The Industry Wire — archive, page 4

AI eXp Realty is holding its international conference, eXpcon, in London next summer. The three-day event will take place at the London Hilton on Park Lane from 6 to 8 July 2027, with global executives including founder Glenn Sanford and CEO Leo Pareja attending. The conference follows eXp UK's expansion, having surpassed 1,000 agents in 2026 and introduced Luxury and Teams offerings. The event, which costs from £400 for early-bird tickets, will cover leadership, technology, and business strategy for estate agents.

AI Average gross buy-to-let yields reached a 15-year high of 7.22% in Q3 2026, up 0.22 percentage points, according to Paragon Bank. This was driven by subdued house price growth and sustained rental demand. The East Midlands saw the highest average yield at 8.1%, while Greater London had the lowest at 5.7%. HMOs generated the highest yield at 8.8%. Fleet Mortgages also reported an increase in average annual rental yield from 7.5% to 7.9% across England and Wales, with Yorkshire & Humberside topping their regional table at 9.3%. Propertymark noted the average UK monthly rent is £1,522, and rents fell in nine of 11 regions month-on-month, including a 2.1% drop in London. For landlords: Greater London continued to generate the lowest average regional yield at 5.7%, and London rents fell by 2.1% month-on-month.

Summary of government response to technical consultation and next steps in administration reform.

AI The UK Government has launched a consultation on extending Awaab’s Law to private rented homes in England, proposing clear legal timeframes for making homes safe from serious hazards. This aims to empower private renters to challenge dangerous conditions, rather than imposing new repair duties. Propertymark is encouraging its members to contribute to its response, which will focus on achieving safer homes through clear responsibilities, workable timescales, and support for agents and landlords. The consultation closes at 11:59 pm on 18 December 2026. For landlords: This consultation could introduce new legal expectations regarding hazard remediation timeframes for private rented properties in England.

AI The government estimates that extending Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector will incur an annual net cost to landlords of £42.2 million. This figure accounts for savings from reduced tenant turnover and shorter void periods due to faster hazard resolution, but excludes the actual repair costs. The average annual cost per property is projected to be £8.17, with a range of £5.64 to £10.69. An additional £335 million over ten years is estimated for communications related to repairs, averaging £8.37 per property annually. The reforms are intended to address serious hazards more quickly, affecting all private landlords. For landlords: The government anticipates that some of these costs may be passed on to tenants through higher rents.

AI Landlords are facing increased costs from mortgages, compliance, and new property registration fees. However, agents can help landlords save money on utility standing charges during void periods. A dedicated void tariff can offer a credit of £15 per fuel and cover the first 30 days of standing charges, potentially saving up to £58 per void. This can result in zero bills for most voids, and for agents managing 200 properties, this could save landlords over £10,000 annually. Additionally, agents can ensure void bills are accurate by checking dates, meter readings, and account names to avoid errors and subsequent administrative issues.

AI Property tribunals in England issued 237 rent repayment order (RRO) decisions in 2025, an increase from 194 in 2024, with 93% relating to licensing offences. Of 369 applications decided from January 2025, 72% resulted in an order. In 2024, £1.5 million was ordered for repayment across 171 cases, with a median of £6,141. London boroughs accounted for 65% of decisions and 85% of the money in 2025, with a median London order of £8,908. For landlords: Rent repayment orders are increasing, particularly in London, with the majority concerning property licensing offences.

AI London Mayor Sadiq Khan is allocating an additional £400,000 over three years to support private renters in London. This funding will go towards two organisations providing free advice and support to tenants, helping them understand their rights under the Renters Rights Act and challenge landlords. A portion of the funds will also train council officers to enforce the new law and address non-compliant landlords. The initiative aims to ensure Londoners benefit from the Act's protections against poor housing conditions and insecure tenancies. For landlords: This funding will support tenants in understanding and enforcing their rights under the Renters Rights Act, potentially leading to increased challenges against landlords.

AI Average annual rental yields across England and Wales rose to 7.9% in Q3 2026, up from 7.5% in Q3 2025, according to Fleet Mortgages' Buy-to-Let Rental Barometer. Most regions saw increases, with Yorkshire & Humberside reaching 9.3%. Greater London recorded the lowest yield at 6.4%, but maintained the highest average monthly rent at £2,597, an increase of nearly 10% since Q2. The report also indicated a trend towards professionalisation, with the average number of investment properties owned by Fleet borrowers increasing from 12 in Q3 2025 to 18 in Q3 2026. For landlords: Greater London continued to be the lowest-yielding region at 6.4%, but had the highest average monthly rent at £2,597, which increased by nearly 10% since Q2.

