Finance
Brokers report record numbers of first-time buyers getting a mortgage
Number of completed mortgages through brokers hits a three-year high
News
Politics
Caution rather than Brexit blamed for stifling supply
Analysis claims the property market remains strong despite Brexit and buy-to-let concerns
Agency
Online estate agency business pulls crowdfunding campaign
Online agency platform says it is now discussing private investment
Finance
Bosses at Rightmove handed £2m share options in bonuses and incentives
CEO and chief financial officer handed share options after Rightmove profits soar
Agency
Referral fees ‘rebound on agents’ when buyers become sellers, claim
'Buyers so put off by referral arrangements that they choose another agent when they come to sell'
Law
The Property Ombudsman unveils mediation service for agent-to-agent disputes
Partnership aims to help agents avoid lengthy and costly court cases in dual fee disputes
Compliance
Properties being routinely mis-measured is ‘hidden scandal’ in property market
Inspection of floor plans shows buyers may not be getting as much property as they thought – or sellers could be those losing out
Agency
After the closures and job losses, LSL brand opens new branch
New Marsh & Parsons branch opens – with more to come as brand grows its network
Finance
Claim that first-time buyers over-pay by a quarter if they use Help to Buy ‘based on wrong figures’
Gap between first-time buyer and Help to Buy prices has been increasing since the end of 2013, claim
Agency
New advice on dual fees says first agent must have done a viewing in order to claim commission
First agent must supply list of viewers and second agent must tell seller of risk of double charging, says TPO
Agency
Well known ‘shoot from the lip’ industry campaigner Chris Wood shuts his agency
Industry figure calls it a day after 30 years – but hints that we haven't heard the last of him yet
Law
Trusted estate agent facing almost certain jail after admitting frauds
Agent warned by court that he will go to jail after fraud offences – only a question of how long
Agency
Opinion: Will Purplebricks and the corporate agents join forces to launch a property portal?
The Paul Smith column: Could corporates and Purplebricks get together to launch portal?
Agency
Online agents’ market share creeps up as more new instructions come to market
High street agents increased their instructions by 5%, and Purplebricks by 3%
Compliance
The Property Ombudsman rules out increase in financial awards
Increasing compensation was previously supported in a Government consultation – but TPO says it will stick to limit
Agency
Agent in firing line from local council over Section 21 notice
Agent objects to change in direction from local authority over Section 21 notices
Lettings
Rental growth outpacing cost of living across the UK
Rents growing at more than double the rate of inflation
Compliance
Agent trying to comply with law told by bank to open 90 different client accounts
Small business told by Lloyds to open a new client account for each and every one of its landlords
Agency
Mystery as Andrews stays tight lipped over departure of managing director
Managing director of lettings and sales at large regional chain no longer a director
Compliance
Warning: HMRC is turning its sights to smaller agents so put compliance top of your agenda
HMRC is on the warpath and the £215,000 fine on Countrywide is only the beginning