It’s no secret that when it comes to winning instructions, competition between estate agencies is fierce.  But when the day-to-day running of your agency alone is so time-intensive, it can be difficult to invest in areas that can help you dominate your market. This is where building out a robust tech stack can help. Whether it’s interacting with clients, handling properties, managing compliance or conducting thorough inspections, there are a number of solutions out there that agents can make the most of.  Imagine a system where electronic signatures are a breeze, and where every cust ..read more

In today's competitive rental market, managing tenancy deposits and minimising disputes is paramount for property professionals and landlords alike. While it’s true that both parties must act with fairness for all their tenants, they also must protect their interests while ensuring transparency. One of the most effective tools for achieving this balance is Inventory Base, a comprehensive solution designed to reduce the likelihood of disputes with a handful of useful features. The rising importance of tenancy deposits Recent data reveals that the average rented property deposit now stands at £1 ..read more

Property reports are an essential part of rental property management in the private rented sector (PRS). They play a pretty significant role in protecting against disputes and potential financial losses for all parties involved – not just landlords, but tenants and letting agents, too. However, despite the majority of tenancies going without a hitch, property reports are still indispensable because they act as a safeguard against potential issues, helping to protect against unknown eventualities that can and do arise from time to time. In this blog, we’ll look at the importance of property rep ..read more

London, 20th May – Inventory Base, the UK’s leading provider of property inventory and reporting software, is thrilled to announce a landmark partnership with Belvoir Group, one of the UK’s largest estate & lettings agency chains and property franchises.  As part of this exciting collaboration, InventoryBase Academy has been appointed as Belvoir’s recommended inventory training provider for over 180 offices nationwide, signifying a huge step forward in enhancing inventory reporting management standards across the property industry. InventoryBase Academy will deliver Continuing Profess ..read more

One less visible yet critically important concern that has emerged from property being left void is the heightened risk of Legionella bacteria in underused water systems, indicating the importance of a legionella risk assessment. According to Public Health England, approximately 300 to 500 cases of Legionnaire’s Disease are reported each year among residents of England and Wales. Of these, approximately 10% of cases are fatal. For that reason alone, a legionella risk assessment is absolutely fundamental to the safety of a property’s visitors and occupants. Legionella, which is responsible for ..read more

In the UK, the home buying and selling process has long been a topic of discussion among industry professionals, the government and the public. Although we’ve seen significant advancements in recent years, there is still much to be done. Despite home buying and selling being one of the most significant financial transactions for individuals and families, the process is often described as outdated, old-fashioned and riddled with inefficiencies – a view shared by property professionals and the public alike. Recognising the pressing need for change, Propertymark, the leading membership body for p ..read more

The Propertymark Trust is the charitable arm of Propertymark, an organisation dedicated to supporting professionals in the property industry. It was initially established to extend a helping hand to its members and their families, so the trust plays quite an important role in building a support network within the property sector. At its heart, the Propertymark Trust wants to ensure that no member of Propertymark faces hardship on their own. This could be a range of challenges – a struggle with illness, financial difficulties, or the pursuit of professional development. To that end, the tr ..read more

The landscape of privately rented accommodation in the UK has evolved significantly since the introduction of the right to rent scheme on 1st December 2014, which mandates landlords and letting agents to verify that their tenants have the legal right to reside in England. As of 13th February 2024, a new version of the right to rent guidance has come into force, offering updated directives on how to carry out these crucial checks. This refreshed guidance is not just a tool to prevent unauthorised renting – it also serves as a shield for landlords and agents, giving them all the information they ..read more

With landlord repossession reaching 5,409 during the fourth quarter of 2022 (The Guardian), almost doubling from the same period in 2021, it seems that tenancy disputes continue to be on the rise. However, many tenants cannot afford to pay for legal advice and have looked to legal aid schemes, including the former Housing Possession Court Duty Schemes (HPCDS), to seek support in such matters during the past few years. However, a new Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service (HLPAS) has since been introduced and this offers a wider range of topics that qualify for tenant advice. This article is a ..read more

As a vital resource for buyers and sellers, a property information form helps both parties progress with the sale of a residential or business property. There are a handful of important property information forms in use today, including BASPI and PIQ, which we covered on our previous blog. In addition to those, the Law Society’s TA6 property information form is another widely used throughout the industry. Using property information forms is strongly recommended by conveyancers and other industry professionals as it helps to establish trust by providing important upfront information, which TA6 ..read more