A 101-home Built To Rent estate is being created by Barratt Homes in Cambridge, as part of a deal with BTR...
Archive
![Ethical Agent Network launches, promising to be ‘different’](/upload/images/shutterstock_580616890(1).jpg)
A network uniting so-called ‘ethical agents’ launches today with a promise to be different from the rest of the industry. The Ethical...
04 March 2024
From: Breaking News
![Another holiday lets area council slaps tax surcharge on second homes](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/Taxes-400x310.png)
Second homes in the area of Essex known as Tendring - including popular holiday lets resort Frinton on Sea and the...
01 December 2023
From: Breaking News
![New Build To Rent developments revealed](/upload/images/shutterstock_1702341103.jpg)
A series of new BTR schemes have been named by developers. In Coggeshall, north Essex, Vistry Group will deliver 36 homes, the...
18 August 2023
From: Breaking News
![Brothers’ agency snaps up rival and on the prowl for more](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/Franchise-400x310.png)
Agency brothers Matt and Neil Baldock have completed the purchase of one of Chelmsford’s oldest letting agencies, First Choice. The brothers will...
02 August 2023
From: Breaking News
![Agency builds HMO for Guaranteed Rent service](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/AgentHouseInHand_400x310.png)
Elliot Leigh - an agency that is the largest guaranteed rent provider in London and Essex - has completed phase one...
31 July 2023
From: Breaking News
![Jackson-Stops opens new branch and bats away market worries](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/Franchise-400x310.png)
Jackson-Stops has announced the opening of its newest branch in Colchester, Essex. This follows the launch of its virtual office covering Stockbridge,...
29 June 2023
From: Breaking News
![String of dodgy letting agents expelled by Ombudsman](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/Banned_400x310.png)
Several lettings agents have been expelled from The Property Ombudsman scheme; they are amongst eight named as having been kicked out...
06 April 2023
From: Breaking News
![Airbnb host register hailed as “fantastic step forward”](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Misc/airbnb400x310.jpg)
A proposal to introduce a national register of Airbnb hosts in a bid to curb rowdy behaviour by guests has been...
29 March 2023
From: Breaking News
![Monthly networking dinner arranged for letting agents](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/Compliance-2-400x310.png)
Independent lettings agents are being invited to book a place at a monthly networking dinner organised by an agency in Essex. Matt...
21 December 2022
From: Breaking News
![Airbnb reveals typical incomes of hosts in staycation locations](/upload/images/Logos/Airbnb2-400x310.png)
UK hosts on Airbnb collectively earned over £1.5 billion in 2021 the short let platform claims. Some £668m of that was over...
08 August 2022
From: Breaking News
![Race For Space Is Over - tenants quit Home Counties for London](/upload/images/Locations/london.png)
London rents are rising at a record pace with growth being driven by tenants returning from outside the capital. That’s the suggestion...
16 May 2022
From: Breaking News
![London Commuter Belt is targeted by new Build To Rent developer](/upload/images/Locations/GreaterLondon-400x310.jpg)
A new player in the Build To Rent sector says it’s targeting locations in the London commuter belt with chronic supply...
14 March 2022
From: Breaking News
![HMO Management - new trade group aims to boost sector image](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/PropertyMarket-1-400x310.jpg)
A new trade body is being set up which describes itself as a national network of property managers, specialising in the...
31 January 2022
From: Breaking News
![Banned! Agents “abused taxpayers” and “disregarded responsibilities”](/upload/images/new-story-stock-images/CourtImage-400x310.jpg)
Three lettings agency bosses have been banned from being directors of companies for a total of over 13 years after being...
14 December 2021
From: Breaking News
![Clampdown on boards after code of conduct ‘ignored’ by agents](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/UK-boards-400x310.png)
A local authority in Essex is cracking down on what it claims to be the increase of illegally positioned estate agent...
24 August 2021
From: Breaking News
![Banned for 14 years - director who targeted property investors](/img/default/lat.png)
The director of a company targeting ‘flipping’ property investors has been disqualified from holding directorships for no less than 14 years. Mitchell...
