Law
Government threatened with major legal action over property reforms
Campaign group criticises the latest report from the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
News
Agency
60-year-old agency launches sales division amid expansion drive
The family-run business has traditionally focused on lettings, block management and portfolio management
Agency
Fine & Country expands network with new licence agreement
New operation will be led by licensee Christopher Naylor, alongside branch manager Sam Mills
Politics
First-time buyer scheme to relaunch next month, government confirms
The move has been welcomed by property firms
Other News
Housing market holds steady as first-time buyers spend more
Zoopla house price data suggests buyers entering the market are proving more resilient than expected
Lettings
Rental yields steady as long-term tenants support investor confidence
HMOs continue to deliver the strongest returns
Law
MPs urge government to accelerate and strengthen leasehold reform
Government urged to accelerate leasehold overhaul
Acquisitions
Historic estate agency attracts new shareholders ahead of expansion push
Nock Deighton operates from offices in Bridgnorth, Kidderminster, Telford, Ludlow and Newport
Agency
Estate agents need to stop dragging people to their websites
Estate agency has been living in a zero-click world for years
Agency
Rogue agent and landlord ordered to repay more than £90k
Due to the seriousness of the case, it was sent to Snaresbrook Crown Court
Acquisitions
Franchise owners expand with acquisition of established estate agency branch
The acquisition of Widnes represents another milestone for the business as it continues to build a scalable multi-office operation
Law
Gradual Commonhold reform key to safeguarding housing supply
Commonhold has been on the statute books since 2004
Finance
BTL landlords see sharp rise in rental income despite widespread arrears
Rental income growth was strongest in the North West, new analysis shows
Acquisitions
Student housing sector records sharp rise in investment
Demand was strongest in the South East
Agency
Sales progression specialist turns to AI to reduce admin workload
The company estimates the technology has freed up around 30% of the onboarding team’s working day
Agency
Agent faces possible prison sentence over alleged £50,000 fraud
Victoria Steele faces 19 charges of fraud by false representation related to her running of Swaffham-based eHomes
Finance
Boardroom tensions? Major shareholder withholds support for Winkworth directors
The developments come as the company continues to report solid financial performance
Politics
Government-backed property data trial tests future of homebuying
The 12-month project is funded through a grant from the government’s Regulators’ Pioneer Fund
Agency
Estate agent turned politician accuses Andy Burnham of hypocrisy over let flat
Andy Burnham has previously criticised the growing divide between homeowners benefiting from rising property values and those struggling to get onto the housing ladder