Rightmove enforces new rules for listings as guidelines kick in

The portal has published its new requirements for listings in response to a national drive for improved information to help buyers.

rightmove laptop

Rightmove has confirmed its compliance with new listing guidelines by including more information on each property.

From now on, the details for properties on the portal will include the cost of any service charge and ground rent, as well as more about any shared ownership arrangement. All listings must now also display a sale price.

There are also changes that affect sales and lettings, including council tax bands.

If any information is missing from a listing, this will be highlighted and potential buyers will be redirected to the agent.

The changes represent Rightmove’s response to part one of a phased introduction of the ‘material information’ requirements by the National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team.

NTSELAT has been working with Rightmove, Zoopla, PropertyPal and OTM and industry association and redress schemes Propertymark, TLIC, TPO, the PRS, RICS and UKALA, to get the new guidelines agreed.

Two more phases

A further two phases are being developed, which will incorporate further material information such as restrictive covenants, flood risk, and other specific factors that may impact certain properties.

The drive for more comprehensive property listings features in the government’s Levelling Up White Paper.

Link to Redress Scheme news

James Munro, head of NTSELAT, (pictured) told the NAEA Propertymark National Conference last week, that a cultural change is needed to make sure agents understand the importance of gathering information before a property is listed.

He said all agents need to make sure all key details are given upfront to avoid complications during the conveyancing process.

Rightmove has also introduced new ‘tool tips’ and a glossary of terms.

In more detail Rightmove sales listings now include:

  • The percentage of shared ownership (% of share being sold and monthly rental cost for the remainder)
  • Current ground rent
  • Ground rent review period (no. of years/months) and percentage increase
  • Annual service charge

Sales and rental listings now include:

  • Council tax band – England, Wales and Scotland (including ‘Exempt’ and ‘Included’ options for rental properties and ‘TBC’ option for New Homes)
  • Council tax rates – Northern Ireland

One Comment

  1. This is a really good plan. The more information that’s given up-front, the better for everyone – just so long as it’s accurate. I wonder if Rightmove will also improve their presentation of agents’ photos as well? Compared to those on the US site, Zillow, Rightmove manages to make even the finest images look like they’ve been printed by inkjet. It’s not really good enough in this day and age. Back in days of yore, there might have been an excuse because not everyone had broadband, but that’s not the case these days. There’s really no excuse for compressing the images as severely as they do.

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