Agency
Housing lawyer David Smith urges agents to watch out after tribunal ruling
David Smith: “This case will undoubtedly cause difficulties for agents.”
News
Agency
Knight Frank expands with opening of new office
James Cleland, head of country business at Knight Frank: “Opening a dedicated office in the area is a natural next step to strengthening the links we already have.”
Politics
A tale of two stamp duty holidays
Gráinne Gilmore, head of research at Zoopla: “There are two key factors to consider when looking at buyer trends.”
Agency
Hamptons expands new homes division offering via regional hubs
Hamptons has created a network of 12 new homes ‘hubs’ to support its 90-beanch network.
Finance
Leaked papers: Blairs saved £312,000 stamp duty by buying property via offshore firm
Tony Blair: “The tax system is a haven of scams, perks, city deals and profits”.
People
Foxtons Group director raises stake in the company
Sheena Mackay, who joined Foxton’s board in September 2017, acquired the shares last week.
Politics
Eyes on Michael Gove’s housing plans at Conservative Conference
Today’s speech from the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary, Michael Gove, will take place at 2pm.
Lettings
New deal to provide BTL landlords with property license checking service
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) says it has turned to technological solution to the challenge of increasing landlord legislation, variable local laws, and rising enforcement.
Finance
Rightmove: One million households benefitted from stamp duty holiday
Rightmove's Director of Property Data Tim Bannister: “Around a million households made tax savings since last July.”
Acquisitions
EYE NEWSFLASH: Leaders Romans Group acquires 15-branch Portico
The move will see LRG welcome 154 Portico employees to its group, all of whom boast expert knowledge of their local areas across London.
Agency
One of the UK’s oldest estate agents expands into two new areas
Chairman Michael Nettleton: “We have seen excellent opportunity for growth as a business with a strong focus on refining our model.”
Agency
Hybrid estate agency says it is ‘unashamedly gunning for the top spot’
Alice Bullard, formerly of John D Wood: “Hybrid estate agency has evolved - and Nested are the innovators.”
Compliance
RICS issues public apology to dismissed non-executive directors
The governing council at RICS has responded to the independent review by Alison Levitt QC.
Agency
Ocean agrees two-year portal and software contract with Zoopla
The two-year agreement will see 11 more branches list on the portal, while more than 80 sales employees will also use Zoopla’s hero software brand Alto.
Events
Another wrap for EA Masters virtual event 4
Event 4 of the 2021 EA Masters programme was held virtually yesterday with a focus on deal progression, additional revenue and property management. Catch it all on demand if you missed it.
Other News
UK house price growth slows but supply-demand imbalance widens
Nicky Stevenson, managing director at Fine & Country: “Record low interest rates, an imbalance in supply and demand, and government incentives should ensure the market remains buoyant.”
Agency
Key date unveiled for vendors wanting to sell by Christmas
Data from estate agent comparison tool estateagent4me offers insight into the time it takes to sell a residential property.
Politics
Homebuyers in England saved more than £3bn in stamp duty
Fresh analyses looked at every property purchase to have completed across England since 8 July 2020 when the stamp duty holiday was first introduced.
Tech
Fifteen millionth floor plan produced by Metropix
Steve Sanashee of Landmark Estate Agency Services: “To have reached this significant milestone of 15 million floor plans being drawn on Metropix is nothing short of remarkable.”
Agency
Hunters expands under revised franchise model
Glynis Frew, managing director of Hunters: “This franchise model is designed to offer agents full flexibility in running their own business, with Personal Agents getting the best of both worlds.”