Issue 44: July / September 2021
With more agents taking to TikTok, is the platform the next big thing for agents? In this issue, you can find out more about how and why agents are using TikTok, hear from our new presidents and read about the upcoming Propertymark Qualifications Awards which is back for 2021.
Building Safety Bill continues through Parliament
Arguably the most controversial aspect drawn from the second reading of the Bill remains the question of who should pay for measures to remediate the failings made by the building industry in the past.
EWS1 forms not necessary for low rise buildings
The UK Government has said that they see no reason why an EWS1 form, or equivalent, should be requested on buildings below 18 metres following recommendations from a small group of experts on fire safety set up to look at the issue.
Northern Ireland Department for Communities Housing Supply Strategy
The Department for Communities has issued a Call for Evidence on its Housing Supply Strategy, which sets out its intentions to increase the amount of housing across all tenures so that every household can access a good quality, affordable and sustainable home.
Welsh Government opens Tenancy Hardship Grant applications
The announcement by the Minister of Climate Change Julie James MS, who also has a responsibility over housing, also marks the closure of the Tenancy Saver Loan scheme.
Welsh Government announce plans to tackle building safety
Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change, outlined the Welsh Government will fund fire safety surveys for multi-occupied buildings over 11 metres and called on the UK Government to confirm when further funding will come to Wales.
Seven agents expelled from The Property Ombudsman
As per the strict processes put in place by The Property Ombudsman (TPO), the agents were referred to the TPO’s independent Compliance Committee, which ruled they should be expelled with most failing to pay compensatory rewards.
English Housing Survey shows Green Home Grant underfunded
While the energy efficiency of English homes has improved over the last decade, there is more that can be done to help landlords and householders within the private rented sector (PRS) meet energy efficiency targets.
Fact sheet: General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)
The General Data Protection Regulations (EU GDPR) were rolled out across the EU on 25 May 2018. The Regulations brought consistency in data handling to EU member states and granted individuals additional rights on when and how their personal data is used.
Analysis reveals London rent prices set to rise by twenty per cent
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who was re-elected with a pledge to campaign for rent controls, has warned that the cost of renting privately in the city may potentially increase by almost 20 per cent unless he is given powers to control the rental market.
FAQs: Property agents and Capital Gains Tax
Until April 2020 UK taxpayers were only required to declare Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on an annual self-assessment tax return. Since then, taxpayers disposing of a UK residential property are required to calculate, report and pay any applicable CGT within 30 days of completion of the sale.
Private Tenancies Bill to increase protections for tenants
A Bill introduced by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey on 6 July, provides new protections for tenants in the Private Rented Sector (PRS) In Northern Ireland, focusing on safety measures, restrictions in rent increases and extending notice periods.
Welsh Government unveils 'ambitious' plan to tackle second home crisis
The new ‘three-pronged approach’ focuses on affordability and availability of housing, which includes plans for a pilot area, where new measures will be trialled and evaluated before a wider rollout.
New Regulator introduced as Building Safety Bill published
The Building Safety Bill, published today, 5 July, outlines the biggest changes to building safety regulation in a generation by introducing a Building Safety Regulator to oversee a new safety regime for high-rise residential homes in response to the Grenfell fire tragedy.
Royal seal of approval for The Letting Partnership
The outsourced provider of client accounting services has won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2021, in the innovation category for its Client Money HealthChecks and commended for being ‘outstanding’.
Fact sheet: Right to Rent Immigration Checks
Since 1 February 2016, all landlords or agents of private rental accommodation in England have been required to carry out Right to Rent checks for new tenancy agreements to determine whether occupiers aged 18 and over have the right to live in the UK legally.