AI The Cushman & Wakefield 2026 UK Student Accommodation Report indicates a growing divergence in the UK student accommodation sector. While total UCAS acceptances rose 1.1% to 518,300 in 2026, and UK 18-year-old entrants increased to 294,350, growth is concentrated in specific university markets. International student demand, with sponsored study visas down 22% to 231,600 between January and August 2026 compared to 2025, is also becoming more focused. National private sector rental growth for students slowed to 0.52% for the 2026/27 academic year, with declines in cities like Brighton (-6.7%) and Glasgow (-6.1%), but positive growth in locations including London and Bristol. Affordability has improved for many students, and in nine UK markets, university-managed accommodation now costs more than private sector equivalents. For landlords: London saw almost 60,000 additional international students between 2019/20 and 2024/25, and continued positive rental growth in the 2026/27 academic year.

AI The Cambridge Building Society, in partnership with lettings agency Cheffins, has opened applications for its "Rent to Home" initiative, allowing renters to reclaim up to 70% of their paid rent as a deposit for a first home. This scheme, launched in 2019, is currently inviting applications for a property in Longstanton, following previous successful placements in Great Shelford and Northstowe. Ten tenants have already purchased homes, reclaiming £169,290, with a further nine projected to benefit from over £201,000 in returned rent. The initiative targets first-time buyers in the Cambridge area who struggle to save for a deposit while renting.

It's not the same for everyone . . .

AI East Anglia lettings agent Victoria Steele, 51, received a 12-month suspended sentence for 19 fraud offences. Operating E-HOMES Ltd (formerly Prestige Property Ltd) in Swaffham from 2004 to 2019, Steele defrauded 20 tenants and landlords of a total of £48,858.10. She was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. Police have initiated Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings, with a confiscation hearing set for February 2027, to seek compensation for the victims.

AI Lomond has acquired Bristol-based rentals and property management firm, The Letting Game, adding approximately 800 properties to its portfolio. The Letting Game, established over 17 years ago, manages properties across Bristol and is known for its service quality and focus on referrals rather than a high street presence. This acquisition increases Lomond's total managed properties to around 73,000, with over 2,600 employees and 150+ branches following more than 70 acquisitions. The Letting Game is preparing to open a new flagship office in Redland.

AI Research from August indicates that many high-earning landlords are unaware of their obligations under Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax, which became mandatory for those with income of £50,000 or more in April 2026. Only 48% of these landlords believe they are currently using MTD, with 44% thinking they start later or are below the thresholds. For landlords due to join in April 2027 (income £30,000-£49,999), only 28% knew their correct start date. The study also found that 75% of landlords expect MTD to add at least four hours of work quarterly. For landlords: Many landlords are not aware of their MTD obligations and the associated start dates.

AI Amy Bibiris has been appointed as the new executive director of ESTAS, effective just before their awards event in London this Friday. Bibiris previously served as commercial director at Smart Compliance and began her career in estate agency, becoming Romans' first female branch manager in 2004. Her appointment is seen as a move to leverage her extensive industry experience and commitment to recognising service excellence within the property sector. ESTAS founder Simon Brown highlighted her deep understanding of the industry and long-standing support for the organisation.

AI Two founding members of the Ethical Agent Network (EAN), Nick Cheshire and Dan Kirby, have acquired a majority stake in the organisation. The EAN, launched in March 2024, aims to unite independent estate and letting agencies committed to high standards, requiring members to have at least 50 Google reviews averaging 4.5 stars and support local community projects. Cheshire and Kirby, who also run Nest in Essex, will now manage the EAN's daily operations and development, while founder Jerry Lyons will continue as head of PR. This change follows their increased involvement in developing the network over the past six months.

Turn the kitchen into a walk-in shoe closet? Little is off-limits if you can afford £150,000 a month to rent a home

Here’s what happened when Charlotte Lytton outsourced her redecoration to an algorithm

AI The government forecasts a significant expansion of the private rental sector in England, projecting an increase of approximately 500,000 households by 2035. According to an impact assessment for Awaab’s Law, there are currently 4,827,000 privately renting households in England in 2026. This number is expected to exceed five million by 2029 and reach an estimated 5,378,000 by 2035, growing at roughly 1.2% annually. The government acknowledges uncertainty in these figures, particularly regarding landlord numbers, which were last comprehensively recorded in 2019-20 at 2.3 million. This growth affects all private landlords and tenants in England. For landlords: The projected growth in the private rental sector indicates a continuing demand for rental properties in England.

