A lettings agency director is suggesting the short lets boom may be over. Marc von Grundherr, director of Benham and Reeves, says...
Archive
![Second homes and incomer buyers are good news - Propertymark](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/A%20surveyor's%20guide%20to%20finding%20a%20profitable%20HMO.jpg)
Propertymark has stepped into the row over whether there should be more controls over second homes, holiday lets and people from...
28 May 2024
From: Breaking News
![Agency’s London expansion taps into growing foreign investment](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/ForeignMoney-400x310.png)
Lettings, property management and sales agency Johns&Co - which celebrates its 10th year in business in 2024 - is opening a...
16 February 2024
From: Breaking News
![Lettings agency snapped up by Chestertons parent company](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/BusinessTeam-400x310.png)
The company which acquired London-focussed agency Chestertons in October has now snapped up another lettings and sales operation. This latest purchase is...
29 December 2023
From: Breaking News
![ARLA agent is new head of Experts In Property](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/BusinessTeam-400x310.png)
It’s all change for a regional agents’ group which has announced a new chair and new directors. Cornwall-based former estate agent Steve...
12 December 2023
From: Breaking News
![Hundreds of objections to large Build To Rent development](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/BuildToRent1-400x310.png)
Another large Build To Rent scheme is in the offing, this time in Devon’s capital city, Exeter. Plans to build 246 BTR...
30 November 2023
From: Breaking News
![Ban on HMOs converting to Airbnb causes consultation uproar](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/PropertyNews-400x310.png)
A move to stop HMOs being used as Airbnb or other short lets has been put forward in the westcountry -...
08 September 2023
From: Breaking News
![Clampdown needed on Airbnb and other short lets - new demand](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/shutterstock_2198282283.jpg)
A body largely consisting of councils wants more controls over Airbnbs and other short lets - and it wants local authorities...
31 August 2023
From: Breaking News
![Cannabis Farms - agents asked to smoke out culprits](/upload/images/Rental%20Market/Cannabis-Farm-1-400x310.jpg)
Five regional police and crime commissioners have written to letting agents highlighting the problems of cannabis farms in private rental properties. The...
21 July 2023
From: Breaking News
![Agency and council work together on unlikely safety campaign](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/PropertyNews2-400x310.png)
After numerous stories of councils and letting agencies at each others’ throats over To Let boards, Trading Standards and other controversies,...
12 July 2023
From: Breaking News
![Tax Loopholes - government slammed over additional properties](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/TaxMan-400x310.png)
A long-standing and respected property firm has slammed the government for presiding over the “mess” of taxes applied to holiday lets...
05 July 2023
From: Breaking News
![Are There Too Many Holiday Homes? Census figures revealed](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/EvictionNotice-400x310.png)
New data from the Office for National Statistics, based on the 2021 Census results, show growth in the number of holiday...
23 June 2023
From: Breaking News
![Council chief slams holiday lets 'tax subsidy' scheme](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/2%20shutterstock_1251325300.jpg)
A Liberal Democrat council leader says all properties - even those in properly established lettings businesses - should be charged council...
15 June 2023
From: Breaking News
![Government told - Stop the attacks on holiday lettings sector!](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/RentalHousingUK-400x310.png)
A holiday lettings agency has come out fighting on behalf of its clients. Following calls by local leaders in Cornwall and Devon...
26 May 2023
From: Breaking News
![Holiday Lets contribute to soaring costs of coastal homes](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/2%20shutterstock_1251325300.jpg)
The cost of coastal homes in Britain more than doubled - rising 56 per cent - between 2012 and 2022 says...
11 April 2023
From: Breaking News
![Tory MP blames Airbnb lets for shortage of staff accommodation](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Misc/airbnb400x310.jpg)
A Conservative MP in a tourist region has blamed the switch of rental accommodation to Airbnbs for a shortage of places...
