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Remortgaging in 2026: What to Know Before You Switch

Remortgaging means switching your existing mortgage to a new deal - either a new product with your current lender (often called a "product transfer") or by moving to a different lender. Most people remortgage when their fixed or introductory rate is ending, to avoid slipping onto their lender's higher standard variable rate (SVR). Done at the right time it can reduce your monthly payments; done at the wrong time, early-repayment charges can wipe out the benefit. This guide covers the basics so you can decide whether it is worth looking into. It is general information, not financial advice. When People Remortgage Your current deal is ending. Fixed and tracker deals usually run for a set period (commonly two to five years). When they end you typically move onto the lender's SVR, which is often higher - so many people line up a new deal a few months before. To get a better rate. If rates have moved in your favour, or your loan-to-value has improved because you have paid the mortgage down or the property has risen in value, you may qualify for a sharper deal. To borrow more. Some people remortgage to release equity - for home improvements, for example. This increases your debt and your monthly cost, so weigh it carefully. To change the mortgage itself. For example switching from interest-only to repayment, changing the term, or moving to a deal that allows overpayments. When Remortgaging May Not Pay Off Remortgaging is not always the right move. Watch out for: Early-repayment charges (ERCs). If you are still inside your current deal period, leaving early often triggers an ERC - sometimes a significant percentage of the outstanding balance. Check your mortgage offer or ask your lender for the exact figure before you do anything. Fees that outweigh the saving. A new deal may carry an arrangement fee, valuation fee or legal costs, though many remortgage deals include free valuation and legal work. Compare the total cost of a deal over its life, not just the headline rate. A small balance or short remaining term. If your mortgage is nearly paid off, the saving from a new rate may be too small to justify the effort and fees. Your circumstances have changed. A change in income, employment or credit history can affect what you qualify for - it is worth checking before you assume a better deal is available. How the Process Works Start early. Many lenders let you secure a new deal several months before your current one ends (commonly up to around six months), so you can switch the moment it finishes without paying an ERC. Check your numbers. Find your outstanding balance, your current rate and end date, your property's approximate value, and any ERC. These determine your loan-to-value and what you could save. Compare deals, or use a broker. You can go direct to a lender or use a mortgage broker who searches the market for you. Brokers may be fee-free (paid by the lender) or charge a fee - always confirm upfront. Apply and complete. The new lender assesses affordability and values the property. A straightforward remortgage often completes in a few weeks, with the legal work handled for you. Partner offer (Ad)If your current mortgage deal is coming to an end, remortgaging to a new rate could reduce your monthly payments. Cashback Remortgages pays cashback when you remortgage through them. Whether remortgaging is right for you depends on your circumstances and any early-repayment charges - consider speaking to a qualified mortgage adviser first. Ad - Domovita may earn a commission if you remortgage via this link, at no extra cost to you. This is not financial advice. Where to Get Impartial Help Whether remortgaging is right for you depends on your individual circumstances, so it is worth getting tailored guidance: MoneyHelper - Remortgaging to get the best deal (free and government-backed) MoneyHelper - Should you use a mortgage adviser? A qualified, FCA-regulated mortgage adviser - you can check a firm on the FCA Register Before you switch: get your outstanding balance and any early-repayment charge from your current lender, and compare deals on total cost over the deal period - not just the headline rate. Last reviewed: 26 June 2026. This article is general information only and is not financial advice. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Always check the current guidance on MoneyHelper and consider advice from an FCA-regulated mortgage adviser before making decisions.

4 min read 26 Jun 2026 Read more →
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Client Money Protection for Estate Agents: What You Need to Know

