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Latest property news
Anti-money laundering rule change needed to help London agents
Central London based Sandfords has accused the Government and HMRC of a lack of understanding about the way in which the London housing market works and has called for a major overhaul in existing anti-money laundering legislation to help support London agents in their everyday business. Andrew Ellinas (left), Director at Sandfords, is urging the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) to lobby the Government to change the rules on sub-agent due diligence, thereby making it easier for agents in London to “carry out their daily working routine”. HMRC took over supervision of the estate agency business last year and has since published guidance on how to stay on the right side of money laundering regulations. But Ellinas believes that the existing rules work against agents in London and therefore need amending. He said, “The current legislation doesn’t allow for agents in London to carry out their daily working routine and the NAEA need to speak up and apply pressure on the Government before agents are heavily penalised for simply doing their job.” The Director of Sandfords insists that agents understand what is required of them, but says that there is an issue when it comes to sub-agent due diligence,…
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Agencies & People
Romans and Leaders continue expansion with fresh acquisitions
Leaders has added to its network of 100-plus branches with the acquisition of Aidan J Reed in Loughborough and Quorn, Leicestershire, while Romans has followed the purchase of Campsie’s residential and commercial sales and lettings branches earlier this month, by acquiring Gregory & Company in Windsor. Leaders’ latest deal follows on from the trio of acquisitions at the end of August and early September, including Simply Lets in Worcester and Bromsgrove, Andrews Snape & Co in Bournemouth and Cullen Homes in Manchester. Matthew Light (left), Leaders’ acquisitions director, said, “We are delighted to welcome the staff and customers of Aidan J Reed to Leaders and look forward to working with them as we launch the Leaders name in Leicestershire. “This an ideal business for us because, like Leaders, Aidan J Reed’s focus has always been on providing a quality service and employing highly professional staff with excellent knowledge and standards of practise. In terms of location, this acquisition provides additional coverage within our existing Midlands region, complementing our six Derby branches and our Nottingham and Mansfield locations.” Aidan J Reed was owned and operated by Aidan Reed and James Etty who will now focus purely on their student lettings business.…
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Latest property news
Agents receive a surge in calls
With property prices rising, supported by record-low interest rates, falling unemployment levels and historically low mortgage borrowing rates, telephone answering service Moneypenny has reported a surge in calls answered by its dedicated property team. According to its second quarterly (Q2) review of call data, calls to agents are up 8.3 per cent in comparison to the first quarter (Q1) of this year, reflecting the fact that there has been a sharp rise in the volume of calls being handled by the Moneypenny call centre, as more agents turn to virtual receptionists to help cope with busy workloads. “We are extremely busy with our sales figures currently exceeding those of the market peak in 2007,” said Richard Heppenstall, Director of West Sussex-based Michael Jones Estate Agents, which usesMoneypenny’s service. Moneypenny, which works with over 850 agents, estimates that it now answers in the region of 1.2 million ‘overflow’ calls a year for the sector. On annual basis, the combined figures for Q1 and Q2 highlighted a 20.3 per cent increase in the volume of calls answered for agents by Moneypenny, when compared to the first half of 2014. “More and more agents recognise the benefits of engaging with an outsourced partner…
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Features
Outsourcing lettings: one way to spread your workload?
With Britain fast becoming a nation of renters, agents have a never ending series of tasks, but help is at if you embrace outsourcing lettings, says Marc Da Silva.
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Features
Selling a business? Here’s some expert advice
Are you thinking about selling a business? Then you still have some work to do, says Marc Da Silva.
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Features
Tech update: lettings software innovation
Are you up to speed with the most recent letting software innovation? Marc Da Silva reports.
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Features
Software solutions
Software plays a crucial role in an estate agent’s business – are you up to speed with the latest innovations? Marc Da Silva reports.
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Features
Beauty and power
You want a gorgeous website, says Jeremy Tapp, but it’s what’s under the bonnet that really counts.
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Features
Regional round-up
Each month we visit three agents across the country to discover what is happening in their businesses and local markets. This month we visit Kent, London and the Isle of Wight.
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Software
PropCo PropCo Software, which incorporates a range of leading features for letting, client accounting and property management, aims to reduce admin and stationary costs through eSignatures, secure online portals for landlords to access their property records and documentation, produce bespoke reports from rich data stored in client’s PropCo databases. What’s more, the software’s Core’s Client Accounting functionality is compliant with RICS NFOPP ARLA regulations and Bylaws, while there is a wide range of documents available, including tenancy agreements and legal notices. www.propco.co.uk Reapit Reapit provides a fully integrated ICAEW and NALS accredited RPS software solution across lettings, property management, client accounts and sales, o ffering a number of unique selling points, including its new Landlord Tracker; an online login area accessed through the agent’s website that allows landlords to view key information about their property or portfolio 24/7. This includes scheduled works orders, key documentation and accounts information. www.reapit.com Rentman Rentman letting, management and accounting PC and cloud-based software provides a wide selection of features. These include rent collection, management and let-only statements, record contractor details, monitor and track maintenance jobs, prompt agents to arrange or renew safety certifi cates, HMO licences and insurance premiums, instantly create and send job sheets. The software can also help landlords with their tax returns, issue legal notices, produce legally compliant AST agreements, instantly match applicants to properties, issue property details, track to let boards,…
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