x
By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies to enhance your experience.
KEYWORD "Obligations" - 100 RESULTS
Propertymark reminds agents of AML obligations amid high fines

Propertymark has issued a reminder to agents about anti-money laundering (AML) compliance as HMRC declared fines of more than £1.6m for...

21 August 2024

From: Breaking News

Mastering Tenant Deposits: A Guide for Letting Agents

Managing tenant deposits is a crucial part of any letting agent’s responsibilities. Ensuring compliance with regulations and safeguarding both landlord and...

08 May 2024

From: Features

‘Hidden’ Service Charges trigger rise in housing costs, says Barclays

Typical consumer spending on mortgages and rents increased 3.6% in April – the first increase in the rate of growth since...

07 May 2024

From: Breaking News

 AML warning as hundreds of agents hit with HMRC fines

An anti-money laundering (AML) expert has queried why there is a reluctance among estate agents to accept and follow AML responsibilities. It...

12 April 2024

From: Breaking News


JONATHAN ROLANDE: Five things to remember when using AI in the property sector


Everyone seems to be talking about artificial intelligence (AI) right now. It is an issue which has been bubbling under since Covid -...

25 March 2024

From: Breaking News

Common Pitfalls: Avoiding Fines in UK Property Transactions

As you begin the process of property transactions in the UK, it's important to understand potential pitfalls that may result in...

16 March 2024

From: Features

Renters Reform Bill

Introduced to Parliament in May, the Renters (Reform) Bill seeks to improve the private rental sector for both tenants and landlords....

15 September 2023

From: Sponsored Content

Selective Licensing: What you need to know

In recent years, the UK private rented sector has witnessed a significant increase in government regulation aimed at raising standards for...

12 August 2023

From: Features

Estate agents need to know: How can digital ID tools help you with AML?

Tackling economic crime is part of the day job for estate agents. But how can the latest digital ID tools help...

12 July 2023

From: Features

Unlocking success: capabilities an ideal CRM toolbox should offer

CRMs can be superheroes for your business, but not all of them possess the necessary powers to save the day. As...

11 July 2023

From: Sponsored Content

Agents invited to one-of-a-kind industry compliance webinar

Propertymark is working with an Anti-Money Laundering service to stage a webinar for agents wanting to know more about compliance. At the...

10 July 2023

From: Breaking News

Is your letting business still compliant?

Following publication of the Renter’s Reform Bill and the media coverage surrounding it, many agents and their landlords will understandably have...

27 May 2023

From: Features

Agents face a 'perfect storm' for money laundering

Recent research estimated that up to £100 billion is being stolen in the UK each year, with much of it due...

22 April 2023

From: Features

Homebuyers shun whiff of air pollution

New data reveals nearly two-thirds of homebuyers actively avoided areas of high air pollution when on the hunt for their current...

14 April 2023

From: Breaking News

Competition watchdog turns attention to housing market

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

Douglas & Gordon administration is confirmed

Estate agency brand Douglas & Gordon was confirmed to have entered administration yesterday. There were rumours over the weekend that the well-known...

28 February 2023

From: Breaking News

What is keeping estate agents awake at night in 2023?

Two of the biggest challenges facing the property industry right now are fraud and money laundering. The scale of these activities is...

15 February 2023

From: Features

UK Government has vowed to use ‘all the tools’ to expose the ‘criminals and corrupt elites’ using the UK property market to clean their dirty cash

AML experts SmartSearch warn estate agents that, with so many firms still hiding behind ‘opaque corporate structures,’ proper due diligence has...

11 February 2023

From: Features

Think safety – what lettings staff and clerks need to know about lone working

Inventory clerks and letting agency staff have been warned to put safety first when lone working or entering tenants’ properties for...

07 January 2023

From: Features

Avoiding the threat of fines: what’s often missed in the AML process

HMRC has fined estate agents over £500,000 for anti-money laundering (AML) breaches in the past two months. Yet despite property managers...

