Estate Agents Warned over Demanding ID Ahead of Property Viewings
The Guild of Property Professionals has issued guidance allowing UK estate agents to request identification from prospective viewers when a seller provides a clear, justified reason. Such ID checks are separate from anti‑money‑laundering duties, which only apply after a business relationship is formed. Agents must apply the request consistently, avoid discrimination, and can verify ID in person or via video without retaining copies. Viewers retain the right to refuse, though agents should explain the vendor’s instruction.
Leasehold Bottlenecks Leave Buyers and Sellers Waiting Longer to Complete
Property transaction times in Great Britain have stretched dramatically, with the average period from offer to exchange reaching 104 days in April 2025, up from 76 days in 2019. Leasehold sales are the biggest outlier, taking 155 days—58 days longer...
Independent Estate Agency Acquires Local Rival
Belgarum Estate Agents, a long‑standing independent lettings firm in Winchester, has acquired local rival Purdie and Swan. The deal transfers Purdie and Swan’s existing rental portfolio into Belgarum’s operations, expanding its market footprint. Both agencies will retain current client service...
Comings & Goings
Black Brick announced three senior hires—associate partner Alex Oliver, rental and buying consultant Lorraine Germaix, and property manager Emma Soames—to support surging demand in its rental and property‑management divisions. Chartwell Noble added Nicholas Kendrick as a self‑employed partner agent focused on premium...
Is 104 Days the New Norm for Property Transactions?
Connells reports the average UK property transaction now takes 104 days, up from previous years, with a 37% fall‑through rate. A sales‑progression firm claims its own average is 78 days and a 17% fall‑through rate, showing the national figures are...
Estate Agency Leads to Be Contacted by AI Voice System
Estate‑Agents.ai has launched an AI‑driven prospecting platform that uses synthetic voice calls to reach homeowners in an agency’s existing database. The system engages former enquiries and dormant contacts in natural‑language conversations to gauge intent to sell within six months. Responses...
Comings & Goings
Savills has reshuffled its leadership, appointing Ben Hunt as head of the Brook Green office and moving Paul Christian to lead its residential team in Cirencester. The firm highlighted Hunt’s 25‑year local market experience as a catalyst for strengthening its...
Historic Estate Agency Brand Grows Through Acquisition
CJ Hole has completed its seventh acquisition, buying Anne James Estate & Letting Agents in Longwell Green, East Bristol. The deal expands CJ Hole’s footprint to 11 offices and links its Kingswood and Lyde Green branches with new coverage in Hanham, Oldland Common, Warmley,...
New WhatsApp AI Assistant for Estate Agents Launches
Veyco has introduced Veyco Chat, an AI‑driven WhatsApp tool that handles routine client queries throughout property transactions. The service is already live with a pilot group of estate agents and law firms, covering the period from offer acceptance to completion....
Rightmove Launches New Marketing Campaign
Rightmove is rolling out a new brand campaign on 8 May to boost engagement among prospective home‑movers and improve the quality of enquiries agents receive. The multi‑channel push will run on TV, video‑on‑demand, YouTube, social and outdoor media, aiming to reach...
One in Four Would-Be Sellers Shelve Move Plans Amid Rising Uncertainty
A GetAgent survey of 1,011 UK homeowners reveals that 24% have dropped plans to list their homes in 2026, while another 27% are now less certain about moving. Many had already taken steps such as preparing the property, speaking with...
Landlords and Second-Home Buyers Driving Majority of Stamp Duty Revenues
Paragon Bank’s analysis shows higher‑rate additional dwelling (HRAD) transactions now provide at least half of Stamp Duty receipts in 164 English councils, up from 62 in 2016/17. The share of councils dependent on these purchases grew from 22% to 56%...
Pivotal Growth Adds to Network with New Acquisitions
Pivotal Growth announced the acquisition of KMC Financial and Purely Financial Planning, expanding its advisory network. CEO Mayank Prakash said the deals align with Pivotal’s focus on entrepreneurial brokerages and will bring regulatory expertise and growth resources while preserving autonomy....
Agents Warn of ‘Alarming’ Rent Control Plans Under Reeves
UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly weighing rent‑control measures, including a possible rent freeze, to ease household‑finance pressure. The proposals have sparked alarm among property agents who warn they could curb supply and deter investment in the private‑rented sector. Critics...
OPINION: You Can’t Fix a Structural Problem with Another Software Subscription
UK estate agencies face a turning point as new Renters’ Rights and Employees’ Rights legislation threatens recurring revenue and raises staffing costs. At the same time, a flood of PropTech subscriptions has left owners with overlapping systems, duplicated workflows, and...
UK’s Leading Estate Agency Brand for New Instructions Revealed
eXp UK listed almost 7,500 properties in Q1 2026, the highest new‑instruction count among UK agency brands. The firm’s annual listings rose to 23,061 in 2025, averaging 5,765 per quarter, and Q1 2026 saw 7,494 new instructions and 3,696 exchanges. Its average...
Kremer Signs Launches Digital Division After Acquisition of Display Systems Business
Kremer Signs has launched a new Kremer Digital division after acquiring Digital Office Systems, merging traditional estate‑agency signage with digital display technology. The offering includes free‑hanging screens that replace static window cards and can be updated remotely. Its Kremer Connect...
