Scotland needs to match Labour’s English housebuilding target to tackle the country’s housing emergency according to a high profile lettings agency...
Archive
12 July 2024
From: Breaking News
![Lomond snaps up 2,000-unit lettings book](/upload/images/shutterstock_2456603509(1).jpg)
The major Scottish agency in the Lomond Group empire - DJ Alexander - has snapped up Sandstone Management and its lettings...
03 July 2024
From: Breaking News
![Toxic attitude to Private Renting may now change, hopes lettings chief](/upload/images/shutterstock_2406793903.jpg)
A prominent lettings agency operator says he hopes the “toxic” attitude to the private rental sector by the Scottish Government may...
26 April 2024
From: Breaking News
![Agents Furious at Permanent Rent Controls proposed by politicians](/upload/images/shutterstock_2239146247.jpg)
Agents have expressed their anger at permanent rent controls proposed by the SNP and Green Party politicians running the Scottish Government. The...
28 March 2024
From: Breaking News
![Investor and landlord purchases rise, despite soaring taxes](/upload/images/shutterstock_1210308844.jpg)
The largest lettings agency in Scotland says purchases by landlords and other investor buyers in that country have risen sharply despite...
20 March 2024
From: Breaking News
![Agency giant snaps up 2,000-property lettings portfolio](/upload/images/shutterstock_1079721062.jpg)
Fast-growing Lomond has acquired a rental portfolio of in excess of 2,000 units. It has bought Tay Letting and its rental portfolio...
07 March 2024
From: Breaking News
![Shock figure reveals tax burden paid by private rental sector](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/TaxMan-400x310.png)
Property taxes in Scotland exceeded £600m over the last year according to analysis of the latest statistics by the country’s largest...
17 January 2024
From: Breaking News
![Top agent slams latest rent control move as costly and complex](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/AgentsWorking-400x310.png)
New rent control proposals put forward by politicians are unnecessary and too costly according to a leading property expert. David Alexander -...
12 January 2024
From: Breaking News
![Agent unhappy at “missed opportunity” to help rental and other housing sectors](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/LearningAgents-400x310.png)
One of the UK’s leading lettings agents is bemoaning what he calls “the missed opportunity “ to help the rental sector...
22 December 2023
From: Breaking News
![Expensive rental eco-heat scheme needs rethink - top agent](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Energy%20and%20Green%20Homes/Energy_EfficientHome-400x310.png)
A consultation to introduce boilers into homes and the private rented sector needs ‘more carrot than stick’ according to a prominent...
07 December 2023
From: Breaking News
![Agent says second home clampdown is no answer to long-term shortage](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/PropertyNews1-400x310.png)
The long-term shortage of rental accommodation is now addressed by a short-term clampdown on second homes and empty properties, a leading...
30 November 2023
From: Breaking News
![New energy efficiency U-turn welcomed by leading agency](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Energy%20and%20Green%20Homes/EPC-2-400x310.png)
It looks like more politicians are preparing a U-turn on energy efficiency rules for the private rental sector. Media reports indicate there...
24 November 2023
From: Breaking News
![Why do politicians pursue failed policy of rent controls? - agent asks](/upload/images/shutterstock_2239146247.jpg)
Private rents have continued to soar in Scotland according to DJ Alexander, the largest lettings agency in the country. It says rental...
11 September 2023
From: Breaking News
![Jaw dropping 40,000 viewing requests in a montf for lettings chain](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/HomeViewing-400x310.png)
Scotland’s largest letting agent had almost 40,000 viewing requests during July for rental properties in Edinburgh and Glasgow alone. DJ Alexander Ltd...
18 August 2023
From: Breaking News
![Buyer announced for part of Purplebricks lettings portfolio](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/PropertyNews3-400x310.png)
A buyer has been announced for part of the lettings portfolio of Purplebricks, it has been announced today. The deal, finalised for...
26 May 2023
From: Breaking News
![Agent blasts government over huge second home tax increase](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/Tax-Image-400x310.png)
An agent has spoken out about a proposal to allow huge council tax rises on second homes and empty properties. New Scottish...
18 April 2023
From: Breaking News
![Agency uncovers big fall in property taxes](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/Tax-Image-400x310.png)
Revenue from property taxes in Scotland has dropped significantly so far this year, according to a prominent lettings agency. DJ Alexander Ltd...
12 April 2023
From: Breaking News
![New Scottish leader is bad news for rental sector, warns agent](/upload/images/Scottish%20parlament%20house%20shutterstock_293979215.jpg)
New Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf is bad news for the private rental sector, a prominent lettings agent warns. David Alexander -...