27 March 2023
From: Breaking News
![Council promotes scheme to “avoid letting agents’ fees”](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/shutterstock_336450779.jpg)
Exeter council in Devon is promoting a scheme to private landlords by calling it a “cost-effective solution for landlords who want...
02 March 2023
From: Breaking News
![Agency group pledges six new branches despite lettings slowing](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/AgentsWorking-400x310.png)
There will be up to six new branches opened this year for the franchise brand Winkworth. The agency made its announcement in...
12 January 2023
From: Breaking News
![Politicians insist “we’re not at war with holiday lets”](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/Propertycalculator-400x310.png)
South Hams council in south Devon - one of the UK’s top holiday spots - has unanimously agreed proposals for second...
23 December 2022
From: Breaking News
![Forces veteran opens new agency near military base](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/ShakingHands-400x310.png)
A former marine is the franchise holder of a brand new Belvoir office close to a famous military base in south...
10 November 2022
From: Breaking News
![Retired agent put vulnerable tenant's life at risk, says court](/upload/images/Rental%20Market/CourtCase-400x310.png)
A retired estate agent has pleaded guilty to three charges of breaching fire safety in Devon. Retired Force and Sons agent David...
18 August 2022
From: Breaking News
![Huge rise in numbers of holiday lets in popular areas](/upload/images/Miscellaneous/hotel%20400x310.png)
The number of active holiday lets has increased by a third in some of England’s most popular short break destinations. The biggest...
11 August 2022
From: Breaking News
![Millions in tax lost through lettings loophole - claim](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/LandlordStressed-400x310.png)
Local and central government is losing out on millions of pounds of council tax income this year because of the business...
30 May 2022
From: Breaking News
![Tory MP wants 25 mile limit for some tenants and properties](/upload/images/Politics%20(MPs%2C%20party%20logos%2C%20etc)/Tory-Labour-400x310.jpg)
A Conservative MP is suggesting that there could be a ’25 mile limit’ imposed around certain rental properties to ensure they...
20 May 2022
From: Breaking News
![League table shows holiday lets income and capital appreciation](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/HolidayHome-400x310.jpg)
A new investment league table has been drawn up to show best aggregate rent and capital appreciation income for those in...
13 April 2022
From: Breaking News
![Third acquisition makes lettings agency largest in its area](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/GenerateRevenueImage-400x310.jpg)
Martin & Co’s Plymouth franchisees have taken their branch’s managed portfolio beyond 1,000 properties after a third acquisition in five years. Chris...
07 April 2022
From: Breaking News
![Agency reports record lettings year for holiday hot spot](/upload/images/Miscellaneous/staycation%20resize.png)
New research from holiday lettings agency Classic Cottages shows that 2021 was a record year in one of the country’s staycation...
30 March 2022
From: Breaking News
![Ethical Lettings Agency charges ultra-low fees](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/UK-Cash-NEW-400x310.jpg)
A so-called ethical lettings agency run jointly by two local authorities is handling private rental properties but is charging landlords just...
02 March 2022
From: Breaking News
![Agency predicts strong holiday lets summer coming up](/upload/images/Locations/Bournemouth-Pier-400x310.jpg)
Bookings for staycations continue to surpass pre-pandemic levels, according to holiday home rental agency Sykes Holiday Cottages. The company has revealed that...
14 February 2022
From: Breaking News
![Holiday lets firm says tourist areas need more affordable homes](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/HousingMarket-400x310.png)
A major holiday let company in one of the country’s prime tourist destinations says more affordable homes should be built to...
09 February 2022
From: Breaking News
![Tax clampdown on letting second homes confirmed by government](/upload/images/library/HolidayHome%20400%20x%20310%20-min.jpg)
Owners of second homes who abuse a tax loophole by claiming their often-empty properties are holiday lets will be forced to...
