Breaking News
Support for OnTheMarket.com rises beyond 6,500 estate and letting agent offices
Overall support for property website OnTheMarket.com has reached in excess of 6,500 UK estate and letting agent offices, which is an increase of more than 50% since this time last year. The figure consists of contracted members and agents who have signed a Letter of Intent to join OnTheMarket.com when total support reaches 7,500 offices….
Alex Evans
Limited companies being used by landlords
To avoid the higher taxes being introduced by the government more and more landlords are using limited companies when applying for their buy-to-let finance, lenders are responding to this new demand by offering an increasing number of loans available to those who apply through registered businesses. Landlords will be taxed on the full rental income…
Allen Walkey
“Be Prepared” for “Right-to-Rent”
Under one month to go before the new law comes into force that will mean landlords must carry out status checks on tenants, Right-to-Rent regulations will be intoduced on the 1st February as a control on those who do not have the right of abode (illegal immigrants) Landlords will be required to carry out quick…
Allen Walkey
£14 Million for David Bowie’s Caribbean property for sale.
The recent news of the passing of David Bowie, an icon in music and indeed art for many, now brings along the sale of his Caribbean property for £14 million. This truly amazing property which David Bowie himself said was so relaxing that he found it difficult to work there, is now on the market…
Christopher Walkey
Homelet’s review of rental market
The Homelet Rental Index (HRI) report posted to their site yesterday reveals that Brighton, Bristol, Edinburgh and Newcastle recorded the largest increase in rents last year amongst the country’s largest towns and cities. The monthly 9HRI) shows that, on average, rents across the UK, excluding Greater London, were 4.9% higher on new tenancies signed during…
Allen Walkey
Generation wanting to downsize are trapped.
Recent reports indicate that around one third of home owners in the 55+ age category are considering downsizing but have very little choice and feel unable to do so, there is a chronic under-supply of properties out there suitable to their needs. Research shows that nearly half of all people who classify as under-occupiers in…
Allen Walkey
Housing Bill – Government vote 312-219 against. Twitter Chat:
The Conservative government have voted against amendment proposed by Labour that all privates homes rented out should be fit for human habitation with a vote of 312 against and 219 for. Parliament UK Website and the 2015-15 Housing Bill can be viewed here. Much reaction already including Tweets from Sadiq Khan MP for Labour in…
Christopher Walkey
‘Reliance on Rightmove and Zoopla carries significant risk’, says Paul Smith, CEO of Spicerhaart
Paul Smith, CEO of Spicerhaart and a Non-Executive Director of Agents’ Mutual comments: OnTheMarket.com launched less than a year ago into a highly competitive marketplace but in this short space of time, the brand has already become familiar to millions of property-seekers across the country. The website was carefully designed to create a search function…
Alex Evans
Investors now buying in France.
For as long as us Brits have been buying retirement and holiday homes in France the appeal has mostly been the price difference. For many years it is common knowledge, depending where you buy in France of course, that prices are much cheaper across the channel and you get a lot more for your money…
Christopher Walkey
Taylor Wimpey record profits.
Taylor Wimpey PLC yesterday released their trading statement for the year to the 31st December 2015, they reported record profitability as demand surged. The UK’s third-biggest housebuilder reported a record operating profit margin of over 20% in the year to the end of December, on the back of strong demand in the UK housing market….
Allen Walkey
Your Move Estate Agency launches television advert:
With 285 branches and being the UK’s most visited Estate Agency website, Your Move are now pushing out their first TV advertisement campaign. As television advertising becomes much more accessible for businesses across the UK (many more channels these days so much more competition = lower charges). Who will be next? We certainly see the…
Christopher Walkey
Conveyancing fraud.
According to an article appearing on AOL online yesterday, it was reported that scammers have been committing conveyancing fraud by intercepting solictors emails, swindling 91 people over the last 12 months according to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau. These fraudsters have diverted more than £10 million in funds directly to themselves in the last year…
Allen Walkey
Flood recovery: households and businesses.
The serious flooding of winter 2015/2016 has been addressed via Communities and Business Recovery Scheme. “Under the Communities and Business Recovery Scheme we have provided local authorities with funding worth over £500 for every household affected. This is intended to help with recovery costs, such as temporary accommodation.” To find out more visit the office www.gov.uk…
Christopher Walkey
Another Hybrid Estate Agency to launch.
This will certainly be a trend going forward, new Hybrid estate agencies and online estate agencies to launch across the UK in 2016 with a focus on national coverage. This time we see YOPA who are set to launch in Yorkshire later this week. Already with pilots tested in the Granada and Meridian regions, YOPA…
Christopher Walkey
Private tenants struggle to pay rent.
According to a recent article in The Guardian, the charity Shelter say that over half of private tenants are struggling to pay their rent. The survey revealed that 15% of private renters are worried about paying their rent this month and that nearly a third, have had to cut back on winter essentials such as…
Allen Walkey