28 March 2023
From: Breaking News
![Possession numbers soar ahead of rent cap and eviction ban](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/Eviction-400x310%20(1).png)
Numbers of possessions have soared in Scotland since the introduction of a rent cap and eviction ban according to DJ Alexander,...
17 March 2023
From: Breaking News
![Will Chancellor Hunt’s Budget dare help the rental sector?](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/FinanceCalculator-400x310.png)
A prominent lettings agency chief wants a raft of measures to help the private rental sector and investors in next week’s...
08 March 2023
From: Breaking News
![Political wannabes wrong to blame holiday lets, claims top agent](/upload/images/shutterstock_1251325300.jpg)
A prominent lettings agent has criticised leading candidates for the leadership of the Scottish National Party for anti-holiday let policies. David Alexander,...
03 March 2023
From: Breaking News
![Sturgeon move is chance to reset rental sector says agent](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/PropertyNews2-400x310.png)
A prominent Scottish lettings agent says the decision of Nicola Sturgeon to resign as Scotland’s First Minister may offer a chance...
16 February 2023
From: Breaking News
![Rent freeze U-turn welcomed by leading agent](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/RentalYields-400x310.png)
Ruling politicians in Scotland have agreed that from April private rents can rise by 3.0 per cent in a 12 month period...
20 January 2023
From: Breaking News
![Don't Demonise Private Rentals - agent attacks government's woeful record](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/Propertycalculator-400x310.png)
A prominent lettings agent has resumed his attack on politicians for failing to build sufficient numbers of social housing properties -...
04 January 2023
From: Breaking News
![Buy To Let Tax Surcharge - agent puts politician on the spot](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/TaxMan-400x310.png)
One of the politicians backing a tax surcharge on the purchase of second homes and buy to lets has been put...
30 December 2022
From: Breaking News
07 December 2022
From: Breaking News
![Tax Grabs - might Tories lose support because of CGT penalties?](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/TaxCoins-400x310.png)
A second agency chief has warned the Conservatives of the possible electoral consequences of higher taxes aimed at the private rental...
21 November 2022
From: Breaking News
![Rent Controls Fail Worldwide - agent lists disastrous consequences](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/Rent_Freeze1-400x310.png)
A lettings agency chief has listed how rent controls have failed across the world. Writing in The Scotsman, David Alexander - chief...
14 November 2022
From: Breaking News
![Enough Is Enough - should next interest rate rises be delayed?](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/MortgageRates1_400x310.png)
A senior lettings industry figure says the Bank of England should delay future base rate rises to allow the housing market...
04 November 2022
From: Breaking News
![Rent controls crush hopes for thousands of affordable homes](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/BuildToRent1-400x310.png)
A Labour peer who was to have invested £1 billion in affordable homes has halted his scheme because of the threat...
19 October 2022
From: Breaking News
![Lettings agency chief insists rents are falling without a freeze](/upload/images/Property%20People/DJ%20Alexander%20Ltd_400x310.png)
In Scotland - where a rent freeze kicked in last weekend - Scottish private rents have fallen nearly 15 in real...
10 October 2022
From: Breaking News
![Outspoken agency boss renews attack on politicians](/upload/images/Property%20People/DJ%20Alexander%20Ltd_400x310.png)
A high profile agent has renewed his attack on politicians. David Alexander - who heads up DJ Alexander, part of the Lomond...
14 September 2022
From: Breaking News
![Rent freeze “chaos” as politician cannot give details - claim](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/360x280_Return_on_Time.png)
* Angels Media and Letting Agent Today are deeply saddened by the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II * - The controversial rent...
09 September 2022
From: Breaking News
![Agent lashes out at “cheap political points” by rent freeze fanatics](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/Rent_Freeze2-400x310.png)
A prominent lettings agency chief executive has lashed out at the “cheap political points” being scored by politicians in Scotland who...
07 September 2022
From: Breaking News
![Agent slams ‘pie in the sky’ idea for private tenant Right To Buy](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/HomeInHands-400x310.jpg)
A recent suggestion by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation charity, for government help to allow private tenants to buy their landlords’ homes,...
08 August 2022
From: Breaking News
![Building Society slammed for mortgage ban on second homes](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/MortgageDeclined-400x310.png)
A building society which has taken the unprecedented step of stopping lending on second homes has been sharply criticised by a...
02 August 2022
From: Breaking News
![Lettings chief slams latest Boris Johnson off-the-cuff housing idea](/upload/images/Politics%20(MPs%2C%20party%20logos%2C%20etc)/BorisJohnson-4-400x310.jpg)
A prominent lettings Industry figure has slammed Boris Johnson’s latest housing market utterances, branding them “off the cuff” and likely to...