AI The government has launched a 64-question consultation regarding the potential application of Awaab's Law to the private rental sector. This consultation, which closes in mid-December, seeks views on extending the law beyond private tenancies to include accommodation occupied under licence, such as supported housing, temporary accommodation for homeless households, and care leaver accommodation. The government is currently undecided on several key issues, with responses to be analysed and next steps published "in due course." For landlords: The government is consulting on applying Awaab's Law to private rental sector tenancies and certain licensed accommodations.

AI Stoke-on-Trent City Council is implementing a city-wide Article 4 Direction this month, removing permitted development rights for converting family homes into small Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). This means future conversions will require planning permission, allowing the council to assess their impact on local areas. The decision, following an August resolution to enhance HMO regulation, aims to improve housing standards and ensure balanced communities. This measure is supported by national planning policy changes that recognise Article 4 Directions for managing HMO concentrations.

AI Cardiff Council is considering renewing its Additional HMO Licensing Scheme in the Plasnewydd area for another five years, with a two-month consultation proposed. The scheme, active since 2014, licenses smaller HMOs not covered by national rules to improve standards and safety. Since 2021, 878 properties have been licensed, with 84% needing improvements. The council reports a 39% reduction in serious housing hazards and a 76% reduction in fire safety issues. Plasnewydd has over 5,300 registered rental properties, and approximately 75% of its HMOs are not subject to mandatory licensing.

AI A landlord in Chester-le-Street, Durham, has been ordered to pay £28,500 after a vulnerable family, including a newborn and a disabled child, lived in a property with severe damp, mould, no heating or hot water, and electrical issues. Kristoffer Jon Dalziel failed to carry out agreed repairs between January and April 2026, despite council inspections revealing multiple hazards and a Section 11 and 12 Housing Act 2004 Improvement Notice being issued. He was fined £7,000 for each of three properties lacking selective licences and £5,000 for breaching the improvement notice, plus costs and a victim surcharge.

AI An estate agency in north London, Location Location Estate Agents on Stoke Newington Church Street, installed a Halloween display featuring a UFO and two green aliens named Gina and Clive. The display, created by managing director Vicky Bibiris and her brother Panni Bibiris, appeared over the weekend of October 12, 2026, and has become a neighbourhood tradition for over a decade. Panni Bibiris sustained an injury during its construction, requiring surgery for a reattached finger. The window will also participate in the Trick or Eat initiative, collecting food donations for Hackney Foodbank.

AI The government has launched a consultation regarding the implementation of Awaab’s Law within the private rental sector, with many key details still under consideration. The consultation, which closes in mid-December, seeks views on extending the law beyond private rented sector tenancies to include accommodation occupied under licence, such as supported housing, temporary accommodation for homeless households, and care leaver accommodation. Following the consultation, responses will be analysed, and the government's next steps will be published. For landlords: The government is consulting on extending Awaab's Law to the private rental sector, potentially impacting landlords' obligations regarding property standards and maintenance.

AI Propertymark's latest market snapshot for September indicates that rents decreased month-on-month in nine of the 11 UK regions. Scotland experienced the largest drop at 3.4%, followed by the North West at 2.5%, and London and the South West both at 2.1%. Despite these monthly falls, annual salary requirements for renting increased in several regions, with Scotland seeing a 3.4% rise to £34,020. The representative salary needed to rent in London remains the highest at £72,450. This data suggests a gradual easing of rental pressure in some areas, but overall affordability for renters remains a concern due to higher annual salary requirements. For landlords: Rents in London decreased by 2.1% between August and September.

AI An event for letting agents and landlords, Rent Smart Devon, will be held at Exeter Racecourse on Tuesday, November 3. Organised by Exeter council, the free event will feature property specialists, support organisations, and expert speakers. Attendees can meet exhibitors and receive practical support, with experts available to answer questions about the Renters Rights Act. Doors open at 2pm for networking, followed by presentations from 3pm.

AI Safeagent supports extending Awaab’s Law to the private rental sector, aiming to protect tenants from landlords providing sub-standard housing. However, the organisation stresses that effective enforcement is crucial for any new legislation to be impactful, citing past examples where regulations lacked proper backing. The government's ongoing consultation, which concludes in mid-December, is exploring how to apply the law to private tenancies and also considers extending it to licensed accommodations such as supported housing, temporary accommodation for homeless households, and care leaver accommodation. The government will publish its next steps after analysing the consultation responses.

