Buyers can “lock in” the stamp duty holiday on new homes, says tax expert
Calls to the chancellor to extend the stamp duty holiday may not work – but new build home buyers could benefit if they act now.
Marc da Silva
Covid: Estate agency branches provide ‘an unsafe environment’
Safety in the workplace remains a major issue during the current lockdown.
Substantial rent arrears exemption is a ‘welcome change for landlords’
Eviction ban: The threshold for “substantial rent arrears” has been reduced to six months.
Challenger property portal signs up Barratt Developments
A number of high-profile agencies list on OneDome, which has signed up the largest housebuilder in the UK to its search proposition.
RICS orders independent review into handling of governance scandal
BDO warned RICS was at risk of “unidentified fraud, misappropriation of funds and misreporting of financial performance”.
Comings and Goings
John D Wood & Co. announce senior appointments; Ringley appoints new COO; ERE Property unveil growth plans
Social media discussion: Do UK estate agents deserve their reputation?
On Sunday at 7pm Russell Quirk will be joined by Graham Lock of FIA and others in discussing why it is that UK estate agents get a hard time.
Transactions ‘reach fever pitch’ as buyers rush to get deals over the line
A number of people are hoping that the chancellor bows to pressure and extends the stamp duty holiday deadline.
Winkworth continues expansion plans in the East of England
Chief executive Dominic Agace says Winkworth is keen to talk to independent agents or those who would like to start their own businesses in the region.
Stamp duty holiday extension – MP calls for action after debate is postponed
The chair of the Petitions Committee Catherine McKinnell MP calls on the government to urgently make plans to restart petitions debates.
New property portal is now live
Independent estate agents want to ‘take back control’ and reduce costs by launching an alternative local portal.
Many prospective home movers are in ‘limbo’ as tax relief deadline nears
Home buyers are keen to complete before the stamp duty holiday ends, but the next few weeks could be challenging.
Insurers urged to move quickly and pay firms following Covid claim ruling
Insurers are being urged to pay up without delay to ensure small businesses, including a number of estate agencies, can survive.
Comings and Goings
Howsy bolsters team; Granger Reis adds to LandAid committee; Octagon group executive chairman retires.
Free printing available for home-schooling students across 160 locations
A number of estate agents across the UK are offering to help families during the third national lockdown by offering free printing services for home-schooling work.
Another impressive window display to show support for our NHS heroes
Martin & Co’s Harborne office is less than a mile from Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Pugh launches new platform to help agents ‘access new revenue streams’
The new technology allows agents to directly submit properties for auction online.
The Law Society expresses concern over ‘unrealistic’ conveyancing expectations
The Law Society is urging the government to ‘ameliorate’ the 31 March stamp duty deadline
Agency closes offices for safety reasons and calls for tighter Covid restrictions
A petition calling for the government to close all estate agents during the current lockdown has attracted almost 4,000 signatures.
Estate agent stock and fees hits record high – claim
Taking the UK as a whole, it is claimed, somewhat surprisingly, that the average estate agency branch is currently waiting on £105,000 worth of fees.