x
By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies to enhance your experience.
KEYWORD "The Independent" - 67 RESULTS
Propertymark guide helps tenants complain and challenge rent rises

A new guide from Propertymark explains the rights which private rental tenants have - and sets out how they can challenge...

23 April 2024

From: Breaking News

Boost for Buy To Let as mortgage product choice improves

There's good news for the buy to let sector as mortgage product availability is showing signs of stability, according to the...

23 April 2024

From: Breaking News

Energy Efficiency - new RICS standard for agents to launch this year

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has launched a new Residential Retrofit Standard in a bid to help the housing industry...

19 March 2024

From: Breaking News

Beware 1% Deposits - Knight Frank lays into government

Knight Frank has taken the unusual step of suggesting a government proposal for the housing market is high-risk and could even...

23 February 2024

From: Breaking News

Five Alive - Franchise agent adds another London branch to empire

Just four months after opening a fourth office of lettings agency Martin & Co in London, franchisee Michael van de Vyver...

12 February 2024

From: Breaking News

Row over government bid to turn renters into first time buyers

Controversy surrounds a government idea - floated over the weekend - to allow renters to secure mortgages with just one per...

22 January 2024

From: Breaking News

This week’s inflation news may determine a New Year interest rate cut

All eyes are on HM Treasury this week ahead of the next inflation figures, to be released on Wednesday morning. Analysts suggest...

18 December 2023

From: Breaking News

‘Ethical’ lettings agent meets MP to discuss rental crisis

A lettings agent who describes himself as “a responsible and ethical property professional” has met with a Liberal Democrat MP to...

11 September 2023

From: Breaking News

Family agency scoops major award for second year in a row

A family business has been named Residential Letting Team of the Year for the second time. The small At Home In Edinburgh...

29 June 2023

From: Breaking News

Labour to allow councils to limit new build sales to first time buyers

A newspaper says Labour is seeking to woo renter voters by allowing councils to restrict new build homes to first time...

11 May 2023

From: Breaking News

RICS slams government over energy strategy “lacking ambition”

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has accused the government of lacking ambition in its new energy strategy. The government's revised strategy,...

04 April 2023

From: Breaking News

As You Were! Rate rise won’t change market dynamics - Rightmove

Rightmove says yesterday’s Bank of England base rate rise to 3.5 per cent - the ninth hike in as many Bank...

16 December 2022

From: Breaking News

Rebrand in 2023 after agency group snaps up independent

Property consultancy Walker Singleton has snapped up the independent Daniel & Hirst agency in Yorkshire. The deal, which was for an undisclosed...

29 November 2022

From: Breaking News

Controversial Boiler Upgrade Scheme to be scrutinised by politicians

The controversial Boiler Upgrade Scheme - which Propertymark say is so complex many people don’t think it’s worth applying to -...

22 November 2022

From: Breaking News

Agents hot under the collar about Boiler Upgrade Scheme

The government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme application process is so complex property agents and their landlords do not think it is worth...

04 October 2022

From: Breaking News

Another council hits Airbnbs and holiday homes with higher taxes

The owners of second homes in a key short lets and tourist hotspot are set to have to pay a premium...

29 September 2022

From: Breaking News

Lomond Group agency snaps up independent’s lettings book

A prominent brand in the Lomond Group - Linley & Simpson - has expanded its portfolio by over 600 properties in...

27 July 2022

From: Breaking News

PropTech chief’s advice to agents: talk more with landlords and tenants

Letting agents should communicate regularly and proactively with their landlords and tenants to help them understand the proposed reform of the...

19 July 2022

From: Breaking News

Agency makes its third acquisition in just 15 months

The independent Harpenden-based Home County Sales & Lettings has just been acquired by Ashtons, the company’s third acquisition in just 15...

04 July 2022

From: Breaking News

Shocking claims about public cash for 'exempt rental accommodation'

A newspaper probe has discovered that sow-called exempt accommodation - often for the most vulnerable tenants - has received a Hugh...

04 July 2022

From: Breaking News

Large independent signs exclusive PropTech deal for two years

The independent Chancellors agency chain has signed an exclusive contract to use The Lettings Hub pre-tenancy platform BOX for the next...

27 July 2021

From: Breaking News

Allowing pets may make buy to let more successful - claim

A respected buy to let mortgage monitor is suggesting that investors in the sector may be more successful if they allow...

