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1083 articles
The impact of Google on the property market
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The impact of Google on the property market

As Google celebrates its 20th birthday this year, we reflect on the tech giant’s impact on the property market. Officially launched in September 1998, two PhD students from Stanford, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, founded the search engine which would transform the world and how we use the internet. From these humble beginnings at Stanford […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe December 17, 2018 3 min
The threat of Facebook property listings to the housing sector
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The threat of Facebook property listings to the housing sector

When Facebook announced it was embarking on a venture into the property listing market last month, it caused shock throughout the industry. How dominant will Facebook become in the industry? Could it eventually phase out estate agents completely? And how will the social media platform affect property search portals? Of course, these questions have yet […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe December 14, 2018 3 min
Potential for rent rises and evictions due to new tenancy rules
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Potential for rent rises and evictions due to new tenancy rules

New tenancy rules, which came into force on 1st October 2018, resulted in any shared home occupied by a minimum of five residents from at least two different families coming under mandatory licensing regulations for HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupation). Many landlords let out shared homes, and as the former three-storey rule is now void, […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe December 13, 2018 3 min
Research suggests 33 per cent of landlords are ignoring deposit schemes
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Research suggests 33 per cent of landlords are ignoring deposit schemes

New research conducted by consumer comparison site, ComparetheMarket.com, has revealed that around one third of landlords are failing to protect deposits paid by tenants in an approved DPS (Deposit Protection Scheme). They are ignoring their legal obligations to protect deposits, and it is believed this statistic would affect almost 1.5 million tenants. These tenants would […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe December 12, 2018 3 min
The potential of proptech to revolutionise the property business
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The potential of proptech to revolutionise the property business

Both estate agents and letting agents are reportedly concerned about the potentially disruptive impact of new property technology, or “proptech” on the sector. Their concerns centre on online delivery of property lettings and sales, with the introduction of brands such as Upad and PurpleBricks making waves and rapid advancements in the way that business is […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe December 11, 2018 3 min
Landlord in Burnley is fined £56,000
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Landlord in Burnley is fined £56,000

A landlord from Burnley has received a fine of £56,000 for breaching the selective licensing scheme rules set in place by Burnley Council. David Paul Vallender, the landlord, did not apply for the appropriate licenses for the four properties he owns and rents out in Bruce Street, Dickson Street, Athol Street North and Ada Street […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe December 10, 2018 3 min
Rent arrears rise due to Universal Credit
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Rent arrears rise due to Universal Credit

Almost two thirds of private rented sector landlords renting to housing tenants in receipt of Universal Credit have encountered rent arrears, according to the latest research conducted by the RLA (Residential Landlords Association). With responses from more than 2,200 landlords, the RLA research exchange, PEARL, has discovered that around 61 per cent of those questioned, […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe December 7, 2018 3 min
Buy-to-let still offering positive returns
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Buy-to-let still offering positive returns

Despite the increased pressure on buy-to-let landlords from additional regulation and tax changes, property investment still provides returns well above the average savings rate. The buy-to-let market is supported by continued strong demand for rental properties from residents in the UK. With another predicted downturn, accompanied by rising inflation, which will see an increase in […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe December 6, 2018 3 min
Tenants’ union launched for residents of Lincoln
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Tenants’ union launched for residents of Lincoln

Perhaps a sign of what is to come, as renting becomes ever increasingly popular, tenant’s unions look likely to spring up and establish their power, similar to the labour unions of the 1970s. Renters unions, however, are not a new idea. Tenant organisations existed as early as 1891, where a union organised a rent strike in […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe December 5, 2018 3 min
Build-to-rent could promise long-term investment
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Build-to-rent could promise long-term investment

Could build-to-rent remove the worst private sector landlords and settle the housing crisis? Amro Real Estate’s co-founder, Ami Kotecha, believes it will. Many working in the industry see build-to-rent as a great opportunity for institutional, long-term investment. As societal and economic shifts change what renters want from property, it is believed that now is the […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe December 4, 2018 3 min
Results of next General Election will be influenced by renters
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Results of next General Election will be influenced by renters

New research conducted by insurance firm, AXA Insurance, has discovered that future elections will be greatly influenced by Britain’s growing number of private renters. A noticeable boost from previous elections, 53 per cent of private tenants voted in 2017, which would rise to a turnout of 69 per cent should a snap election be called […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe December 3, 2018 3 min
Private Members’ Bills focusing on housing lead the Commons
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Private Members’ Bills focusing on housing lead the Commons

MPs were meeting in the House of Commons on 26th October, a rare Friday, in order to debate the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Bill, backed by Labour MP, Karen Buck, alongside other Private Members’ Bills. Karen Buck’s Homes Bill has received Government backing and cross-party support ahead of its Third Reading at the Commons […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe November 30, 2018 3 min
Housing industry disappointed by boring Budget
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Housing industry disappointed by boring Budget

