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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.

AI A recent industry poll by Countrywide Surveying Services (CSS) found that 77% of property professionals believe proposed homebuying reforms will bring positive change. The poll, conducted during a webinar on upfront property information, surveyed over 300 professionals including surveyors and mortgage brokers. Of those, 18% were "very confident" and 59% "somewhat confident" about the reforms' impact, while 21% were not very confident and 2% believed changes would not occur. The discussion focused on providing information earlier in transactions to reduce delays and improve certainty.

AI Mannleys Group, a Shropshire-based estate agency formed in April through the merger of Mannleys and Samuel Wood, has announced a new sponsorship agreement with League Two football club Shrewsbury Town. The deal involves Mannleys Group sponsoring the Arthur Rowley Suite at the club's Croud Meadow stadium, a venue used for conferences, events, and match-day hospitality. As part of the agreement, the agency will receive VIP tickets for all Shrewsbury Town home games, which it intends to distribute to clients selling properties and to landlords. The combined agency operates offices in Wellington, Shrewsbury, Ludlow, and Craven Arms.

Enteka Ai will be TPFG's preferred AI platform and help boost franchise profitability, says TPFG boss Gareth Samples. The post TPFG takes major stake in agency AI platform appeared first on The Negotiator .

New data from LightWork AI highlights the pressure on estate and letting agents to remain available beyond the 9am-5pm working day.

Buyer demand has turned more negative for the first time since March, warns RICS’s Tarrant Parsons. The post Subdued property market set to continue, RICS warns appeared first on The Negotiator .

"The next Conservative Government will legislate so nobody will ever pay Inheritance Tax on their family home," says Kemi Badenoch.

Agents and vendors are facing struggles when it comes to selling flats across the country, says e.surv's Rob Owens.

Matthew Cumber, of Countrywide Surveying Services, says there is "broad acceptance that the homebuying process can work better". The post Upfront property information backed by agents – but will it work?

The housing market remained subdued during September amid higher mortgage costs, global tensions and Budget uncertainty.

AI Dwelly has significantly expanded its lettings portfolio in 2026, completing 10 acquisitions to reach over 15,000 properties under management. The latest acquisition was London-based Paramount Properties, adding 1,100 fully managed properties. Dwelly also secured $170 million (£129 million) in new funding from investors like EQT Growth and General Catalyst to support further acquisitions and AI investment. The company believes increasing regulation, such as the Renters’ Rights Act, will drive demand for professional property management services as landlords seek assistance with compliance. For landlords: Dwelly's acquisition of Paramount Properties means 1,100 fully managed properties in London are now under Dwelly's management.

AI The UK Government has launched its Anti-Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Strategy 2026–2029, backed by £550 million, to combat economic crime. The strategy aims to strengthen supervision and intelligence sharing, with a focus on high-risk activities. A key commitment is a planned consultation in 2026/27 on the scope of AML regulation for letting agents, who are currently regulated for transactions with monthly rents of £10,000 or more. This could lead to secondary legislation in 2027/28 and implementation in 2028/29. The strategy also highlights a case involving high-value London property where AML checks aided an investigation. For landlords: The government will consult on changing the scope of AML regulation for letting agents, which currently applies to transactions with monthly rents of £10,000 or more.

AI Northern LGPS and LPPI have launched Four Corners, an in-house property management company, to oversee their joint residential portfolio of 5,478 rental homes across England, Scotland, and Wales. The joint venture plans to invest £1 billion over the next decade to expand its portfolio by over 15,000 homes, aiming for a total of 20,000. This move reflects a trend towards large-scale institutional ownership, with Savills reporting over £900 million invested in build-to-rent in Q3, bringing year-to-date volumes to £4.2 billion. Four Corners aims to raise standards and improve the renter experience, encouraging personalisation and offering flexible pet policies. Border to Coast also recently acquired an £400 million portfolio of 866 single-family homes in the South East.

AI The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) September residential survey indicates a continued squeeze on the UK rental market. A net balance of +23% of letting agents reported increased tenant demand, marking the third consecutive month of growth, while landlord instructions remained low. Looking ahead, +37% of agents anticipate rent increases over the next three months, a figure higher than the +27% average for the first half of the year. Agents in Essex, Suffolk, and London note tight supply and affordability ceilings for tenants. For landlords: The imbalance between landlord costs and tenant budgets, alongside increased demand, is expected to drive rent increases.

