Industry News


Zoopla partners with Crisis to support their mission to end homelessness


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eading property portal Zoopla and the homelessness charity Crisis have launched a three-year partnership which aims to


dramatically reduce the numbers of people being made homeless. Zoopla will leverage its unique data, brand


recognition and leading industry position to support Crisis with changing the perceptions of homelessness, and call for meaningful reform when it comes to housing benefits and the shortfall in affordable housing. Over the coming year, the organisations will be working together on a range of initiatives including:


• Campaigning together to increase the public’s understanding of homelessness and of the different ways they can support people experiencing homelessness;


• Carrying out joint research into the challenges of accessing affordable private rented accommodation for those on the lowest incomes; and


• Providing support for Crisis’ Venture Studio, which invests in, builds and scales ventures that aim to end homelessness.


Zoopla employees are aiming to raise £50,000 directly for Crisis this year and will be engaging in volunteering opportunities to support Crisis’ Skylight centres, the annual Crisis at Christmas project and Shop from Crisis operations across Great Britain. Kicking off the ambitious partnership, Crisis and Zoopla have jointly published new research


Crisis and Zoopla have jointly published new research which highlights how low-income renters across England are facing a ‘housing black hole’ due to a combination of rising rents and a freeze on housing benefit


which highlights how low-income renters across England are facing a ‘housing black hole’ due to a combination of rising rents and a freeze on housing benefit – with these factors leaving a major shortfall in genuinely affordable homes. Crisis and Zoopla are calling on the


Government to increase housing benefit at the next budget in order to avoid thousands of individuals from being pushed into homelessness. Zoopla believes this needs to be coupled with boosting the supply of homes across all tenures, especially in the rental sectors. Zoopla will also be leveraging its Lettings


Advisory Board to inform its partnership with Crisis. Te Board, which is composed of industry experts and influencers from across the lettings sector, aims to support the sustainable growth of the rental market and create a sector that maintains supply and supports renters, landlords and agents to evolve with the changing market and policy environment. Commenting on the partnership, Charlie


Bryant, CEO of Zoopla, said: “We’re proud to join forces with Crisis to support their mission to end homelessness. Homelessness is a real problem around the UK, with rough sleeping only the tip


of the iceberg, and many more relying on sleeping in their cars, couch surfing, or relying on hostels and B&Bs. We recognise the cost of living crisis is going to put even more pressure on those at risk of homelessness and we are keen to ensure we’re using our wide-ranging relationships across the property industry to be a force for good on this issue. Tis not only means educating consumers and our customers on homelessness, but also advocating for real change to limit the number of people affected and ultimately end homelessness for good.” Matt Downie, Crisis Chief Executive, said: “We


know that homelessness isn’t inevitable and that with the right insight, we can develop evidence- based strategies to ensure no one has to endure the hardship of being without a home. “Tat’s why we’re delighted to be working with


Zoopla, who will bring their extensive knowledge of the housing market and hugely expand the range of data we can draw from. Tey will also be adding their voice to the conversation on the systemic issues pushing people into homelessness in the first place. We look forward to working closely with them over the next three years as we strive to end homelessness for good.”


Searches for homes with air conditioning triple in a year


New analysis from the UK’s biggest property website Rightmove reveals that searches for homes with air conditioning have soared compared to last year following the record-breaking hot summer. Searches for homes for sale with air conditioning


using Keyword Sort, a Rightmove tool where people can prioritise their property search results by choosing specific terms, have more than tripled (up 234 per cent) compared to this time last year, while searches for homes to rent with air conditioning are up 74 per cent. On the 19th July, the hottest day on record in


the UK with temperatures of more than 40 degrees, searches for homes for sale with air conditioning nearly quadrupled and they nearly tripled in the


rental market, compared to the same day in 2021. Te number of available property listings


mentioning air conditioning has also more than quadrupled compared to this time last year. Tis is likely a combination of more homes having the feature, and more agents highlighting it as a key selling point as temperatures rise and people imagine next summer in their new home. However, those dreaming of a new home with


air conditioning may have found their choice limited, as homes for either sale or to rent with air conditioning still make up less than one per cent of all available properties despite the rise in mentions. Tere has also been an increase in agents


highlighting other features and using key terms to 14 | HMMOctober/November 2022 | www.housingmmonline.co.uk


describe how a home may stay cool in the summer for both buyers and renters, ahead of more potential hot summers. Mentions of ‘ceiling fan’ have increased seven times, ‘airy’ six times and ‘shade’ five times. Tim Bannister of Rightmove, said: “During the


hottest days of the year we’ve seen people across the UK jump straight onto Rightmove to see where they could live with the luxury of air conditioning. Tough they make up a very small portion of the current property market, homes with air-con and other features that keep a home cool could attract even more interest in the future if we experience similarly hot summers, and these features rise up the priority list.”


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