Agencies & People
News covering the businesses, activities, people and personalities in estate agency and letting agency and wider residential property industry.
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Belvoir snaps up rival Lincolnshire agency for £2 million
Franchising giant has bought Grimsby-based 19-branch family firm Lovelles through its Newton Fallowell estate agency brand.
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Ombudsman expels three estate agencies over unpaid awards
Estate agencies in Bristol, Soham and East London are thrown out all showing a shocking disregard for tenant or landlord funds and customer service.
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Purplebricks reveals weak first half of its financial year and pricing overhaul
UK operations reveals a 15% decline in instructions, 31% increase in operating costs, a 34% drop in profits and plans to overhaul its pricing.
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Another ‘social letting agency’ opens in competition with traditional agents
Luton Lets Squared is the latest example of a trend for local councils and housing associations to open their own 'socially-purposed' letting agency.
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Estate agent uses social media to track down Christmas tree vandal
An estate agent whose branch Christmas tree was vandalised by three men late at night has been sent an apology and £30 towards a new set of fairy lights. On Saturday November 30 three men were filmed by the estate agent branch’s CCTV (see below) in the early hours of the morning at first shaking the tree outside the branch of Walton and Hipkiss in Birmingham and then ripping its fairy lights off. The distinctly un-festive actions of the vandals led to an outcry on social media after company boss Andrew Hipkiss (pictured, above) posted the CCTV footage on Facebook. Police then identified the lead vandal in the video and officers spoke to him earlier this week and he agreed to write a letter apologising for his actions. “The person who pulled the Christmas tree lights off our Hagley office has now been found,” the company, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, says. “We have accepted his apology and he has paid for the replacement lights. Thank you for your incredibly amazing support in sharing the CCTV video footage. “It just goes to show what power social media can have, which enabled the national newspapers and the police…
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My Property Box completes Sandersons Lettings merger
My Property Box has merged with Sandersons Lettings, expanding its portfolio of rented homes. Sandersons office has closed and three staff members have transferred to the My Property Box premises. Ben Quaintrell, Founder and Managing Director, began his career with Sandersons Lettings straight from university in 2003, where he worked for eight years under the guidance of Director Gordon Catterick. Ben said, “The inclusion of Sandersons Lettings, a highly-reputable letting agency, is significant for My Property Box, which launched seven years ago. “I thank Gordon for providing my first job and equipping me with the skills that enabled me to start my own business. This deal is special on a personal and business level.” Gordon Catterick, Director of Sandersons Lettings, said, “Sandersons Lettings was created 25 years ago from the 150 year old estate agency Sanderson Townend & Gilbert on the principles of providing the very best professional advice, an ethos continued by Sandersons Lettings – reflected in the loyalty of its clients and the professionalism of its staff, something I’m sure that will continue.”
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Online letting agency apologises for featuring another unlicensed HMO
Spotahome says it has now taken measures to prevent booking at the property on its platform. Similar unlicensed properties were featured on its platform earlier this year.
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Housesimple extends ‘free to sell’ service to Nottingham ahead of 2020 roll-out
Hybrid agency says service will start in two postcodes before being launched across whole of Nottingham between Christmas and New Year.
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Are ‘agile branches’ the future as estate agencies cut high street costs?
Bidwells says all its branches are now fully 'agile' including a new site to be built in Cambridge as it embraces hot-desking, home-working and flexible hours.
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Election Day crunch-time for Purplebricks, when interim results are revealed
Share price is likely to tank even further if Purplebricks cannot demonstrate progress, gaining market share from traditional agents and increased revenue per instruction.
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