BREAKING NEWS – top 5 stories 28/05/2021

Estate Agent Networking Breaking News

POSSIBLY AS MUCH AS 7% OF PRS TENANTS UNABLE TO PAY THE RENT

Although it remains to be seen as the evictions ban is still in force until Tuesday, a recent analysis has suggested that as many as 7% of those in the private rental sector of housing can not pay all or part of their rent.

The bigger problem being that many of these may not be caught up in any governmental backed inniatives.

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the NRLA, said: “As the private rented sector moves out of lockdown measures, the Chancellor has failed to provide tenants with the support they need. This is especially the case for the majority of those in rent arrears who do not qualify for benefit support.’

SIMPLE PROPERTIES MANAGEMENT LTD GETS 5-YEAR BAN

Following on from recent financial penalties, judgement has just been given that a lettings enterprise will not be allowed to trade for the next five years, the force behind the prosecution being brought was Camden Council and centred around an unlicensed and unsafe HMO.

NEW LAW SOCIETY CHIEF SUPPORTS HUGE ROLE OF CONVEYANCERS

Though only in post a few months, the new head of The Law Society, I. Stephanie Boyce has come out and strongly backed her colleagues commenting that,

‘Stressed and under-pressure solicitors have been working late into the night and over weekends, with little or no work-life balance, to ensure their clients’ transactions are able to complete according to their wishes.

‘Many factors limiting the speed of a move – delays in the issuing of search results, delays in mortgage offers being issued, problems in the chain and with dependent transactions – are usually outside the control of the conveyancer. They cannot guarantee transactions will complete before the end of June, when the stamp duty holiday begins to taper off.’

PERFECT STORM IN THE LETTINGS MARKET – BAD TENANCIES VS LOTS OF NEW TENANTS

Whilst the 1st of June sees the end to the evictions ban, so Landlord’s may see the end of troublesome tenancies, in other news ARLA Propertymark announce that April was highest on record for tenants looking to move into rented accommodation. They say that on average over 80 new tenants per branch canvassed, was the typical number. The factors being that during lockdown etc, the lettings market has been very moribund.

WILL DEVELOPERS FOOT THE BILL FOR CLADDING SCANDAL

A new proposition is forming where national home builders will be ‘taxed’ to help cover the costs for remedial work on properties that are unfit for purpose. If implemented the biggest companies could face handing over in excess of £40M. We will wait and see if this happens.

Andrew Stanton

CEO & Founder Proptech-PR. Proptech Real Estate Influencer, Executive Editor of Estate Agent Networking. Leading PR consultancy in Proptech & Real Estate.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

7 Ways Estate Agents Can Adapt to a Changing Property Market

The UK property landscape is evolving rapidly, and estate agents are under increasing pressure to implement innovative strategies. With shifting buyer expectations, new technologies, and alternative sales models entering the market, adapting your approach is essential. So, if you’re looking to see success with your agency, here are just seven key ways you can remain…
Read More
Letting Agent Talk

Spring clean drives high maintenance bill for landlord

The latest market insight from property management specialist, Rushbrook & Rathbone, suggests that property maintenance spend is set to surge in April, as the annual ‘spring clean’ by landlords saw the month account for the second highest proportion of total annual maintenance spend in 2025, as well as the largest average spend per work order. Rushbrook…
Read More
Breaking News

65% of homebuyers blame slow process on conveyancers

The latest research from Lyons Bowe reveals that 65% of recent homebuyers say the conveyancing process was the slowest part of their buying process, with a quarter saying the legal back and forth took more than 16 weeks to complete. Lyons Bowe commissioned a survey of 1,000 UK homeowners who made a purchase in the past…
Read More
Breaking News

UK Construction Activity Collapses

Glenigan’s April Construction Index uncovers an industry struggling to cushion the blows from ongoing international conflict and a persistently weak economy. Work starting on-site declined by 17% compared to Q4, remaining 18% below 2025 levels. Residential construction starts dropped by 13% during the Index period and fell by 30% against 2025 figures. Non-residential project-starts dipped…
Read More
Breaking News

Homebuyer demand down in Q1 2026

Buyer demand slips in Q1 2026, with South of England outperformed by North and Midlands The latest Sales Demand Index from eXp UK has revealed that homebuyer demand in England slipped by -1.6% in Q1 2026. The analysis also reveals a clear north-south divide with counties located in the midlands or north of the country recording…
Read More
Letting Agent Talk

Check your rights now or risk being caught out by new rental laws

Renters have been urged to check their rights now or risk being caught out, as sweeping new laws prepare to transform the rental market from May. The warning comes ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act, with major reforms set to affect millions of tenants, fundamentally changing how tenancies are managed and challenged. Housing law expert…
Read More