Estate agents accused of charging up to £2,000 in ‘reservation fees’
The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee questioned industry members on the homebuying process yesterday, with some commentators calling for regulation of estate agents
Marc da Silva
Man stabbed outside estate agents as terrified staff hid inside
Man in his 20s is stabbed with a machete in appalling broad daylight brawl, as frightened staff hid inside estate agency office and called the police
Is Purplebricks really the UK’s most popular estate agency?
Purplebricks claims that it makes the process of buying and selling homes ‘cheaper, less stressful and more transparent’ than other estate agencies
Comings & Goings
Snippets of industry news: Knight Frank announces senior promotions; LSL estate agency franchising strengthens leadership team; Gleeson Homes appoints regional managing director
Homebuyers warned they could unknowingly buy property affected by Japanese knotweed
Discovering knotweed growing in the garden after you’ve bought a property is a very unpleasant and worrying situation to be in
Mortgage rate increases gain pace
The gap between the average five-year fixed rate and two-year fixed deals has hit a six month high
Potential ‘loophole’ in current provision for scrapping of Section 21 evictions identified
The proposed changes to the Renters (Reform) Bill could create a patchwork system whereby some landlords will be able to continue serving Section 21 notices and others won’t
BTL landlord ordered to pay almost £6k for unlawfully profiting with false information
The rogue landlord falsely claimed that she was a resident in the property she rented out
Welsh government warned against introducing rent controls
Fresh research found that 95% of surveyed agents in Wales believe that rent controls will cut rental supply
Sales agent suspended for giving prospective buyer the middle finger
The gesture was made to a potential homebuyer during a row
Labour seeks to overhaul council tax as it targets ‘property wealth’
A revaluation of council tax bands across England, which would involve valuing every home in the country, could prove hugely controversial
What has it really been like working in estate agency in recent years?
A lot of people were stressed post-pandemic and seemed to treat agents badly as a result, says estate agency boss
Estate agency strengthens regional presence with acquisition
The agency says the acquisitions aligns with its strategy to expand its presence, services, and geographical coverage across the region
MPs begin inquiry on improving the home buying and selling process
The cross-party group of MPs are likely to ask questions today on a range of topics relating to the effectiveness of the existing process for buying and selling homes
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt urges BoE not to cut interest rates too quickly
Jeremy Hunt has said he wanted “sustainably low interest rates” when asked about the Bank of England’s decision last week to hold rates at 5.25%
Letting agent scammers sentenced for fraudulent trading
The rogue operators scammed victims out of over £24,000
Rogue landlords going unpunished, says new report
Local authorities accused of failing to tackle thousands of unscrupulous landlords
Fewer tenants in rent arrears
Propertymark says that 'good' landlords and letting agents are working hard to keep rents as low as possible
Rightmove reports strong start to 2024 as estate agency members rise
Within estate agency, Rightmove says net membership has increased since the 2023 year-end, due to strong agent retention and particular strength in the lettings market
Independent estate agency eyes growth after completing first acquisition
Estate agency tells EYE that it will soon open a new branch