With estate agencies spanning England and Scotland, The Lomond Group has joined forces with Propertymark to deliver a ground-breaking training and development strategy.

The implementation of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act starts on 15 July 2022 and landlords should be mindful that they are obliged to ensure all rental properties are in repair and fit for human habitation.

While hybrid working isn’t a new concept, many businesses may not have considered the impact it could have on their insurance cover. What are the key areas of business insurance that you may need to review now that hybrid working has become more commonplace?

The UK Government has published the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill which aims to devolve power and give local leaders and communities the tools they need to make better places.

The Queen’s Speech, delivered today, 10 May 2022, focused on the scale of challenges facing the UK cost of living and energy crises, EU legislation still to be removed from the statute books and the impact of the war in Ukraine.

National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team (NTSELAT) and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), have stated that the use of ‘POA’ or ‘price on application’ in property listings contravenes consumer protection legislation.

The Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) seeks views about how the taxation of property income could be simplified and has launched an online survey.

PRS REPORT: Data collected from our members continues to indicate signs of ongoing disparity in supply and demand with tenants remaining in their properties for longer periods of time.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has launched a consultation to test the design of the EBSS, ensure that support is provided as widely as possible in a simple and cost-effective way and that the recovery mechanism is clear and efficient.

HOUSING REPORT: Although agents’ stock is still historically low, more new properties are coming to the market bringing with them new buyers and a lift in sales being agreed.

The UK Government’s ban on charging ground rent on new leases in England and Wales will come into force on 30 June 2022.

Agents have a range of options available to them for selling a property. Choosing the right one can have a huge impact on the price achieved, the satisfaction of buyers and sellers with the process, and the reputation of the agent.

For tenants experiencing increasing financial pressure, rental debt can be a burden, and when things go wrong, debt repayments can further reduce their ability to pay the rent.

Are proposed changes to the thresholds that short-term holiday let businesses must meet to be eligible for non-domestic rates (NDRs) sufficiently clear?

Landlords across the UK will be able to apply for 75 per cent of the cost of charging points up to £350 where they own parking areas but must be VAT registered or registered at Companies House to be eligible.

The Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act will create a register upon which all foreign owners of UK property must declare their true beneficial ownership and verify their identity with Companies House. Those who do not declare their beneficial owner will be subject to restrictions on the sale of property and may face up to five years in prison.