Since April 2019, all letting agents and property managers in England who hold client money have been legally required to belong to a government-approved Client Money Protection (CMP) scheme. This requirement was introduced under the Client Money Protection Schemes for Property Agents (Requirement to Belong to a Scheme etc.) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/386), which came into force on 1 April 2019. These Regulations apply in England only - they reach "English letting agency work". Client money is protected across Great Britain, but by three different mechanisms, so do not assume the English scheme rules describe your duty. Wales: there is no Welsh equivalent of these Regulations. Client money protection is imposed as a condition of a Rent Smart Wales licence under s.22 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014. Scotland: a different mechanism again - the Letting Agent Code of Practice (Scotland) Regulations 2016 require client money protection insurance, rather than membership of an approved scheme. Northern Ireland: we have not identified an equivalent statutory requirement - check the current position before relying on that. What Is Client Money? If you only do sales work, these Regulations are not your duty. They reach letting and property management work. A sales agent's obligations sit elsewhere - the Estate Agents Act 1979, membership of an approved redress scheme, and the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 - and those apply across the UK. Client money is any money you hold or receive on behalf of another person in connection with letting or property management work. This typically includes: Tenancy deposits (before they are placed in a deposit protection scheme) Rent collected on behalf of a landlord Funds held for property maintenance or repairs Any other money you hold in trust for a client Why CMP Is Required CMP protects landlords and tenants if an agent misappropriates their money or if the agency goes into administration. Without CMP, clients have no financial safety net if something goes wrong. The government's overview for agents is on GOV.UK: Protecting clients' money if you're a property agent. Who Must Have CMP? The requirement applies to property agents in England who hold money on behalf of a client in the course of letting or property management work (see GOV.UK: Mandatory client money protection). If you do not hold client money at any point - for example, if tenants pay rent directly to the landlord and deposits go straight to a protection scheme - the position may differ, but you should take advice to confirm whether the requirement applies to you. Sales agents who hold deposits (such as reservation fees or exchange deposits) should consider separately whether protection is needed; the 2019 Regulations are aimed at letting and property management work. Check the current GOV.UK guidance for your situation. Approved CMP Schemes The government lists the approved schemes on GOV.UK. At the time of writing these included Client Money Protect, Money Shield, Propertymark, RICS, Safeagent (previously NALS) and UKALA Client Money Protection. The approved list can change, so always check the current list on GOV.UK before choosing or relying on a scheme. Each scheme sets its own membership fees and requirements. Compare them based on cost, claims process, and any additional benefits. Your Obligations Join an approved scheme before you handle any client money, and make sure your cover is for the maximum amount of client money you may hold Display your CMP certificate prominently in any office where you deal with the public and on your website (a transparency requirement under the Regulations - see GOV.UK) Provide a copy of the certificate, free of charge, to any person who reasonably requests it (including enforcement authorities) Hold client money in a separate designated client account - never mix it with your business funds Keep accurate records of all client money received and paid out Renew your membership in line with your scheme's terms Penalties for Non-Compliance Enforcement sits with local authority Trading Standards. Under the Regulations, a breach of the core requirement to belong to an approved scheme can attract a financial penalty of up to £30,000, and a breach of the transparency requirements (such as failing to display or produce your certificate) can attract a penalty of up to £5,000 (GOV.UK enforcement guidance for local authorities). Penalty levels and enforcement can change - check the current GOV.UK guidance for the position that applies to you. Best Practice Reconcile your client account regularly (at least monthly) Ensure all staff who handle client money understand their responsibilities Have a clear written procedure for handling, recording, and disbursing client money Consider professional indemnity insurance alongside CMP for additional protection Remember that letting agents are also subject to the wider lettings regime, including the ban on most letting fees under the Tenant Fees Act 2019 CMP is a legal requirement for letting agents and property managers in England who hold client money. If you are unsure whether you need CMP, seek legal advice. Details of approved schemes and the current rules are available on the GOV.UK website.

5 min read 1 Mar 2026 Read more →
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The Property Ombudsman Code of Practice: Key Rules Every Agent Should Know

