Regulation & Law
News articles looking at national legislation and local regulation and the application of law to the residential property industry.
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Will the General Election scupper RoPA?
Safeagent has warned the industry that regulation of estate agents through the RoPA proposals is not the done deal that many other organisations present it as. Isobel Thomson, Safeagent’s CEO, says the General Election has thrown the RoPA proposals into question because neither Labour or any of the other political parties have officially supported it. Accepted not adopted Thomson has also told The Negotiator that although many organisations are excited by the proposed professionalisation of the industry, the government has only ‘accepted’ Lord Best’s report and that it has yet to say it will adopt all of the RoPA recommendations. “Prior to the General Election being triggered there was no government announcement on RoPA,” she says. “We don’t know which political party is going to form the next government and we don’t know what their attitude to RoPA might be. “But we do want movement on this; Safeagent wants regulation of agents in whatever form that takes.” Approved Body If the Conservatives do win a majority and it does accept all of the RoPA recommendations, Thomson has confirmed that Safeagent would hope to gain Approved Body status and play a part in helping its members implement the new rules on…
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Tenants enjoy £2m rental deposit return bonanza as fees ban kicks in
Deposit protection scheme TDS says it's returning £320 per tenant on average as tenancies come up for renewal.
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Infamous landlord Fergus Wilson convicted of abusing parking attendant
The 71-year-old was taken to court following an argument with an attendant about a parking ticket he received in Maidstone.
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The Property Ombudsman reveals 15% fees increase and new usage policy
The Property Ombudsman is to introduce higher fees for agents generating the most complaints - and discounts for those who don’t.
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Rent controls are ‘dead in the water’ confirms housing Secretary
Robert Jenrick reveals a change in direction for his department, which last year was considering rent controls to help 'make tenancies more secure'.
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Trade association launches for Airbnb hosts and property managers
Announcement follows Airbnb's decision to 'verify' all of the hosts and properties listed on its site following a fatal shooting at a party house in the US.
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Estate agency fined £30,000 after failing to point out Grenfell Tower-style cladding
Internal comms failures meant couple weren't told about dangerous cladding before they completed on the deal, a Trading Standards investigation found.
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Policies please! Propertymark launches its general election ‘manifesto’
Industry association Propertymark wants to see action on RoPA, Stamp Duty, property MOTs, downsizing problems and a new housing court from the next government.
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Local councils given £4 million MORE to tackle rogue landlords
The government funding is part of a major drive to kick dodgy landlords out of the private rented sector and follows £2 million initial funding earlier this year.
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