Finance
Landlords ‘doing up’ rather than ‘trading up’ – Countrywide
Higher Stamp Duty costs are putting landlords off from adding to their portfolios as rents rise
News
Acquisitions
Build-to-rent development on the rise as completions increase by 45%
New data reveals the scale of development of homes through build-to-rent
Other News
Picture of the Week: It’s when you see this, you may think the property is a wee bit overpriced
Spotted on Rightmove: Home's beautiful swimming pool with an added ingredient
Agency
New equity partner announced in promotion at regional agency Henry Adams
Ex-Countrywide man becomes equity partner at independent within two years
Finance
Proportion of low deposit mortgage approvals slides but it’s not so grim up north for first-time buyers
Surveyors identify Yorkshire as the most attractive region for low deposit mortgage borrowers
Agency
Purplebricks looks to woo Mumsnet with ten free packages in exchange for posting up their feedback
Brave or foolhardy? Purplebricks steps into the lionesses' tent with an offer to Mumsnet
Agency
Could the property portals go the same way that local newspapers have done?
Could Google – with the help of virtual personal assistants – replace Rightmove?
Finance
Share price of OnTheMarket leaps over 17% in one day – with no obvious reason
Big rise in OTM share price – although still not back up to planned launch price
Agency
Cost savings on portals subscriptions lure more independents to join large network
Independents can cut costs, including subscriptions to portals, by re-branding to Hunters, says chairman Kevin Hollinrake
Compliance
Propertymark says no to single housing ombudsman but calls for TPO to operate across entire private sector
TPO could take on additional responsibilities including redress for buyers of new homes
Compliance
Lettings agents lead complaints as Property Redress Scheme reports a rise in disputes
Property Redress Scheme annual report reports more complaints – but actual numbers remain low
Other News
London and south-east lurching ‘from downturn to disaster’ as supply and time on the market surge
Which region could be next for the property market malaise?
Lettings
English landlords increasingly seeking buy-to-lets in Scotland
SafeDeposits Scotland data shows increase in English landlords with lets north of the border
Finance
Rental inflation remains steady despite buy-to-let tax clampdowns, says HomeLet
No signs of huge hikes in rents to offset increase Stamp Duty and rolling back of mortgage interest relief
Agency
Agents report deepening housing market gloom as buyer enquiries fall for 12th consecutive month
RICS warns that lack of stock and low demand continue to hit market – with implications for wider economy
Agency
Will requiring estate agents to be professionally qualified improve the market? No, says think tank
Qualifications for estate agents 'will lead to closed shop', claim
Agency
Government urged to create ‘more mandation’ in regulation of agency sector
Conveyancers want to see more information upfront to speed up completions
People
Leading industry figure Frank Webster to leave Finders Keepers two years after sale to Countrywide
Countrywide pays tribute to Webster whose departure follows that of managing director two years after sale to Countrywide
Law
Deposit diaries: Dispute after tenants chopped branch off tree without owner’s permission
Landlord claimed £225 saying that's what branch would have been worth as firewood
Tech
LSL surveying firm launches new ‘no visit’ valuation service for properties
Remote Valuation service launched by property group