It’s important to have your finger on the pulse of the property industry, keeping you at the top of your game and helping you to deliver an exceptional service for your clients.
We’ve pulled together the key dates for 2018 that will keep you and your clients in the know throughout the year.
May
2nd May, Industry event: FUTURE: PropTech 2018
This is one of Europe’s largest property technology events with over 100 speakers from across the real estate industry. PropTech focuses on digital transformation in real estate covering topics from P2P to sales progression and artificial intelligence. Expect an inspiring day full of innovative talks, learning labs, and networking events.
25th May, New European GDPR laws come into effect
Europe’s new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will come into effect on 25th May, changing the way businesses and public sector organisations handle their customers’ information. The new regulations aim to improve the way companies store and protect data, whilst giving individuals better access to data stored about themselves.
This means that any company holding personal data, like mortgage brokers or estate agents, will be more accountable for the way they store and handle their clients’ data. This can include precautions like data protection policies and data protection impact assessments. A word of warning: the new GDPR law means that regulators can now fine any businesses that don’t comply with these standards. Smaller offenses could result in fines of up to €10 million or two percent of a firm’s global turnover (whichever is greater) and more serious consequences can have fines of up to €20 million or four percent of global turnover.
Find out how your business can prepare for the GDPR laws here.
SUMMER
June
26th- 29th June, Industry event: CHI Housing 2018
The Chartered Institute of Housing presents Europe’s largest and most inclusive housing festival. With over 200 speakers, 300 suppliers and 11,000 attendees, this is an excellent opportunity to network and learn from key influencers in the housing industry. This event will provide valuable insight into the year ahead as MP, Sajid Javid has now been confirmed as keynote speaker.
Date TBC, Industry event: Property Marketing Awards
Celebrate the year’s most effective, innovative and creative marketing campaigns around the UK property industry at The Property Marketing Awards in June. The PMAs are a great opportunity to learn about changing trends in the sector and to network with colleagues and competitors.
AUTUMN
October
1st October, Brexit deadline
Michel Barnier, European Chief Negotiator for the UK in Brexit negotiations, has set a deadline for 1st October when the UK must have their finalised withdrawal agreement ready for ratification. This will play a significant role in the attitudes of homeowners/buyers towards the stability of the UK property market.
Help To Save Government scheme rollout
First announced in the March 2016 Budget, the Government’s Help to Save is aimed at supporting first-time buyers on a low income.
Help to Save is open to anyone who receives Working Tax Credits or Universal Credit, with a household income of at least £542.88 in their last monthly assessment period. Qualifying customers can save up to £50 a month with the ISA, and at the end of two years, they will get a bonus of 50% of their balance – so at the end of two years that could be £600. Customers can then cash in their ISA or continue to save for another two years to receive their next bonus.
The Government will be trailing the schemes in early 2018 and if it is successful, it is expected to roll out across the UK and become available to all households claiming Universal Credit or Working Tax Credits in October.
November
Autumn Budget
The Autumn Budget sets out the Government’s spending plans for the year and is a major event for anyone in the property market. For example, last year’s Autumn Budget announced plans to invest a further £15.3 billion into building new homes across the UK, as well as the abolition of Stamp Duty tax on homes under £300,000 for first-time buyers.
The official date hasn’t been confirmed yet, but it is worth noting down in your calendar.
Date TBC, Industry event: FT Property Summit
Join industry leaders to debate what opportunities and challenges the UK commercial and residential property sector are facing.This event brings together global investors, occupiers, lenders, and developers to highlight major prospects and key trends that will be shaping the industry in the future.
Keep an eye out for…
Call For Evidence results
Towards the end of 2017, the Government launched a Call for Evidence as it looked into how the home buying and selling process could be improved (you can read our summary here). The Government is currently analysing the responses, releasing the results ‘soon,’ according to the website. The results will have a massive impact on the entire property industry as the Government draws up new legislation to improve the process and takes steps to modernise the legalities around buying and selling.
Ban on letting agency fees
In November 2017, the Government introduced a new draft bill into Parliament with the aim of banning letting fees. This draft bill is aimed at improving affordability and transparency in the private rental marketing, by putting an end to costly upfront payments.
The bill will cap holding deposits at no more than one week’s rent and security deposits at no more than 6 weeks’ rent. Any breach of the ban by a letting agent could be penalised with a fine from £5,000 up to £30,000.
At the moment there is no fixed date for this arriving, but the Government has stated that it should come into law by Spring 2019.
We’ll be updating this calendar throughout the year, so keep checking back to stay ahead. Follow us on Twitter at @WhenYouMove for key updates and industry news that will help keep you and your clients in the know for 2018.