14 January 2022
From: Breaking News
![Lib Dems want big rental sector controls ‘to solve housing crisis’](/upload/images/Politics%20(MPs%2C%20party%20logos%2C%20etc)/HousesofParliament-3-400x310.jpg)
The Liberal Democrats have proposed sharp restrictions on holiday rentals at the heart of the party’s plans to solve the housing...
11 January 2022
From: Breaking News
![Where Airbnb listings outnumber ‘normal’ lettings by 60-to-1](/upload/images/Logos/airbnb-logo400x310.png)
Shocking figures produced by a council in the south west show the vast number of short lets available - and by...
06 December 2021
From: Breaking News
![Petition to close property tax loophole still short of target](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/House-Tax-400x310.jpg)
A petition calling on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to increase tax on holiday lettings has still not hit its 45,000-signature target. Former long...
23 November 2021
From: Breaking News
![Holiday lettings firm to float on London Stock Exchange](/upload/images/Miscellaneous/hotel%20400x310.png)
Travel Chapter, which owns the high profile Holidaylettings brand, is to float on the London Stock Exchange's junior AIM market. Devon-based Travel...
25 October 2021
From: Breaking News
![Build To Rent giant sets out blueprint for solving Britain’s housing crisis](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/HousingMarket-400x310.png)
New research published by Build To Rent operator L&G reveals what it believes to be a crisis surrounding rental properties, affordable...
21 October 2021
From: Breaking News
![New calls to stop rental homes switching to Airbnb](/upload/images/Logos/airbnb-logo400x310.png)
A new call has come for government action to stop the hemorrhage of properties shifting from long term rental to Airbnb...
06 October 2021
From: Breaking News
![Airbnb glut slashes rental stock and leads to Housing Crisis - claim](/upload/images/Logos/airbnb-logo400x310.png)
A lack of longer term rental accommodation thanks to the growth of Airbnb and other short lets has led to a...
05 October 2021
From: Breaking News
![Airbnb hits back at growing criticism of damage to rental sector](/upload/images/Logos/airbnb-logo400x310.png)
Airbnb has issued a lengthy statement in response to a recent raft of criticisms about the effects of soaring numbers of...
09 August 2021
From: Breaking News
![Tax Take: Petition for Sunak to close holiday lets tax loophole](/upload/images/Politics%20(MPs%2C%20party%20logos%2C%20etc)/RishiSunak-400x310.jpg)
A tenant who says his former rental property has been turned into an Airbnb has set up a petition demanding Chancellor...
06 August 2021
From: Breaking News
![Tory MP to declare ‘state of emergency’ over loss of rental stock](/upload/images/Politics%20(MPs%2C%20party%20logos%2C%20etc)/Conservative-logo400x310.png)
A Conservative MP says he is to declare a “state of housing emergency” in his constituency because of the loss of...
03 August 2021
From: Breaking News
![Town with 57% second homes clamps down on future lettings](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/HousingMarketStockImage-2-400x310.jpg)
A town with one of the UK’s heaviest concentrations of holiday homes is clamping down on future purchases by outsiders who...
28 July 2021
From: Breaking News
![Tenant offers agents hush money over cannabis factory](/img/default/lat.png)
A rogue tenant has tried to bribe two letting agents with hush money after they discovered his cannabis growing factory. Anisi Hamollari,...
29 June 2021
From: Breaking News
![Trading Standards clampdown on rogue letting agents](/img/default/lat.png)
A local Trading Standards team is clamping down on rogue letting agents. Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards Service has launched...
23 June 2021
From: Breaking News
![‘Greenest areas to rent’ identified in latest survey](/img/default/lat.png)
If agents want to emphasise the green credentials of their local area, then a new league table may be of help. An...
22 June 2021
From: Breaking News
![Property marketing - keeping personal data protected](/img/default/lat.png)
After a recent incident involving an Estate Agent based in Devon in which a property virtual tour they published revealed a...
