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The National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team (NTSELAT) has today, 20 April, launched a consultation to gather information to develop guidance as to what should be considered material information on property listings and portals.
Market activity continues to grow and the appetite from prospective buyers is such that many properties are not being listed on the property portals, as agents focus on fulfilling Consumer Protection Regulations, completing Property Information Questionnaires, and marketing properties to those proceedable buyers, already registered with the agency.
The UK Government has today, 19 April, opened a Mortgage Guarantee Scheme to help first-time buyers and current owners with 5 per cent deposits buy a house up to £600,000.
Propertymark has responded to the Welsh Government’s consultation on improving building safety in Wales by supporting the proposed measures but urging the Welsh Government to also consider the height of buildings, occupation and material used to build property to determine fire risk rather than simply the number of dwellings.
Yesterday, 12 April 2021, the UK Government amended advice on house moves following the easing of restrictions in England. Following measures to re-open retail in England, there is now more flexibility for branch managers to allow unscheduled visitors, however, adherence to safety guidance remains paramount.
The First Home Fund, a shared equity pilot scheme, was launched by the Scottish Government to provide first-time buyers with funding, however, it has closed for applications five days after it re-opened.
With current figures showing long lead times for buying and selling property, HM Land Registry tools will help those involved speed up the process, including its fast-track service and incoming national Local Land Charges (LLC) register.
The UK Government announced that the Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme launched last year will close to new applications on 31 March 2021, twelve months earlier than originally planned.
An annex to the Code of Practice for commercial property relationships during COVID-19 has been issued for tenants and landlords to use in discussions about rent, rent arrears, and ongoing lease terms.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has opened a call for evidence to support the UK Government’s decision to review measures on commercial lease evictions in England.
From today, 1 April, restrictions across Northern Ireland have eased further as part of the Executive's roadmap out of lockdown and the Coronavirus Financial Assistance (Business Support) Scheme 2021 was launched on 31 March by the Department of Finance.
From today, 1 April 2021, a two per cent higher rate of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) will apply to purchasers of residential property in England and Northern Ireland who are not resident in the UK.
The Welsh Government has announced today, 1 April, lockdown restrictions will be eased further from Monday 12 April with all remaining non-essential retail and close contact services to reopen, and travel into and out of Wales from the rest of the UK and Common Travel Area will be permitted.
HMRC has published a self-assessment of its money laundering supervisory performance, which is broadly in line with the relevant Money Laundering Regulations and OPBAS sourcebook, however stating there was room for improvement.
From Monday 29 March the UK Government will start to ease lockdown restrictions on social contact, business and activities, and travel in England. Whilst there will be no changes to safety guidance for the property sector, Propertymark is reviewing the guidance that has supported members to work safely and given the UK Government the confidence to allow agents to keep working throughout lockdown.
The effect of the property tax holidays sees the housing market continue to flourish with further records and all-time highs.
The Scottish Government’s First Home Fund scheme will re-open on 1 April 2021, which has a budget of £60 million available for the financial year 2021-22 to provide first-time buyers with up to £25,000 to help them buy a property, which can be used for both new build or existing properties.
Housing markets are flourishing, with many experiencing high levels of demand and houses being sold on a best and final offer basis in much of the UK. Following the UK Government budget at the start of March, the latest figures for England continue to show growth.
The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is looking for views from the sector on how best to implement energy efficiency plans for commercial and industrial buildings in England and Wales.
With many agents required to work alone, it is important employers put in place measures to ensure their safety. After the tragic disappearance in 1986 of estate agent, Suzy Lamplugh, the Trust, in her name, provides guidance for workers to reduce the risk of violence and aggression.
HM Treasury has released its ‘Tax Day command paper’ designed to allow further scrutiny on tax announcements that would normally take place during the budget.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has told Countryside Properties and Taylor Wimpey to remove certain contract terms that require leaseholders to pay ground rents that double every ten or 15 years.
The Welsh Government has published new research into the sale and use of leaseholds where the Housing Minister, Julie James MS, sets out her intentions for reforming the sector. The action plan considers other evidence from the Task and Finish Group on Leasehold Reform and recommendations made by the Law Commission.
Any business or sole trader who processes personal information must register with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) under the Data Protection Act 2018 and failure to register is a criminal offence.
Propertymark has received a report that a letting agent in Kensington and Chelsea has been issued a fine of £20,000 for not belonging to a Client Money Protection scheme, despite applying to join one. The case underlines the importance of having Client Money Protection (CMP), with Trading standards taking action even when an application is in progress.
HM Land Registry has launched its first Digital Identity Standard to make identity verification safer and more convenient for anyone buying property in England and Wales.
From 1 April 2021, a new Help to Buy scheme will be introduced in Wales, replacing the current scheme which closes to new applications on 31 March 2021.
Businesses that have been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic will now be protected from eviction until the end of June 2021 in England and Wales.
All employers in England can now sign up for the UK Government’s free workplace testing programme. This includes businesses employing fewer than 50 people, previously required to attend community testing sites.
With the Welsh elections due to take place in May, Propertymark has published its manifesto containing key asks to support the housing sector in Wales.