Estate agents doing residential sales work anywhere in the UK, and letting agents in England, must by law belong to a government-approved redress scheme (Wales licenses letting agents through Rent Smart Wales and Scotland registers them separately - check the position where you operate) - either The Property Ombudsman (TPO) or the Property Redress Scheme - and trading without registering can lead to a penalty (gov.uk gives a fine of up to £5,000 for estate agents). See gov.uk: redress schemes for estate agents. If your agency is a member of The Property Ombudsman (TPO), you are bound by its Code of Practice. The code sets out the standards of conduct expected of agents in their dealings with sellers, buyers, landlords, and tenants. Breaching the code can result in complaints, compensation awards, and - in serious cases - removal from the scheme. The exact maximum award the Ombudsman can direct is set by TPO and should be checked against the current figure on the TPO website. This article summarises the key rules that most commonly arise in practice. Transparency and Honesty The code requires agents to act with integrity and to communicate clearly and honestly. This means: Providing clear written terms of business before entering into an agency agreement Disclosing all fees, charges, and commissions - including any referral fees you receive from third-party services such as mortgage brokers, conveyancers, or surveyors Not misleading buyers or tenants about the nature of the property, its features, or its price - omitting material information is itself an unfair commercial practice under the DMCC Act 2024, enforced by the CMA (gov.uk) Passing on all offers to the seller promptly and in writing, unless the seller has given written instructions not to receive offers below a certain level Handling Offers One of the most common areas of complaint is how agents handle offers. The code requires you to: Forward all offers to the seller promptly, accurately, and in writing Not discriminate against buyers who do not wish to use your recommended services (mortgage, solicitor, etc.) Confirm receipt of offers to the buyer Inform all prospective buyers of the existence of other offers (though not the amounts) when applicable Referral Fees and Connected Services Agents must disclose any financial interest in services they recommend. If you receive a referral fee for recommending a conveyancer, mortgage broker, or surveyor, you must tell the client in writing before they agree to use that service. The amount or basis of the referral fee must also be disclosed. This duty sits within the wider material-information regime now enforced by the CMA under the DMCC Act 2024 (gov.uk). Client Money If you hold client money (deposits, rent, etc.), the code requires you to: Hold it in a designated client account, separate from your business funds Have Client Money Protection (CMP) insurance in place Provide clear accounting to clients on request Complaints Handling Every TPO member must have a written in-house complaints procedure. When a complaint is received, you must: Acknowledge it promptly Investigate it thoroughly Provide a final response within the period set by the current TPO Code of Practice (check the timescale on the TPO website, as it may change) Inform the complainant of their right to escalate to TPO if they are not satisfied Common Reasons for Complaints Failure to pass on offers Misleading property descriptions or photographs Hidden fees or undisclosed referral arrangements Poor communication during the sales process Failure to handle deposits correctly Not following agreed marketing instructions Consequences of Breach If TPO upholds a complaint, it can direct you to apologise, take specific remedial action, and pay compensation. Failure to comply with a TPO decision can result in removal from the scheme. Because membership of an approved redress scheme is a legal requirement for residential estate agency work under the Estate Agents Act 1979 and the redress-scheme rules (gov.uk), losing your scheme membership puts your ability to trade at risk - check your obligations against the current gov.uk and scheme guidance. The full TPO Codes of Practice for Residential Estate Agents and for Residential Letting Agents are available on the TPO website. All agents should read the full code applicable to their business, not rely solely on summaries.

4 min read 1 Mar 2026 Read more →
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What Does It Really Cost to Live There?