AI Tenancy deposit scheme mydeposits and homelessness charity Centrepoint received a Gold Corporate Engagement Award for their partnership, which has raised over £500,000. The initiative, launched in May 2024, allows tenants to donate interest earned on their deposits to Centrepoint. By March 2026, over 40,000 tenants had contributed £509,690. Additional fundraising activities by mydeposits employees generated a further £33,700 for the charity.

Information - Tom Entwistle - Under the new rules on damp and mould, it’s vital you have the records to back up your story

AI The UK property market is experiencing mixed signals, with overall sales on target for 1.2 million homes this year, exceeding some recent years, particularly in the prime market (properties above £500,000). However, some sellers are making substantial price cuts to secure buyers. Economic pressures, including diesel prices exceeding £2 per litre due to Russian and Middle Eastern supply issues, are driving inflation, which rose to 3.1% in August and is projected by the Bank of England to reach 4% next year. Markets anticipate an interest rate rise in November, likely from 3.75% to 4%, potentially impacting buyer confidence and leading to increased discounts from sellers.

Simon Whale explains why the ability to connect your existing PropTech stack should be high on the list when choosing a new property CRM.

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook says the Government is moving to extend Awaab’s Law to private landlords. The post Awaab’s Law set to be extended to private landlords appeared first on The Negotiator .

Financial expert Ian Dyall warns of unintended consequences of Tory calls for Inheritance Tax exemptions for family homes.

Nelly Berova looks at how to reach customers via AI - and what you need to do to get your estate agency cited. The post BLOG: What the main AI platforms mean for estate agency marketing appeared first on The Negotiator .

Mortgage experts warn there are still buyers who can’t afford larger deposits outside of the scheme. The post Your First Home won’t close Bank of Mum and Dad appeared first on The Negotiator .

Jennie Daly of Taylor Wimpey warns that viability of building new properties in the Capital has "evaporated". The post Major housebuilder pulls out of London new homes market appeared first on The Negotiator .

Totals for home loans from the Bank of England reveal a drop in availability and demand in three months. The post Lenders report mortgage numbers down, with only slight upturn ahead appeared first on The Negotiator .

AI Lomond, a rapidly expanding estate agency, has acquired City Residential, further strengthening its presence in Liverpool. This follows Lomond's initial entry into the Liverpool market through the acquisition of Homesure. City Residential, founded by Alan Bevan in 2001, specialises in residential sales and lettings within Liverpool city centre, while Homesure covers the wider Liverpool area. The acquisition, announced on 9 October 2026, sees Homesure taking responsibility for City Residential's portfolio as Lomond continues its expansion plans.

AI Webbers Estate Agents, operating across Devon, North Cornwall, and Somerset, has alerted clients to a potential data breach involving a third-party service provider. The incident, which did not affect Webbers' own systems, may have compromised personal information including names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses. The agency, which includes Fine & Country branded offices, notified customers this week and has informed the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The extent of the breach and the identity of the third-party provider are currently under investigation, though no financial information or passwords are believed to be affected.

AI An estate agency managing director, Sarah Douglas, faces a legal bill exceeding £200,000 after losing a boundary dispute with her neighbour, Ronald Channon, in Torquay, Devon. The dispute, which began in 2018 over a garden hedge and later a fence, centred on the precise location of the boundary between their properties. Plymouth County Court ruled in favour of Channon, finding his fence was on his land, and ordered Douglas to pay 70% of Channon's legal costs, estimated at over £300,000. Douglas's subsequent appeal to the High Court was dismissed, upholding the original ruling and costs order.

AI The UK property market saw 34.8k new listings and 23.6k homes sold subject to contract this week, with 26.8k price reductions on 764k homes for sale. In September 2026, 54.3% of homes listed exchanged and completed, while 45.7% withdrew unsold. The average asking price of listings was £453k, compared to £363k for sales agreed, a 24.5% difference. The average UK rent in September 2026 was £1,777 pcm, a slight decrease from £1,791 pcm in September 2025, with 299k rental properties available. For landlords: The average UK rent decreased slightly year-on-year in September 2026, and the supply of rental properties increased.