07 July 2022
From: Breaking News
![Agency chief’s cautious welcome for extended Right To Buy](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/MortgageDepositImage-400x310.jpg)
The head of a prominent brand in a fast-expanding lettings and sales agency group has given a cautious welcome to government...
04 May 2022
From: Breaking News
![Agency boss condemns political party for “punitive” attack on rental sector](/upload/images/Politics%20(MPs%2C%20party%20logos%2C%20etc)/HousesofParliament-3-400x310.jpg)
One of the UK’s largest lettings groups has made an outspoken attack on the policies of a political party standing in...
27 April 2022
From: Breaking News
![Ideological attack on rental sector underway, warns leading agent](/upload/images/Locations/ScotlandFlag400x310.png)
A prominent lettings agency chief says a consultation looking at changes to private renting proposed by the Scottish Government is merely...
18 February 2022
From: Breaking News
![Short let units should switch to mainstream rentals, says agent](/upload/images/Logos/airbnb-logo400x310.png)
A prominent agent says the shortage of rental property is now so acute, and like to get still worse, that those...
24 January 2022
From: Breaking News
![Returning EU citizens will boost lettings market - agency chief’s view](/upload/images/Brexit/BrexitHandsImage-400x310.jpg)
EU citizens with settled status in the UK, but who have stayed in their native countries during the pandemic, are likely...
17 January 2022
From: Breaking News
![Don't use social media to find rental properties - warning to tenants](/upload/images/Miscellaneous/scam%20alert.png)
A leading lettings agent has warned tenants against using social media to find rental properties. David Alexander - head of DJ Alexander,...
06 January 2022
From: Breaking News
![Stop Sniping At Private Renting! Agency chief tells politicians to stop](/upload/images/Locations/ScotlandFlag400x310.png)
The coming year should be about promoting harmony in the lettings market says the head of an agency that’s now part of a...
04 January 2022
From: Breaking News
![Investors may quit buy to let, leading agency chief warns](/upload/images/library/Investment-Image-1-400x310.jpg)
The lettings agency boss at the centre of a major industry takeover has fired a warning shot about rent controls and...
22 December 2021
From: Breaking News
![Acquisition means agency is now largest lettings operator in country](/upload/images/library/HandshakeSuit-400x310.jpg)
The Lomond Group, already reported to be in talks to buy London agency Chestertons, has revealed it’s snapped up another leading...
21 December 2021
From: Breaking News
![This is how rent controls could work - one agent's view](/upload/images/library/Glasgow-1-400x310.jpg)
A senior lettings agent and property management company owner has set out how rent controls could work in very specific circumstances...
27 August 2021
From: Breaking News
![HMO has 78 viewings in latest sign of rental market frenzy](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/PropertyPeople-400x310.jpg)
One HMO had 78 viewings while in the same city a £7,000 rental property was let after just one day of...
23 August 2021
From: Breaking News
![David Alexander is joint Chief Executive Officer of apropos](/img/default/lat.png)
As we emerge out of the pandemic there is a growing need for agents to reflect on how the lettings business...
12 March 2021
From: 60 Second Interview
![Online lettings model the big winner from the pandemic - claim](/img/default/lat.png)
A veteran lettings expert says most rental activity will soon be online and conducted outside office hours - a further boost...
12 March 2021
From: Breaking News
![Sunak warned on property taxes - Don’t use us to pay Covid debts!](/img/default/lat.png)
A prominent industry figure is warning Chancellor Rishi Sunak not to use property taxes to bail out the government over the costs...
19 February 2021
From: Breaking News
![David Alexander is joint CEO of apropos](/img/default/lat.png)
For most letting agents the last year has been a challenging one which has focused attention on dealing with the immediate,...
04 February 2021
From: Sponsored Content
![2021 could be a good year for the rental market after all, says agent](/img/default/lat.png)
The next 12 months could be a surprisingly good year for the private rental sector despite some obvious challenges, according to...
04 January 2021
From: Breaking News
![Some agents have atrocious compliance failures, claims expert](/img/default/lat.png)
A lettings expert claims that many agents are failing to comply with appropriate legislation, rendering their landlord clients liable for legal...
27 November 2020
From: Breaking News
![Capital Gains Tax hike risks mass exodus from buy to let - claim](/img/default/lat.png)
A prominent agent and industry commentator says the threat of higher Capital Gains Tax risks forcing yet more investors to quit...
13 November 2020
From: Breaking News
![Agents “slow to respond to consumers moving online” - claim](/img/default/lat.png)
A prominent lettings agent and property management expert says the industry has been reluctant to recognise the increasing trend of consumers...