26 November 2022

From: Features

Who is the latest Housing Minister?

The Government’s latest Housing Minister Lucy Frazer brings plenty of property experience as a landlord and has also indirectly received donations...

10 November 2022

From: Breaking News

Agents must take AML seriously after huge HMRC crackdown

Dozens of estate agents have been fined a combined total of £519,645 for failing to meet their obligations under anti-money laundering...

02 November 2022

From: Features

Going digital is the answer to sector compliancy woes

If recent headlines are anything to go by, estate agents and the wider property industry are not just feeling the heavy...

15 October 2022

From: Features

Four compliance findings from the English Private Landlords Survey

Are landlords following the law? To answer this question, the Government grouped answers from its English Private Landlords Survey 2022 according...

15 October 2022

From: Features

Sprift announced as main sponsor for this week’s ESTAS

Property data company Sprift has been confirmed as one of the Principal Partners for this year’s ESTAS Awards, which take place...

12 October 2022

From: Breaking News

As HMRC reveals almost half of those falling foul of AML regulations are property firms, estate agents are urged to get their compliance in order or face the consequences

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) recently published a list of firms that have received penalty notices for failure to meet their...

17 August 2022

From: Sponsored Content

Purplebricks fallout – CEO bemoans ‘series of missteps’ after annual results

Yesterday’s publication of Purplebricks’ annual results – which made for very difficult reading for the troubled brand – came as part...

03 August 2022

From: Breaking News

Rishi-Tweedle-Dum and Liz-Tweedle-DumDum

When it comes to housing policy, the Conservative MPs have given their party a choice between Tweedle Dum and Tweedle DumDum. Rishi...

23 July 2022

From: Features

RICS commits to speedy reforms following independent review

The interim chairman of the RICS governing council has vowed to get the beleaguered body in a “good position” for reforms...

22 June 2022

From: Breaking News

The biggest problem with PropTech? All the choice it offers!

Technology developed for the estate agency industry has advanced and expanded seismically over the past decade as software vendors develop their...

06 April 2022

From: Features

Upfront Information - Light at the end of the Tunnel? 

They say that in fashion, if you wait for long enough, clothes that are hanging at the back of your wardrobe...

02 April 2022

From: Features

Revealed - why Trading Standards wants changes to property listings

The National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agent Team has released background information on how it came to make changes to...

24 February 2022

From: Breaking News

Agents Alert - new info must be included on all property listings

Trading Standards and the government have jointly announced compulsory new data which must appear on property listings. A property's council tax band or...

21 February 2022

From: Breaking News

A Lesson for Agents from the Ukraine Crisis

If the UK and its allies have been played by Russia over the Ukraine ‘invasion’, and it’s beginning to look that...

19 February 2022

From: Features

Short term lets - what’s the extent of the problem?

Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, analyses the impact that the lack of available data is having on...

19 February 2022

From: Features

Insight - an estate agents’ guide to AML

The UK property industry has long been a target of fraudsters due to the low levels of transparency and the fact...

12 February 2022

From: Features

Purplebricks - It's My Property and I Will Sell It To Who I Want

Was Purplebricks right to delist a property from its website when it discovered the vendors - a Christian couple - were opposed...

28 January 2022

From: Breaking News

HMRC ‘hot on the heels of 25% of estate agents’ - claim

A tech company in the compliance sector claims that 25 per cent of UK estate agency branches have failed to register...

27 January 2022

From: Breaking News

How to prepare for lettings in 2022 and beyond using PropTech

In this guest feature, James Dilgul, Head of Marketing at Fixflo, the market-leading repairs and maintenance management software provider, looks at how...

22 January 2022

From: Features

We survived 2021, so what has 2022 in store for estate agents?

With the drastic changes enacted on the industry over the past two years thanks to the pandemic and political events such...