25 May 2021
From: Sponsored Content
![Pioneering Co-Living rental conversion scheme gets go-ahead](/img/default/lat.png)
A 133-unit co-living rental scheme is to be built in the Devon city of Exeter. The scheme will place an emphasis on community living...
24 May 2021
From: Breaking News
![Virtual Tour providers keen to reassure agents after Devon mishap](/img/default/lat.png)
Virtual tour suppliers have been keen to reassure agents that there need be no repeat of problems which befell a Devon agent. Fowlers,...
19 April 2021
From: Breaking News
![Rental demand still swinging away from cities, says Rightmove](/img/default/lat.png)
Demand is still moving away from cities and towards suburbs and rural areas, according to Rightmove. “Areas around the North and South...
14 April 2021
From: Breaking News
![Lockdown one year on: Renters search for space says Rightmove](/img/default/lat.png)
Almost one year to the day since the first national lockdown began, Rightmove has analysed millions of data points to confirm...
22 March 2021
From: Breaking News
![Heroic lettings agency helps tenants with school meal vouchers](/img/default/lat.png)
A heroic lettings agency in the south west of England has stepped up to the plate this half-term week by offering...
28 October 2020
From: Breaking News
![Are London renters looking to flee the city post-pandemic?](/img/default/lat.png)
Some 60% of London office workers who rent in the capital say the pandemic has made them reconsider their living situation,...
18 September 2020
From: Breaking News
![Porsche-driving agent crook repays just £43,000 of missing £241,000](/img/default/lat.png)
A jailed letting agent in a long-running legal saga has now been told she must repay her victims some £43,000 -...
25 February 2020
From: Breaking News
![Huge £18,000 penalty for landlord who failed to improve property](/img/default/lat.png)
A landlord in one of the most scenic parts of Devon had been served with a £18,000 civil penalty because he...
23 January 2020
From: Breaking News
![Tenants should speak out against rogue landlords, urges council](/img/default/lat.png)
A seaside council has issued over £15,000 in fines to owners of unlicensed HMOs. Torbay council in south Devon adds that “a...
23 October 2019
From: Breaking News
![Second law firm hits out at government Section 21 proposals](/img/default/lat.png)
Another law firm has sharply criticised the government’s proposals to abolish Section 21 eviction powers for landlords. Devonshires says the government should...
16 October 2019
From: Breaking News
![Another day, another independent agency snapped up](/img/default/lat.png)
Franchise giant Hunters is continuing its expansion with the acquisition of Forte Lettings & Property Management, an independent in Exeter. The Devon...
26 September 2019
From: Breaking News
![Eight Cabinet ministers are private landlords - and claim rent on expenses](/img/default/lat.png)
The Mirror newspaper says eight members of the new Boris Johnson-led Cabinet are buy to let investors - and it accuses...
06 August 2019
From: Breaking News
![Deposit alternative provider strikes deal with regional agency chain](/img/default/lat.png)
Tenancy deposit alternative provider Reposit has been taken on by Devon-based agency chain Webbers. The agency’s 15 offices operate in north Cornwall,...
10 June 2019
From: Breaking News
![Think tank blames high rents for Millennials not moving for jobs](/img/default/lat.png)
A think tank is blaming high rents for apparently stopping Millennials moving to better paying parts of the country. A report from...
06 June 2019
From: Breaking News
![Council launches 'food hygiene' style categories for letting agents](/img/default/lat.png)
A council in the west country has launched a grading system for property agents which it says is designed to be...
28 February 2019
From: Breaking News
![Independent agency snapped up by Experts In Property member](/img/default/lat.png)
Collyers, an Experts in Property estate and lettings agency with two branches in North Devon, has hoovered up a lettings firm...
28 January 2019
From: Breaking News
![Big penalty for owners of buy to let property shut down by the police](/img/default/lat.png)
The owner of a buy to let property already shut by police has been fined by a court in Devon. In June...