26 July 2021

From: Breaking News

Two acquisitions add to agency’s fast-growing lets portfolio

The Miles & Barr Group has snapped up two lettings and property management companies  – Roger & Hambidge and Brettsletts.  The acquisitions...

07 June 2021

From: Breaking News

Labour says rent controls for UK cities could be based on London

Labour’s candidate for London Mayor wants to control private rents - and he wants the capital to be a template for...

06 May 2021

From: Breaking News

Another independent falls to Leaders Romans Group acquisition

Leaders Romans Group has announced the acquisition of another independent agency, this time in the East Midlands. It’s snapped up Hill &...

12 February 2021

From: Breaking News

“This stinks” - renters’ leader verdict on Jenrick planning scandal

The director of renters’ campaign group Generation Rent says the long-running scandal of a planning decision made by the Housing Secretary...

22 June 2020

From: Breaking News

Legal group considers how courts will handle evictions after ban

It’s been revealed that a legal group is considering how courts will consider eviction cases when the current ban is lifted...

17 June 2020

From: Breaking News

Double Top! Agency acquires two firms within days of resumed trading

One of the country’s largest independent agencies has emerged out of lockdown with a spring in its step, acquiring two small...

10 June 2020

From: Breaking News

Repayment order means £11,000 in rent being returned to tenants

Rent to the value of £10,982.25 is to be returned to tenants by a landlord who was operating without a licence. Mrs...

05 June 2020

From: Breaking News

Big regional agency chain signs up with deposit insurance provider

Chancellors, the independent agency chain with over 50 offices across southern England and mid Wales, is launching a deposit-free renting option. Working with...

21 May 2020

From: Breaking News

Independent lettings agency snapped up ... for a cool million

Belvoir has confirmed that its Brighton franchisees have acquired the independent Homelets agency in the town - for a cool £1m. Existing...

23 October 2019

From: Breaking News

Another day, another independent agency snapped up

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

Another independent agent bites the dust as franchise branch acquires

Another Martin & Co franchisee has acquired a nearby independent agency. The franchise firm’s Falmouth branch, run since 2013 by Felicia and...

22 July 2019

From: Breaking News

Good news: Highest number of buy to let mortgage products for 12 years

We may be all-too-familiar with the challenges facing letting agents and landlords in the private rental sector but there is at...

11 June 2019

From: Breaking News

Fees Ban given green light by 'independent assessment' body

The government has published an independent assessment of its Tenants Fees Bill proposal - the ban on fees levied by letting...

04 February 2019

From: Breaking News

Rent Repayment Order issued - £4,000 in rent to be handed back

A landlord had been ordered to give back almost £4,000 that was paid to him while operating without a licence. The case...

29 October 2018

From: Breaking News

Independent agency snapped up by local Martin & Co franchisee

The independent lettings agency Chilli Residential has been snapped up by a local branch of franchise giant Martin & Co. The Aldershot...

25 October 2018

From: Breaking News

Agency back in lettings, five years after portfolio acquired by Leaders

An independent agency in Gloucestershire is returning to the lettings business to complement its existing sales and land arms. Perry Bishop and...

30 August 2018

From: Breaking News

Agents advised to check clients' licenses after council website blunder

Agents and landlords are being advised to check the status of their HMO licenses in the London Borough of Harrow following...

13 August 2018

From: Breaking News

Mandatory checks get predictable support from electrical trade body

The government’s announcement that it will bring in mandatory electrical checks in the private rented sector has been welcomed - perhaps...

01 August 2018

From: Breaking News

Good news - record number of mortgage deals for new BTL investors

The independent mortgage market monitor Moneyfacts says there is now a record number of mortgage deals for those entering the buy...

04 July 2018

From: Breaking News

Rent To Buy - might this be the next big idea from the government?

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

Right To Rent - government under pressure on two fronts

The government’s flagship immigration Right To Rent policy is under threat on two fronts. Firstly a cross-party group of MPs has written...

07 June 2018

From: Breaking News

Massive surge in buy to let mortgage choice - now over 2,000 products

The number of buy to let mortgage products on the open market has passed the 2,000 mark for the first time.  This...

02 May 2018

From: Breaking News

Right To Rent 'not demonstrating its worth' says government inspector

The controversial Right To Rent policy has been attacked as having failed “to demonstrate its worth” in encouraging immigration compliance. Under Right...

