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KEYWORD "Criticism" - 100 RESULTS
Agent’s alarm call to politicians - change course on rent controls

One of the UK’s most high profile lettings agents is calling on politicians to change course on rent controls. David Alexander of...

22 August 2024

From: Breaking News

Agents slam politicians for new law allowing rent controls

Propertymark has come out with a strongly-worded statement accusing politicians in the Scottish Parliament of ignoring the industry’s views on rent...

20 August 2024

From: Breaking News

Rightmove to lose 8% of lettings listings next month

Rightmove has admitted to shareholders that it’s to lose 8% of its lettings listing from next month - the equivalent of...

07 August 2024

From: Breaking News

Energy group slams “irresponsible” criticism of EPCs and assessors

The Property Energy Professionals Association - a trade group representing accreditation schemes for energy assessors - is complaining that it’s not...

21 June 2024

From: Breaking News

Agents join call for Radical Reform of inaccurate EPCs

Letting agents’ trade body Propertymark has backed a call by consumer group Which? for radical reforms to Energy Performance Certificates. Yesterday we...

19 June 2024

From: Breaking News

Regulation of Property Agents - government slammed by Lords

The government’s failure to act on the Regulation of Property Agents (RoPA) working party - chaired by Lord Richard Best and...

22 April 2024

From: Breaking News

Propertymark rejects politician’s criticism of agency qualifications

Propertymark’s training arm, Propertymark Qualifications, says there’s been a strong uptake across the board with the first of its candidates passing...

11 March 2024

From: Breaking News

Tax Grab - rental sector may not be viable warns Propertymark

The chief executive of Propertymark has made an outspoken attack on the government in response to its latest attempt to extract...

04 March 2024

From: Breaking News

Gove’s Airbnb Crackdown - Criticism building

There’s growing anger over restrictions on private homeowners using their properties via Airbnb and other short let platforms. Earlier this week Housing...

21 February 2024

From: Breaking News

Government rules out council tax reform - no matter how unfair it is

The government has ruled out any reform to the council tax system. There has been long standing criticism of council tax because...

06 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

Government slammed over clampdown on Airbnb and short lets

A trade body representing short lets operators has slammed government housing failures. The Short Term Accommodation Association says it’s analysed local authority...

01 December 2023

From: Breaking News

Hunt’s lack of support for rental sector still subject of criticism

Last week’s Autumn Statement - which fell short of expectations in terms of help for the private rental sector - is...

27 November 2023

From: Breaking News

Agency removes video tour of flat where murder took place

A lettings agency has removed a video of an apartment where a murder took place, following an approach by a national...

11 September 2023

From: Breaking News

Treasury ponders different anti-money laundering systems

HM Treasury has published a consultation on reform of the anti-money laundering supervisory system, giving four options. Currently the supervisory system is...

27 July 2023

From: Breaking News

Renters Reform Bill - date announced

  The Renters’ Reform Bill is finally due to be published and introduced into Parliament next week. Housing Secretary Michael Gove has told Sky...

04 May 2023

From: Breaking News

New EPC every three years, suggests accreditation scheme

Energy Performance Certificates must change to properly support reaching net zero, tackling fuel poverty and improving buildings, according to an energy...

02 March 2023

From: Breaking News

Asking rent cut after social media slams agency’s Zoopla listing

A news website is reporting that a landlord cut the asking rent of a property after social media criticism of its...

22 November 2022

From: Breaking News

Boomin is Bust - liquidators called in

Boomin, the online property portal founded by the former boss of Purplebricks, has called in liquidators according to a Sky News...

31 October 2022

From: Breaking News

Government sharply criticised over affordable homes failures

The National Audit Office has made scathing criticisms of government efforts to build more affordable housing. The public spending watchdog says the...

13 September 2022

From: Breaking News

Foxtons banks on new boss to return to past glories

Foxtons has issued a welcome statement to its new chief executive as it seeks to return to past glories. Guy Gittins -...

06 September 2022

From: Breaking News

Fighting Back - short lets and holiday homes do NOT hit affordability

Holiday lets and second homes in one hotspot in the UK have not, after all, impacted on house prices and affordability,...

18 July 2022

From: Breaking News

Mayors may get new powers over Airbnb and short lets sector

Speculation in national newspapers suggests that the government is considering giving local mayors some powers over parts of the private rented...

28 June 2022

From: Breaking News

Shelter slammed by industry over “exaggerated” Section 21 claims

Propertymark is the latest part of the lettings sector to fight back against criticism and claims of extreme evictions made by...

03 May 2022

From: Breaking News

Agents fight back in row over quality of private rental stock and repairs

ARLA Propertymark has hit back in this week’s debate on the quality of private rental property, following sharp criticism in a...

