Other News
Estate agent filmed in alleyway sex act with rugby star Joe Westerman has been sacked
The estate agent lost her job after public sex video went viral on social media
News
Agency
OnTheMarket agent owners cash out following end of lock-up period
The sales, which follow the end of a five-year lock-up period, will be carried out through a bookbuild exercise to institutional investors
People
LSL confirm staff at risk of redundancy as part of ‘structural changes’
Staff told they face the threat of redundancy over Zoom
Acquisitions
Well-known franchisee completes major independent agency acquisition
Estate agency owner completes second purchase in 12 months
Agency
Agents warned against potential pitfalls of estate agency sites
The first an agent could realise something is wrong is when the penalty notice arrives in their inbox
Agency
New property platform launches to connect agents directly with landlords
Agents can engage with pool of property investors
Agency
Home buyer demand bounces back as sales agreed rises
January sees uptick in both the sales and letting markets
Agency
Homeppl accuse ‘once-dominant’ HomeLet of undermining consumer choice
Homeppl claims that HomeLet has 'not kept up with the technology required to catch today’s fraudsters' and are 'reluctant to pass the baton of market leader' on to other firms
Compliance
BTL landlords urged to take note as tenants seek energy efficiency improvements
Efficiency standards will become tougher in the future
Lettings
Average rents dip from last month but still expected to rise this year
UK average rents see a second successive month-on-month decrease, led by falls in London
Finance
LMS snapshot reveals average remortgage payment hike
Over a third of borrowers increased their loan size during the month, figures show
Acquisitions
Lomond eyes further acquisitions as part of ‘ambitious growth plans’
Lomond, formerly Lomond Group, has announced a brace of major developments, including a new brand
Other News
Buyers ‘are entering a less competitive market’ as house prices fall
It's a buyers' market
Agency
Rightmove announces partnership with ITV to sponsor flagship Saturday night entertainment
Rightmove’s new TV advert can be viewed here
Agency
Property transactions drop by almost a third, says eXp
Buyers have been cautious in the face of economic uncertainty, and this has understandably contributed to a decline in the number of homes sold
People
Comings & Goings
Snippets of industry news: Chestertons announces chief data officer; Knight Frank appoints new head of sales; Propertynest promotes branch manager
Agency
Connells Group recognise best-performing agents with ‘top achievers’ trip to Spain
More than 450 agents attended Connells Group’s annual management conference and awards ceremony at MK Dons Stadium in Milton Keynes
Finance
Conveyancing fees rise by over 8% in the last year
Average conveyancing costs for a leasehold property sales saw more notable increases
Finance
Landlords set to pass on mortgage rate hikes to tenants
Higher remortgage rates could see record rents growing further as affected landlords look to cover the increase in the cost of borrowing