AI The Property Ombudsman has expelled three property firms for failing to pay compensation to complainants. Musgrove & Co, a letting agent based in North Walsham, was expelled for not paying a £300 award to a landlord regarding a mishandled holding deposit and tenancy agreement errors. Coles Property Management (C.P.M (NW) Ltd) of Blackpool was expelled for failing to pay £100 to a landlord concerning delays in transferring tenant deposits and rent. Tothill Residential Surveying Ltd, based in Mundon, Essex, was expelled for not paying £800 to a homebuyer who did not receive a paid-for survey report. These expulsions highlight the Ombudsman's enforcement of compensation awards.

Three businesses expelled for £1,000 of owed awards as Lesley Horton of The Property Ombudsman warns paying redress is not optional.

An update on work to carefully take down Grenfell Tower, including dust, noise and vibration monitoring reports.

AI A government consultation is open until 18 December 2026 on extending Awaab's Law to private renters in England. This law, already active in social housing since October 2025, sets legal deadlines for landlords to fix dangerous issues like severe damp and mould. The proposed extension aims to protect England's 11 million private renters, potentially increasing the total number of households covered from 4 million to around 9 million. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook stated all renters deserve safe homes and timely complaint responses. For landlords: The consultation will inform how Awaab's Law is implemented in the private rented sector, including the timeline for these new protections.

AI The government plans to extend Awaab’s Law, which sets strict deadlines for landlords to repair serious health and safety issues, to the private rental sector in England. This law, initially introduced for social housing last year to address dangerous damp and mould, will now apply to private landlords. A consultation, closing on December 18, will determine how these protections are implemented for England's 11 million private renters. The Renters Rights Act already allows fines up to £7,000 for serious hazards, but Awaab’s Law will mandate quicker action. For landlords: This extension will introduce new legal deadlines for addressing serious health and safety hazards in private rented homes.

AI Reading Council is hosting a free Landlord Information Evening on Thursday, October 15, in partnership with the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA). The event aims to update landlords on legislative changes, NRLA campaigns, and the future of the private rented sector, with NRLA Public Affairs Officer Joshua Helm-Cowley as a guest speaker. Seminars will cover topics like tax, damp and mould, serving notices, rent increases, and local licensing requirements. The council will also promote its Rent Guarantee Scheme and other support available to landlords in Reading.

AI Several activist groups have voiced support for the government's proposal to extend Awaab's Law to the private rental sector across England. Organisations including Generation Rent, the Renters' Reform Coalition, Crisis, Independent Age, and Become welcome the consultation, advocating for its swift implementation. They highlight concerns about renters living in homes detrimental to health, citing issues like damp, mould, and pests, and the need for landlords to address these promptly. The proposed extension aims to ensure all renters, including those in temporary accommodation and care leavers, have safe and suitable homes. For landlords: The government is consulting on applying Awaab's Law, currently for social housing, to the private rental sector, which would introduce stricter standards for property conditions and repair times.

AI Burnley Council has initiated a six-week public consultation regarding proposals to restrict the conversion of properties into Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs). The council is considering removing permitted development rights in six specific wards, which currently allow a single dwelling to become a small HMO without requiring planning permission. This measure, part of a long-term strategy to manage HMOs in the borough, aims to give the council greater control over their number and location. The consultation concludes on November 6, with a decision expected in spring 2027 and potential implementation by September 2027.

AI Allsop has published its tenth residential auction catalogue for 2026, featuring 286 lots across England, Scotland, and Wales. The online auction, scheduled for October 21 and 22, includes 16 lots guided at £1 million or more. Key opportunities include a mixed-use investment in Bournemouth with 50 letting rooms, and Bywater House in Birmingham, a student investment generating £335,505 per annum from 25 studio flats and other units. Also featured is a freehold block in Ashford, Surrey, comprising ten flats and a Superdrug retail unit, with a total rent of £270,000 per annum.

AI Bradley Hall, a property consultancy, has relocated its Manchester office to larger city-centre premises on King Street. This move, announced on 9 October 2026, follows growth in its valuation business and aims to accommodate further recruitment within its residential and commercial property team. The Manchester team, led by associate director Charlotte Williams, serves Greater Manchester, Cumbria, Lancashire, Cheshire, and Merseyside. Recent appointments include Sienna Baker as a graduate surveyor, Benjamin Riddle as associate director, and Matthew Beswick as a chartered surveyor, with more hires planned. The office primarily focuses on residential and commercial valuations for various clients.

