Other News
RICS response to strong opinion piece
Last weekend, Property Industry Eye published an opinion piece that suggested 'Propertymark and RICS are not trade bodies'.
News
People
Former Burnley estate agent dies at the age of 70
John Dinsdale practised as an estate agent and chartered surveyor for more than 45 years.
Acquisitions
Warren Buffett names Berkshire Hathaway successor
Warren Buffett’s estate agency giant Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices acquired 163-year-old estate-agency Marler & Marler last week.
Agency
Significant increase in the number of homes sold by agents in Q1 2021
Agents are prioritising physical property viewings for those buyers who are ready to proceed.
Compliance
RICS independent review – call for evidence
RICS ordered an independent review into the handling of a governance scandal in January.
People
Chief sales officer quits Purplebricks
CSO leaves Purplebricks after less than two months in post.
Compliance
RoPA ‘will not be what it appears to be!’ – compliance expert opposes group
David Beaumont, MD at Compliance-Matters: “The concept adding another level of control should be rejected, but it hasn’t been!”
Compliance
Consumers need protection as viewings go virtual
An estate agent was unlucky to find itself called out in the press for displaying private data including on the internet via a virtual tour, not least because it could have happened to others.
Finance
New proposed property tax represents ‘a fair contribution’
Financial Secretary to the Treasury Jesse Norman: “The government wants to ensure this tax is proportionate and works as intended.”
Agency
New vendors and landlords increasingly scarce for agents as market slows
Buyers hold steady but worsening stock shortages add to mounting supply crunch
Other News
EYE poll: Has the pandemic accelerated a shift to a new way of working?
How has the pandemic changed working lives in our industry? Let us know by taking part in this industry poll.
Agency
Agent wants to boost housing supply by building on green belt land
Adam Hesse, Aston Mead’s land and planning director: “For years, we’ve been saying that building on green belt land is inevitable.”
People
Comings and Goings
The Guild announces senior promotions; Miles & Barr welcomes Luke Somerset; Middleton Advisors announce promotions
Agency
New portal leads management tool offers huge ‘potential’, says agent
Shropshire-based agency launches joint prop-tech venture.
Politics
OPINION: Propertymark and RICS are not trade bodies
Propertymark and RICS are consumer protection organisations. They are not, as many think (and as they like to portray themselves), trade bodies in place to look after the interests of agents.
Agency
Verity Frearson unveils new fleet of electric vehicles
The Harrogate estate agent says that it is the first agency in the district to go green.
Acquisitions
Warren Buffett’s firm acquires one of UK’s oldest estate agencies
Warren Buffet’s global real estate network expands its presence in prime central London with the takeover of 163-year-old firm Marler & Marler.
Compliance
Material information in property particulars and listings
James Munro, of the National Trading Standards: “[Agents] are responsible for ensuring that the properties they market for sale or rent on behalf of their clients are accurately described.”
Agency
OPINION: Lawyers Vs agents – we need a war, not a truce
“Those suggesting a truce between agents and lawyers where everyone puts down their pointy blame sticks and pretends to be understanding, have got it all wrong.”