06 November 2020
From: Breaking News
![Living without Section 21 evictions – lessons from the Scottish market](/img/default/lat.png)
The announcement of the Renters’ Reform Bill in the Queen’s speech last December caused a collective groan across the country from...
29 October 2020
From: Legislation & Compliance
![Unify UK property tax to attract investors, agency boss says](/img/default/lat.png)
Scotland must encourage more investors into its property market as a way of supporting its economy once the Coronavirus recedes according...
06 October 2020
From: Breaking News
![Why did Chancellor ignore private rental sector? asks lettings guru](/img/default/lat.png)
A leading figure in the private rental sector says the lettings industry has been largely ignored once again by Chancellor Rishi...
25 September 2020
From: Breaking News
![High street decline forces commercial investors to shift to residential](/img/default/lat.png)
The decline of the high street - which has been accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic - is forcing commercial investors to...
17 September 2020
From: Breaking News
![Evictions: English landlords seek advice from Scottish counterparts](/img/default/lat.png)
Landlords operating in England are increasingly seeking evictions advice from their Scottish counterparts, according to property management firm Apropos. The platform says...
15 September 2020
From: Breaking News
![Tenants must get interest-free loans to clear Covid arrears - agent](/img/default/lat.png)
A scheme providing interest-free loans to tenants with Covid-related arrears should be offered across the UK. That’s the view of David Alexander...
07 September 2020
From: Breaking News
![Agents must adapt quickly to the new normal By David Alexander, joint Managing Director of apropos](/img/default/lat.png)
There is little doubt that the coronavirus has changed the way we live and rapidly created a new normality as different...
28 August 2020
From: Sponsored Content
![Agent backs eviction ban extension but wants cash help for landlords](/img/default/lat.png)
A prominent lettings agent has come out in favour of the eviction ban extension - but he wants government cash help...
27 August 2020
From: Breaking News
![Most rental completions use virtual viewings ‘without tenant going in’](/img/default/lat.png)
A property management firm says there’s been a big surge in rentals with the majority of deals being completed using virtual...
19 August 2020
From: Breaking News
![Don’t evict anyone during virus crisis says leading lettings expert](/img/default/lat.png)
A senior lettings expert with almost four decades experience says evictions should not be considered during the virus crisis, irrespective of the...
04 August 2020
From: Breaking News
![Stamp duty cut could reinvigorate buy to let says lettings chief](/img/default/lat.png)
A stamp duty cut could reinvigorate the buy to let market and the wider economy as the country comes out of...
29 June 2020
From: Breaking News
![Apropos transforms the residential property management process](/img/default/lat.png)
Apropos is a revolutionary digital property management platform which has recently launched in the UK. The new property management platform has...
18 June 2020
From: Sponsored Content
![PropTech service criticises “same old traditional” letting agents](/img/default/lat.png)
A PropTech service says it wants to by-pass professional agents and cater just for self-managing landlords. What’s more, it’s promoting the fact...
09 June 2020
From: Breaking News
![Top lettings agency to shed jobs with new online platform at risk](/img/default/lat.png)
One of the country’s largest lettings agencies is to lose 17 jobs out of 100 in what the company founder calls...
19 May 2020
From: Breaking News
![Big London and SE England bias in buy to let investor profile](/img/default/lat.png)
A third of all landlords live in Greater London and the South East according to data collated by a property management...
27 January 2020
From: Breaking News
![Airbnb trying to tempt landlords seeking higher yields - claim](/img/default/lat.png)
A leading property industry figure says Airbnb is attempting to persuade traditional buy to let landlords into going down the short-let...
13 January 2020
From: Breaking News
![Savvy landlords can still make Buy To Let work insists property chief](/img/default/lat.png)
There’s still life in the buy to let market despite the regulatory and financial changes in recent years according to a...
24 December 2019
From: Breaking News
![PropTech property management platform signs 25 partners for launch](/img/default/lat.png)
The property management platform Apropos, scheduled to launch early next year, says it’s signed up 25 business partners ahead of schedule. The...
15 November 2019
From: Breaking News
![Labour tones down Right To Buy proposal for private rental tenants](/img/default/lat.png)
Labour’s controversial proposal to oblige landlords to sell their buy to let properties to tenants who wished to purchase them, unveiled...
06 November 2019
From: Breaking News
![Accept end of S21 or let Build To Rent take over, says agent](/img/default/lat.png)
A leading agent has repeated his controversial belief that the proposed scrapping of Section 21 eviction powers should be seen as...
