Rightmove asks agents to add more details to leasehold listings after complaints

Rightmove emphasizes a pledge to encourage its agents to disclose more information on a listing after the property portal received a number of complaints from leasehold campaigns about a lack of detail on Rightmove listings.

Activists from the National Leasehold Campaign (NLC) wrote to Rightmove to complain that users are unable to search for properties by tenure such as freehold, commonhold or leasehold, and claimed the lack of this information on listings does not comply with the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations.

Under CPR, agents have a duty to divulge anything that might affect a consumer’s transactional decision – which could be simply deciding whether to ask the agent for more information or to request a viewing.

Leaseholds have been in the spotlight because of high service charges and ground rents which can mount up over the years and blight future sales. There are also concerns over restrictions on what can be done with leasehold properties.

The sale of leaseholds, particularly houses, has been called a scandal and the Government has promised to act.

Katie Kendrick, Founder of the NLC, said:

“Rightmove’s advertising description of the property for sale can affect consumers’ transactional decisions and I believe there is not enough information about tenure of each of your properties.”

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