the White Paper to be issued on rental reform before Christmas. Let’s...
16 October 2021
From: Features
![Agent group says talented women lost to industry due to menopause](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/MillennialAgents-Meeting-400x310.jpg)
The Women In Property group claims talented females are being lost to the industry due to the menopause. It says panic attacks,...
13 October 2021
From: Breaking News
![PropTech Today - how can tech help the smooth running of tenancies?](/upload/images/Site%20logos/ProptechToday-1-400x310.png)
There are a huge array of products and services covering the entire journey of lettings, from prospecting all the way through to...
22 September 2021
From: Breaking News
![£180,000 for estate agent who wanted to leave work early](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/UK-Cash-20-400x310.jpg)
A prominent prime London estate agent has been awarded £180,000 by a compensation panel following her victory earlier this year in...
07 September 2021
From: Breaking News
![Complaints about estate agents jump by a third says Ombudsman](/upload/images/Logos/ThePropertyOmbudsman-logo400x310.png)
The Property Ombudsman says there’s been a big increase in enquiries to its service in recent months, despite the pandemic. In its...
24 August 2021
From: Breaking News
![“Disgraceful” estate agent criticised by Crown Prosecution Service](/upload/images/library/Court2-400x310.jpg)
The Crown Prosecution Service has joined in the criticism of unemployed estate agent Lewis Hughes, who last week admitted a count...
04 August 2021
From: Breaking News
![Bankrupt took hundreds of thousands ‘to build retirement home’](/img/default/eat.png)
A bankrupt builder from Devon persuaded pensioners to pay him £271,000 to construct a home - but his poor workmanship has...
06 July 2021
From: Breaking News
![Seven rogue sales and lettings agencies expelled by Ombudsman](/img/default/eat.png)
No fewer than seven estate and lettings agencies have been expelled from The Property Ombudsman scheme today. Most of them are now...
30 June 2021
From: Breaking News
![Countrywide investor’s warning shot at underperforming Foxtons](/img/default/eat.png)
The veteran estate agent who led criticism of Countrywide’s former management is turning his glare on Foxtons. The London estate agency has...
20 April 2021
From: Breaking News
![Disgraced agent pays £110,000 compensation but must pay more](/img/default/eat.png)
A disgraced former estate agent has paid his victims around £110,000 but must pay another £5,000 or so in the immediate...
14 September 2020
From: Breaking News
![Property Natter - what are the differences between UK and US agents?](/img/default/eat.png)
We have had a special relationship for many years and are bonded as countries in many ways – historically, politically and...
01 August 2020
From: Features
![Big rise in complaints to fast-growing Property Redress Scheme](/img/default/eat.png)
There’s been a very large rise in the number of complaints submitted by consumers to the Property Redress Scheme. This is partly...
29 July 2020
From: Breaking News
![Vendors on HS2 route must accept offers at 85% of asking price](/img/default/eat.png)
The latest guidance from the government on the next phase of the HS2 high-speed railway confirms the previous demand that vendors...
09 July 2020
From: Breaking News
!['No DSS' lawsuits - what do letting agents need to know?](/img/default/eat.png)
Over the last few years, there have been a number of high-profile court cases in which renters took action against letting...
30 May 2020
From: Features
![Expelled! Agents kicked out by Ombudsman for not paying awards](/img/default/eat.png)
The Property Ombudsman has announced the expulsion of eight agencies, all for contravening TPO codes of practice. Most of the expulsions were...
04 May 2020
From: Breaking News
![Strutt & Parker: country views (of course) and winging it at home](/img/default/eat.png)
You wouldn’t expect the good folk at Strutt & Parker to have anything less than a superlative set of home offices...
10 April 2020
From: Breaking News
![Agents beware - buyers shoulder Japanese knotweed risk following TA6 changes](/img/default/eat.png)
Based on our historical data over twenty years of nationwide operation and a survey conducted in partnership with YouGov, we estimate...
04 April 2020
From: Features
![Jon Notley, co-founder and CEO of Zero Deposit™](/img/default/eat.png)
Who are you and what does it say on your business card? My name is Jon Notley and I am the co-founder...
12 March 2020
From: 60 Second Interview
![New Homes Ombudsman announced (again) with banning powers](/img/default/eat.png)
The government has - once again - announced the introduction of a New Homes Ombudsman. The news came yesterday when Housing Secretary...
25 February 2020
From: Breaking News
![More reforms on their way as government ponders leasehold changes](/img/default/eat.png)
The Law Commission has set out three ways to cut the cost that leaseholders have to pay to buy the freehold...
10 January 2020
From: Breaking News
![Cyber security - industry professionals feel unprepared for attacks](/img/default/eat.png)
Property professionals are increasingly worried about the threat of cyber attacks, according to new research. Some 41% of 'real estate professionals from...
03 October 2019
From: Breaking News
![Labour bid to seize empty homes and squalid rental properties](/img/default/eat.png)
Labour will this week discuss plans to allow councils to compulsorily purchase homes left empty for six months. Young Labour - a...
