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KEYWORD "Michael " - 100 RESULTS
Government puts squeeze on key area to encourage more homes

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has written to one of the key areas he believes vital for achieving Labour’s house-building targets, calling...

29 August 2024

From: Breaking News

Regional property awards contested by 20 firms and professionals

More than 20 property organisations and professionals have been named as finalists in a regional agency awards event. The winners of six...

20 August 2024

From: Breaking News

Four buyers in the frame to pay £100m for Lomond - report

It’s being reported that Lomond Group, the chain of lettings agencies owned by a division of Lloyds Banking Group, is likely...

19 August 2024

From: Breaking News

Landlord Events In A Box concept launched by lettings experts

Two long-standing experts in property have launched a service which they say will help letting agents retain and grow their client...

07 August 2024

From: Breaking News

Zoopla demands mandatory training for all lettings agents

Zoopla lettings chiefs have told the government it should tighten up its imminent Renters Rights Bill by demanding all lettings agents...

24 July 2024

From: Breaking News

New Housing Secretary named by Sir Kier Starmer

Angela Rayner has been appointed Levelling Up Secretary with responsibility for housing - a role she has in addition to being...

05 July 2024

From: Breaking News

Labour Housing Plans hitting the ground running after Thursday

If Labour wins Thursday’s General Election. expect three major housing announcements within a fortnight. That’s the exclusive claim from the Sunday Times...

02 July 2024

From: Breaking News

Agents Distinctly Underwhelmed by Tories’ manifesto pledges

Agents, and others in the lettings industry, have given a sceptical response to the Conservative manifesto and its varied pledges about...

12 June 2024

From: Breaking News

Airbnb Restrictions - Gove slammed by Labour-dominated council body

London councils have slammed government plans for regulating the short-term and holiday lets sector. In a letter to Housing Secretary Michael Gove,...

21 May 2024

From: Breaking News

New location for long-standing Savills operation

Savills has moved to a new office in Petworth town centre, from which its lettings and other services will operate.  Savills, and...

15 May 2024

From: Breaking News

Freeholder hits at government over slow responses on building safety row

The corporate freeholder which has been obliged to fix serious building safety issues at a tower block has issued a statement...

14 May 2024

From: Breaking News

Michael Gove turns the safety screws on reluctant freeholders

The government has won a landmark legal challenge against a freeholder forcing it to fix serious building safety issues in a...

13 May 2024

From: Breaking News

For Sale! Agency with 42,500 units under management

It's reported that the Lomond estate agency group, which is heavily backed by private equity and which has expanded through serial...

07 May 2024

From: Breaking News

Specialist accommodation listings service recruits extra staff

Student accommodation listings service StuRents has added three new hires as it expands. Chris Glen is the new head of customer success....

02 May 2024

From: Breaking News

Housing Minister to address agents ahead of General Election

Housing minister Lee Rowley will be taking centre stage at the largest property agency conference in the UK this summer, Propertymark...

30 April 2024

From: Breaking News

Gove hits back at critics after Renters Reform Bill wins key vote

Michael Gove’s Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities hit back overnight at critics of the government’s Renters Reform Bill. The Bill...

25 April 2024

From: Breaking News

Foxtons’ internal lettings data shows market returning to normal

Data from in-the-news agency Foxtons reveals rental applicant demand has increased 9% from February, yet is now still 14% lower year...

24 April 2024

From: Breaking News

Backing for Ground Rent Cap being announced this week

An amendment is expected to be made by the government to its Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill. The Bill, put forward by...

23 April 2024

From: Breaking News

Propertymark back on warpath demanding qualifications for agency staff

Propertymark is demanding equal treatment with the social housing sector. Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove intends to boost standards in social housing...

11 April 2024

From: Breaking News

Gove accused of dragging his feet over agent regulation

The all-party House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee has urged the government to get on with establishing a regulator of...