25 October 2019
From: Breaking News
![Landlords urged to prepare for ‘last straw’ in maintaining profitability](/img/default/lat.png)
Landlords must look at their finances as a range of tax changes continue to 'hit home', according to Apropos. The property management...
07 October 2019
From: Breaking News
![Further criticism of Labour's controversial Right to Buy plans](/img/default/lat.png)
A group of landlords in the North East are the latest to criticise Labour's plans to introduce a Right to Buy...
04 October 2019
From: Breaking News
![Rental sector must prepare for more older tenants, says top expert](/img/default/lat.png)
The rental sector needs to prepare for the demographic challenge of an increasingly older population, says the head of a high...
23 September 2019
From: Breaking News
![Beginning of the end for Let Only Tenancies, says leading expert](/img/default/lat.png)
We are at the beginning of the end for let only tenancies which have effectively been subsidised in the past by...
16 September 2019
From: Breaking News
![It’s War: Tories and lettings chiefs tear into Labour Right To Buy plans](/img/default/lat.png)
There’s been a fierce outcry from Conservative MPs and the lettings industry in response to Labour’s threat to give private rental...
03 September 2019
From: Breaking News
![Buy To Let now so restricted by law, investors must try something new](/img/default/lat.png)
One of the country’s leading property management experts says buy to let is here to stay - but only if individual...
28 August 2019
From: Breaking News
![New housing court in England and Wales 'should follow Scots model'](/img/default/lat.png)
A new property court similar to the Scottish system should be established in England and Wales to deal with the proposed...
16 August 2019
From: Breaking News
![Latest buy to let hotspot unveiled by property management guru](/img/default/lat.png)
Manchester is becoming a buy to let investment hotspot according to the boss of a leading property management firm. David Alexander of...
29 July 2019
From: Breaking News
![Property chief locks horns with rent control campaigners](/img/default/lat.png)
A property management chief is arguing that rent controls would restrict mortgage loans to buy to let investors and drive existing...
04 June 2019
From: Breaking News
![Many agents regard tenants as just ‘cash cows’ claims property chief](/img/default/lat.png)
A lettings agency chief in Scotland says the upcoming ban on agents levying fees on tenants - to be introduced in...
24 May 2019
From: Breaking News
![Lettings expert sounds Airbnb warning to landlords](/img/default/lat.png)
A rental market expert is urging landlords to be cautious when considering to use short-term lets websites such as Airbnb to...
08 May 2019
From: Breaking News
![Scrapping Section 21 long overdue admits lettings chief](/img/default/lat.png)
The head of a major property management firm says the controversial proposal to scrap Section 21 eviction powers for landlords is...
16 April 2019
From: Breaking News
![Double whammy for buy to let as rents stagnate and taxes rise](/img/default/lat.png)
Buy to let investors are facing a double whammy as stagnating rents and reduced tax relief are hitting profitability. A study from...
11 April 2019
From: Breaking News
![Support for Fees Ban from lettings experts: 'it is positive, not negative'](/img/default/lat.png)
Almost the entire lettings industry has viewed the upcoming ban on tenants fees levied by agents in England and Wales as...
31 January 2019
From: Breaking News
![Tiny rent increases over the past year, reports new research consultancy](/img/default/lat.png)
Rents have risen over the past year but at a very low level according to new property consultancy Apropos. Across Britain as...
21 January 2019
From: Breaking News
![Market not prepared for growing trend of lifetime renting, says leading agent](/img/default/lat.png)
A leading letting agent argues that the UK housing market is not prepared to deal with a growing number of lifetime...
05 September 2018
From: Breaking News
![Short lets - look before you leap, top agent advises landlords](/img/default/lat.png)
One of the country’s largest independent property management firms says it’s seeing a clear shift within the rental sector from traditional...
10 August 2018
From: Breaking News
![Fees Ban - landlords to be hit most, Scottish experience suggests](/img/default/lat.png)
A major Scottish property management firm says agents and landlords south of the border should prepare now for the likely agency...
31 May 2018
From: Breaking News
![Advice from a letting agent where fees are already banned](/img/default/lat.png)
The managing director of one of the most prominent letting agencies in Edinburgh and Glasgow - where agents’ fees on tenants...
29 November 2016
From: Breaking News
![Agent says buy to let tax change threatens supply - just as demand surges](/img/default/lat.png)
People coming to work in Scotland from overseas are making up an increasing proportion of private sector tenants according to a...
19 January 2016
From: Breaking News
![Wanted: one tenant, must be over 90...](/img/default/lat.png)
David Alexander, managing director of the letting agency DJ Alexander, has come across some unusual requests in over 30 years doing business...