We all know what defines a successful community: not just a range of homes to address a range of requirements, but...
Archive
![Eco Retro-fitting Homes - call for consumer protections](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/PropertyNews3-400x310.png)
A coalition of organisations representing consumers, financial institutions and energy suppliers has written to the Department for Energy Security and Net...
01 May 2024
From: Breaking News
![Competition watchdog frees 500 households from doubling ground rents](/upload/images/shutterstock_1750387934.jpg)
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has secured agreements from eight freeholders to remove “problematic ground rent” terms from leases. The competition...
14 March 2024
From: Breaking News
![Competition watchdog: ‘Significant intervention’ needed in housebuilding market](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Developments/Builders-400x310.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into the UK’s largest housebuilders as it warns of “fundamental concerns”...
27 February 2024
From: Breaking News
![CMA seeks feedback on landbanking and planning analysis](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/PropertyStats-400x310.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is seeking feedback on two ‘working papers’ that detail its assessment on the use of...
16 November 2023
From: Breaking News
![Competition watchdog highlights areas for housing investigation](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/HouseInspection_400x310.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has highlighted land banks and planning blockages as potential areas for investigation. It comes as the...
29 August 2023
From: Breaking News
![Competition watchdog turns attention to housing market](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/PropertyNews2-400x310.png)
The competition watchdog is set to shine a spotlight on property, with investigations into the housebuilding market and a separate project...
01 March 2023
From: Breaking News
![Government ditches mandatory housebuilding targets](/upload/images/Politics%20(MPs%2C%20party%20logos%2C%20etc)/MichaelGove-400x310.jpg)
The Government has officially watered-down proposals for mandatory local housebuilding targets as it brings its flagship Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill...
06 December 2022
From: Breaking News
![Activists query why Tory housing fringe event excludes homebuyers and owners](/upload/images/library/First-TimeBuyer-Questions-400x310.jpg)
Housing minister Lee Rowley is set to make one of his first official public appearances at a Conservative Party fringe event...
30 September 2022
From: Breaking News
![Competition watchdog secures ground rent reductions for leaseholders](/upload/images/library/New%20Rental%20Index-400x310.png)
Thousands more leaseholders are expected to see ground rents cut and some may even receive refunds. It forms part of the Competition...
25 August 2022
From: Breaking News
![Watchdog drops investigation into builder’s leasehold sales](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/Homes-MaginifyingGlass-400x310.jpg)
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has closed its investigation into alleged mis-selling of leasehold houses by Barratt Homes. It is the...
17 August 2022
From: Breaking News
![Property data company hits back amid watchdog's merger concerns](/upload/images/Miscellaneous/MergerAcquisition-1-400x310.jpg)
Property data company Dye & Durham has promised to “work collaboratively” with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) after the watchdog...
19 May 2022
From: Breaking News
![Competition watchdog blocks property data merger](/upload/images/Logos/CMA-logo400x310.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has warned that it may block the merger of two property search firms as it...
18 May 2022
From: Breaking News
![POA: So how many agency listings could be 'unlawful?'](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/Millennial-Tenant-Kitchen-400x310.jpg)
Agency trade bodies have backed the “clarity” provided by Trading Standards after it deemed “price on application” listings unlawful. It comes as...
06 May 2022
From: Breaking News
![Trading Standards: Why POA listings are unlawful](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/House-in-Hand-400x310.jpg)
The National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team (NTSELAT) deemed yesterday that the use of POA or “price on application”...
05 May 2022
From: Breaking News
![‘Price on application’ in property listings deemed unlawful](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/PropertyInformationKeys-400x310.jpg)
The National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team (NTSELAT) has deemed that the use of POA or “price on application”...
04 May 2022
From: Breaking News
![Agency reviews site calls for tougher crackdown on fake feedback](/upload/images/Miscellaneous/ReviewsFeedback-400x310.jpg)
The government is being urged to go further with its clampdown on fake reviews. A government announcement aimed at protecting consumers last...
25 April 2022
From: Breaking News
![More leaseholders freed from doubling ground rents](/upload/images/Politics%20(MPs%2C%20party%20logos%2C%20etc)/MichaelGove2-400x310.png)
Fifteen businesses which had bought freeholds from housing developer Countryside have now given formal undertakings to remove terms that cause ground...