The asking price on a property listing tells you what the seller wants. It does not tell you what the property actually costs to live in. Council tax, energy bills, water rates, broadband, insurance - these vary enormously by property and location, and most portals do not show them at all. That is a problem. You are making the biggest financial commitment of your life based on incomplete information. The Costs Most Portals Do Not Show You Two houses on the same street can have wildly different running costs. One might sit in council tax band D while its neighbour is in band F - a difference of over a thousand pounds a year. One might have an EPC rating of C with reasonable energy bills, while the other is rated E and costs twice as much to heat. Then there are the costs that do not appear on any listing at all: Flood risk - properties in flood zones face higher insurance premiums, and some insurers will not cover them at all. This is not something you want to discover after you have exchanged contracts Broadband availability - "superfast" broadband is not available everywhere. If you work from home, knowing that the best available speed is 10 Mbps matters Air quality - pollution levels vary significantly even within the same town. If you have children or respiratory conditions, this data is important School catchment - being 200 metres outside a preferred school catchment can affect both your daily routine and the property value None of this is hidden deliberately. It is just not part of the standard portal listing format. Most major portals were built to show properties, not to help you understand what living there actually involves. How Domovita Shows You the Full Picture Every property listing on Domovita includes neighbourhood data that goes well beyond the basics. Here is what you see when you open a listing: Running Cost Estimates Council tax, energy bills, water rates, broadband, and insurance combined into a realistic monthly estimate. This is not a national average - it is calculated using the actual property details, council tax band, and EPC data for that specific home.Ad: Domestic Appliance Guard - UK appliance breakdown cover. Domovita may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Flood Risk Flood data from the Environment Agency (England; Natural Resources Wales and SEPA cover Wales and Scotland) showing whether the property sits in a flood zone, and the risk level. Displayed automatically wherever the data is available for that property - no registration or additional clicks required. Energy Performance Full EPC certificate data pulled from the Government register. Not just the colour-coded A-to-G badge, but the actual estimated annual energy costs, CO2 emissions, and specific improvement recommendations (wall insulation, boiler upgrade, solar panels) with their potential savings.Ad: Home Emergency Assist covers boiler, heating and plumbing breakdowns. Domovita may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Broadband Speeds Actual available speeds from Ofcom data for the property postcode. Not marketing labels like "superfast" - real download and upload figures for standard, superfast, and ultrafast connections where available. Air Quality DEFRA pollution data for the area, showing particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide levels. Useful if you are comparing properties in different parts of a town or city. Schools and Ofsted Ratings Nearby primary and secondary schools with their latest Ofsted ratings and distance from the property. Sorted by proximity so you can see your realistic catchment options at a glance. On-Page Calculators Stamp duty, mortgage repayments, affordability, and rental yield calculators built into every listing and pre-populated with the property price. No need to open a separate tab or find a third-party tool. Where we can source it for a property, this data is shown on the listing, for free. No registration walls, no premium tiers, no "unlock full data" prompts. Where a data source does not cover a property, the card says so rather than showing nothing. Why This Matters A buyer spending three hundred thousand pounds on a property should know whether it floods every few years. They should know if energy costs are double the local average. They should know if the broadband barely reaches 10 Mbps or if the nearest good school is a 40-minute drive. This is not about drowning you in data. It is about giving you the information you need to make a confident decision, right there on the listing page, before you book a viewing. For a deeper look at the financial side, read our guides on hidden costs of buying a home and how much conveyancing costs, and remortgaging your home. See It for Yourself Search properties on Domovita and open any listing. The neighbourhood data is right there - running costs, flood risk, schools, broadband, air quality, and more. Try comparing two properties in different areas and see how the full picture changes your perspective. Want to understand what you can actually afford? Use our free stamp duty calculator or property valuation tool to get started.

5 min read 14 Apr 2026 Read more →
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Renters' Rights Act 2025: What Estate Agents and Landlords Need to Know

