Charity
People on middle incomes squeezed out of renting in southern England
CPRE, the countryside charity, calls for urgent action to tackle rural housing affordability crisis
News
Agency
Fine & Country launches second radio advert campaign
The radio adverts will be broadcast in two phases, each spanning six weeks, across the selected stations: Classic FM, Virgin Radio, and LBC UK
Other News
Property industry reacts to Rightmove House Price Index
The positive start to the year continues, paving the way for a greater number of home purchases than last year
Agency
Real estate fees set to fall after settlement with US agents
Landmark $418m (£328.2m) legal agreement could drive down commission rates and reduce the number of US real estate agents
Acquisitions
CMA to investigate proposed merger of major property firms
In a short statement, the watchdog said it is considering whether the transaction “may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition” within the market
Finance
Bank of England to cut interest rates, economists forecast
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee is due to meet on Thursday 21 March for its next rate-setting vote
Agency
Property consultancy reports best ever year as revenues top £18m
Growth continued in line with the current three-year business plan and included the highest grossing single quarter since 1988
Other News
Property asking prices rise for third consecutive month, says Rightmove
Buyers return to market in their droves
Lettings
Propertymark sends clear message on rent controls
Propertymark has given oral evidence to an inquiry into the private rented sector
Agency
Knight Frank wins top UK customer satisfaction award
The estate agency says its approach to customer service has resulted in significant levels of repeat business and recommendations
Agency
Spring Budget missed the mark when it comes to housing – agents survey
A survey of 833 UK property professionals found that the vast majority were disappointed in this month’s lacklustre Spring Budget
Lettings
Propertymark reiterates importance of fixed term tenancies
The professional body has long argued that removing fixed term tenancies as an option will provide less security for tenants and reduce flexibility in the private rented sector
Other News
The Sunday Times reveals the best places to live in the UK in 2024
The Sunday Time ‘Best Place to Live in the UK’ guide provides great marketing material for agents operating in the areas selected; high house prices are no barrier to inclusion
Lettings
Michael Gove urged to act over ‘damaging and destabilising’ delay to rental reform
The NRLA and Crisis have joined other campaigners in warning that “time is running out” for the Renters (Reform) Bill to be adequately scrutinised
Other News
What happened to the UK property market last week?
What is happening when it comes to transactions and house prices achieved?
Agency
Comings & Goings
Snippets of industry news: Ex-Foxtons and John D Wood agent appointed head of lettings at Knight Frank; Former Hamptons director of 18 years joins Moveli; PropCall introduces new senior role
Law
Fraudster who posed as letting agent to scam couple handed 10-month jail sentence
A con artist posed as an estate agent in a bid to steal money from young family
Agency
Rocket Auctions set to take off after well-known firms merge
More than 1,100 estate agency branches are registered to use the new property auctions service
Agency
Savills profits tumble after ‘challenging’ year
Savills cite current economic and political uncertainty for the sharp decline in revenue and profits
Politics
Scrapping inheritance tax is a ‘win-win’, says former minister
According to HMRC, less than 4% of all deaths in the UK paid inheritance tax in 2020/21, which raised £5.76bn in tax that year