18 December 2018
From: Breaking News
![Experts In Property agency snaps up independent's lettings team](/img/default/lat.png)
An agency in the Experts In Property trade group has snapped up the lettings side of a rival independent company. Collyers Properties,...
29 August 2018
From: Breaking News
![Rent To Buy - might this be the next big idea from the government?](/img/default/lat.png)
The Independent online newspaper says Conservative MP Gary Streeter will tomorrow meet with Prime Minister Theresa May and urge her to...
19 June 2018
From: Breaking News
![Vast majority of those who let holiday homes live outside the area](/img/default/lat.png)
The holiday lets market is just starting to pick up and new research shows that 80 per cent of those who...
10 April 2018
From: Breaking News
![Huge rise in thefts of tenants' cash, says campaigning letting agent](/img/default/lat.png)
Crooked landlords and letting agents were convicted of stealing £1,162,037 of tenant’s cash in 2017 – a rise of 14 per...
16 February 2018
From: Breaking News
![Crooked letting agent must repay thousands from his own pension](/img/default/lat.png)
A crooked lettings agent has been ordered to repay thousands of pounds from his pension. As previously reported on Letting Agent Today...
12 February 2018
From: Breaking News
![Criminal letting agent spared jail after stealing over £7,600 from tenants](/img/default/lat.png)
A letting agent has been spared jail despite stealing over £7,600 from tenants to subsidise his failing business. Simon Cawley, from Kingsbridge...
29 January 2018
From: Breaking News
![Councils insist there's no conflict of interest after press revelations](/img/default/lat.png)
Research by The Guardian newspaper reveals that massive numbers of local authority councillors are also buy to let investors - and...
22 November 2017
From: Breaking News
![Regional agency snaps up independent lettings firm - and wants more](/img/default/lat.png)
West Country chain Bradleys Estate Agents has acquired Premier Lettings, formerly situated in the Preston area of Paignton, Devon. Premier had...
29 August 2017
From: Breaking News
![Inquest into well known agent hears of missing rent money](/img/default/lat.png)
An inquest into the suicide of a well known local estate agent in the West Country has heard that there had...
03 July 2017
From: Breaking News
![Brexit means holiday homes give higher yields than buy to let - claim](/img/default/lat.png)
The weakness of the pound since Britain’s decision to quit the European Union a year ago means that holiday properties are...
21 June 2017
From: Breaking News
![Letting agent on bail after theft and fraud charges](/img/default/lat.png)
The director of a letting agency in Devon has been released on bail until June 2. In November and December, Letting Agent...
22 February 2017
From: Breaking News
![Pop-up brothels 'using privately rented apartments' say police](/img/default/lat.png)
No fewer than 14 ‘pop up brothels’ have been discovered in one seaside town in six months, with all of them...
06 January 2017
From: Breaking News
![Agent reported arrested on fraud and money laundering charges](/img/default/lat.png)
A local newspaper says a Plymouth lettings agent has been arrested by police on suspicion of theft, fraud and money laundering. Last...
23 December 2016
From: Breaking News
![Suspended sentence for rogue agent after £157,000 fraud con](/img/default/lat.png)
An estate agent from Devon who conned landlords, tenants and even his friends out of a total of £157,250 has been...
11 October 2016
From: Breaking News
![Suspended sentence after dangerous boiler installed at private let](/img/default/lat.png)
An unregistered gas fitter has been received a suspended prison sentence for illegally installing a gas boiler and undertaking landlord’s gas...
07 April 2016
From: Breaking News
![Fraud charges faced by former letting agent now add up to £255,000](/img/default/lat.png)
The ongoing court case involving a former letting agent has now heard that the nine cases of fraud being considered allegedly...
24 February 2016
From: Breaking News
![Letting agent guilty of nine fraud offences involving £157,250](/img/default/lat.png)
A former letting agent has pleaded guilty of nine offences of fraud involving the retention of deposits and rents belonging to...