Headlines in this round-up include the proposal to ban controversial new-build leaseholds, the potential launch of CIELA (The Charter for Independent Estate and Letting Agents), and how green really is the green belt?...
Year-long formal warning issued after complaint about agency
Purfect Property Solutions Ltd, an agency in Aylesbury, was investigated by the The Property Ombudsman following a complaint made by the landlords of the property concerned, having been unable to resolve a dispute with the agent. After the agent failed to provide information the Ombudsman requested, the Disciplinary & Standards Committee ruled that the agent should be the subject of a warning to last one year.
Data has revealed that councils have earmarked land to build 425,000 new properties on green belt land - an increase of 54% since March 2016. The Campaign to Protect Rural England wants councils to focus on brownfield land, whilst Legal & General has said that freeing up just 1% of green belt land could provide 1m new homes.
Ban on new-build leaseholds, Government announces
Communities Secretary, Sajid Javid, is to launch a consultation on plans to end the "leasehold scandal" to ban the practice of selling new-build houses as leasehold and reduce ground rent payments. He has said that "far too many new houses are being built and sold as leaseholds, exploiting home buyers with unfair agreements".
CIELA - a new Independent agents' group - is likely to launch after all
The Charter for Independent Estate and Letting Agents may launch as scheduled in Autumn of this year. Charlie Wright, the founder, has said that it's looking more likely the group will launch than fold, as membership and registrations has picked up in the last few weeks.
Should your agency be worried about ransomware?
After the NHS cyber attack in May, ransomware has been hitting the headlines more and more recently. Estate and letting agencies have also been affected by the issue. However, there are other potentially more lucrative forms of attack that agents can suffer from, including spyware, which allows the attackers access to company bank accounts. Agents need to be aware of these attacks and take steps to protect themselves and act quickly in cases of attack, in order to limit the impact.