Other News
Drama as man produces knife in estate agency and threatens bloodbath
Police taser knifeman who barricaded doors of estate agency – and owner tells how keeping calm was key
News
Agency
Branches returning to Zoopla at rate of over 100 per month
Zoopla says rate of returnees has doubled since OnTheMarket dropped its one other portal rule
Acquisitions
Lomond’s big buying spree continues as it snaps up yet another independent
Lomond adds Brighton agency to its list of acquisitions – and is on the hunt for more
Law
Tenant who left behind jar of peanut butter charged £3 ‘default fee’ for its removal
Shelter boss warns that after fees ban agents and landlords must not be allowed to find 'back door' ways of ripping off tenants
Law
Government urged to hold parliamentary debate on minimum room sizes
HMO landlord launches petition warning minimum room sizes will push up council tax and rent for tenants
Agency
Picture of the Week: And it may seem rather familiar
This was the property that was going to sell through an online agent and save £115,000 in fees. Four years later . . .
Agency
Short and to the point – a high street agent’s advert on Facebook
How to make your point – and no monkey business
Agency
It’s the war of the wallets as bosses try to persuade their best staff to stay on
Your best person has found a job with another agency – should you really persuade them to stay?
Agency
Storm of complaints as Purplebricks starts to brings property management service in-house
Purplebricks apologises to customers over issues caused during transition
Other News
House prices tumble over 3% in biggest monthly fall for almost eight years
Monthly collapse in house prices the largest since 2010 as market bumps along the bottom
Agency
Property buying agent launches divorce service to help when couples are at war over worth of their homes
They say that breaking up is hard to do – property buying agent launches divorce service
People
Marsh & Parsons’ boss David Brown steps down after sterling career with parent firm LSL
New CEO at LSL flagship agency is promoted from within the ranks
Agency
Estate agency tells advertising watchdog it will remove claim about its longevity
Agency says it will pull claim that it has been going since 1932
Agency
Could Purplebricks have to repay millions? Chris Wood suggests how customers might claim money back
Estate agency critic suggests a template for complaints
Acquisitions
LSL says it is in the market for buying letting agencies from owners feeling the pressure
LSL anticipating that many owners of small letting agencies will want to quit as fees ban and other legislation looms
Finance
Think tank proposes giving all 25-year-olds £10k to get on the property ladder
Think tank would also offer Capital Gains Tax amnesty for owners of additional homes selling to first-time buyers
Acquisitions
North-east firm named as fastest growing auction house in UK recruits over 500 agents
Shift in type of property going to auction, says estate agency auction partner
Law
Attempts to ‘professionalise’ industry by licensing will create a cartel, warns top entrepreneur
Government is playing into hands of trade bodies 'with vested interests' – and consumers will pay the price
Agency
Online agents take more market share as they battle it out for second place behind Purplebricks
But will this be a race worth winning – or will it simply be a race to the bottom?
People
Shareholders unite in protest against re-election of Rightmove chairman
Shareholders in protest vote say chairman and senior director 'too busy' for Rightmove