23 September 2019
From: Breaking News
![Is mis-measurement of homes by agents the next PPI scandal?](/img/default/eat.png)
A PropTech company is suggesting that property mis-measurements and resulting over-valuations may be the next PPI scandal. The firm - Spec, which...
17 September 2019
From: Breaking News
![Property Natter: why do people swap career paths to become agents?](/img/default/eat.png)
With the often negative portrayal of agents in the media and popular culture, you might ask yourself why anyone would want...
10 August 2019
From: Features
![‘Safer Property Search’ scheme to prioritise agents covered by TPO](/img/default/eat.png)
A trade association of agents selling properties overseas has launched a new feature which it claims will give buyers greater security...
18 July 2019
From: Breaking News
![Emoov collapse: angry sellers threaten legal action](/img/default/eat.png)
Estate Agent Today has been contacted by an individual who says he is one of three former Emoov customers intending to...
02 July 2019
From: Breaking News
![Buyers 'should retain funds if homes are dirty on completion' lawyer says](/img/default/eat.png)
A lawyer appears to be suggesting that ‘clean and tidy’ clauses be inserted into house purchase deals, allowing buyers to retain...
29 April 2019
From: Breaking News
![Agents back call for CMA probe into possible leasehold ‘mis-selling’](/img/default/eat.png)
The leasehold system has created many unsellable and unmortgageable homes and should change, MPs say. The all-party Housing, Communities and Local Government...
19 March 2019
From: Breaking News
![Dual Fees: first agent ‘must have done viewing’ to claim fees](/img/default/eat.png)
The Property Ombudsman has issued new guidance over what it calls “a growing issue” - that is, disputes over dual fees. TPO...
11 March 2019
From: Breaking News
![Rogue Agents Kicked Out: Ombudsman expulsions take 2018 total to 35](/img/default/eat.png)
The Property Ombudsman scheme has taken action against another six rogue agents in recent days, bringing the total number expelled this...
17 December 2018
From: Breaking News
![Agents welcome consultation into new leasehold reform proposals](/img/default/eat.png)
The National Association of Estate Agents has given broad support for radical proposals from the Law Commission to end leasehold abuse...
21 September 2018
From: Breaking News
![Franchise applicants rush to Winkworth despite Brexit hitting market](/img/default/eat.png)
The number of new franchise applicants reported by Winkworth in the first half of the year rocketed 135 per cent -...
13 September 2018
From: Breaking News
![Training is 'key to improve service levels' says agency boss](/img/default/eat.png)
The UK division of US-based estate agency Keller Williams says agents need access to internal training if service levels across the...
16 August 2018
From: Breaking News
![Ombudsman: fewer complaints about sales but lettings disputes soar](/img/default/eat.png)
The Property Ombudsman has issued its annual report for 2017 and there’s good news for the estate agency side of the...
17 May 2018
From: Breaking News
![Big rise in complaints to Property Redress Scheme ombudsman service](/img/default/eat.png)
The Property Redress Scheme - one of the three government-approved redress schemes handling complaints about sales and lettings agents - has...
13 April 2018
From: Breaking News
![Prices fall again in prime central London, admits Knight Frank](/img/default/eat.png)
Average prices dropped another 1.1 per cent in prime central London in the year to March according to new figures released...
06 April 2018
From: Breaking News
![New leasehold reform Bill to help those stranded in their homes](/img/default/eat.png)
Labour MP Justin Madders is working on a Private Members' Bill creating leasehold reform in a bid to help leaseholders who, he...
10 November 2017
From: Breaking News
![Suspended prison sentence for agent after Gumtree scam](/img/default/eat.png)
An estate agent branded as "thoroughly dishonest" following a Gumtree scam has been jailed for 20 months, suspended for two years....
06 November 2017
From: Breaking News
![Summer of love? More like summer of leasehold](/img/default/eat.png)
Even so close to the event, I don’t think anyone will be deeming 2017 as the ‘summer of love’. The summer of...
16 September 2017
From: Features
![Professional Indemnity explained for property professionals](/img/default/eat.png)
Giving clients reliable advice when they are buying, selling or letting a home lies at the core of every successful estate...
31 August 2017
From: Sponsored Content
![Vetting tenants to ensure they are all they seem](/img/default/eat.png)
When a tenant failed to pay any rent after the first month his tenancy last year, the landlord did not expect...
26 August 2017
From: Features
![Ombudsman warns that expelled agency may be trading illegally](/img/default/eat.png)
The Property Ombudsman has expelled a London lettings and estate agency for a year and is warning that the firm may...
23 August 2017
From: Breaking News
![Property Natter – are you GDPR-ready?](/img/default/eat.png)
Are you protecting your data right? This may sound like the sort of direct warning you get from cold callers or...
19 August 2017
From: Features
![Portal Wars resume as Agents' Mutual says it's going after the money](/img/default/eat.png)
Agents’ Mutual says it will be seeking to recover costs and compensation for losses incurred after what is widely seen as...
06 July 2017
From: Breaking News
![Big rise in complaints and compensation says The Property Ombudsman](/img/default/eat.png)
The Property Ombudsman’s annual report reveals a significant increase in the number of formal complaints resolved by the scheme and a...
