Lesley Horton, chief ombudsman, The Property Ombudsman, examines whether AI-assisted complaints are empowering consumers or fuelling unnecessary conflict, and what agents can do in...

The Guild of Property Professionals says rising consumer awareness of data rights is putting more pressure on agents handling subject access requests.

Each reference combines identity verification, Open Banking, HMRC income data and fraud screening in one report.

AI-enabled fraud was chosen as the biggest future threat by 29% of respondents, ahead of tenant and payment fraud at 27%.

Letting agent use is rising, with full management up five percentage points to 25% of rental properties in three months.

It is the eighth acquisition in 18 months for the franchise business.

Tenancy referencing that once took hours or days could increasingly be completed in minutes as AI connects information across previously separate systems and processes.

Letting agencies are unbundling management fees to charge separately for compliance work, financial statements and rent increase paperwork created by the Renters' Rights Act.

The proportion of private rented homes managed by letting agents has reached its highest level in at least two years, as landlords prepare for further changes to rental regulation.

Propertymark members report a growing volume of AI-generated tenant complaints, with some citing defunct legislation or unsubstantiated claims, raising questions about disclosure...