22 January 2022

From: Features

HMRC consulting on new Stamp Duty threat to property sales

A leading accountant is warning of a possible stamp duty change affecting residential property this year. HMRC is currently consulting on a...

10 January 2022

From: Breaking News

Compliance check list - are you New Year ready?

Compliance check list - are you New Year ready? The start of a new year is a great time for estate agents...

10 December 2021

From: Sponsored Content

Are you fit to fight financial crime in property transactions?  

I’ve worked in financial crime for the past seven years, beginning my career as a white collar crime litigator in a law firm. I know that the...

04 December 2021

From: Features

The presents agents need for Christmas to improve their business in 2022

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

Estate agents urged to assess compliance procedures after sloppy AML checks lead to man’s house being stolen

Estate agents are being urged to ensure their compliance procedures are up to scratch after fraudsters stole a man’s identity and...

02 December 2021

From: Sponsored Content

New build prices may soar to cover raft of energy efficiency moves

The price of new build homes could soar if developers are expected to pay for additional energy efficiency measures not necessarily...

29 November 2021

From: Breaking News

Government must help agents meet AML obligations - expert

The perception of the housing market, especially in London, being awash with ‘dirty’ money is a problem that needs to be...

29 November 2021

From: Breaking News

Preparing for 2022 – How current trends will affect estate agencies

As we move into the autumn of 2021, what the coming year has in store for estate agents is something we...

29 September 2021

From: Features

PropTech firm backed by Zoopla founder launches AML platform

A PropTech firm backed by Zoopla founder Alex Chesterman has launched a new anti-money laundering (AML) tool for estate agents. Thirdfort has...

24 September 2021

From: Breaking News

Better AML solutions needed amid warnings of possible impacts of Afghanistan exit on financial crime

Regulators are warning the UK’s property, finance and legal sectors to be aware of the possible impacts of the exit from...

09 September 2021

From: Sponsored Content

Good EPC ratings have almost no impact on house price - Nationwide

A new survey shows that there’s just a 1.7 per cent house price premium on homes with EPC ratings A or...

31 August 2021

From: Breaking News

Agents to issue tax information to prospective buyers

Propertymark has worked with one of the UK governments to create an information sheet which, in virtual or hard copy firm,...

29 July 2021

From: Breaking News

Estate agents can now speed up their AML checks - here’s how

As estate agencies are covered by Money Laundering Regulations, agents are legally obliged to take customer due diligence measures to limit...

01 June 2021

From: Sponsored Content

Q&A with Jerry Walters – why the AML clock is ticking for letting agents

With property fraud on the rise and an ever-increasing number of transactions taking place in the lettings sector, having strict anti-money laundering...

22 May 2021

From: Features

Capital Gains Tax and Property Sales - report calls for overhaul

A report by the Office of Tax Simplification on Capital Gains Tax has called for a series of changes. They include extending...

21 May 2021

From: Breaking News

Leaving the EU does not mean leaving Anti-Money Laundering Laws behind

Brexit means that the UK’s anti-money laundering laws are no longer governed by the European Union (EU), but any estate agents...

10 May 2021

From: Sponsored Content

Free anti-money laundering training for Rightmove member agents

The anti-money laundering compliance service that is now part of data company LonRes is holding a training session for Rightmove member...

04 May 2021

From: Breaking News

Ten useful tools to aid end of tenancy deposit deductions

The TDS annual review 2020 indicates that deposit disputes have remained low over the last year, at around 1%. This is...

24 April 2021

From: Features

Virtual viewings and personal data – what do agents need to know?

If someone broke into your house and took a video of lots of personal information, like photos of family and pets,...

17 April 2021

From: Features

Have tenants in arrears? You need to be aware of this new law

From 4 May 2021, your agency could be blocked from charging late fees, compounding interest on missing rent and taking any...

20 March 2021

From: Features

In Conversation – Data Sharing with LonRes chief Anthony Payne

In this week’s In Conversation Today, I speak with Anthony Payne, Managing Director and co-founder of LonRes, a data and network...