21 March 2022
From: Breaking News
![Breakthrough in ground rents and leasehold controversy](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/LeaseholdImage-2020-400x310.jpg)
A probe by the Competition and Markets Authority has led housebuilder Taylor Wimpey to make changes for the benefit of leaseholders. Taylor...
23 December 2021
From: Breaking News
![ALEP welcomes ground rents action as Countryside scraps unfair lease terms](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/UK-Houses-Row-2019-400x310.jpg)
The Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) has become the latest body to welcome the decision by Countryside Properties to scrap the requirement to pay...
17 September 2021
From: Breaking News
![National Leasehold Campaign backs latest CMA action on ground rents](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/NewHomes-400x310.png)
One of the biggest campaign groups calling for leasehold reform has welcomed the action taken by the Competition and Markets Authority...
16 September 2021
From: Breaking News
![Leasehold victory – leaseholders with Countryside freed from costly terms](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/UK-Houses-Row-2019-400x310.jpg)
In what will be seen as the latest win for leaseholders across the UK, it’s been revealed that – following action...
15 September 2021
From: Breaking News
![Fake estate agency reviews: Watchdog probes Google and Amazon](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competititon and Markets Authority says it’s to look into reviews on Google and Amazon, and see whether the online giants...
28 June 2021
From: Breaking News
![Ground Rent refunds: Agents demand rest of industry must follow suit](/img/default/eat.png)
NAEA Propertymark says the news that two major players in the leasehold sector have reformed their activities must be just the...
24 June 2021
From: Breaking News
![Ground rent refunds after watchdog strikes leasehold deal](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority has struck a deal with house builders over leasehold abuses. Aviva has committed to remove certain terms...
23 June 2021
From: Breaking News
![How Open Banking will transform the lettings industry](/img/default/eat.png)
Banking has gone through radical changes in the past few years, in step with technology and the sheer amount we can...
29 May 2021
From: Features
![Will Facebook act after agency is victim of “vile” Prince Philip slur?](/img/default/eat.png)
An estate agency has apologised after a bogus employee posted offensive comments about Prince Philip on a newly-created fake Facebook account. This...
13 April 2021
From: Breaking News
![Fake Reviews: Watchdog pushes Facebook into action](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority says it has pushed Facebook into taking new action to combat fake reviews - an issue...
12 April 2021
From: Breaking News
![Ground rent scandal: Housebuilders bite back after attack by watchdog](/img/default/eat.png)
Two of Britain’s largest house builders have reacted sharply to calls by Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick and the Competition and Markets...
22 March 2021
From: Breaking News
![Leasehold scandal: Top house builders ordered to change contracts](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority has written to two top house builders ordering them to change their leasehold terms. In September the...
19 March 2021
From: Breaking News
![Connells buys Countrywide - deal to be completed in New Year](/img/default/eat.png)
In a dramatic New Year’s Eve statement on the London Stock Exchange, Countrywide has agreed the terms of a recommended offer...
31 December 2020
From: Breaking News
![Connells makes increased offer for Countrywide](/img/default/eat.png)
Connells has this morning made a dramatic improvement in its bid to takeover Countrywide. It has increased its cash offer from 250p...
07 December 2020
From: Breaking News
![Private equity firm wanting control of Countrywide says it’s nearly there](/img/default/eat.png)
The private equity company which wants to take control of Countrywide has issued a statement saying it now has the support...
04 December 2020
From: Breaking News
![How can Open Banking benefit landlords and letting agents?](/img/default/eat.png)
Letting agents and landlords have faced huge change and uncertainty this year, with Covid-19 the major driver. But even before the...
05 November 2020
From: PropTech & Innovation
![Agents offered ‘leniency options’ to confess about industry cartels](/img/default/eat.png)
New guidance spells out how leniency can be exercised on agencies or individuals who inform on anti-competition cartels of the kind that...
05 November 2020
From: Breaking News
![New warning to estate agents over illegal price-fixing](/img/default/eat.png)
The estate agency industry is still under the spotlight for possible illegal price fixing cartels according to the Competition and Markets...
