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February 6, 2019
How much is the average tenancy deposit?
The cost of average deposits has increased across the UK, according to the latest Statistical Briefing report by The Dispute Service (TDS). The report highlights the increasing average value of deposits and number of deposits protected in England, Wales, Scotland… Read Full
February 6, 2019
Rent control: it can work but can also backfire on tenants, says BBC
The BBC’s Reality Check service, respected for giving a more realistic assessment of many politicians’ promises, has looked at London mayor Sadiq Khan’s claim that the arguments for rent controls in the capital are “overwhelming.” While the Reality Check service… Read Full
February 4, 2019
Big fall in stamp duty ‘take’ shows reform backfiring on government
If former Chancellor George Osborne thought his 2014 stamp duty reform would produce more income for the government, it appears he was very much mistaken. New figures produced by HMRC and analysed by investment consultancy London Central Portfolio suggest that… Read Full
January 31, 2019
Industry chief says No Deal is worst outcome as London prices drop 20%
The British Property Federation has made an outspoken intervention into the Brexit debate, telling politicians that No Deal is the worst possible outcome. Via its Twitter account and at a seminar addressed by federation chief Melanie Leech, the BPF stated:… Read Full
January 30, 2019
Con-man agent jailed for swindling over £300,000 from company
An estate agent who stole per £300,000 from an estate agency spent the money on designer goods and expensive holidays – and even had some extravagant online purchases delivered to the branch office he was working from. Robert Parker, 28,… Read Full
January 29, 2019
It’s back – the 100% mortgage for first time buyers
The 100 per cent mortgage for first time buyers, which many people thought had disappeared for good, is now back in the form of a new product from Lloyds Bank. It’s offering customers the package so long as the borrower’s… Read Full
January 28, 2019
Trading Standards prosecutes over criminal activity at rental property
A Trading Standards team has prosecuted a landlord who allegedly ‘knew’ criminal activity was taking place in his buy to let property. Leonardo Viscomi, from Lincoln, was prosecuted at the city’s Crown Court for two offences of knowing or suspecting… Read Full
January 25, 2019
Lettings sector welcomes redress reform as landlords face £5,000 fines
There’s been broad support from the lettings sector for the wide-ranging reform of the redress system announced yesterday by housing secretary James Brokenshire. At the centre of the reforms is the creation of a Housing Complaints Resolution Service which –… Read Full
January 24, 2019
Outrage at Labour bid to introduce rent controls in London
There’s been an angry reaction to the suggestion that London’s Labour mayor, Sadiq Khan, is seeking to introduce rent controls in the capital. An article in The Guardian suggests that Khan wants to make such controls a central policy in… Read Full
January 24, 2019
Reservation Agreements set to become part of the buying process
Politicians and officials are studying a ‘model’ two page reservation agreement drawn up by a law firm as a possible way of slashing fall throughs and speeding up transactions. The news has been revealed by Matt Prior, the lead officer… Read Full
January 24, 2019
Land Registry testing Blockchain in bid to speed up house buying process
HM Land Registry’s ambitious digitisation plans continue apace with news that it is to consider Blockchain in a bid to speed up the house buying process. The Registry’s director of digital, data and technology – John Abbott – has told… Read Full
January 22, 2019
Beware: Tenant Fees ban may impact Section 21 notices
A warning has been issued to lettings agents to review tenancy agreements to see if they are fit for purpose when the fees ban takes effect in June – and in particular to minimise any impact on Section 21 notices.… Read Full
January 15, 2019
Anti-money laundering system to be beefed up by new government board
The National Association of Estate Agents has met with other members of a high-level government board to look at ways of tackling economic crime. The Economic Crime Strategic Board, chaired by the Home Secretary and Chancellor, aims to work with… Read Full
January 14, 2019
£7.29 TRILLION – amazing value of UK’s fast-growing housing stock
There may be a cloud over the economy right now but growth of 2.7 per cent in house prices last year have taken the value of the country’s housing stock to a remarkable £7.29 trillion according to new research from… Read Full
January 8, 2019
