Property industry news

Arguably the most controversial aspect drawn from the second reading of the Bill remains the question of who should pay for measures to remediate the failings made by the building industry in the past.

Following the move to Step 4 in the COVID-19 roadmap in England, the UK Government has updated its guidance for those working within the home buying and selling process and those moving home.

As the UK transitions into the fourth step of the COVID-19 roadmap, the UK Government has updated its guidance for landlords, tenants, and local authorities.

The UK Government has said that they see no reason why an EWS1 form, or equivalent, should be requested on buildings below 18 metres following recommendations from a small group of experts on fire safety set up to look at the issue.

The Department for Communities has issued a Call for Evidence on its Housing Supply Strategy, which sets out its intentions to increase the amount of housing across all tenures so that every household can access a good quality, affordable and sustainable home.

The announcement by the Minister of Climate Change Julie James MS, who also has a responsibility over housing, also marks the closure of the Tenancy Saver Loan scheme.

Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change, outlined the Welsh Government will fund fire safety surveys for multi-occupied buildings over 11 metres and called on the UK Government to confirm when further funding will come to Wales.

As per the strict processes put in place by The Property Ombudsman (TPO), the agents were referred to the TPO’s independent Compliance Committee, which ruled they should be expelled with most failing to pay compensatory rewards.

While the energy efficiency of English homes has improved over the last decade, there is more that can be done to help landlords and householders within the private rented sector (PRS) meet energy efficiency targets.

As we move towards the planned date for progression to Step 4 of the Roadmap in England and towards school Summer holidays, both businesses and individuals should reassess existing contingency plans to factor in the implications for their own areas of responsibility.

The New Homes Quality Board has consulted on its draft Code of Practice, which outlines the guiding principles and practical steps that new homes builders across the UK must follow if they opt to be registered with the NHQB.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who was re-elected with a pledge to campaign for rent controls, has warned that the cost of renting privately in the city may potentially increase by almost 20 per cent unless he is given powers to control the rental market.