Spicerhaart Restructures Lettings
Spicerhaart’s lettings arm has launched a Centre of Excellence, a centralised support hub that handles administration and compliance for its property‑management portfolio. By off‑loading these back‑office tasks, local agents can devote more time to rent collection, repairs, property visits and...
Alto Rolls Out AI Tools for Agents
Alto, a SaaS platform serving roughly a third of UK estate agencies, has launched five AI-driven tools under the Alto Intelligence brand. Three capabilities—Alto Prospecting, Alto Lead Flow and Alto Smart Listings—are available immediately, with Alto IQ and AutoCert slated...
Buyer Enquiries Rebound as Well-Priced Homes Continue to Sell
Buyer enquiries in the UK have rebounded after Easter, driven by modestly falling mortgage rates and realistic pricing. Zoopla’s data shows the average time to sell a home increased by just one day year‑on‑year, indicating a stable market despite higher...
Spicerhaart Aims to Redefine ‘Lazy Estate Agency’ Model and Reduce Reliance on Portal Listings
Spicerhaart is rolling out a new sales process called “Showcase” that inserts a 7‑14 day pre‑market phase before properties hit online portals. The model targets pre‑qualified buyers, gathers pricing feedback early, and launches listings with a coordinated viewing event to...
Rent Controls Would Backfire and Prove a Disaster for Renters – NRLA
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) warned that a proposed one‑year rent freeze in England would backfire for tenants. While the government is considering the measure to ease cost‑of‑living pressures, the NRLA argues it could drive landlords out of the...
Agents ‘Instrumental’ in Helping Landlords Navigate Legislative Changes, Says Ombudsman
The Property Ombudsman warned that the new Renters Rights Act will require letting agents to help private landlords meet updated notice periods, possession grounds and anti‑discrimination rules. The legislation bans no‑fault evictions, caps rent‑increase limits and prohibits charging more than...
Agency Wins Tribunal Challenge Against Selective Licensing Conditions
AST Lettings Ltd successfully challenged Charnwood Borough Council’s selective‑licensing conditions at the First‑tier Tribunal, arguing they exceeded the Housing Act 2004. The tribunal agreed, leading to a March 2025 settlement that requires the council to amend or drop several disputed licence clauses....
Major Estate Agency Group Completes Second Acquisition in a Week
Campions Group announced the acquisition of Madison Brook’s residential agency, marking its second purchase in a week after buying Aston Chase. The deal deepens Campions’ footprint in London, aligning with a strategy launched earlier this year to exit its South...
Established Estate Agency to Rebrand After Joining Franchise Network
Fahren Estate Agents, a Bournemouth‑based firm operating since 2000, will join the Your Move franchise network and rebrand as Your Move Fahren. The move is part of owner Julian Ahmed's strategy to leverage national brand strength, marketing power, and shared...
New Residential Conveyancing Firm Seeks Estate Agency Partners
Farringdon, a new London‑based residential conveyancing firm, has officially entered the UK market and is recruiting estate‑agency partners to refer home‑sale clients. The firm has already secured early referral agreements with JLL and Streets Ahead as it builds a nationwide...
Zoopla Bets Big on AI in Landmark Deal
Zoopla announced a landmark partnership with OpenAI, granting the UK property portal access to cutting‑edge AI models and expertise. The collaboration is designed to embed artificial intelligence throughout the home‑moving journey, from early buyer engagement to transaction completion. Early pilots...
Manifestos Fall Short on Housing Crisis Urgency, Says Agency
Scotland’s housing emergency is highlighted by all major parties, yet their manifestos lack urgent, short‑term solutions. The SNP sticks to its 110,000 affordable‑home target for 2020‑2031, while the Conservatives push for deregulation, tax cuts and removal of rent controls. Labour...
LonRes Launches New Service to Help Agents Meet New Rules
LonRes has introduced Rental Checker, a data‑driven tool that supplies achieved rent benchmarks to help letting agents justify rent increases under the upcoming Renters’ Rights Act. The service, initially covering prime London lettings, lets agents input property details and receive...
Property Industry Reacts to Latest House Price and Rent Data
UK property leaders say the latest ONS data show a modest 1.2% rise in house prices and a slowdown in rental inflation, yet both markets remain under pressure from affordability concerns. The Bank of England’s upcoming base‑rate decision and the...
Agents’ Confidence Falters Under Scrutiny of Renters’ Rights Changes – Claim
A new renters’ rights act is shaking confidence across the private rental sector. A Goodlord survey shows 82% of landlords are concerned, with 75% saying regulation makes portfolio expansion unlikely. Nearly half of landlords plan to sell or scale back...
Acquisition Spree Continues as Major Estate Agency Group Expands
Lomond has acquired Clyde Property, along with its subsidiaries Burgh Property and Cathedral Estates, expanding its footprint in central Scotland. The deal adds an established regional brand to Lomond’s portfolio alongside DJ Alexander. Under the new structure, Clyde Property will...