11 September 2020
From: Breaking News
![Watchdog launches probe into unfair sales tactics of leasehold homes](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority is today opening enforcement cases focusing on the sale of leasehold homes by four leading housebuilders. They...
04 September 2020
From: Breaking News
![Another agency chief targeted by CMA for future disqualification](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority - which yesterday announced it had disqualified two estate agency directors for their parts in a...
16 June 2020
From: Breaking News
![Disgraced agency directors disqualified after price-fixing scandal](/img/default/eat.png)
Two estate agency directors have been disqualified by the Competition and Markets Authority after taking part in an illegal price fixing...
15 June 2020
From: Breaking News
![Dominic Cummings - lessons for the agency industry](/img/default/eat.png)
Dominic Cummings has been at worst a cause of huge anger to a nation that’s already extremely anxious. At best, he’s been...
30 May 2020
From: Features
![Watchdog launches probe into fake and misleading online reviews](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority has launched an investigation into fake and misleading online reviews. The announcement from the watchdog does not...
22 May 2020
From: Breaking News
![Why Open Banking is the future of rental payments](/img/default/eat.png)
Much like PropTech, Open Banking has been used as a buzzword in recent years. However, when it comes to the rental...
04 April 2020
From: Features
![Industry welcome for clampdown on developers’ leasehold sales](/img/default/eat.png)
There’s been a broad welcome from agents and other industry organisations for the latest report from the Competition and Markets Authority...
02 March 2020
From: Breaking News
![Agents asked to confess if their firm has been price-fixing](/img/default/eat.png)
A new call has been issued this morning by the Competition and Markets Authority for estate agents to confess if their...
25 February 2020
From: Breaking News
![Watchdog issues “strong signal” to rogue agents who price-fix](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority says it wants to send “a strong signal” to the estate agency industry that price-fixing will...
24 January 2020
From: Breaking News
![CMA releases cartel agents’ investigation details](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority has released a 135 page document giving explicit details of its latest agency cartel investigation. This includes...
23 January 2020
From: Breaking News
![Emoov online review row deepens as CMA probes wider problem](/img/default/eat.png)
There have been two developments on the controversial subject of online reviews. One concerns the online agency Emoov, which three months ago...
09 January 2020
From: Breaking News
![Public asked to inform on other fee-fixing estate agents](/img/default/eat.png)
The public are being asked to inform the authorities if they know of agents operating fee-fixing cartels. The request - from the...
18 December 2019
From: Breaking News
![Breakthrough as agent sells apartments without ground rents](/img/default/eat.png)
A London estate agency says a new scheme of apartments being launched for sale this weekend will be the first ever...
07 November 2019
From: Breaking News
![Four agencies acted illegally in fee price cartel, says watchdog](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority has provisionally found that four agencies broke competition law by taking part in a price fixing...
13 June 2019
From: Breaking News
![CMA launches investigation into sale of leasehold properties](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority has formally launched an investigation into the sale of leasehold properties - including possible mis-selling. This follows...
11 June 2019
From: Breaking News
![A moving tide of regulation making its way towards estate agents](/img/default/eat.png)
It may well seem that the government is pre-occupied with one issue, and one issue alone. While preparations for Brexit take up a...
01 June 2019
From: Features
![‘Punish rip-off culprits’ - CMA urged to be aggressive on leasehold abuse](/img/default/eat.png)
A firm supporting leaseholders across the UK says the ongoing Competition and Markets Authority probe should “punish” what it calls “rip off...
24 May 2019
From: Breaking News
![Agents welcome CMA probe into 'mis-selling' of leasehold properties](/img/default/eat.png)
The National Association of Estate Agents has welcomed the commitment by the Competition and Markets Authority to investigate the mis-selling of...
17 May 2019
From: Breaking News
![Proceedings against ‘fees cartel’ agent dropped after he accepts disqualification](/img/default/eat.png)
Proceedings against an estate agent at the centre of a fees cartel case have been dropped following his agreement not to stand as...
30 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
![Cartels and anti-money laundering take centre stage at NAEA event](/img/default/eat.png)
The government policies and enforcement plans for anti-money laundering measures are set to take centre stage at next month’s annual conference...
