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Disputes between estate agents and their clients have finally started to mirror the property market trend, with a significant fall in the numbers involving property sales during the first quarter of 2009. The Property Ombudsman (formerly the Ombudsman for Estate Agents), Christopher Hamer, says the latest figures show a decrease of 38 per cent in the number of disputes compared to the last quarter of 2008.

Businesses which resort to price fixing or breach competition rules in an attempt to boost profits in the recession are the subject of a new clampdown by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), warns law firm DWF. Partner, Rupert Nevin, says, “We can expect to see targeted enforcement in financial services, construction, retail and consumer markets, in particular those where large groups of individuals suffer large losses as a result of price fixing and monopoly activity.”

The Government is seeking input from stakeholders in the private rented sector following publication of the Rugg Review, an independent review of the private rented sector. Amongst the proposals is a drive towards promoting professionalism in property management, and a national register of landlords. Although primarily focused on the private rented sector and short-term tenancies, the proposals could impact long leaseholders and property managers nationwide. In inviting comments by 7th August 2009, Ian Wr

The government wants  to drop the expected implementation of Right to Enfranchisement (RTE) companies, citing “practical difficulties”. RTE companies were to be implemented following Sections 121-124 of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002. They would have required leaseholders to purchase the freehold of the building containing their flats through an RTE company, with membership being open to all qualifying leaseholders. However, upon further consideration, the Government has now realised that t

Legal & General’s latest ‘Home Sweet Home’ survey shows that 85% of those surveyed stated that their current home was not their dream home and nearly a quarter, 23% did not think they would ever achieve this goal. Ruth Wilkins of Legal and General said, “In the current economic climate it’s not surprising that people are feeling the pinch. While major home improvements have been put on hold, choosing not to do what may be considered more cosmetic home improvements to save some pennies, could actually be e

Speaking at the British Property Federation annual conference in London, RBS boss Stephen Hester has said that bank leaders and politicians stood back and did nothing as Britain went bust. Speaking at the same event, Former Cabinet minister Michael Portfillo warned that Britain has been through a phoney recession and that people should brace themselves for things to get worse.

1. Check out your decoration, carpets and curtains as these things can transform the darkest of rooms and give it a warmer and modern feel. 2. Observe front and rear gardens too, making the most of the season with hanging baskets or just a neat tidy garden. 3. Ensure the property is spotlessly clean. 4. Carry out on-going minor maintenance, such as pipework. 5. Have photographs taken for future marketing campaigns.

A new website enabling people to swap their homes instead of selling them through estate agents is proving popular with innovative developers wanting to stay ahead of the game. EasyHouseExchange.com offers a solution for people who feel trapped in the stagnating property market, by putting them in direct contact with one another and enabling them to literally swap homes – without an estate agent in sight. The website removes the middle-man from the process of moving home by putting owners directly in touc

LETTER Dear Sir,I saw the Watchdog episode and was angry the so called “experts” said there was nothing that could be done about managing agents charging and not carrying out the work. That is rubbish. We have just taken our managing agent to the LVT and hadseveral thousand pounds of costs halted, and some previous monies refunded. We also got all our expenses repaid. The LVT fees were reasonable at only about £140 each.Justin Sneddon,Leaseholder

QUESTION Dear Sir, I am looking for information about my right as a leaseholder to become a director of the commonhold company in charge of my apartment block. (Is commonhold the correct term?) The company was set up by the developer and now the blocks are all sold out; yet I and the other leaseholders have not yet been given the opportunity to become directors. We are having major issues with the management company that was assigned by this commonhold company and wish to have our say.The developer sti

QUESTION Dear Sir, I am thinking of buying the freehold of my house, do I have to pay the service charges and ground rent while I am negotiating with the landlord?Name Witheld ANSWER Yes, unfortunately, until the terms have been agreed and completion has taken place, the current arrangements for service charges and ground rent prevail. Some leaseholders are mistakenly under the impression that acquiring the freehold (or even extending a lease) somehow puts other payments on hold, but it does not. I

QUESTION Dear Sir, If the flats are all privately owned and managed by the company who are also the leaseholders then you are in a fortunate position in that when the same Company hold both positions they can virtually do what they want as regards Service Charges/Estate Managers and other things.Pat Murphy, Lancashire ANSWER The way this question is phrased we understand you to be a leaseholder in a property where the leaseholders in turn own and control their own residents management company. The