Other News
Picture of the Week: And it’s completely dotty!
It's a case of 1,001 spots before your eyes
News
Lettings
Student property portal launches rent guarantor service
First time it has ever been done, claims Uniplaces
Lettings
Energy provider Spark links up with bill-splitting firms
Utility company makes major foray into tenants' bill-splitting market
Acquisitions
Newsflash: Speculation mounts that Purplebricks is set for imminent stock exchange launch at £230m valuation
Firm will float with shares in just 20% of company available for trading, say sources
Agency
Zoopla brushes off OnTheMarket challenge in ‘transformational year’
But Zoopla admits to drops in agency numbers, listings and leads
Agency
Shellshock reaction as estate agents take in Osborne’s move on industry
Osborne set to be told by NAEA that agents' knowledge of local conditions remains paramount
Finance
Buy-to-let ‘woes’ for landlords mounting, as analyst warns that BoE ‘will be watching you’
Analyst says Bank of England set for further crackdowns on buy-to-let market
Finance
More Stamp Duty hikes? Lobbying group claims victory as tax raised for landlord buyers
Investors should have to pay SDLT premium of up to 7%, says lobbying group
Agency
Hamer’s retirement lasts less than a day as ex-TPO joins NAEA and ARLA
Associations move quickly to utilise Christopher Hamer's expertise
Law
Conveyancers confirm property market did not get going until third quarter
Slow start to year for transactions – but how will it finish?
Compliance
‘Tis the season to be jolly, but when does a Christmas gift become a bribe?
Compliance at Christmas – and you might have thought it was just lunch…
Lettings
Landlords’ Barometer – #29: And it’s all about Osborne’s clampdown
Are there any positives from Chancellor's all-out war on private landlords?
Law
Agents given more help to get to grips with Section 21 ‘adequate response’ changes
More help available to agents on Section 21 changes if tenants complain over repairs
Agency
Conveyancing giant My Home Move picks up two top awards on same night
My Home Move continues to put trophies into its awards cabinet
Agency
Government says it wants to encourage online-only estate agents
Chancellor George Osborne in surprise move to voice support for online-only agents – consultation to be launched in New Year
Agency
OnTheMarket boss insists recruitment campaign is working
Our direction of travel is clear and support is growing, says Springett
Finance
Mortgage approvals for house purchase up 17% in a year, says Bank
NAEA says first-time buyers make up nearly a third of buyers
Agency
Poundland founder takes £1.5m off asking price of property listed with online agent
Estates Direct founder knocks another £750,000 off price as property remains unsold after a year
Acquisitions
Connells’ firm Sharman Quinney snaps up independent agent
Sharman Quinney says it wants to carry on buying other businesses
Law
Landlords’ possession claims being held up as over-stretched courts turn to call centres
Inexperienced temps called in to man call centres struggle with paperwork