22 January 2019
From: Breaking News
![Huge cash reward for estate agents who blow the whistle on price-fixing](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority is stepping up its campaign to identify and prosecute companies behind cartels - and it’s offering...
24 October 2018
From: Breaking News
![Conveyancers may have to publish prices, services and reviews](/img/default/eat.png)
As the process of making buying and selling more transparent continues to gather pace, the body that regulates conveyancers says it...
05 June 2018
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks under scrutiny as US watchdog discusses online agencies](/img/default/eat.png)
The Federal Trade Commission - the US equivalent of the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority - will today discuss how the...
05 June 2018
From: Breaking News
![Estate agency directors are disqualified over cartels scandal](/img/default/eat.png)
Two estate agency directors have been disqualified over a cartel scandal which resulted in five agencies being fined over £370,000 for...
10 April 2018
From: Breaking News
![CMA urges people to report unfair cartels that cheat customers](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority, which is believed to be actively investigating estate agents’ alleged infringement of the Competitions Act, is...
22 March 2018
From: Breaking News
![Competition and Markets Authority opens investigation into estate agencies](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competitions and Markets Authority is investigating a suspect infringement of the Competition Act 1998 by estate agents. Few details have been...
02 March 2018
From: Breaking News
![Fee-fixing: CMA sets out what agencies can and cannot do and say](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority has set out precisely what agents and other companies can and cannot do in the event...
10 October 2017
From: Breaking News
![Warning: Don’t fall foul of competition rules after CMA fines](/img/default/eat.png)
The decision by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to fine five estate agents for engaging in a price fixing cartel has...
07 October 2017
From: Features
!['Cartels Hotline' launched on back of disgraced agencies' case](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority - which yesterday released details of an infamous cartel case involving estate agencies - has now...
19 September 2017
From: Breaking News
![CMA releases details of estate agents' cartel scheme](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority has for the first time published details of the findings against a group of six estate...
18 September 2017
From: Breaking News
![CMA reveals details of go-ahead for ZPG/Expert Agent merger](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority has released the full wording on its decision to give the go-ahead to ZPG’s acquisition of Expert...
25 July 2017
From: Breaking News
![Regulators call for conveyancing to become more competitive, transparent](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority has released a set of recommendations on how conveyancing, and other legal services, could be made...
03 July 2017
From: Breaking News
![The Queen's Speech marks another step forward for leasehold reform](/img/default/eat.png)
The political ebb and flow continues - seemingly with all the subtlety of a Boris Johnson rugby tackle on a 10-year...
01 July 2017
From: Features
![Expert Agent 'relieved' ZPG acquisition uncertainty is over](/img/default/eat.png)
Expert Agent says it is pleased the uncertainty surrounding its takeover had ended but suggests the Competition and Markets Authority’s announcement...
30 June 2017
From: Breaking News
![Competition authority clears ZPG acquisition of Expert Agent](/img/default/eat.png)
ZPG, owner of digital platforms including Zoopla, uSwitch, PrimeLocation, Hometrack and Property Software Group, has been cleared by the Competition and...
29 June 2017
From: Breaking News
![CMA releases details of ZPG/Expert Agent enforcement order](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competitions and Markets Authority has released more details of its ‘calling-in’ of the acquisition of Expert Agent by Zoopla Property...
03 April 2017
From: Breaking News
![ZPG's acquisition of Expert Agent called in by Competition and Markets Authority](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competitions and Markets Authority is reviewing the acquisition of Expert Agent by ZPG, parent company of Zoopla and PrimeLocation. A statement...
31 March 2017
From: Breaking News
![Competition and Markets Authority to review new-build warranties](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority is to review the operation of new home structural warranties issued by the National House Building...
22 March 2017
From: Breaking News
![Why estate agents need to take compliance seriously](/img/default/eat.png)
Some big news in the agency world last week won’t have escaped the attention of many in the industry. Last Thursday news...
14 March 2017
From: Sponsored Content
![Agent fined by CMA says responsible partner 'acted alone'](/img/default/eat.png)
One of the four estate agents fined by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) for price-fixing has spoken about the details...
07 March 2017
From: Breaking News
![Agents operating in cartels: CMA promises more action if required](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority has now fined agents over £1m in two landmark cases concerning price-fixing - and it says...