22 March 2024

From: Breaking News

Tory MP reported to bring Renters Reform Bill “to brink of collapse”

A national newspaper says the Renters Reform Bill is “on the brink of collapse” as Tory MPs are divided on their...

08 March 2024

From: Breaking News

Labour has waded into the increasingly-fractious debate over the Renters Reform Bill. Activists in groups such as the Renters Reform Coalition and...

29 February 2024

From: Breaking News

Short Lets Clampdown - More campaigners back Gove

Countryside campaigning charity CPRE has given a warm welcome to Michael Gove’s clampdown on short lets. Earlier this week Housing Secretary Michael...

23 February 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

Radical changes to short let laws proposed by Michael Gove

Housing Secretary Michael Gove has this morning announced wholesale changes to planning and regulations surrounding short lets. His proposals include: - planning permission...

19 February 2024

From: Breaking News

Short Lets Shake Up - Gove slammed for “political posturing”

The trade body representing short lets providers and support companies has reacted angrily to government proposals for a radical shake up. Housing...

19 February 2024

From: Breaking News

Housing Courts the best way to counter threat of S21 removal - claim

Propertymark is urging the Sunak government to introduce specialist housing courts with expert Judges who can expedite cases and create a...

15 February 2024

From: Breaking News

Purplebricks boss slams Tories in unexpected attack

While most agents remain relatively tight lipped about party politics, the chief executive of Purplebricks has said the Tories should take...

13 February 2024

From: Breaking News

Renters Reform Bill - MPs set to be bombarded by emails

A pressure group unhappy about lack of progress on the Renters Reform Bill wants MPs to be bombarded with complaint emails.  Over...

12 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

Last-minute government U-turn on HMO regulation changes

The government has done a U-turn on its original policy to relax HMO regulations on private rental properties used by asylum...

08 February 2024

From: Breaking News

Propertymark’s ringing endorsement for Material Information changes

Propertymark’s property auction division - NAVA - has given ringing endorsement to the Material Information changes demanded under new Trading Standards...

05 February 2024

From: Breaking News

Growing agency group snaps up three regional agencies

Leaders Romans Group has acquired three major lettings, sales and surveying businesses operating multiple branches across London, Surrey, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. The...

23 January 2024

From: Breaking News

Lettings agency strategy change is slap in the face for Zoopla

A large multi-brand lettings agency group is dropping its listings on Zoopla and instead going to list rental properties on OnTheMarket...

17 January 2024

From: Breaking News

10-branch brand and thousands of lets become part of fast-growing agency

Lomond has more than doubled its footprint spanning the South Coast after a major deal involving a 10 branch agency, Beal's. Beal’s employs...

05 January 2024

From: Breaking News

Budget date revealed as Gove hints at new housing policies

The date has been set for the Spring Budget - the last before the General Election.  It’s to be on Wednesday March...

28 December 2023

From: Breaking News

Labour to ban bidding wars and offer new anti-social behaviour rules

A prominent housing market commentator says Labour would introduce a tougher version of the Renters Reform Bill if it forms the...

27 December 2023

From: Breaking News

Will 2024 see the end of private rental sector licensing?

Housing Secretary Michael Gove has given what some commentators have interpreted as a sign that private rental sector licensing from councils...

27 December 2023

From: Breaking News

Freeholders slammed by former Tory housing minister

Former housing minister Rachel Maclean - the victim of a shock sacking by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last month - has...

15 December 2023

From: Breaking News

Shelter plots huge email campaign to stop Renters Reform Bill ‘watering down’

Campaigning charity Shelter claims there’s a conspiracy amongst MPs, landlords and others in the private rental sector to water down the...

08 December 2023

From: Breaking News

Leasehold Reform Bill wins praise from industry body

Michael Gove’s Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill, currently going through Parliament, has won praise from the industry body The Property Institute. There...

06 December 2023

From: Breaking News

Agency Consolidation - another small independent snapped up by growing firm

Lomond has snapped up another small lettings agency - its fifth acquisition in as many weeks. It’s purchased Sussex-based Howard & Co...