Reapit Rolls Out New AI Offering for Estate Agents
Reapit has unveiled the next phase of its Reapit AI (RAI) platform, adding a voice‑led AI copilot, an AppMarket for task‑specific agents, and a no‑code builder for custom agents. The copilot, optimized for mobile, helps agents prepare for viewings, retrieve...
Rightmove Steps up Drive to ‘Digitise’ UK Property Market with New Tool
Rightmove has introduced an equity tracker tool that aggregates valuation data, mortgage balances and market trends to give homeowners a real‑time view of their property equity. The feature is designed to help users gauge affordability earlier in the home‑moving journey...
AI Advisory Board Report Sheds Light on Estate Agent Challenges
Rex Software released a report from its AI Advisory Board that surveyed estate agents about AI adoption. The research uncovered persistent pain points such as administrative overload, inconsistent data, and difficulty prioritizing leads across multiple channels. Agents also struggle with...
Rental Scams on the Rise as Fraudsters Target Vulnerable Tenants
Rental scams are surging as the UK rental market tightens, with fraudsters targeting urgent tenants on Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace. Scammers request upfront fees of £50‑£100 (≈$64‑$128) for bogus viewings or holding deposits of £800‑£1,500 (≈$1,000‑$1,900) to lock a property....
Compliance Tool Launched to Help Agents Prepare for Renters’ Rights Act
Bilans Solutions has launched Compliance Tracker, a dashboard that integrates with Reapit’s AgencyCloud platform to help letting agents ready their portfolios for the UK Renters’ Rights Act, which takes effect on 1 May. The tool automatically pulls gas safety, electrical, EPC...
UK Room Rents Flatline as Supply Growth Begins to Slow
UK flatshare platform SpareRoom reports the average room rent stayed at £747 per month (about $957) in Q1 2026, virtually unchanged from a year earlier. Supply of new listings grew only 4.2% YoY in January, a sharp deceleration from the 13.8%...
London Estate Agent Commissions Rank Lowest in Global Study
A new AgentWise study finds London estate agents earn the lowest commission per sale among ten global cities, averaging £9,963 (≈$12,500) on an 80‑square‑metre home priced at £586,050 (≈$732,500). By contrast, Paris agents collect about £36,847 (≈$46,000) per transaction, while...
Auction Market Strengthens in March as Sales and Values Rise
Auction activity in the UK surged in March, with 2,897 lots sold—a 20.3% year‑on‑year increase—and total funds raised climbing to £559.1 million (about $710 million), up 16.6%. The overall success rate stayed near 68.6%, indicating demand kept pace with the larger supply....
JP Morgan Chief Warns of “Significant” Interest Rate Shocks
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon warned that the escalating conflict in Iran could trigger sharp oil and commodity price spikes, keeping inflation elevated and forcing interest rates higher than market expectations. He cited the war in Ukraine, Middle‑East hostilities, and...
Fast-Growing European PropTech Eyes UK Estate Agency Market
European PropTech firm Nodalview is launching in the UK, opening a London office to serve the country’s more than 20,000 estate‑agency branches. The Belgian‑founded company, which has raised over €10 million (about $11 million) from investors such as PROfounders Capital, offers AI‑powered...
UK Build to Rent Investment Hits Strongest Q1 Since 2022
UK build‑to‑rent investment surged to £795 million (about $1 billion) in Q1 2026, the strongest quarterly total since 2022. The rebound was driven largely by purchases of operational stock, which made up 68 % of the spend, with over 60 % of those deals...
Family Businesses Unite in Estate Agency Merger
Paton & Co has merged with Peter Graham and Associates, creating a unified estate agency that now operates across the Scottish Borders, Northumberland, the Highlands and northeast Scotland. The combined firm will retain the Paton & Co brand and bring...
Biggest Shock to UK Mortgage Market Since Mini-Budget Disaster
UK mortgage rates surged in April 2024 as the Iran conflict pushed borrowing costs higher, marking the sharpest market shock since the 2022 mini‑Budget. Two‑year fixed rates climbed from 4.84% to 5.84% and five‑year fixes from 4.96% to 5.75%, while...
Student Lettings Agency Expands
Student lettings platform loc8me announced its expansion into York, marking its seventh northern hub after Newcastle, Durham, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and Hull. The Loughborough‑based firm now operates in 19 university cities across the UK, overseeing more than 3,500 properties and...
Making Tax Digital: Are You Prepared for the New Requirements?
UK HMRC’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) regime now applies to sole traders with turnover above £50,000 (≈ $63,500) from 6 April 2024. A survey of 1,000 high‑earning self‑employed workers shows only 39 % understand the digital record‑keeping requirement and just a third know...
Calls Grow for Government Action as Housing Market Slows
RSM UK is urging the British government to reform stamp duty or extend support for first‑time buyers as the housing market shows signs of slowdown. The latest UK House Price Index reported a 1.3% year‑on‑year rise to £268,000 (about $340,000)...
ALEP Seeks Clarity on Leasehold Reform Amid Act Implementation Delays
The Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) has written to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee urging clarification and publication of amendments to the Leasehold & Freehold Reform Act 2024 (LAFRA). ALEP highlights technical gaps in ground‑rent rules, valuation...