Compliance
Legal profession facing ‘PPI-style’ claims over new-build ground rents
Leasehold expert says conveyancers may have been negligent over disclosing contract clauses
News
Agency
Twelve-branch firm quits OnTheMarket to return to Zoopla
Firm quits OnTheMarket after serving its notice period, and goes back to Zoopla
Acquisitions
Agency to close after purchase by ambitious competitor
East Anglian agent Thorntons to close after purchase by Fenn Wright
Finance
Mortgage approvals hit highest level since March – Bank of England
Are people rushing to buy before Brexit?
Finance
Landlords waiting four months for first tenant – survey
Research claims landlords are completing on buy-to-let mortgages before tenant is in place
Acquisitions
Agency is bought out of administration by firm which promises tenants’ deposits will be safe
Ten-branch firm with 85 staff is bought after going into administration
Agency
Spicerhaart becomes latest to snap up former Countrywide ‘retail’ director
Former Countrywide 'retail' director Kim Chiles is recruited to Spicerhaart
Finance
Letting agents will not have to write off income stream after fees ban, says City analyst
Agents in England and Wales likely to follow Scottish example – and hike their charges to landlords
Lettings
Fair Fees Working Group to follow ‘will of Government’ over lettings charges
Some members vow to make counter proposals to ban on tenant fees
Politics
Privatisation of Land Registry is quietly called off
Small print of the Autumn Statement reveals that sale plan is abandoned
Other News
Try this valuation quiz (it might be harder than you think)
Coffee break quiz – guess the value of these properties
Events
Competition time: One day left to submit your estate agent Christmas video
What do you think of our entries so far?
Agency
Agent in £500,000 ‘whistleblowing’ case was unfairly dismissed, tribunal rules
But tribunal throws out claims of race and religious discrimination made by former branch manager against Spicerhaart firm
Agency
Countrywide cutting regional territories from nine to five as more jobs go
Management layers to go between Countrywide's leadership teams and front line
Agency
Ex-Countrywide senior man joins independent in newly created role
Former Gascoigne Pees regional manager joins southern firm as head off sales
Agency
Black Friday offer at Tepilo knocks £180 off the usual rate
Online agent runs three-day price cut promotion
Acquisitions
Independent agency group Curchods goes on the acquisition trail
We continue to be on the look-out for purchases, says 21-branch independent
Finance
Property investors looking beyond London for gains – RSM
Lower interest rates not expected to help borrowing costs