04 December 2023

From: Breaking News

Section 21 - Angry MPs slam Michael Gove over ongoing delay

A row has broken out over Section 21 between Michael Gove’s Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and an all-party...

16 November 2023

From: Breaking News

Government announces changes to Renters Reform Bill

Changes put forward to the Renters Reform Bill to crack down on rogue landlords, protect vulnerable residents and improve the safety of...

15 November 2023

From: Breaking News

Agents demand ground rent reform progress while consultation goes on

Propertymark wants Housing Secretary Michael Gove to continue with ground rent reforms for leaseholders following the launch of a consultation into this...

14 November 2023

From: Breaking News

New Housing Minister is ... a former housing minister

The new Housing Minister is Lee Rowley - who was a former housing minister during the short lived premiership of Liz Truss. Rowley...

13 November 2023

From: Breaking News

Renters Reform Bill is ideal chance to regulate agents says Propertymark

Propertymark has written to Housing Secretary Michael Gove to remind him of the importance of regulating letting and estate agents. The trade...

13 November 2023

From: Breaking News

Five ground rent options being considered by government

The government is considering five different options for ground rent as the reform process for the sector begins. The government is committed...

13 November 2023

From: Breaking News

Shock as Rent Controls backed by Judicial Review decision

There’s been widespread dismay in the industry as the outcome of a Judicial Review has backed the Scottish Government’s objective of...

03 November 2023

From: Breaking News

Agents want tax reforms on top of pledge to avoid rent controls

Propertymark has welcomed the pledge by Housing Secretary Michael Gove not to introduce rent controls in England. The trade body says such...

31 October 2023

From: Breaking News

No rent controls in England - government confirmation

Rent controls as currently in force in Scotland and under consideration in Wales will not be put into effect in England,...

25 October 2023

From: Breaking News

Renters Reform Bill passes Second Reading without a vote

MPs have given the Renters Reform Bill its Second Reading - a procedure which means it now continues into the Committee...

24 October 2023

From: Breaking News

Renters Reform Bill - government announces next steps

The Renters Reform Bill is to get its long awaited Second Reading on Monday, October 23. The claim comes from today’s Financial...

18 October 2023

From: Breaking News

London expansion for agency network after acquiring independent

A long-standing Martin & Co franchisee is expanding his network of London offices following an independent agency acquisition. Michael van de Vyver, who...

13 October 2023

From: Breaking News

Gove to be quizzed on Renters Reform Bill

Housing Secretary Michael Gove will address the main Conservative party Conference on Tuesday morning next week - but perhaps his most...

28 September 2023

From: Breaking News

Scrap Renters Reform Bill!  Leading agent makes dramatic plea

A prominent agent has called on politicians to scrap the Renters Reform Bill . He says it’s “ill thought-through and would be...

25 September 2023

From: Breaking News

Foot Off The Gas - boiler ban deadline may be eased

The Times is reporting that a delay to the controversial ban on gas boilers is being considered by the government as...

20 September 2023

From: Breaking News

MPs complain that rental reform questions go unanswered

The Select Committee that shadows the work of Michael Gove’s Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is complaining that its...

20 September 2023

From: Breaking News

Tory MPs blamed for delaying Renters Reform Bill

The Financial Times, using sources in the Parliamentary Conservative party, are blaming some Tory MPs for blocking the route of the...

18 September 2023

From: Breaking News

Agency group bucks the market thanks to turbocharged lettings

The Property Franchise Group has reported a bumper half year of trading with revenue at £13.2m and pre-tax profits up 11...

13 September 2023

From: Breaking News

Gove tells agents to identify and remedy damp and mould issues

New directives issued by the government put the emphasis firmly on private landlords and their letting agents to take responsibility for...

