Law
Shelter calls for fees ban to be outright, demanding no loopholes ‘for agents to exploit’
Government must spell out in black and white its ban on 'rip-off fees', says Shelter
News
Agency
Agents leaving Rightmove or Zoopla for OTM is not competitive harm, ‘just harm’ – hearing told
Competition hearing: Gascoigne Halman expert witness expects OTM to 'struggle'
Agency
Agent Provocateur: So little done to educate public on what we do
Can the new Propertymark step up to the plate when it comes to educating public about agents?
Agency
Property transactions fall by over a fifth in London
Prices cut on half of properties that did find buyers – and most London agents expect further falls this year
Compliance
Landlords baffled by EPC changes and Right to Rent scheme
Survey finds poor knowledge of regulations
Agency
London landlords more likely to use letting agents than rest of UK
CML survey reveals 70% of London landlords employ an agent in some capacity, but just 40% use the full service
Law
‘Corporate espionage’ tapes provide latest twist in Agents’ Mutual case
Tribunal allows 'poor quality' recordings as evidence into proceedings
Agency
Writing on wall for at least three big agents, says Spicerhaart boss
Challenging year ahead as at least three big agents struggle for survival
Agency
Estate agent ‘over-valuations’ blamed for price cuts in homes for sale
Which? report blames agents for price reductions
Law
One Other Portal rule – more competition in market or a distortion? Expert witnesses clash
'One other portal' rule under close scrutiny at competition hearing
Acquisitions
Zoopla and Fixflo reveal they have ‘unwound’ investment deal
Deal stood down after Zoopla bought Property Software Group
Agency
Advert by agent reported to watchdog over claim on Righmove site traffic
Northwood told to ensure future claims are supported by 'robust information'
Compliance
Letting agents steal over £1m in tenants’ deposits, claims BBC probe
MP calls for action to be taken on 'appalling' situation
Other News
House prices end 2016 up 7.2%, say the official figures
But October figures show sales volumes slide
Finance
First-time buyer mortgage lending hits a record high in 2016
Buy-to-let lending falls by more than a third
Agency
Idea we cooked up a plot is fanciful, Agents’ Mutual boss tells competition tribunal
New documents released – Judge says tapes made for 'corporate espionage'
Tech
Competition could heat up in property portals sector, hearing told
Portals market likely to become more, not less, competitive
Agency
New service launches giving high street agents chance to take on the onliners
Package designed to let high street agents offer new brand with an online offering goes live today
Other News
Email is primary cause of reduction in customer service – pick up the phone, says expert
Whew! I've moved, says Peter Knight, and it's been testing
Law
Right to Rent ‘causing discrimination’ in the housing market
Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants calls for scheme to be scrapped