14 April 2022

From: Breaking News

Michael Gove slammed by agents over cladding comments

The criticism by landlords aimed at Housing Secretary Michael Gove for some of his comments regarding the cladding issue, has now...

25 February 2022

From: Breaking News

Agency slams ‘unhealthy’ criticism of private rental sector

An agency has issued a statement strongly rejecting the negative mood music surrounding the private rental sector. Chris Wood and Ross McDonald...

29 December 2021

From: Breaking News

Do short lets invalidate insurance of entire blocks of apartments?

A politician is raising the possibility that people who live in private blocks and let out their apartments via Airbnb or...

29 November 2021

From: Breaking News

 New tax system for Airbnbs and holiday lets being finalised by government

The government says it’s finalising plans for a new tax regime to apply to additional homes, and in particular those used...

09 November 2021

From: Breaking News

Labour joins call for faster scrapping of S21 evictions

Labour has joined with campaign groups Generation Rent and Shelter in calling for the speediest possible ending of Section 21 eviction...

03 November 2021

From: Breaking News

Better standards and controls for short lets needed, admits major provider

The short lets sector - already receiving political and community criticism for eroding the wider private rental sector - needs better...

07 October 2021

From: Breaking News

House of Commons chronicles Covid help to landlords and tenants

The House of Commons Library, an independent body not controlled by government, has published a detailed history of the many measures...

28 September 2021

From: Breaking News

Government told off by Propertymark over Green Homes Grant farce

The farcical implementation of the government’s Green Homes Grant scheme has been sharply criticised by Propertymark. Timothy Douglas, the organisation’s policy and...

09 September 2021

From: Breaking News

Angry agent slams planning reforms for creating poor homes

A lettings agent who has made a series of outbursts against landlords and councils, has now turned his anger on proposed...

10 August 2021

From: Breaking News

Airbnb hits back at growing criticism of damage to rental sector

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

Call for extended Airbnb tax to offset damage to rental market

A fund instituted by Airbnb to help compensate for the effects of short let accommodation should be extended, local politicians say. In...

02 July 2021

From: Breaking News

Airbnb tries to buy off rental criticism with local ‘tax’

Airbnb, which has been criticised by some for its impact on local rental markets, is to set up its own ‘tax’...

07 June 2021

From: Breaking News

Rent Controls: Agents join protest against Labour proposals

Letting agents body ARLA Propertymark has joined the criticism of London Mayor Sadiq Khan who wants to be given the power...

12 April 2021

From: Breaking News

MPs say “no more” to last-minute panic eviction bans

An influential group of MPs wants an end to repeated last minute extensions to the ban on evictions and instead wants financial support...

31 March 2021

From: Breaking News

Rent controls back on the agenda as local elections near

Rent controls are being discussed again as candidates prepare for May's local elections. In London Green Party mayoral candidate Sian Berry -...

29 March 2021

From: Breaking News

Building Renovation Passports - MPs want these for rental sector

An influential group of MPs has called for the replacement of “outdated” Energy Performance Certificates with new ‘Building Renovation Passports’. Currently EPCs...

23 March 2021

From: Breaking News

Agents can do more to speed up transactions by adopting technology

Recent debate about urgent need for reform and better collaboration within the property industry, has once again come under the spotlight...

04 December 2020

From: Sponsored Content

Renting off the hook? Government intervention shifts to ownership

Government intervention, which in recent years has seen scores of legal and regulatory changes to the private rental sector, may be...

05 October 2020

From: Breaking News

Covid break clauses defended “and most agents agree” - claim

A rent guarantor service has rejected criticism of so-called Coronavirus break clauses in rental contracts. There’s been criticism in recent months of...

01 September 2020

From: Breaking News

Blistering attack on ‘big name letting agent’ by anti-rental activist

The author of a book described as being about “insecure renters haemorrhaging cash” has used her newspaper column to make a...

19 August 2020

From: Breaking News

This is why the eviction ban should be lifted, explains trade body

A leading lettings sector trade body has set out reasons why the eviction ban should be lifted - which may help...

19 August 2020

From: Breaking News

Housing minister enters row over Labour “bung” accusation

Housing minister Chris Pincher has entered the row over Labour claiming that the stamp duty holiday announced last week was in...

15 July 2020

From: Breaking News

Guide for letting agents produced by … Shelter

Campaigning charity Shelter, which has been outspoken in its criticism of many letting agents in recent years, has now produced a...

15 May 2020

From: Breaking News

Deposit alternative supplier signs another 31 agency branches

One of the major deposit alternative operators has announced 31 new letting agency branches have signed up, from three high-profile brands. Zero...

12 March 2020

From: Breaking News

Labour council links rogue landlord case to its dispute with government

A buy to let investor has been hit with a bill of almost £9,500 after being accused of allowing a tenant...