11 June 2021
From: Breaking News
![Scandal of lettings director banned for emptying bank account](/img/default/lat.png)
A lettings agency director has been disqualified for seven years after he emptied its bank account following its liquidation. Ghanshyam Sarup Batra, from...
20 May 2021
From: Breaking News
![Letting agent in court over unlicensed rent-to-rent HMO](/img/default/lat.png)
A letting agent has been fined £11,500 for breaking HMO houses and fire safety rules at a property he manages. Agent Benjamin...
04 May 2021
From: Breaking News
![Leaders Romans Group makes fourth acquisition so far in 2021](/img/default/lat.png)
Leaders Romans Group has acquired another lettings agency - the fourth lettings-led acquisition this year. This time it is Guardian Residential Lettings...
18 March 2021
From: Breaking News
![A Fair Cop: no need to plant evidence in this rental property](/img/default/lat.png)
Essex Police Force has tweeted a pair of photographs that go to prove agents should check a property before going on a...
17 February 2021
From: Breaking News
![Another independent agency’s lettings book snapped up by franchise giant](/img/default/lat.png)
A branch of Martin & Co has completed its second independent lettings book acquisition in 18 months. Martin & Co Chelmsford, part...
02 February 2021
From: Breaking News
![New mega-agency will manage over 70,000 tenanted properties](/img/default/lat.png)
The takeover of Hunters by The Property Franchise Group means the combined operations will manage over 70,000 tenanted properties across the...
29 January 2021
From: Breaking News
![‘Necessary’ licensing scheme still not agreed a full YEAR after consultation](/img/default/lat.png)
Back in March 2019 we covered the story that Weymouth council in Dorset wanted a landlord licensing scheme for a town...
04 August 2020
From: Breaking News
![Still possible to get strong buy to let rental yields - and here’s where…](/img/default/lat.png)
New research has produced a series of league tables to identify where in Britain the best rental yields can be found. The...
23 June 2020
From: Breaking News
![Six lettings agencies expelled from TPO for not paying awards](/img/default/lat.png)
The Property Ombudsman has announced the expulsion of eight agencies, all for contravening TPO codes of practice. Most of the expulsions were...
04 May 2020
From: Breaking News
![Conquering Corona: new info, guidance, links for agents facing the virus](/img/default/lat.png)
Hello: so much has happened since the last Conquering Corona column on Friday. Before we get on with it, a reminder...
23 March 2020
From: Breaking News
![Big rise in lettings activity for Arun group](/img/default/lat.png)
Arun - which has the brands of Douglas Allen in East London and Essex, Ward & Partners in Kent, Cubitt &...
26 February 2020
From: Breaking News
![One agent’s bid to restore reputation destroyed by employee](/img/default/lat.png)
A lettings agency owner has spoken about his bid to restore his firm's reputation after it was destroyed by a former employee. Earlier...
21 February 2020
From: Breaking News
![Considering quitting as a letting agent? Seminar roadshow announced](/img/default/lat.png)
A seminar roadshow has been announced for letting agents considering quitting the sector. LegalforLandlords says it’s organised the six events after discovering...
14 February 2020
From: Breaking News
![Five year ban for rogue agent who used deposits to run business](/img/default/lat.png)
An agent has been disqualified from managing companies for five years after she failed to safeguard £28,000 worth of tenants’ deposits...
12 February 2020
From: Breaking News
![Deposit alternative war hots up as Zero Deposit signs 15-branch agency](/img/default/lat.png)
The growing deposit alternative sector continues to be ultra-competitive with 15-branch agency Kings Lettings signing up to Zero Deposit. Kings Lettings operates...
30 October 2019
From: Breaking News
![Three rogue lettings agents expelled by The Property Ombudsman](/img/default/lat.png)
The Property Ombudsman has expelled three lettings agencies from its scheme because of unpaid awards to landlord clients. The first is Kingsman...
24 October 2019
From: Breaking News
![Another independent agency acquired by Leaders Romans Group](/img/default/lat.png)
The Leaders Romans Group has acquired yet another independent agency - this time it is Essex and Suffolk Lettings. Based in Colchester,...