22 June 2017
From: Breaking News
![Cluttons: pensions body investigating pre-pack deal to save agency](/img/default/eat.png)
Last week’s acquisition of high-end agency Cluttons from pre-pack administration is to be investigated by the Pension Protection Fund. We reported on...
09 May 2017
From: Breaking News
![How to take better property photos with sunny weather](/img/default/eat.png)
Finally! Spring has arrived so your property photos should look brighter and more cheerful shouldn’t they? I say, ‘should’ advisedly, because...
05 April 2017
From: Sponsored Content
![New industry recruitment firm offers phased-fees system](/img/default/eat.png)
A new recruitment business for the property industry in general and agents in particular is offering a phased-fees system for clients...
15 March 2017
From: Breaking News
![Developer to build fewer homes after 'poor quality' issues](/img/default/eat.png)
A house builder has set aside £7m to spend on repairs to its own new properties after a series of complaints...
21 February 2017
From: Breaking News
![Redressing the wrongs of agents remains fair and impartial](/img/default/eat.png)
When a tenant paid his initial one month’s rent in addition to a tenancy deposit in exchange for the keys to...
05 November 2016
From: Features
![Heathrow: at least 4,500 homes face CPO or 'airport purchase'](/img/default/eat.png)
The company that owns Heathrow airport is reported to have said that it will buy 750 homes on the site of...
26 October 2016
From: Breaking News
![Fracking row: agency group responds to protest organisation](/img/default/eat.png)
The Fisher German group has responded to a protest body which accused the firm of conflicts of interests in representing sellers...
19 October 2016
From: Breaking News
![First-time buyers – how agents can help them through the legal process](/img/default/eat.png)
Conveyancing is the most complained about area of law in England and Wales – accounting, on average, for nearly a quarter...
14 October 2016
From: Features
![eMoov's petition wants agency licensing because standards are poor](/img/default/eat.png)
eMoov founder and chief executive Russell Quirk has launched another online petition, this time calling for mandatory licensing of estate agents. The...
10 October 2016
From: Breaking News
![The Property Ombudsman tells estate agents: 'raise your standards'](/img/default/eat.png)
The Property Ombudsman scheme’s annual report, just released, reveals that there has been a dramatic 32 per cent surge in the...
04 October 2016
From: Breaking News
![What is ‘Compliance in a Box’ all about?](/img/default/eat.png)
With ever increasing obligations, estate agents know that compliance matters now more than ever. However, being able to obtain access to the...
12 August 2016
From: Features
![ETSOS Respond to Government’s anticipated “Call for Evidence” on improving the conveyancing process](/img/default/eat.png)
As a service provider to both Estate Agents and Conveyancing Solicitors from one platform, ETSOS sits in a fairly unique position...
06 July 2016
From: Sponsored Content
![Index of house prices – or accumulating crisis?](/img/default/eat.png)
So we now have a new 'official' index of house prices, and much good may it do us. For the chattering classes...
17 June 2016
From: Features
![CMA: compensation now possible after competition law breaches](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority - which has been active in the estate agency industry since its inception in April 2014...
06 May 2016
From: Breaking News
![OnTheMarket and CMA: agency director says portal choice was independent](/img/default/eat.png)
One of the directors of Agents’ Mutual, parent body of portal OnTheMarket, has told Estate Agent Today that his firm does...
22 April 2016
From: Breaking News
![OnTheMarket emails agents to steady the ship after media coverage](/img/default/eat.png)
OnTheMarket chief executive Ian Springett has sent an email to member agents following articles about alleged legal challenges to the portal...
14 April 2016
From: Breaking News
![OnTheMarket: City analysts raise possibility of compensation to agents](/img/default/eat.png)
Two City consultancies have been quick to interpret the rebellion by OnTheMarket member agents as an indication of dire changes - or...
13 April 2016
From: Breaking News
![Legal Ombudsman issues conveyancing guide after buyer's £20,000 bill](/img/default/eat.png)
The Legal Ombudsman has published new guidance for first time buyers as a result of conveyancing problems topping the list of...
19 January 2016
From: Breaking News
![Sean Hooker, Head of Redress, PRS](/img/default/eat.png)
Who are you? I’m the Head of Redress at the Property Redress Scheme. I previously worked for Legal & General PLC dealing...
23 December 2015
From: 60 Second Interview
![Agents expelled from Property Ombudsman over compensation dispute](/img/default/eat.png)
Two more agents have been expelled by TPO because they failed to pay awards when ordered to pay compensation, and because...
11 November 2015
From: Breaking News
![Estate agent jailed after diesel and bleach attack](/img/default/eat.png)
A jealous estate agent has been jailed for two months after dousing the bed of his ex-partner with diesel fuel and...
03 August 2015
From: Breaking News
![Agent says Heathrow blight shows need for compensation reform](/img/default/eat.png)
Knight Frank says the recommendation by the Airports Commission that there should be an additional runway at Heathrow will probably cause...