26 February 2020

From: Breaking News

Deposit alternative mis-selling - rival companies say “It’s not us”

Three more deposit alternative supplier have issued statements seeking to distance their product from criticisms raised in a BBC investigation. Yesterday we carried...

11 February 2020

From: Breaking News

'Failed' HMO licensing scheme criticised for short consultation period

A trade body has come out against a council’s HMO licensing scheme, claiming that its consultation period was too short -...

21 January 2020

From: Breaking News

Rent Controls debate: more criticism aimed at Labour’s Sadiq Khan

The appeal by Labour’s Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to be given powers to introduce rent controls have been dealt a...

15 November 2019

From: Breaking News

Short Lets: New body bids to make sector more professional

A new trade body is being set up in a bid to professionalise the short lets sector. The sector - which embraces...

31 October 2019

From: Breaking News

Renters 'union' asks tenants to report agents levying illegal fees

The controversial tenants union Acorn has set up a web page where disgruntled renters can lodge complaints about letting agents. In the...

24 October 2019

From: Breaking News

Further criticism of Labour's controversial Right to Buy plans

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

ARLA joins criticism of Labour’s private tenant right to buy policy

The Association of Residential Lettings Agents appears to have joined the chorus of criticism against Labour’s controversial right to buy policy...

04 September 2019

From: Breaking News

Section 21: More fierce criticism for government over its scrapping

Claims that the use of Section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction notices is the leading cause of homelessness in the UK are...

16 August 2019

From: Breaking News

Fees Ban Cash Crisis: letting agents expect to lose 30% of annual income

The first ‘state of the industry’ report on the lettings agency sector since the introduction of the fees ban suggests individual...

15 August 2019

From: Breaking News

Controversial short lets management firm launches ‘digital door opening’

A short lets management firm which was earlier this year at the centre of an advertisement controversy is now partnering with...

08 August 2019

From: Breaking News

Figures show criticism of private renting is unjustified, claims trade body

A leading industry trade body says the latest English Housing Survey report proves that criticisms of the private rental sector’s costs...

18 July 2019

From: Breaking News

Note to Tory leadership candidates - Scrap Right To Rent!

Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt have been given a message from a consortium of groups this morning - Scrap Right To...

24 June 2019

From: Breaking News

Short lets: High-end agency talks up the advantages

Despite criticism from some within the industry about the effects of short lets, the high-end agency Knight Frank has spoken of...

20 June 2019

From: Breaking News

Airbnb distances itself from controversial short lets management adverts

Airbnb has issued a statement distancing itself from controversial advertisements from a short lets management service. Hostmaker - which describes itself as...

07 June 2019

From: Breaking News

Searing criticism of agents and landlords by leading consumer group

A prominent consumer group claims that one in 10 tenants currently renting say they have at some point been evicted “for...

05 June 2019

From: Breaking News

Defiant Airbnb management service says it doesn’t reduce affordable stock

Airbnb and short let management service Hostmaker - at the centre of a dispute involving a landlord trade body and the...

04 June 2019

From: Breaking News

Controversial short-lets firm tries to deflect growing criticism

A company appearing to call on landlords to abandon tenants and instead let their properties to short-let visitors is now trying...

28 May 2019

From: Breaking News

Crooked letting agent had a Land Rover, Porsche and a Florida home

A crooked letting agent took £220,000 from tenants and landlords and has been exposed as buying a home in Florida, renting...

18 March 2019

From: Breaking News

See you in court! Licensing scheme may face legal challenge

Another controversial scheme licensing landlords who let their homes out may face legal challenge. Middlesbrough council’s formal consultation on the introduction of...

25 February 2019

From: Breaking News

Solicitor renews attack on “unfair” landlord licensing by councils

A legal firm has renewed its criticism of local authority licensing schemes, accusing them of “persecuting” landlords. David Kirwan, managing partner at...

15 February 2019

From: Breaking News

Licensing: councils accused of automatically imposing harshest penalties

Councils have been accused of routinely pursuing the most serious enforcement option open to them if they find a local licensing...

14 January 2019

From: Breaking News

Shocking claim that councils 'interview landlords under caution'

The heavy-handed administration of selective licensing schemes is driving out buy to let investors. That’s the claim from David Kirwan of Kirwans...

30 October 2018

From: Breaking News

Airbnb tries to answer lettings critics by issuing fire guidance

Airbnb, the short lets platform that has received substantial criticism from the buy to let sector over its largely unregulated status,...

16 August 2018

From: Breaking News

Fergus Wilson hits back on 'baby evictions', curry smells and more...

Britain’s most controversial buy to let investor, Fergus Wilson, has hit back and given his side of events on a series...