AI On 9 October 2026, The Property Ombudsman (TPO) expelled three property businesses for failing to pay compensation awards ranging from £100 to £800 following consumer complaints. The expelled firms are Musgrove & Co (North Walsham), Tothill Residential Surveying Ltd (Mundon), and Coles Property Management (Blackpool). Musgrove & Co and Coles Property Management, both operating in the residential rental sector, failed to pay awards of £300 and £100 respectively, stemming from landlord complaints. Tothill Residential Surveying Ltd, a surveying firm, failed to pay an £800 award to a buyer. TPO's independent Finance, Performance and Compliance Committee reviewed these cases before agreeing to the expulsions. For landlords: Two of the expelled firms were residential letting agents who failed to pay compensation awards to landlords.

AI The government has launched a consultation on October 9, 2026, to extend Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector (PRS) in England, introducing legally enforceable deadlines for repairs. This follows the 2020 death of Awaab Ishak due to severe damp and mould in his social housing. The new rules will require private landlords and agents to investigate and address serious hazards within prescribed timescales, similar to those in the social sector, which include making immediately dangerous problems safe within 24 hours and starting urgent safety work within five working days of an investigation. The consultation seeks views from various stakeholders to determine the exact framework for the PRS. For landlords: This legislation will impose new mandatory deadlines for addressing serious housing hazards in privately rented homes in England.

AI Taylor Wimpey will cease new developments in London after completing current projects, citing that the economic viability for housebuilding in the capital has "fundamentally broken." This decision, announced by CEO Jennie Daly on 9 October 2026, contributes to concerns about London's housing targets, which require 88,000 new homes annually. Residential development consultancy Molior reported only 2,876 new homes started construction in Q2 2026. Developers face challenges including weak buyer demand, high construction costs, increased mortgage rates, stamp duty, and specific regulations like the second staircase rule for buildings over 18 metres. For landlords: Reduced new housing supply in London may impact the availability and cost of rental properties.

AI Knight Frank has attracted over 170 enquiries for its self-employed affiliate broker network, announcing two new appointments to the model on 1 October. Jack McGovern will cover Blackheath and Greenwich, working with the Canary Wharf office, while Caesar Matthias will cover Shepherd’s Bush, Brook Green, and Barons Court, collaborating with the Chiswick, Notting Hill, Kensington, and Fulham offices. This model allows self-employed brokers to operate independently, earning commission and referral fees, with Knight Frank providing operational and regulatory support. The firm is expanding this network into 36 markets, including several London and commuter areas. For landlords: This indicates an expansion of Knight Frank's residential agency presence in specific London areas.

AI Stoke-on-Trent City Council has approved a city-wide Article 4 Direction, effective from October 23, to control the growth of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). This removes permitted development rights for converting family homes into small HMOs, requiring planning permission for such changes. The new rules, following an independent review, aim to prevent HMO clusters by disallowing new HMOs if they would exceed 5% of residential properties within a 50-metre radius. Ward-specific caps on total HMOs will also be introduced, ranging from 1.5% to 4% depending on existing numbers, and side-by-side HMOs will be prohibited. The council will now consult on the Direction.

AI Tenancy deposit scheme mydeposits and youth homelessness charity Centrepoint won a national award at the Corporate Engagement Awards 2026 in London on 7 October. They received gold for 'Best CSR Activity or Programme to Support or Develop a Corporate Reputation'. The award recognised an initiative launched in May 2024, allowing tenants to donate deposit interest to Centrepoint. By March 2026, over 40,000 tenants had participated, raising £509,690 for Centrepoint, exceeding projections by 21%. Staff also raised an additional £33,700 through other activities.

AI Kristoffer Jon Dalziel, director of Dalziel Ventures Ltd, was fined £26,000 at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court for leaving a family in a Durham property without heating or hot water for months. Durham County Council intervened after a December 2025 inspection revealed damp, mould, and other hazards at the Annfield Plain property. Despite an improvement notice issued in February 2026, repairs were not completed by the March deadline. Dalziel also failed to obtain selective licences for this property and two others in Stanley, incurring a £7,000 fine for each, plus £5,000 for the improvement notice breach, £500 in costs, and a £2,000 victim surcharge.

AI The government has launched a consultation on extending Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector, potentially increasing protected households from 4 million to 9 million. This law, initially for the social sector in October 2025, mandates strict repair timetables for issues like damp and mould, with further hazards like electrical problems included from 30 November. Landlord groups, including the NRLA and Propertymark, emphasise the need for practical, enforceable rules and proper enforcement, not just new regulations. The consultation also considers covering temporary accommodation and supported housing. For landlords: The proposed extension of Awaab's Law will introduce strict timetables for investigating and rectifying serious hazards in private rented homes.