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 is the most significant reform to private renting in England for over 30 years, and its main provisions came into force on 1 May 2026. It is now law, not a proposal. (See the government overview: gov.uk - Renters' Rights Act.) For estate agents managing rental properties, the changes are substantial. Here is a summary of the key provisions now in effect and what they mean in practice. This applies to England. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 tenancy reforms reach assured tenancies in England. Wales lets under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, Scotland under the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 and Northern Ireland under the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022. Section 21 and the possession grounds work differently there. Abolition of Section 21 "No-Fault" Evictions The headline change. Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988, which allowed landlords to evict tenants without giving a reason, has been abolished (1 May 2026). All assured shorthold tenancies have converted to Assured Periodic Tenancies, meaning tenants can stay unless the landlord uses one of the grounds for possession under Section 8. What this means for agents: You will need to be far more rigorous about which Section 8 ground applies before pursuing possession, and ensure robust evidence is in place. The days of using Section 21 as a catch-all are over. Revised Grounds for Possession With Section 21 gone, possession is now via Section 8 only, using the new Form 3A (37 grounds - 20 mandatory, 17 discretionary). Key grounds include: Landlord wishes to sell (Ground 1A) - a new mandatory ground; cannot be used in the first 12 months, requires 4 months' notice, with a 12-month re-letting ban afterwards Landlord or family member wishes to move in - available after 12 months Rent arrears (Ground 8) - now requires 3 months' arrears, with 4 weeks' notice Anti-social behaviour - strengthened to make possession easier in serious cases Repeated late payment of rent - a new ground The Private Rented Sector Ombudsman All private landlords will be required to join a new Ombudsman service. This gives tenants a free route to resolve complaints without going to court. Agents managing properties will need to ensure their landlord clients are registered and that complaint-handling procedures are in place. The Private Rented Sector Database (Property Portal) A new national database of private rented properties and landlords will be created. Landlords will be required to register before they can legally let a property. Local authorities will use the database for enforcement. Agents will likely need to verify registration status as part of their onboarding process for new landlord clients. Decent Homes Standard Extended to Private Sector The Decent Homes Standard, which currently applies to social housing, will be extended to the private rented sector. Properties must meet minimum standards for repair, thermal comfort, and modern facilities. Agents should be advising landlord clients now about any works needed to bring properties up to standard. Bidding Wars and Rent in Advance The Act bans landlords and agents from accepting offers above the advertised rent and from requesting more than one month's rent in advance (with limited exceptions). This aims to prevent bidding wars and discrimination against tenants who cannot pay large sums upfront. Tenant Rights to Keep Pets Tenants will have the right to request permission to keep a pet, and landlords must not unreasonably refuse. Landlords may require the tenant to take out pet damage insurance. Blanket "no pets" policies will no longer be enforceable. What Agents Should Do Now Review all template tenancy agreements and notices - Section 21 notices are no longer valid Train staff on the new Section 8 grounds and evidence requirements Audit your landlord client base - identify properties that may not meet the Decent Homes Standard Update your complaints procedure to align with the new Ombudsman requirements Begin discussing the changes with landlord clients, particularly around pet policies and rent-in-advance practices Serve the new Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 on tenants - the old How to Rent guide is withdrawn (existing tenants were to be served by 31 May 2026) Last reviewed: 6 June 2026. This article reflects the Renters' Rights Act 2025 as in force from 1 May 2026. Some provisions (the PRS Ombudsman and Database) are phasing in over 2026-2027 - always check the latest position on gov.uk or seek legal advice before changing your business practices.

4 min read 1 Mar 2026 Read more →
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Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Obligations for Estate Agents