24 July 2018

From: Breaking News

Bring on ban of ‘beyond cheeky’ tenant fees, says high-profile landlord

A high-profile landlord says the upcoming ban on letting agent fees 'can't come soon enough'. Writing a column in the Evening Standard's...

30 May 2018

From: Breaking News

Furious industry criticism as government reveals costs of ban on tenants’ fees

The industry has reacted angrily to the announcement yesterday that the Tenants’ Fees Bill is now formally starting its progress through...

03 May 2018

From: Breaking News

Property law expert joins criticism of Right To Rent's 'Windrush failure'

A leading property disputes solicitor has joined a growing chorus of criticism of how Right To Rent will cope with issues...

30 April 2018

From: Breaking News

Lettings agency tells MPs to go for fees cap but not outright ban

A lettings agency has written to MPs setting out an eloquent case for a cap on agents’ fees levied on tenants...

10 January 2018

From: Breaking News

Deposit cap: Mayor repeats claim that government bottled it

London’s Labour Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has repeated his criticism of the government’s decision to cap security deposits at the level of...

06 November 2017

From: Breaking News

Criticism of ban and deposit cap; support for client money protection

Trade organisatons have reacted predictably to the government’s latest announcements and publications concerning the private rental sector. Yesterday the Department of Communities...

02 November 2017

From: Breaking News

Surprise as Shelter queries whether rent controls would really work

The housing charity Shelter - which in recent years has been aggressively critical of letting agencies and landlords in the private...

29 September 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

Dlighted chief accuses Mydeposits boss of bully tactics

A prominent lettings industry campaigner says the head of a tenancy deposit scheme has “serious questions to answer” after his comments...

10 July 2017

From: Breaking News

Lettings sector tax increases - they're hurting, but they're not working

The Residential Landlords’ Association says recent fiscal changes hitting the private rented sector are hurting tenants but failing to achieve their...

04 July 2017

From: Breaking News

Younger private tenants increasingly likely to register to vote

After criticism of many younger voters allegedly failing to turn out during the June 2016 EU Referendum, new analysis of voter...

26 June 2017

From: Breaking News

Letting agents respond to pressure group's 'league table' of fees

Agencies are responding to the latest criticism of their fees on tenants, levied by the pressure group Generation Rent.    The group -...

11 May 2017

From: Breaking News

Buy To Let tax opponents pledge shock and awe on Shelter

Opponents of the proposed change to mortgage interest tax relief for landlords have promised what they call a “shock and awe”...

16 February 2017

From: Breaking News

Call for Airbnb's 90-day limit to be introduced in four other UK cities

Airbnb’s new protocol seeking to stop London hosts short-letting their properties for more than 90 days a year without formal consent,...

22 December 2016

From: Breaking News

'Stop attacking buy to let' government is told by news editor

The news editor of London financial daily City AM has made an outspoken attack on the government’s fiscal assaults on the...

07 September 2016

From: Breaking News

A real Tory chancellor wouldn't persecute buy to let landlords

An outspoken attack on Chancellor George Osborne’s fiscal measures against the private rental sector have questioned whether he is really a...

04 April 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

Newspaper argues buy to let is off the hook despite mortgage clampdown

The financial editor of The Guardian newspaper claims that - despite widespread criticism within the lettings industry of the latest buy...

31 March 2016

From: Breaking News

Industry body tells government: buy to let is fine, shortage of homes is not

The government has been told to back off its criticism of buy to let landlords and instead do more to address...

22 March 2016

From: Breaking News

Letting agency provokes criticism by promising higher rents for landlords

A letting agency has been criticised by local students after sending a touting letter to landlords saying it could increase rents...

18 March 2016

From: Breaking News

Industry body taking advice on legality of Osborne buy to let tax changes

The Residential Landlords’ Association is taking legal advice on whether George Osborne’s buy to let tax changes are a breach of...

20 January 2016

From: Breaking News

More criticism of buy to let tax changes by angry trade group

Treasury proposals to hand greater powers to the Bank of England to make access to buy to let lending harder risks...

21 December 2015

From: Breaking News

Remarkable article praises buy to let and attacks Tories for killing it

It is not often that a national newspaper dedicates an article to praising buy to let - and even rarer for...

30 November 2015

From: Breaking News

More criticism of underage thinking in Right To Rent

The publication of the Immigration Bill giving details of the government's expectations of letting agents and landlords to conduct checks on...

22 September 2015

From: Breaking News

Buy to let tax protest petition tops 25,000 signatures

If supporters of Chancellor George Osborne’s Budget restrictions on tax breaks for buy to let landlords thought opposition would die off...

07 September 2015

From: Breaking News

Letting agent plays down impact of buy to let tax change

A London letting agency is playing down the impact of Chancellor George Osborne’s proposed changes to buy to let tax breaks,...

18 August 2015

From: Breaking News

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