The article notes that the effects of the Renters Rights Act are beginning to influence the sales market, particularly where properties are sold with tenants in situ. It indicates that estate agents need to adapt their approach when handling tenanted property sales as the legislative environment changes.
The article reports that the government has issued a roadmap for changes to the home buying and selling process, and that a PropTech product is being positioned to help estate agents prepare for those reforms. The extract does not provide further detail on the specific measures or the product itself.
Police are investigating alleged fraud, money laundering and missing client funds at PS&B Estate Management Limited, formerly Parsons, Son & Bailey, following the arrest of a staff member. The firm, which specialises in block management, has also faced bank account freezes, unpaid staff, Trading Standards scrutiny and repeated Companies House filing issues.
A consumer panel has criticised the Council for Licensed Conveyancers over perceived regulatory gaps in referral fee arrangements linked to conveyancing and estate agency relationships. The debate has been reignited by concerns raised after a BBC Panorama investigation into Connells, with the CLC rejecting the criticism and saying it has sought to improve transparency and consumer protection.
The Property Ombudsman upheld a complaint against an estate agent for failing to disclose a competing buyer and the existence of a contract race. The buyers were awarded £790, matching the cost of a mortgage valuation survey they incurred without being properly informed of the risk.