03 March 2017
From: Breaking News
![CMA to make conveyancers publish home-moving charges online](/img/default/eat.png)
Conveyancers are to be told to publish the charges for their house-moving services in a bid to help consumers and to...
16 December 2016
From: Breaking News
![How to spot fake estate agent reviews](/img/default/eat.png)
2016 has undoubtedly shone a spotlight on the reviews industry and drawn into question the legitimacy of online customer reviews. Amazon, amongst...
03 December 2016
From: Features
![How can agents manage negative feedback left on review sites?](/img/default/eat.png)
Online reviews play an increasingly vital role in shaping the decisions of customers. Practically everyone using the internet to compare estate...
22 October 2016
From: Features
![Industry protests work – so keep them up](/img/default/eat.png)
It’s been a heartening few weeks for those of us who thought that protest was dead – or, more precisely, that...
09 September 2016
From: Features
![Surveyors are latest to come out against Land Registry privatisation](/img/default/eat.png)
The Residential Property Surveyors Association is the latest of many trade bodies to come out against government proposals to privatise the...
11 August 2016
From: Breaking News
![Watchdog intervenes over London agency's portal advertising](/img/default/eat.png)
The Advertising Standards Authority has stepped in to resolve a complaint about a small London estate agency’s online references to its...
03 August 2016
From: Breaking News
![CMA repeats concern over 'monopoly' privatised Land Registry](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority has reiterated controversial remarks about the government’s proposed privatisation of the Land Registry. Last month it surprised...
24 June 2016
From: Breaking News
![Land Registry privatisation consultation closes today](/img/default/eat.png)
The government's consultation on the proposed privatisation of the Land Registry closes today. Interested parties have had since March 24 to give...
26 May 2016
From: Breaking News
![CMA challenges government over Land Registry privatisation](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has challenged the government over its renewed attempt to privatise the Land Registry. Last week's Queen's...
24 May 2016
From: Breaking News
![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 tally still over 6,500 if letters of intent are included](/img/default/eat.png)
Beleaguered challenger portal OnTheMarket has recruited the 25-branch south of England agency Goadsby and says this takes its total of sales...
26 April 2016
From: Breaking News
![Agents' network asks CMA about role of NAEA on Agents' Mutual board](/img/default/eat.png)
The Independent Network of Estate Agents has written to the Competition and Markets Authority, raising the issue of the NAEA’s managing...
25 April 2016
From: Breaking News
![Seven unanswered questions about the OTM/CMA affair](/img/default/eat.png)
By accident or design, the PR machine at OnTheMarket was beefed up last week. Just as well. With the portal still reeling...
23 April 2016
From: Features
![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
![Competition and Markets Authority warns agents over portal choices](/img/default/eat.png)
After over a year of speculation, the Competition and Markets Authority has stepped into the row over OnTheMarket and its ‘one...
21 April 2016
From: Breaking News
![EweMove chief slams government and portals over digital innovation efforts](/img/default/eat.png)
An executive director at hybrid estate agency EweMove has hit out at the government’s apparent support for innovation in the house...
12 April 2016
From: Breaking News
![Watchdog orders company to stop writing fake customer reviews](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority has ordered a company to stop writing fake reviews for small businesses and to try to...
08 March 2016
From: Breaking News
![CMA opens investigation into unnamed review websites](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority has updated its advice to all online review sites - including those for estate agencies and...
12 February 2016
From: Breaking News
![Competitions authority to assess accuracy of review websites](/img/default/eat.png)
The Competition and Markets Authority says one of its priorities for 2016-17 is to pursue a project analysing the accuracy and...
04 January 2016
From: Breaking News
![Agents' fees: CMA and TPO collaborate on new guidance to agents](/img/default/eat.png)
The Property Ombudsman and the Competition and Markets Authority have prepared a supplementary guidance note to help agents ensure compliance with the Competition Act. The...
14 October 2015
From: Breaking News
![Agents’ Mutual’s latest ‘letter of intent’: what’s in it for agents?](/img/default/eat.png)
The consumer is King and to protect sellers and buyers' best interests estate and letting agents have to operate in the...