AI The government plans to extend Awaab’s Law, which sets strict deadlines for landlords to repair serious health and safety issues, to the private rental sector in England. Introduced last year for social housing, the law currently mandates fixes for dangerous damp and mould. A consultation, closing on December 18, will determine how these protections are implemented for England's 11 million private renters, including timescales for new requirements. The government notes that approximately one in ten private rented homes has a Category 1 hazard, which already carries fines of up to £7,000 under the Renters Rights Act. For landlords: This extension will introduce new legal deadlines for addressing serious health and safety hazards in private rented properties.

AI Lomond has acquired Liverpool-based letting and estate agent City Residential, founded by Alan Bevan in 2001. This acquisition follows Lomond's earlier purchase of Homesure, another Liverpool firm, which will now manage City Residential's portfolio. The deal increases Lomond's total properties under management to 72,000, with over 2,600 employees and 150+ branches across the UK. Lomond operates in regions including Scotland, Yorkshire, the North West, Midlands, London, Kent, and the South Coast.

AI The Property Ombudsman (TPO) has expelled three letting agencies from its redress scheme for failing to pay compensation awards. Musgrove & Co (Musco Property Limited) of North Walsham, Norfolk, Tothill Residential Surveying Ltd of Mundon, Essex, and Coles Property Management (C.P.M (NW) Limited) of Blackpool were removed. Musgrove & Co failed to pay a £300 award to a landlord, Tothill Residential Surveying Ltd did not pay an £800 award to a buyer, and Coles Property Management failed to pay a £100 award to a landlord. TPO's Chief Ombudsman, Lesley Horton, stated that expulsion is a last resort, with only three businesses reaching this stage this quarter. For landlords: The Property Ombudsman's expulsions demonstrate that the scheme takes action against agents who fail to comply with compensation awards, including those made to landlords.

AI A new property management company, Four Corners, aims to improve the rental experience by encouraging tenants to personalise their homes. The firm allows residents to paint walls, hang artwork, and use removable fixings, citing research that 92% of renters desire such customisation. Four Corners also promotes gardening and a flexible approach to pets, moving away from arbitrary limits. Chief operating officer Peter Kennedy states their model prioritises residents' comfort and ability to make a rental feel like home, going beyond basic rights supported by the Renters Rights Act.

AI Self-employed agency eXp UK will host a three-day global event in summer 2027 at a Park Lane hotel in London. The event, eXpcon, will feature eXp Realty's global chief executive, Leo Pareja, and eXp UK's Country Leader, Adam Day. The programme will cover leadership, innovation, strategy, and community, celebrating the growth of eXp agents, who now number over 1,000 in the UK. The event aims to connect UK agents with international counterparts and showcase the UK business.

AI Research by LetCompliance on HMRC's official list of Making Tax Digital (MTD) software reveals that one-third of the 128 products for landlords' British property income cannot yet file a full tax return. MTD for Income Tax launched on April 6, 2026, for landlords and sole traders with income over £50,000, extending to those earning above £30,000 from April 6, 2027. While 84 products are ready for the tax return, 32 are "in development," and 12 do not include it. The first quarterly deadline was in August, with the next in November, and the full tax return for 2026-2027 is due by January 31, 2028. For landlords: The availability of fully compliant MTD software for the 2026-2027 tax return, due by January 2028, is limited.

AI The London Renters Union has stated that government plans to tackle rogue landlords and build more council homes will take years to have an effect. They argue that while these measures are essential, they will only work at scale and will not address the immediate affordability crisis faced by millions of tenants due to soaring rents and energy bills. The Union is advocating for rent control as a policy that could provide immediate relief and save billions in housing benefit. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government countered that the Renters' Rights Act protects tenants from excessive rent increases and that long-term affordability will be achieved by boosting housing supply with a £39 billion investment in social and affordable housing. For landlords: The London Renters Union is stepping up campaigns for rent control.

AI Propertymark has released a new guide for letting agent members on managing tenant pet requests, aiming to reduce disputes and risks. The guide covers rules across the UK, noting that in England, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 grants tenants the right to request a pet, with landlords unable to refuse unreasonably and a 28-day consideration timeframe. It also highlights varying deposit rules across Britain and advises on assessing property suitability, checking lease restrictions, and encouraging tenant-provided references. Propertymark suggests allowing pets can increase property desirability and tenancy length. For landlords: the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 will require consideration of pet requests within 28 days and prohibits unreasonable refusal.