29 March 2018

From: Breaking News

Trade body says tax increases are choking off rental investment

A trade body says new figures released by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility show that the government’s recent tax increases...

15 March 2018

From: Breaking News

Some buy to let mortgage rates return to lowest-ever levels

The independent mortgage market monitor Moneyfacts says some buy to let mortgage rates have gone back to record lows. The monitor says...

06 March 2018

From: Breaking News

Labour pledges to reduce powers of eviction if it forms a government

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has used a holiday season interview to repeat his pledge to swing powers back towards private tenants...

02 January 2018

From: Breaking News

Media expert takes over as chair of lettings sector trade body

The National Landlords Association has appointed a new chairman - he’s Adrian Jeakings who comes to the position with many years of...

18 December 2017

From: Breaking News

Right To Rent: independent 'inspection' of scheme announced

The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration has started what is described as an official inspection of Right To Rent. Legislation...

25 October 2017

From: Breaking News

ARLA: agents can raise 'safeguard alerts' over poor condition homes

ARLA Propertymark says letting and managing agents should be aware that they can raise ‘safeguarding alerts’ if they are concerned about...

22 August 2017

From: Breaking News

'The Week The Landlord Moved In' seeks new case studies

The independent production company making the life-swap series The Week The Landlord Moved In series, now showing on BBC1, is having...

18 July 2017

From: Breaking News

Agency hands over £865 after students win deposit court case

A group of students in Bristol has won a court case after a lettings agency acting for a landlord deducted money...

23 February 2017

From: Breaking News

Airbnb may lose £325m in London bookings after tightening rules

Airbnb’s decision to enforce the London-specific legislation which limits hosts to letting their properties for no more than 90 nights a...

05 January 2017

From: Breaking News

Claims to repossess private rental properties down 21% in two years

Data from the Ministry of Justice suggests the number of claims made by private sector landlords to repossess a property has...

11 November 2016

From: Breaking News

Housing minister says he backs longer private rental tenancies

The new housing minister, Gavin Barwell, says he is behind the concept of longer tenancies for renters in the private sector.   In...

09 August 2016

From: Breaking News

High-end letting agency's ad is banned because of 'unclear fees'

The Advertising Standards Authority has banned an ad from high-end letting agency Hamptons International because of an apparent lack of clarity...

04 May 2016

From: Breaking News

Trade body demolishes 'false comparisons' in media rental story

A trade body has hit out at “clear inconsistencies” in an online news report claiming that renting an ‘average London flat’...

03 May 2016

From: Breaking News

Media criticism building against Osborne's buy to let attacks

More criticism of Chancellor George Osborne’s raft of buy to let reforms has appeared in the mainstream media, with much emphasis...

01 April 2016

From: Breaking News

Another report shows younger people 'locked out' and forced to rent

A new report from the independent Social Market Foundation think tank has found that almost two million more people have been...

22 February 2016

From: Breaking News

Figures show why private rental sector is dominated by young tenants

The housing ladder is disappearing for most young working households on modest incomes who are obliged to rent for the indefinite...

17 February 2016

From: Breaking News

Group's amazing claim: one-in-four private tenants evicted for no reason

The vocal campaign group Generation Rent is making the jaw-dropping claim that one in four private tenants has been evicted “for...

28 January 2016

From: Breaking News

Buy to let mortgage constraints 'pushing landlords to peer-to-peer lenders'

A financial analyst says current buy to let mortgage constraints - with a strong possibility of more later this year - may...

18 January 2016

From: Breaking News

Surveys highlight councils' negligence on tackling rogue landlords

It’s been a bad weekend for the image of the private rental sector with a series of reports and press stories...

19 October 2015

From: Breaking News

BTL mortgage sector damaged by Osborne tax move - analyst

The specialist buy to let mortgage sector is set to be an unexpected victim of the buy to let tax changes...

16 July 2015

From: Breaking News

Institute for Fiscal Studies slams Osborne's BTL changes

The independent Institute for Fiscal Studies has described the justification given by Chancellor George Osborne for curbing tax breaks for buy to...

14 July 2015

From: Breaking News

Labour MP in row with letting agent over deposit

A Labour MP was hauled up before the parliamentary expenses body after hitting a credit card problem created by a dispute...

03 July 2015

From: Breaking News

MovePal MovePal MovePal