Finance
Purplebricks shares hit new low as property sector struggles amid Ukraine crisis
Property firms, including estate agents, saw their share prices tumble yesterday in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
News
Agency
Rightmove to help agents ‘get ahead of mandatory regulations’ with qualification programme
Rightmove will be launching a new formal education programme that will give agents free training for an NVQ Level 3 certificate as part of their Rightmove membership.
Finance
Rightmove profits soar as agent fee income rises
Rightmove said operating profit for the year ended 31 December 2021 was £226.1m, up from £135.1m a year earlier, despite a drop in agent membership numbers.
Tech
PropTech firm to provide ‘alternative’ to portals after securing investment
The platform's founder, former Dixons Carphone director Mike Savva, says renters are now “looking for an alternative” to property portals.
Lettings
BTL landlords ‘faced with further regulatory pressure’ flee the market
There has been a significant increase in the number of landlords selling properties, new research shows.
Compliance
Rogue landlord ordered to pay £60k for ‘atrocious’ rental conditions
An unscrupulous landlord who left his tenants living in rodent infested conditions has been hit with a hefty fine.
Compliance
New software tool to help agents meet material information rules
Teal says it has spent the last couple of years looking specifically at the challenge of getting hold of digital conveyancing data earlier in the process.
Law
Propertymark slams Scottish government move
Daryl McIntosh, policy manager for Propertymark, has slammed the continuation of discretionary grounds for possession.
Compliance
Further letting regulations needed, but not if it alienates agents
New regulations are needed to help improve the lettings industry, but this must not come at the cost of alienating landlords and letting agents, according to PayProp.
Acquisitions
Private equity firms target dealmaking opportunities in estate agency sector
Private equity firms provide agency owners with ‘pretty effective routes to exit’ the sector, according to Jon Cook, CEO of nurtur.group, formerly epropservices.
Agency
Estate agent is dancing the parking ‘fandango’ with amusing ad
Can a sense of humour and a witty turn of phrase help an estate agent sell a parking space?
People
Industry big hitter Jon Notley rejoins Connells Group as commercial director
Jon Notley, who oversaw the integration of the Countrywide business last year, has been appointed commercial director of Connells Group.
Compliance
Homebuyers left vulnerable as new road schemes hidden from searches
Index West Midlands says many councils are categorising new road schemes as planning permissions for ‘Private Bodies’, which means they are invisible to standard homebuyer searches.
Compliance
Deadline for temporary Right to Rent rules extended again
Updated advice for landlords and agents carrying out Right to Rent checks.
Acquisitions
Real estate consultancy eyes growth after landing major funding deal
The firm has secured funding to enable the consultancy’s continued expansion across the UK, and to allow the company’s old shareholders bought-out in 2018 to fully exit the business.
Lettings
Rental reform – how automation can help agents cope with the ‘new normal’
Automation can help the lettings industry adjust to potentially radical reforms, according to Openview – Powered by VTUK.
Compliance
More than half of renters have no contents insurance
Letting agents are being urged to do more to stop renters taking major risks when it comes to protecting their own belongings.
Tech
Landmark Information Group to cater for the Scottish property market
Landmark Scotland business division will be working closely with estate agents and solicitors across the country to develop the reach of the business.
Events
Close of entry deadline for regional property awards is fast approaching
The award winners will be announced at a black tie gala event in April.
Acquisitions
Online agency to be sold after financial problems exposed
The agency is understood to be in the process of being sold to a major estate agency,