AI The Guild of Property Professionals' regional tour, covering areas including Cornwall, Exeter, Bristol, the South West, and Cardiff, reveals how agents are adapting to a challenging housing market. Key changes include developing new service opportunities beyond sales commission, such as premium marketing and conveyancing referrals. Agents are also increasingly using AI for tasks like property descriptions and workflow automation, and improving operational efficiency to address concerns like transaction times, which can extend to 16-20 weeks. These adjustments aim to meet evolving consumer expectations and manage increased stock and reduced buyer urgency.

AI Jonathan Hawthorne has been appointed Sales Director at Romans, part of LRG, marking his twenty-fifth year with the estate agency. Hawthorne joined Romans in 2001 as a Trainee Sales Advisor, progressing to Manager of the Bracknell office in 2014, and subsequently to various sales director roles. He will now lead the sales operation for Romans, which operates 27 offices primarily in the Thames Valley. This appointment comes as agents navigate changing market conditions.

AI Spain's left-leaning government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has introduced measures to address a housing crisis, including new regulations for holiday lets and a ban on evictions for vulnerable individuals until 2030. These proposals, reported in publications like El Periódico de Catalunya, have faced opposition from right-wing parties, leading Sánchez to call a snap general election. The Confederation of Tenants’ Unions has campaigned on issues like the eviction of an 87-year-old woman. The article suggests Spain's situation could foreshadow potential developments in the UK if a minority Labour government comes to power after the 2029 general election, particularly concerning rent controls or eviction bans, which UK charities like Shelter and groups like Generation Rent have advocated for.

AI The Property Franchise Group (TPFG) has acquired a 25% stake in the conversational AI platform Enteka Ai. TPFG is investing £900,000 for a 15% equity interest, with an additional 10% stake issued upfront, subject to a three-year commercial agreement making Enteka TPFG's preferred AI provider. Enteka's technology, which handles enquiries across various communication channels and manages leads and appointments, is already in use in over 210 TPFG offices, including brands like Belvoir and Martin & Co. This move aims to expand AI use across TPFG's network, affecting its franchisees and their operations.

AI UK house prices remained flat in September, with the average property price at £298,441, according to the Lloyds House Price Index. This followed a 0.3% fall in August and no change compared to September last year, though prices slipped 0.2% quarterly. Higher mortgage rates and economic uncertainty are restraining the market, but buyer interest has improved, with new enquiries reaching their highest level since February. Borrowing costs, with fixed mortgage rates near 6%, are a significant factor, alongside upcoming Budget speculation. For landlords: The flatlining house prices and increased buyer caution, particularly in North London as noted by Jeremy Leaf, indicate a more challenging sales environment for residential properties.

AI Homeflow has introduced an AI live chat tool for estate agents, designed to manage website enquiries 24/7. Launched on 7 October 2026, this assistant answers questions from buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants, even outside office hours. The system uses agency-specific data on branches, services, and property listings to provide relevant responses and capture contact details, viewing requests, and valuation enquiries, which are then recorded in Homeflow’s Lead Manager for agent follow-up. Bradleys Estate Agents is already utilising the technology, with their AI assistant "Brad" handling hundreds of conversations.

AI Jonathan Hawthorne has been promoted to sales director at Romans, part of LRG, after 25 years with the agency, having joined in 2001. He will now lead sales across Romans' 27 offices, primarily in the Thames Valley. Separately, Charles Lloyd, formerly head of Savills Mayfair, has joined UK Forbes Global Properties as a founder partner, bringing nearly 40 years of prime residential market experience. He will serve clients in Prime Central London and the Home Counties. The ESTAS has also appointed Amy Bibiris as executive director ahead of its 23rd annual awards in London on 16 October. For landlords: Charles Lloyd's appointment at UK Forbes Global Properties means a new founder partner is available for buyers and sellers in Prime Central London and the Home Counties.

AI Berkeley Group, a major housebuilder, has urged the Chancellor to cut stamp duty on new homes in its Budget submission dated 7 October 2026. The company proposes capping stamp duty at 1% for first-time buyers and downsizers, and removing the 5% surcharge for investors purchasing new-build rental properties. Berkeley claims these reforms could unlock 60,000 additional homes annually and generate an extra £4.2bn for the Treasury, despite a 56% fall in private home sales in London last year compared to 2022, with only 8,840 sold. The developer estimates removing the investor surcharge could save a typical investor £13,000 and increase sales by at least 30%. For landlords: The proposed removal of the 5% stamp duty surcharge on new-build rental homes would reduce acquisition costs for investors.