Estate agents in the UK are subject to the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (as amended) (legislation.gov.uk). These regulations mean that every estate agency - regardless of size - must have AML procedures in place, conduct customer due diligence, and report suspicious activity. HMRC supervises estate agency businesses for AML compliance (gov.uk: money laundering supervision for estate agency businesses). HMRC states it is a criminal offence to trade as an estate agency business without being registered, and failing to comply can result in civil penalties and criminal prosecution - check the current gov.uk guidance for the position that applies to you. Who Must Comply? Any business acting as an estate agent in property transactions is covered. This includes sole traders, partnerships, limited companies, and online-only agencies. Estate agency (sales) work is in scope regardless of value. Letting agency work is only in scope where the letting is for a term of a month or more and at a rent equivalent to £10,000 a month or more (MLR 2017 reg 13(4), the figure substituted from 30 June 2026 by SI 2026/621). Most residential letting agents therefore fall outside the regime. For the current scope of who must register, see HMRC's registration guidance for estate agency businesses. Key Obligations 1. Register with HMRC All estate agents must register with HMRC for AML supervision before they begin trading. HMRC states that trading as an estate agency business without being registered is a criminal offence (gov.uk). Check the current registration fees and timescales on gov.uk before you apply, as these can change. 2. Appoint a Nominated Officer You must appoint a Nominated Officer (also called an MLRO - Money Laundering Reporting Officer) within your business. This person is responsible for receiving internal suspicious activity reports and deciding whether to submit a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) to the National Crime Agency (NCA) (NCA: Suspicious Activity Reports). 3. Conduct Customer Due Diligence (CDD) Before you enter into a business relationship or carry out a transaction, you must verify the identity of your clients. For individuals, this typically means: Checking a government-issued photo ID (passport or driving licence) Verifying their address (utility bill, bank statement, or council tax bill - check the current gov.uk guidance for the accepted document age) For companies, you must verify the company's registration, registered office, and the identities of directors and beneficial owners. A beneficial owner is generally an individual who holds more than 25% of the shares, voting rights or interest (gov.uk: understanding risks for estate agency businesses). 4. Enhanced Due Diligence Where there is a higher risk of money laundering - for example, transactions involving politically exposed persons (PEPs), complex ownership structures, or unusually high-value cash transactions - you must apply enhanced due diligence. This means more thorough checks and ongoing monitoring. 5. Keep Records You must retain copies of all identification documents and records of the checks you conducted for at least five years after the business relationship ends (gov.uk). Records must be sufficient to allow an audit trail. 6. Report Suspicious Activity If you know or suspect that a client or transaction involves money laundering or terrorist financing, you must submit a SAR to the NCA. Failing to report when legally obliged is a criminal offence. You must not "tip off" the client that a report has been made (NCA: Suspicious Activity Reports). 7. Staff Training All relevant employees must receive AML training appropriate to their role. Training should be provided at induction and refreshed regularly. Keep records of who was trained and when. 8. Risk Assessment You must carry out a documented risk assessment of your business, identifying the money laundering risks you face and the measures you have in place to mitigate them. This should be reviewed and updated regularly. Common Red Flags A buyer who is reluctant to provide identification Transactions where the buyer has no obvious connection to the area Use of cash or cryptocurrency for large deposits Pressure to complete a transaction unusually quickly Complex or opaque ownership structures involving overseas companies A purchase price significantly above or below market value with no clear explanation Third parties providing funds with no obvious relationship to the buyer Penalties for Non-Compliance HMRC can impose civil penalties for breaches of the regulations and can pursue criminal prosecution in serious cases. The exact penalty amounts and any custodial sentences depend on the breach and are set out in current HMRC guidance - do not rely on a fixed figure here, as these change. See HMRC's money laundering supervision sanctions and appeals guidance for the position that applies. In practice, penalties for smaller agents typically involve fines and compliance notices, but the reputational damage alone can be severe. AML compliance is a legal requirement, not optional best practice. If you are unsure whether your procedures meet the requirements, seek specialist legal advice. HMRC publishes detailed guidance for estate agents on GOV.UK.

5 min read 1 Mar 2026 Read more →
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Why Domovita? What Makes Us Different

If you have ever wondered how much it should cost an agent to list a property online, you are not alone. Domovita was built around a simple commitment: listing is free for agents, forever for years, and the deal has always been the same - pay more, get seen more. Independent agents with smaller budgets get pushed down the page. Domovita was built to work differently. Here is how. Fair Lead Distribution - Not Pay-to-Win On most portals, visibility is bought. The agents who spend the most appear at the top. On Domovita, every agent gets a fair shot at every lead. Our valuation panel uses weighted random rotation. Agents who have received fewer recent leads get higher priority in the next round. The system balances itself over time, so no single firm can dominate an area by outspending everyone else. Featured listing slots are capped per area too. One agent cannot flood the top of every search result. If all slots are taken, the next agent goes on a waitlist rather than being permanently locked out. The difference in one sentence: On traditional portals, the agents who spend the most get the most visibility. On Domovita, every agent gets a fair shot - regardless of budget. Neighbourhood Intelligence You Will Not Find Elsewhere Most property portals show you a price, some photos, and a location pin. That is not enough information to make the biggest financial decision of your life. Where the data is available for the property, a Domovita listing includes: Running cost estimates - council tax, energy bills, water rates, broadband, and insurance shown together as a realistic monthly total Flood risk - data direct from the Environment Agency, displayed automatically with no registration required Air quality - DEFRA data showing pollution levels for the area Broadband speeds - actual available speeds from Ofcom, not just "fast" or "superfast" labels School catchments - nearby schools with Ofsted ratings and distance Full EPC data - actual annual energy costs, CO2 emissions, and improvement recommendations from the Government register - not just the colour-coded badge On-page calculators - stamp duty, mortgage, affordability, and rental yield, pre-populated with the property price The asking price is just the start. We show you what it actually costs to live somewhere. Read more in our guide to hidden costs of buying a home. Transparent by Design Trust is not a slogan - it is how we built every feature. Companies House verification - every estate agent on Domovita is checked against the Companies House register before their listings go live Redress scheme checks - we verify membership of The Property Ombudsman or the Property Redress Scheme, as required by law Response time badges - you can see how quickly an agent typically replies before you contact them No hidden tiers - the same deal for a single-office independent as for a national chain. No negotiation, no surprises Text-First - Not Cold Calls When you enquire about a property on Domovita, you send a message. Not a phone number that gets sold, not a form that triggers a sales call at 8am. Buyers prefer messaging. Agents get a written record with context. Every conversation is stored securely and can be referenced later. No spam, no cold calls, no surprises. Fair Pricing for Agents Agents list free. Forever. That is not a promotional rate or a trial. It is a commitment we made to the agents who believed in us early, and we will honour it permanently. No contracts, no annual increases that arrive without warning, no negotiation behind closed doors. Listing on Domovita is free for agents, with no subscription and no per-listing fee for diminishing returns. Tools That Help Agents Convert - Not Just List A listing on its own is not enough. Agents need to know which leads are worth pursuing, when to follow up, and how their response time compares to competitors. Domovita gives agents: Lead quality scoring - enquiries rated Hot, Warm, or Cold based on buyer behaviour Automated follow-ups - scheduled reminders so leads do not go cold Response time tracking - see your average and improve it Conversion analytics - understand which listings generate the most interest We built these tools because agents told us they needed them. Not because we had a revenue target to hit. Ready to See the Difference? For home buyers and renters: Search properties and see the full picture - running costs, flood risk, schools, broadband, and more on listings where we can source it for the property. Free, no registration required. For estate agents: Register as an agent and list your properties free - forever. BLM, XML, CSV, and API feeds supported. Set up takes minutes if you already export to other portals. Read the getting started guide. Questions? Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or read more about who we are.

