Compliance
Property frauds cost Land Registry millions as many scams fail to be prevented
Almost 700 claims for property theft in last 14 years are revealed in answer to FoI request
News
Finance
Purplebricks warns investors of possible risk of litigation after months of turbulence
Purplebricks forecasts more growth ahead as hybrid model will 'continue to displace' traditional agents
Law
Agents warned not to pass costs of arranging repair work on to tenants
Agent's costs of arranging repairs 'not recoverable' from tenants, warns leading lawyer
Lettings
Protesters including local councillor force sale of rental property to be abandoned
Auction firm says landlords perfectly within their rights to sell their own properties
Acquisitions
Online letting agent bought for undisclosed sum by rentals platform Howsy
Firm which was said to be 'a steal at £3m' is sold into new hands
Politics
Former housing minister announces that he is to quit Parliament
And another ex-housing minister gets a peerage
Compliance
Twin focus on rogue letting agents and illegal sale of knives by Trading Standards
Crackdown on sales of knives and 'scourge of letting agents who rip off tenants' focus of London Trading Standards Week
Agency
Estate agency comparison website puts up its charges after seven-year price freeze
NetAnAgent raises its prices as agents' fees 'strengthen'
Agency
Property Franchise Group announces 6% rise in profits to the City
Franchise chain resumes recruiting non-agents to EweMove brand
Law
Agents invited to sign up now for essential webinar on legislative changes
Webinar to offer expert advice on what happens when Section 21 is ditched
Agency
Agent strengthens team for short-term lets across London
Two former Foxtons agents appointed to short lets division at Chestertons
Agency
Three former founders of online agents sign up to UK arm of American franchise firm
Founders of online agencies House Network and Emoov return to agency – and traditional fee charging
Agency
Database of criminal agents ‘should be opened to industry to prevent firms unknowingly hiring crooks’
Firms currently running risk of hiring banned agents because they have no way of accessing blacklist
Compliance
Rents for pets being increasingly charged by agents in wake of fees ban
Rents for pets increasingly being charged after deposits capped
Finance
No lack of housing – it’s low interest rates to blame for prices, say Bank of England researchers
'Housing has not got significantly scarcer in last 20 years' says new research paper
Agency
Agents in the 100 towns due to get millions in funding urged to help in transformations
A great opportunity for local agents to help their town prosper and attract more buyers
Finance
Purplebricks shares are downgraded by broker which reduces firm to ‘neutral’ rating
Broker shaves target price for Purplebricks shares
Lettings
MP hits out at ‘industry sharks’ letting agents who get off scot-free
Scottish letting agents who steal deposits and rents should be prosecuted, says politician, and not just asked to turn up at a tribunal
Law
Local authority U-turns on licensing after threat of legal action by landlords
Victory for common sense – 'licensing is no panacea for problems in the private rented sector'
Politics
Political uncertainty helps overseas buyers to a 25% prime central London discount – Knight Frank
Sterling volatility boosting foreign buyers of London homes, and discounts are getting bigger