Rightmove consolidates number one portal role
Rightmove’s traffic grew 10 per cent in 2014 to 15.4 billion pages and its leads to agents grew 19 per cent to 42.8m according to its annual results out this morning. The portal’s revenue is up 19 per cent and its operating profit up 20 per cent as it hammers home its position as the […]
‘PRS tenants being failed by poor enforcement’
Private rented sector (PRS) landlords are calling on the UK’s next government to undertake a review of the enforcement of regulations in the industry. According to the Residential Landlords Association (RLA), tenants are being let down by a failure to properly enforce the powers already available to tackle poor housing conditions. Last week, Liverpool City […]
Zoopla asks: where does OTM get its figures from?
Zoopla has responded to OnTheMarket’s claim of one million unique visits to its new portal by saying that it lacks any authoritative source to back up that figure. In a lengthy statement, Zoopla communications head Lawrence Hall says OTM may well have recorded its ‘one millionth visit’ but that is wildly different to its claim […]
Liverpool City Council launches private landlord licence
A compulsory licence for landlords aimed at improving Liverpool’s private rented housing has been introduced. The new rules, which will cover up to 50,000 lets, require private landlords to hold a licence, which will cost upwards of £400, from 1 April. Liverpool City Council said the scheme was the largest in the country and would […]
The “new norm” for the housing market
There’s been a raft of house price statistics published in the last few days, all of which give slightly different prices and growth rates. But, the overall trend remains clear – house price growth is set to continue, albeit at a slightly slower pace than that witnessed over the past year, and it’s the supply/demand […]
London housing boom: Estate agent fees hit £1 billion
London’s estate agents earned £1.1 billion in fees last year as a result of the City’s ongoing housing boom. According to research by online estate agents HouseSimple, sellers could expect to pay an average of £9,384 in agent fees per property bought in 2014. The total £1.1 billion in fees paid out last year represented […]
Landlords warned to get tax affairs sorted
Private landlords are being warned to get their tax affairs in order to avoid being caught in a crackdown by tax inspectors. Phil Bates, Principal at Cheshire accountant Phillip Bates & Co, says the potential penalties are severe unless landlords ensure they have registered with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Bates, who has over 100 […]
What are the tax implications for buy-to-let landlords?
Whether you own just one or a whole portfolio of rental properties, tax needs to be high up on your ‘to do’ list. For any investor who dived into buy to let in 1996 when the market was first established, the rewards will have been ample. From capital appreciation alone, they would now be sitting […]
End of revenge evictions moves step closer (but landlords not happy)
The House of Lords has given a glimmer of hope to campaigners seeking to end ‘revenge evictions’ by private sector landlords fed up with whinging tenants. Campaign group Generation Rent tweeted earlier today that “Last night House of Lords passed an amendment to end Revenge Evictions – great news for renters across the country”. Shelter […]
Terrible Estate Agent Photographs
If you’re looking for a few tips on how not to sell your house, you’ve come to the right place. Andy Donaldson from Aberdeen, Scotland came across some dodgy real estate photos in his hunt for a new flat in London in 2013 and thought they were too good to ignore. Donaldson set up the […]