Agents across the country felt largely disappointed by the relatively few proposals relating to housing which were announced in this year’s Autumn Budget. Some estate agents feel that nothing is being done to improve low transaction levels, which are not only bad for the market, but which could prove even more disastrous for the wider […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe November 29, 2018 3 min
Banks are obstructing renting property to benefit claimants
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Banks are obstructing renting property to benefit claimants

Industry leaders have called for urgent action to tackle the discrimination of benefit claimants by banks due to their refusal to approve buy-to-let mortgages. Helena McAleer, a landlord in Northern Ireland, has claimed that she has had her mortgage on her rental home revoked, due to renting the property to a benefits claimant. After speaking […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe November 27, 2018 3 min
Licensing system failures are allowing rogue landlords to continue operating
Blog

Licensing system failures are allowing rogue landlords to continue operating

Attempts by the government to crack down on rogue landlords have so far been labelled pathetic and weak, partly because of complex and vast rules which have created a confusing environment. An investigation from ITV News and The Guardian has discovered that convicted landlords who have failed to pass “proper and fit” person tests are […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe November 26, 2018 3 min
Government announces increased protection for renters
Blog

Government announces increased protection for renters

Heather Wheeler, the Housing Minister, has announced that there will be a review of current rules by the government, concerning health and safety standards within rental properties, with the aim that tenants will be afforded increased protection. Set in a post-Grenfell world, the government is planning to fully regulate the housing industry, with measures announced […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe November 23, 2018 3 min
Top tips on how your letting agency could be more efficient
Blog

Top tips on how your letting agency could be more efficient

All companies must operate efficiently in order to be successful, and reviewing how you operate can help you cut costs, increase income and save time. Streamlining processes, working smarter and accelerating workflows allows letting agents to achieve more during their working hours, as well as improving profits. Across the industry, there’s immense pressure to cut […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe November 22, 2018 3 min
High Court shuts down property investment firm’s £20 million Ponzi scheme
Blog

High Court shuts down property investment firm’s £20 million Ponzi scheme

The High Court has shut down a Ponzi scheme operated by a property investment firm, based on claims of rental income and capital appreciation. The business has been accused of misusing around £20 million of its investors’ money. ELP (Essex and London Properties Limited), a business based in Kent, claimed to purchase homes with the […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe November 21, 2018 3 min
More expenses for buy to let landlords as government tightens rules on EPC
Blog

More expenses for buy to let landlords as government tightens rules on EPC

Buy to let landlords located in Wales and England, who own period or particularly draughty or cold homes, are the target of the Government’s new rules and regulations on Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). Since April 2018, landlords who own the coldest privately rented properties are now being forced into improving their homes with energy-efficient solutions, […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe November 20, 2018 3 min
Lettings fee ban likely to have significant impact on rental market in Wales
Blog

Lettings fee ban likely to have significant impact on rental market in Wales

Under a potential new law, letting agents and landlords may be banned from charging private tenants fees in Wales. Currently, tenants could be charged fees for a range of administrative actions, such as for immigration checks, credit references or agent-accompanied viewings. However, the Renting Homes (Fees) Bill in Wales, which has gained support from Assembly […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe November 19, 2018 3 min
Rent and house prices look set to rise in the next five years
Blog

Rent and house prices look set to rise in the next five years

International property firm, Savills, has released it’s latest forecast on the residential property market in the UK, with its major findings being: Rents will rise by an estimated 13.7 per cent during the next five years, with London experiencing an expected rise of over 15.9 per cent. Transactions will stabilise, with the number of cash and […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe November 16, 2018 3 min
Trustworthiness is voted most important tenant trait by landlords
Blog

Trustworthiness is voted most important tenant trait by landlords

All good landlords are entitled to equally good tenants, with great tenants deserving of a good and comfortable home. But what exact qualities make a desirable and good tenant? New research from a survey of landlords has suggested that trust is one of the most crucial components of an efficient, harmonious and effective tenant-landlord relationship, […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe November 15, 2018 3 min
How will the Fitness for Human Habitation Bill help tenants?
Blog

How will the Fitness for Human Habitation Bill help tenants?

The Fitness for Human Habitation Bill has cross-party support from Parliament, and is backed by organisations including the National Landlord Association and Residential Landlords Association, as well as the charity, Shelter. The aim of the Bill is to improve property conditions for tenants within the private rented sector and social housing, and it will also […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe November 14, 2018 3 min
Press

InventoryBase launches new update for property reports with embedded HD video

InventoryBase a leading provider of property technology announce their latest version of property inspection software. InventoryBase, the UK’s fastest growing property reporting platform is set to roll out a series of updates for both the app and web dashboard. The latest version of the property inspection app for iOS and Android sees improvements to the […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe November 13, 2018 2 min
Compliance & legislation

Compliance and legislation updates

Follow practical updates and explainers on legislation, housing standards and compliance-related inspection workflows.

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