04 March 2021

From: Breaking News

HMRC names agencies breaching anti-money laundering processes

Estate agencies have been named by HM Revenue & Customs for breaching anti-money laundering regulations. The list of those breaching the rules...

12 January 2021

From: Breaking News

Boomin's Michael Bruce reveals portal's aims - and the lessons of Purplebricks

To kick off 2021, we have a Q&A with one of the most high-profile – and, it has to be said,...

07 January 2021

From: Breaking News

Brexit data protection measures may mean more red tape for agents

A leading property law expert says agents with international clients in parts of Europe should prepare for additional processes which may...

07 January 2021

From: Breaking News

2021 preview – what do letting agencies need to prepare for?

As we approach the end of the year, there is no doubt that it has been a turbulent 12 months for...

02 January 2021

From: Features

How can letting agents reduce deposit disputes?

Deposit disputes can be time-consuming and difficult for all parties involved whether it be a letting agent, landlord, or tenant. Although at...

09 December 2020

From: Features

PRS regulation - could more authorities follow the lead of Westminster?

Back in September, Westminster Council launched a new strategy to help 'protect tenants' and 'ensure they live in good-quality and well-managed...

28 November 2020

From: Features

Why the delay? Leasehold lobby presses government for action

A leasehold group has written to Housing Minister Chris Pincher pressing for an update on the government’s approach to reform for...

19 November 2020

From: Breaking News

Delivering a speedy end of tenancy deposit negotiation – the top tips

Tenancy deposit disputes are messy and often frustrating for all involved. While the number of formal disputes remains low, the pandemic...

10 November 2020

From: Legislation & Compliance

Many firms sceptical of automated anti-money laundering systems

Over a fifth of key businesses say they do not trust any element at all of automated anti-money laundering checks and...

06 November 2020

From: Breaking News

Common sense tips for dealing with student tenants

Clear communication and common-sense actions by landlords, letting agents and students at the start of a tenancy can drastically improve the...

31 October 2020

From: Features

Deposit protection - what is Prescribed Information?

Did you know your deposit protection obligations don't end with paying the deposit? You also need to serve the Prescribed Information within 30...

27 October 2020

From: Legislation & Compliance

Top tips on how to ensure your AML procedures are up to scratch

The property market, and therefore, estate agents have been accused of being the 'weak link' in the UK’s money laundering defences. This...

27 October 2020

From: Legislation & Compliance

Online agents and deals run bigger money laundering risks - government

The government has issued new guidance to estate and lettings agencies on their obligations regarding money laundering issues - and online...

15 October 2020

From: Breaking News

Explained for agents - Electrical Safety Standards Regulations

Since June 1, under The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords in England have been...

26 August 2020

From: Features

AML checks for estate agents who don’t have time for compliance

The last few months have been tough for the property sector, and the pressure will continue as estate agents across the...

19 August 2020

From: Features

990-year lease extensions could help end leasehold scandal

The long-awaited proposals for leasehold reform produced by the Law Commission suggests giving owners the right to extend their lease for...

22 July 2020

From: Breaking News

RICS beefs up Anti-Money Laundering guide in light of Coronavirus

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has revised its Anti-Money Laundering guidance in the light of Coronavirus. It says the scale of...

26 May 2020

From: Breaking News

Countrywide senior staff have pay cut as 78% of workforce furloughed

Countrywide’s senior staff earning over £45,000 per year have had their pay cut by a fifth while some 78 per cent...

30 April 2020

From: Breaking News

Remote Verification: How Property Firms Can Protect Themselves & Thrive

Aside from the obvious health crisis, the current pandemic is proving difficult for the business worldwide. However, despite the increasing contact...

22 April 2020

From: Sponsored Content

The final stages of Section 24 – where does this leave the PRS?