11 September 2023

From: Breaking News

Abandoned Tenancies - agents press Gove for court solution

Propertymark is pressing Housing Secretary Michael Gove to adopt a housing court system to solve the problem of abandoned tenancies. The agents...

07 September 2023

From: Breaking News

Agency demands government clarity over new EPC rental targets

A leading property agency is demanding more certainty over new Energy Performance Certificate regulations.  Fisher German says the government should act now...

04 September 2023

From: Breaking News

Purplebricks and Boomin boss Bruce is back with a new agency

One of the controversial Bruce brothers, founders of the ill-fated Purplebricks venture, is back in the agency business. It’s almost a decade...

04 September 2023

From: Breaking News

Clampdown needed on Airbnb and other short lets - new demand

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

Abandoned Tenancies - Gove lobbied to take urgent action

Housing Secretary Michael Gove is being lobbied to take urgent action over the growing problem of abandoned tenancies. Propertymark chief executive Nathan...

11 August 2023

From: Breaking News

Another independent falls to fast-growing agency group

Leaders Romans Group has acquired small independent single-branch Rosedale Letting Specialists. The acquisition gives the group a new location in Lincolnshire, and...

08 August 2023

From: Breaking News

Rishi Sunak hints at fundamental reform of EPC system

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has thrown his weight behind Housing Secretary Michael Gove’s proposals to delay deadlines for EPC improvements in...

27 July 2023

From: Breaking News

EPC targets threaten private rental sector if they are unchanged

Stricter proposals for energy efficiency under review by the government risk damaging the private rental sector if they remain unchanged. That’s the...

26 July 2023

From: Breaking News

Agents tell Gove they’re disappointed with housing pledges

Propertymark has branded the plans by Housing Secretary Michael Gove to increase housebuilding “disappointing”. Nathan Emerson, Propertymark chief executive, says: “The UK...

26 July 2023

From: Breaking News

EPC changes to rental properties to be ‘relaxed’ - Gove

Housing Secretary Michael Gove has this morning said his government should ‘relax the pace’ of EPC reforms expected from private landlords. In...

23 July 2023

From: Breaking News

Renters Reform Bill measures may be extended - BBC report

The BBC says discussions are underway to extend the Renters Reform Bill to specifically outlaw any rental listing banning families and benefit recipients...

06 July 2023

From: Breaking News

Renters Reform Bill - angry agent demands meeting with Michael Gove

A regional agent with 3,500 properties under management has written a long letter to Housing Secretary Michael Gove complaining about the...

27 June 2023

From: Breaking News

Huge numbers of agents taking Propertymark Qualifications

Almost 4,000 agents have taken Propertymark examinations since the start of 2023 - an average of 46 every business day. The industry...

14 June 2023

From: Breaking News

First sign of government U-turn on Renters Reform Bill

Propertymark says it’s spotted what may be the first sign of a U-turn on one aspect of the controversial Renters Reform...

26 May 2023

From: Breaking News

Agent in ‘stay calm’ plea to landlords with Bill worries

Private landlords should hold fire on plans to quit the private rental sector and give the government a chance to incentivise...

25 May 2023

From: Breaking News

MPs to receive letting agents’ briefing on Renters Reform Bill

Propertymark says it’s going to send a briefing on behalf of letting agents to every MP and member of the House...

23 May 2023

From: Breaking News

Renters Reform Bill - politicians demand series of extra restrictions

The co-leader of the Green Party wants the Renters Reform Bill to go further in restricting the powers of private landlords. Carla...

22 May 2023

From: Breaking News

Renters Reform Bill published - full details

The pro-tenant anti-landlord Renters Reform Bill has at last been published by the government which first promised it in 2019. It has...

17 May 2023

From: Breaking News

Pet Lovers and Renting Activists get lift up from Michael Gove

In a surprise move, Housing Secretary Michael Gove has given the stand-in leader of activist group Generation Rent a prime role...

