Training
Builders warn of emerging skills shortage
Shortages of electricians and plasterers at a four-year high
News
Agency
Property portals have helped kill off local newspapers, says ex-editor
Former editor says local papers simply did not understand either the internet – or estate agents
Agency
eMoov takes down claims about sellers being 34% more likely to sell through it
'Leading digital estate agent' claim replaced with 'best rated' – backed up by allAgents
People
Negotiator with corporate firm pays for own training AND takes day off as holiday
Negotiator says firm 'expects immediate results without giving us the training'
Agency
London agent expands with ‘virtual office’ offering 0% commission to first 100 sellers
London agent Douglas & Gordon takes the virtual route in bid for expansion
Agency
Agent Provocateur: Going the virtual office route is a bold play to try and get more listings
This really is a time of change for the industry – we need to find the currency of the future
Other News
First-time buyer sales hit 16-year high in December, claims NAEA
But NAEA members report overall transactions fell
Agency
Regional estate agency boss retires 25 years after founding business
Highly respected Tony Putterill to leave business he founded 25 years ago
Other News
Property transactions end last year almost unchanged at 1.2m sales
Market's performance seen as resilient in a year of challenges
Lettings
Movebubble app to help letting agents identify ‘serious renters’
Letting agents will be able to chat with tenants through an app
Agency
Agent who complained about portal juggling by competitor is ‘sent round the houses’ by regulators
'Toothless institutions are passing the buck', claims agent
Compliance
Fraud alert: Agents warned to be careful in uploading information on to portals
Agents upload clients' personal details by mistake on to Rightmove
Agency
Sleeping with the enemy? Agent sets up Airbnb property management service
If you can't beat them, join them – a clever idea
Law
Trading Standards confirm probe into closed-down letting agency after theft claims
Former mayor's letting agency firm under investigation
Acquisitions
Belvoir set to swoop on buying up businesses as letting agents’ fees ban draws near
Belvoir says it will act to mitigate financial pain dealt by ban on letting agent fees
Agency
Aspiring new trade body for industry says it has been inundated by response
CIELA says it could be 'by far the most powerful organisation the industry has ever known'
Law
Campaigners aiming to stop ‘racist’ Right to Rent
Homes Not Borders group claims policy is causing discrimination against migrants
Finance
Help to Move? Lenders call for support to get home owners moving
CML wants 'holistic approach' to fix the housing market
Finance
Housing crisis being fuelled by Stamp Duty, claims property firm boss
Surcharge on buy-to-let landlords and second-home buyers is 'dampening market'
Agency
Nearly one-third of applicant leads from portals ignored by agents – but do the portals deliver?
Just 7.5% of leads from portals convert into offer or instructions, says new research