With its focus on art, culture, food and great design, it is almost surprising this hotel didn’t already exist

AI Sir Charles Dunstone's Freston Ventures has committed to financially support online agent Purplebricks until at least October 2027, despite the company's significant financial losses. Purplebricks' annual report for the 12 months to March 2025 revealed pre-tax losses of £32.7 million, with net current liabilities increasing to £55.8 million from £22.8 million a year prior. The business also owes its parent company, Strike Limited, approximately £48.1 million. This continued backing is partly attributed to the return of Purplebricks' founders, Michael and Kenny Bruce, and CFO Neil Cartwright, who previously scaled the company to a £1 billion valuation.

AI The UK housing market lost momentum in September, with buyer enquiries weakening for the first time since March, according to RICS. Agreed sales also fell, and expectations for the coming months deteriorated. Moneyfacts reported that higher fixed mortgage rates have added almost £2,000 annually to repayments on a typical £250,000 mortgage, based on a 6.00% average five-year fixed rate compared to 4.91% at the start of 2026. Lloyds found UK house prices were unchanged in September, averaging £298,441. While most English regions saw negative price balances, London was notably weaker than the national average. For landlords: The lettings market saw increased tenant demand, with a balance of +23%, and landlord instructions remained negative, indicating continued pressure on rental supply.

AI The government's proposed reforms to Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs) are facing scrutiny over funding for repairs. Under the new plans, councils could intervene after a property has been empty for six months, a reduction from the current two-year threshold, allowing them to manage and rent out qualifying properties. Elliot Castle, CEO of We Buy Any Home, supports the aim of returning the estimated 300,000 empty homes to use but questions how local authorities, which he claims are underfunded, will pay for the substantial refurbishment he estimates over 150,000 of these properties require. He suggests this initiative may be a "PR stunt" and advocates for financial grants instead of increased council powers in some circumstances, such as properties in probate.

AI Since the Renters’ Rights Act came into force on May 1, landlords in England are increasingly exploring company lets as a way to bypass some new restrictions. These arrangements, where a company rather than an individual is the tenant, can technically retain fixed-term tenancies and avoid the assured periodic tenancy regime, as a limited company cannot satisfy the conditions for an assured tenancy under Section 1 of the Housing Act 1988. However, the article highlights significant risks, particularly with the "head-lease" or "rent-to-rent" model, where a guaranteed-rent operator sublets to individuals. For landlords: If the operating company goes bankrupt, the property owner can become the direct landlord of the sub-tenants, who may hold assured periodic tenancies under the Renters’ Rights Act, making eviction difficult and potentially exposing the owner to liabilities like HMO licensing breaches or rent repayment orders.

AI Conservative plans to cut property taxes were announced by Kemi Badenoch on 8 October 2026, including exempting family homes from Inheritance Tax (IHT) and abolishing Stamp Duty on primary homes. A future Conservative government would legislate so no IHT is paid on family homes, and couples could leave an additional £1m tax-free. Propertymark and Glentree International welcomed the proposals, which the Conservatives estimate would cost £6bn annually. The reforms aim to halve the number of families paying IHT and cut new-build home costs by up to £50,000 by replacing Section 106 agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy.

AI Chestertons has promoted Jordana Miles to Head of Short Lets, nearly a year after she joined the agency in October 2025. Miles, who previously spent over five years at Draker Lettings, will lead the team across Chestertons' 35 London branches, focusing on properties typically let for two-and-a-half to three months. Her role involves identifying suitable properties for short-term tenancies and generating income for owners awaiting a sale. Savills also appointed Adam De Acetis as a Director in its Property Management division to expand its services for private clients, including property companies and high-net-worth individuals. Macclesfield-based developer Views made three senior appointments: Rob Haynes as Head of Acquisitions, Andrew Turnbull as Delivery Director, and Simon Newby as Senior Contracts Manager, to support its expanding investment and housebuilding operations, with over 240 homes in its pipeline by 2027. For landlords: Chestertons' promotion of Jordana Miles indicates a continued focus on short-let options for properties in London.

Is it wise to optimise an estate agency around the cheapest lead?

AI Moveli, an estate agency, launched a new AI-powered marketing appraisal and proposal tool on 8 October 2026. This in-house system, part of Moveli OS, allows its 100 UK agents to create personalised, mobile-optimised web proposals for property valuations, including comparables and market data, and tracks seller engagement. This development occurs amidst broader AI investment in the sector, with The Property Franchise Group (TPFG) acquiring a 25% stake in conversational AI platform Enteka Ai for £900,000, which is already used in over 210 TPFG offices including Belvoir and Martin & Co.