“Scaremongering” accusation by Labour

Kerb appeal

It would appear that Sadiq Khan from the Labour party  has attacked Knight Frank, a firm of estate agents, for apparently sending out printed material to homeowners, highlighting the “threat” of a mansion tax before the election, the shadow London minister and shadow justice secretary  accused the firm of  “scaremongering”, arguing that it was an attempt by a private company to influence the results of the election.

There has been a pre election pledge by Labour to impose a levy on all homes worth more than £2m to raise cash for the NHS,  conservatives are opposed to any higher value property tax.  It has been reported that the letter sent out by Knght Frank does not urge voters to choose any particular party but suggests people may be thinking about their financial position with the election coming up, and includes a report setting out the possible implications for high-value house prices.

Sadiq Khan a possible  frontrunner to be Labour’s London mayoral candidate, was also reported as saying  “Estate agents are one of few professions trusted less than politicians, and I am shocked that Knight Frank think it is acceptable to scaremonger like this.”

Knight Frank replied to the comments by saying they were simply providing voters with a factual assessment of what the mansion tax would do, they went on to say
there had been lots of inquiries from clients and members of the public about what the mansion tax might mean for them, they said “What we’ve put together is a document that tries to understand what the tax is and how it might work.” He also went on to say it was not a political campaign and the estate agent was neutral on the idea of a proposed tax”

 

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

Fast track to London: The Essex villages offering country living and commuter convenience

For London buyers looking to exchange city life for more space, greenery and a stronger sense of community, Essex offers an appealing combination of countryside living and convenient connections into the capital. The rise of hybrid working has changed what buyers expect from a commuter location, and rather than simply searching for the shortest possible…
Read More
Breaking News

‘Spider season’ hits UK bedrooms

‘Spider season’ hits UK bedrooms – expert shares FIVE expert tips on keeping eight-legged visitors at bay As autumn sets in, millions of UK households are bracing themselves for ‘spider season’, the surge of male spiders entering homes in September and October in search for a mate. One of the most common places that spiders…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Good-view homes command 81% premium

The latest research from UK Property Development (UKPD) reveals that new-build homes that boast a good view command an average price premium of 81.4% compared to overall new-build prices, with the premium in London approaching 110%. UKPD has analysed the estimated average asking price of new-build homes in England marketed as offering a ‘good view’,…
Read More
Christmas Decorations - Good or Bad for Selling
Breaking News

Want to Be in Your New Home by Christmas?

Moving house can be a complex and stressful process, with delays at various stages potentially putting completion dates at risk. Government data shows that the average home purchase takes around 120 days to complete, while around one in three property sales fall through, costing sellers an estimated £400 million each year. With Christmas now just…
Read More
what is happening to house prices
Estate Agent Talk

Help Buyers to get Britain Building

Tim Foreman, Managing Director of Land and New Homes, LRG, comments: It is clear that Labour cannot meet its housing ambitions just through planning reform. It is imperative that Andy Burnham uses time at the upcoming Labour Party Conference to back a targeted successor to Help to Buy – one that restores demand without repeating…
Read More
Letting Agent Talk

Landlords say managing rentals has become harder

Three-quarters of portfolio landlords say managing rentals has become harder   The latest research from residential property management specialist, Rushbrook, has found that almost three-quarters of portfolio landlords say managing their rental portfolio has become harder in recent years, with the changing legislative landscape now prompting many to reconsider whether they need professional help with…
Read More