5 min read 14 Apr 2026 Read more →
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GDPR for Estate Agents: Handling Buyer and Vendor Data

Estate agents handle significant amounts of personal data - names, addresses, financial information, identification documents, and more. The UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 set out how this data must be collected, processed, stored, and disposed of. Non-compliance can result in enforcement action from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), fines of up to £17.5 million or 4% of global turnover, and serious reputational damage. Are You a Data Controller? Yes. As an estate agent, you determine why and how personal data is processed in connection with property sales and lettings. This makes you a data controller under the UK GDPR. You must register with the ICO and pay the annual data protection fee (the fee rose on 17 February 2025 - it is £52 for most small estate agents and £78 for larger firms; confirm the current figure on the ICO data protection fee page) and comply with all data protection principles. The Seven Data Protection Principles Lawfulness, fairness, and transparency - you must have a lawful basis for processing data and be open about how you use it Purpose limitation - collect data for specified, explicit purposes and do not use it for something incompatible Data minimisation - only collect what you actually need Accuracy - keep data accurate and up to date Storage limitation - do not keep data longer than necessary Integrity and confidentiality - protect data with appropriate security measures Accountability - demonstrate compliance with these principles Lawful Bases for Processing The most relevant lawful bases for estate agents are: Contract - processing data to fulfil your agency agreement with a vendor or landlord Legal obligation - processing required by law, such as AML identity checks Legitimate interests - processing data for your business purposes where this does not override the individual's rights (e.g., sharing property details with genuinely interested buyers) Consent - where no other basis applies, particularly for marketing communications Practical Compliance Steps Privacy Notice Provide a clear privacy notice explaining what data you collect, why, how long you keep it, and who you share it with. This should be given to vendors, buyers, landlords, and tenants at the point you collect their data. Marketing Consent If you want to send property alerts, newsletters, or marketing emails, you need explicit consent under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR). Keep records of when and how consent was given. Provide a simple way to unsubscribe. Data Sharing When you share buyer details with a vendor, or pass information to a conveyancer or mortgage broker, ensure you have a lawful basis. Do not share more data than necessary for the purpose. AML Records AML regulations require you to keep identity documents for five years. This is a legal obligation that overrides the general principle of data minimisation - but only for the specific data required for AML purposes. Do not retain other personal data longer than necessary. Data When a Sale Falls Through If a sale collapses, review what data you still need to retain. Delete buyer data you no longer need for any lawful purpose. Vendor data may need to be kept if the agency agreement is still in effect. Subject Access Requests (SARs) Individuals have the right to request a copy of all personal data you hold about them. You must respond within one calendar month. Have a process in place for handling SARs before one arrives. Security Appropriate security measures include: Encrypting laptops, phones, and portable devices Using strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication on all systems Restricting access to personal data to staff who need it Shredding physical documents containing personal data before disposal Ensuring your CRM and email systems are properly secured Data Breaches If a data breach occurs (e.g., an email sent to the wrong person, a laptop stolen, or a cyber attack), you must assess the risk. If the breach is likely to result in a risk to individuals' rights and freedoms, you must notify the ICO within 72 hours. If the risk is high, you must also notify the affected individuals. GDPR compliance is an ongoing responsibility, not a one-off exercise. The ICO website provides detailed guidance specifically for small businesses. If in doubt, seek specialist advice. Last reviewed: 13 June 2026.