This month saw the introduction of the final stages of the Section 24 tax changes, first introduced in April 2017. Whereas buy-to-let...

18 April 2020

From: Features

Kick-start your agency out of lockdown - key webinar this morning

Hello and welcome to Conquering Corona, our bid to help agents through the crisis. If you have appropriate advice to share with...

16 April 2020

From: Breaking News

Conquering Corona: a legal perspective, more webinars and a supplier offer

Hello, and welcome to Wednesday’s guidance and advice for agents and suppliers trying to find a way through the current crisis. If...

15 April 2020

From: Breaking News

Agent training to include Modern Method of Auction compliance

Training operator The Able Agent is to include a module on the Modern Method of Auction in its future programme.  Charlotte Jeffry-Campbell,...

12 March 2020

From: Breaking News

Trading Standards demands “material information” in property details

Trading Standards says agents must include more “material information” in property details even if this may not be a wholly positive...

03 March 2020

From: Breaking News

First merger disclosure forms filed by Countrywide and LSL

Both Countrywide and LSL Property Services have submitted early online paperwork to The Panel on Takeovers and Mergers, an independent body...

26 February 2020

From: Breaking News

Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive: time to check your compliance

Yesterday (January 10 2020), the Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (5AMLD) became law. It forms part of ongoing international efforts to tackle...

11 January 2020

From: Features

Be kind to your mind - talking anxiety in estate agency

Our mental health affects how we think, feel and act. It affects how we handle anxiety, relate to others and impacts...

18 December 2019

From: Features

Agents Do Charity - the getting-close-to-Christmas edition

The election is over and there’s nothing on the agenda except the run-up to Christmas - although there’s still time for...

13 December 2019

From: Breaking News

Anti-money laundering – acting on your suspicions

The Fifth Money Laundering Directive becomes law in the UK on January 10 2020, strengthening the responsibilities placed on private companies...

07 December 2019

From: Features

Agents warned on GDPR compliance after huge £12.4m fine

The National Association of Estate Agents is warning UK agents to take stock of their data collection and retention procedures following...

02 December 2019

From: Breaking News

Why is compliance a growing issue for letting agents?

It’s been clear for a while that the additional regulation landlords and agents are facing has helped professionalise the private rental...

30 November 2019

From: Features

Agents Do Charity - as December arrives and temperatures fall…

It’s beginning to look a lot like…we’re running a very popular service for agents, as we’ve been inundated with more fund-raising...

29 November 2019

From: Breaking News

Countrywide investors calm after second compliance crisis in a year

Countrywide’s ever-patient investors appear to have been unfazed by the company’s latest compliance issue, which has led to a £100,000 fine...

31 October 2019

From: Breaking News

£100,000 fine for Countrywide over funds controversy

It’s now emerged that Countrywide has to pay a £100,000 fine to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors after breaching guidelines...

30 October 2019

From: Breaking News

Countrywide settles funds controversy by repaying client accounts

Countrywide has this afternoon released a statement suggesting it has, in its eyes, settled the controversy over unclaimed lettings funds being...

30 October 2019

From: Breaking News

Countrywide quiet on claim diverted money ‘propped up company’

Countrywide has declined to comment on circumstances surrounding today’s Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors disciplinary meeting about diverted funds. One of RICS’...

30 October 2019

From: Breaking News

Targeting the right landlords for post-fees ban success

We know that the tenant fee ban has cost letting agents dearly, with an estimated loss of £300 million paid to...

02 October 2019

From: Features

Former Emoov agency fined for anti-money laundering breaches

HM Revenue & Customs has revealed that the original Emoov online agency has been fined for breaches of money laundering regulations. HMRC...

20 September 2019

From: Breaking News

All Change: new regulator, licensing and qualifications proposed for agents

The government has published proposals for far-reaching changes to the way estate and letting agents are regulated, trained and licensed. The proposals...

18 July 2019

From: Breaking News

MovePal MovePal MovePal