Scammers target firms with fake HMRC letters
Companies are being urged to report misleading websites, emails, phone numbers, phone calls or text messages they think may be suspicious
Marc da Silva
Chancellor set to unveil 10-year social housing rent settlement in Autumn Budget
Rachel Reeves is working on plans to introduce a 10-year formula to calculate social rent on homes that will result in rents increasing every year
Major property portals announce merger
A new leadership team will oversee the two platforms
Estate agency saved from closure after company goes bust
The estate agency will continue to trade from its existing offices and all its staff have retained their jobs
Agency owner handed three-year letting ban
The owner of a high street estate agency has been given a three-year Banning Order after allowing people to live in overcrowded and dangerous flats
Competition intensifies as lenders cut mortgage rates again
The reductions come as the City wholesale market swap rates continue to drift downwards in anticipation of more interest rates cuts by the Bank of England
Comings & Goings
Snippets of industry news: Savills announces two appointments; The Private Office: Real Estate announces key hire; Alasdhair Lochrane joins Heaton & Partners
Catfest aims for £250,000 target
Previous Catfest events have raised over £230,000 for Action Against Cancer and the aim is to smash through the £250,000 mark this time
Historic UK estate agency brand announces first international expansion
This historic move marks a significant milestone in the agency's long history
New communication tool for UK estate agents
New tool aims to help estate agents better manage client relationships and operational efficiency
Sharp rise in company insolvencies
The real estate and property sector, which includes estate agencies, are among businesses to experience significant financial distress
Property giants push ahead with merger despite competition concerns
The Competition and Markets Authority has been investigating the deal
Family-run estate agency to open new branch
The estate agency charges a fixed sales fee
Agents warned: substantial fines if companies found to be non-compliant
Penalties for non-compliance can be significant
Comings & Goings
Snippets of industry news: New regional sales director appointed at Spicerhaart; Bidwells announces senior hire; CoPSO chair to step down
Antiquated process of selling homes continues to cause delays – claim
Conveyancing blamed for delaying the selling process
New landlord licensing set to be introduced
Landlords who fail to apply for a licence will be committing a criminal offence
Real estate fees to drop by up to 30% to settle lawsuits
Standard commission rates in the US are among the highest in the world
Government urged to ‘incentivise and support landlords’
Lender suggests that support for landlords could include tax-deductible improvement costs
Estate agent who took out two Bounce Back Loans given 11-year director ban
Estate agency director took out two Bounce Back Loans for his business – despite being only entitled to one