18 October 2019
From: Breaking News
![First batch of Build To Rent homes just small part of giant scheme](/img/default/lat.png)
Build To Rent developer Simple Life has launched 28 new BTR family homes in Newhall Harlow, Essex. Part of a larger development of...
30 August 2019
From: Breaking News
![Expelled! Six lettings agencies kicked out by Ombudsman](/img/default/lat.png)
The Property Ombudsman has announced a slew of expulsions after six agents failed to comply with redress rules. They failed to abide...
12 August 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
![New branch for franchise giant after acquisition of independent](/img/default/lat.png)
National agency Martin & Co has announced the acquisition of independent Essex agency Owen Lyons. Martin & Co Chelmsford owner Stephen Frost...
04 July 2019
From: Breaking News
![Managing agent and landlords in court for 25 HMO offences](/img/default/lat.png)
A managing agent and several landlords have been fined almost £5,000 after forcing tenants to live in unacceptable conditions in a...
24 June 2019
From: Breaking News
![Fightback Begins: council’s £1,200 licensing fee provokes backlash](/img/default/lat.png)
One of the most pro-licensing local authorities in the country has extended its own scheme to include the entire centre of...
05 April 2019
From: Breaking News
![Millennials’ top cities measured by rent, jobs - and Remainers...](/img/default/lat.png)
A controversial new survey claims to have identified the best cities for millennials to live in based on factors such as...
04 April 2019
From: Breaking News
![TDS HQ destroyed by fire just as ‘reviewer’ scheme announced](/img/default/lat.png)
The Tenancy Deposit Scheme - which was hit by a serious fire at its Hemel Hempstead headquarters last evening - has appointed...
10 January 2019
From: Breaking News
![£20m property investment Ponzi scheme shut down by High Court](/img/default/lat.png)
A property investment company operating a Ponzi scheme based on claims of capital appreciation and rental income has been shut down...
05 November 2018
From: Breaking News
![Letting agency hit with £10,000-plus fine for smoke alarm failings](/img/default/lat.png)
A London council has fined a letting agency over £10,000 for failing to install smoke alarms in a rental property. Waltham Forest...
05 September 2018
From: Breaking News
![One of the first: landlord repays housing benefit following new legislation](/img/default/lat.png)
An Essex council claims it is one of the first to be granted a rent repayment order - part of legislation...
31 August 2018
From: Breaking News
![The only way is acquisition - Essex independent agency snapped up](/img/default/lat.png)
Essex-based Balgores Property Group, which operates across that county and in Kent, has snapped up Woollens estate agents in Dagenham. Woollens has...
02 July 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
![Fightback starts against huge lettings licensing charge imposed by council](/img/default/lat.png)
The local media in Bristol are reporting that landlords in the city are complaining that they face backruptcy if a hugely...
27 February 2018
From: Breaking News
![Agent launches petition to oppose credit/debit card surcharge ban](/img/default/lat.png)
An agency operating in London and Essex has launched an online petition to oppose the ban on credit and debit card...
17 January 2018
From: Breaking News
![Agent says share, share, share his petition to reverse fees ban](/img/default/lat.png)
An Essex lettings agent has explained why he has set up an online petition calling for a reversal of the government’s...
12 January 2018
From: Breaking News
![Prison sentence after buy to let property's truly shocking fire risk](/img/default/lat.png)
A buy to let property owner has received a four month prison sentence for letting out a property he had already...
22 December 2017
From: Breaking News
![Letting agency fined after student property breached HMO rules](/img/default/lat.png)
Letting agency Spicerhaart has been fined £2,670 after pleading guilty to operating an unlicensed house in multiple occupation. A prosecution was brought...
26 September 2017
From: Breaking News
![Letting agents to put their feet up after quarter of a century](/img/default/lat.png)
Two letting agents who have run their town centre business for 24 years are starting well-earned retirements. Nicky Nettelfield and Irene Brown...