17 May 2023

From: Breaking News

Ex-Countrywide and LRG personnel launch compliance service

Two former agents with experience between them of major players such as Countrywide, Leaders Romans and LSL have set up a...

12 May 2023

From: Breaking News

50 Tory MPs may vote against or abstain on Reform Bill - claim

An unnamed Conservative MP cited in a newspaper claims up to 30 colleagues may vote against the Renters Reform Bill in...

11 May 2023

From: Breaking News

Renters Reform Bill - just a delay or a major rethink?

The government has back-tracked on its decision to publish the long-awaited Renters Reform Bill this week. The Mirror newspaper reports that “procedural issues”...

10 May 2023

From: Breaking News

Renters Reform Bill - everything we know so far

Housing Secretary Michael Gove says the long-awaited Renters Reform Bill, first promised in 2019, will finally be introduced into Parliament this...

09 May 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

Message to Gove: EPC rule changes “devastating” for rental sector

A lettings agency chief says tighter EPC targets will be “devastating” for the private rental sector. Ben Quaintrell - managing director of...

14 April 2023

From: Breaking News

Anger over Airbnbs and holiday lets needing planning consent

The new trade body for short lets has reacted angrily to a government plan for AirBnb and other short let hosts...

13 April 2023

From: Breaking News

New eviction powers to get rid of anti social tenants

Landlords and agents acting on their behalf are to be given more powers to evict unruly tenants who ruin neighbours’ lives...

27 March 2023

From: Breaking News

Agent tells Gove: cease attacks on private rental sector

A prominent lettings agent in the north of England has written to Housing Secretary Michael Gove urging him to cease attacking...

22 March 2023

From: Breaking News

Delay EPC change to help rental sector - top agency’s Budget hope

A prominent lettings agency has called for a delay to the government’s EPC upgrade timetable to be announced in this afternoon’s...

15 March 2023

From: Breaking News

Agents urged to regularly inspect to spot damp and mould

A combination of regular inspections and pro-active installation of ventilation can help to reduce the risk of dangerous damp and mould...

03 March 2023

From: Breaking News

Mick Lynch and Labour Mayors accuse agents of pushing up rents

RMT rail union leader Mick Lynch and Labour leaders including Andy Burnham and Sadiq Khan are leading a call for an...

24 February 2023

From: Breaking News

High profile lettings supremo takes new role at agency group

The man who led the sale of prominent lettings agency Finders Keepers to Countrywide has landed a new role as group...

13 February 2023

From: Breaking News

Council using planning powers to try to “control” Airbnbs

A council says it’s using planning powers to try to control the proliferation of Airbnbs, but suggests the real answer may...

07 February 2023

From: Breaking News

Agent Alert - National Crime Agency at upcoming Rightmove webinar 

The National Crime Agency has the starring role at the first Rightmove Anti-Money Laundering webinar of the year, to be held next...

17 January 2023

From: Breaking News

Gove told of agents’ worries about rash of council licensing schemes

Propertymark has written to Housing Secretary Michael Gove outlining its concerns about the latest licensing scheme proposal from a local council. The...

04 January 2023

From: Breaking News

Take That, Gove! Agents and landlords deliver warning letter

A warning letter signed by 330 major players in the private rental sector has been delivered to Housing Secretary Michael Gove. The...

03 January 2023

From: Breaking News

Leading agent writes to Gove with ‘lay off the rental sector’ message

A prominent letting agent has written an open letter to Housing Secretary Michael Gove, calling for a halt on government attacks...

19 December 2022

From: Breaking News

Gove urged to appoint a ‘Healthy Housing Minister’

Housing Secretary Michael Gove is being asked to take urgent action over housing conditions across social and private rental sectors.  Following the...

13 December 2022

From: Breaking News

Agents angry at Gove scrapping meaningful housing targets

Agents have expressed their anger at the government effectively scrapping any meaningful house building targets. Housing Secretary Michael Gove scrapped the mandatory...

12 December 2022

From: Breaking News

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