4 min read 1 Mar 2026 Read more →
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Estate Agent Redress Schemes: TPO vs PRS - What You Need to Know

Every estate agent doing sales work anywhere in the UK, and every letting or property management agent in England, must belong to a government-approved redress scheme. The sales requirement has been in place since 1 October 2008 (Estate Agents (Redress Scheme) Order 2008, under s.23A of the Estate Agents Act 1979). The separate lettings and property management requirement dates from 1 October 2014 (Redress Schemes for Lettings Agency Work and Property Management Work (Requirement to Belong to a Scheme etc.) (England) Order 2014). There are currently two approved schemes: The Property Ombudsman (TPO) and the Property Redress Scheme (PRS). Redress duties differ for sales and lettings. The duty on estate agents doing sales work to belong to an approved redress scheme applies across the UK (Estate Agents (Redress Scheme) Order 2008, under an Act that extends to Northern Ireland). The equivalent lettings redress requirement is an England measure; Wales regulates letting agents through Rent Smart Wales and Scotland through its Letting Agent Register and Code of Practice. Check the current position for your nation and type of work. Why Membership Is Required Redress schemes provide consumers with a free, independent alternative to court action when they have a complaint about an estate or letting agent. Sanctions differ between the two regimes. A letting or property management agent in England operating without membership faces a penalty of up to £5,000 from the local authority; a sales agent falls under the Estate Agents Act 1979 warning and prohibition-order regime instead. Check the current position with your local Trading Standards team. The Property Ombudsman (TPO) TPO is the longer-established scheme and has the larger market share. Key features include: Covers sales, lettings, commercial, and auctions Agents must comply with the TPO Code of Practice Can award compensation of up to £25,000 per case Annual membership fees based on the number of offices and whether you handle sales, lettings, or both TPO decisions are binding on the agent but not the consumer - the consumer can still pursue court action if unsatisfied Property Redress Scheme (PRS) PRS is the newer alternative. Key features include: Covers sales, lettings, and property management Agents must comply with the PRS Code of Practice Can award compensation of up to £25,000 per case Generally lower annual fees than TPO, particularly for smaller agencies Offers a simpler, faster complaints process Which Should You Choose? Both schemes fulfil the legal requirement. Practical considerations include: Cost - PRS tends to be cheaper for single-office independent agents. Compare current fee schedules directly, as they are updated annually Reputation - TPO is better known among consumers, which some agents see as adding credibility Code of Practice - both codes cover similar ground but differ in some details. Read both before deciding Existing membership - if you are already a member of a professional body like Propertymark (ARLA/NAEA), check whether your membership includes or discounts one scheme You only need to belong to one scheme, not both. You can switch schemes at renewal if you wish. What Agents Must Do Display your redress scheme membership prominently in your office and on your website Include your membership details in your terms of business Follow the scheme's Code of Practice in all dealings Co-operate fully with any complaints investigation Comply with any awards or directions made against you Membership of a redress scheme is a legal requirement. If you are setting up a new agency, join a scheme before you begin trading. Details of current fees, codes of practice, and application processes are available on the TPO and PRS websites.

3 min read 1 Mar 2026 Read more →

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