31 May 2017
From: Breaking News
![TPO expels two letting agencies after complex investigations](/img/default/lat.png)
Two lettings agencies have been expelled from The Property Ombudsman redress scheme. As we reported when the story broke yesterday afternoon, one...
18 May 2017
From: Breaking News
![Two letting agencies expelled from The Property Ombudsman redress scheme](/img/default/lat.png)
Two lettings agencies have this afternoon been expelled from The Property Ombudsman redress scheme. In one case, TPO expelled Lettings Solutions Ltd...
17 May 2017
From: Breaking News
![Recycling charges - another back-door tax on buy to let?](/img/default/lat.png)
What appears at first sight to be a low-level dispute between a landlord and a council has raised what may be...
06 December 2016
From: Breaking News
![High-end agency launches corporate and relocation lettings team](/img/default/lat.png)
Strutt & Parker has launched a new corporate and relocation department for domestic and international tenants relocating within London and the...
02 November 2016
From: Breaking News
![Connells beefs up regional lettings team with new appointment](/img/default/lat.png)
Connells has appointed a new lettings area manager for Essex and Suffolk. Tracey Dumont, who has over 17 years in the industry,...
17 August 2016
From: Breaking News
![Lifting the Lid on Deposit Disputes](/img/default/lat.png)
Our latest infographic shows figures of how the majority of deposits are repaid at the end of tenancy and goes into...
05 August 2016
From: Sponsored Content
![Connells recruits Countrywide man to lead growth in lettings sector](/img/default/lat.png)
Connells has made a key appointment to drive the growth of its lettings division in the south of England. Stuart Cornwall, who...
21 June 2016
From: Breaking News
![London firm recruits 19 agents to staff growing branch network](/img/default/lat.png)
A London estate and letting agency has announced the appointment of 19 new members of staff as a result of a...
03 June 2016
From: Breaking News
![Rents across the country rising faster than in London](/img/default/lat.png)
Average rents for single rooms across the UK increased at a faster rate than those in London, according to spareroom.co.uk. The rental...
02 June 2016
From: Breaking News
![Agency accuses rivals of not displaying fees in line with consumer legislation](/img/default/lat.png)
A local agency in Essex is accusing an unspecified number of rival firms in the area of not publicising their fees...
19 April 2016
From: Breaking News
![Letting agents ran £2m drugs factory in properties they managed](/img/default/lat.png)
A lettings agency in south London has been found to be the front for a cannabis growing operation, with drugs grown...
19 April 2016
From: Breaking News
![Agent who helped attack victim is RAN employee of the year](/img/default/lat.png)
Holly Pendred from Gibbs Gillespie in Uxbridge, Middlesex, is celebrating after being crowned Relocation Agent Network’s Employee of the Year 2015. The...
19 November 2015
From: Breaking News
![Letting agency gets maximum fine for not giving information to council](/img/default/lat.png)
A letting agency has received a maximum £5,000 fine after apparently ignoring a request for information from a local council. Hamlet Homes...
15 October 2015
From: Breaking News
![Rightmove's 'largest letting stock' index shows rents rising outside London](/img/default/lat.png)
Rightmove says rents across England and Wales, outside London, are up 1.3 per cent in the past three months according to...
09 October 2015
From: Breaking News
![Insolvency Service winds up two letting agencies](/img/default/lat.png)
The Insolvency Service, which probes all compulsory liquidations and individual bankruptcies, has wound up two letting agencies. Morgan Fox (Lettings) Limited, formerly...
03 September 2015
From: Breaking News
![New ARLA president wants to make industry appeal to young agents](/img/default/lat.png)
Peter Savage is to become the new president of the Association of Residential Lettings Agents, with an emphasis on trying to...
07 July 2015
From: Breaking News
![Local council backs landlord accreditation scheme](/img/default/lat.png)
A local council has announced its support for a new scheme which is aiming to improve quality of housing as well...
03 June 2015
From: Breaking News
![No job too big or too small](/img/default/lat.png)
Some companies pride themselves on being able to accommodate customers of all kinds. “No job too big or too small,” they...