The Future of Homes report published by Nationwide Building Society has shone a light on four distinct areas to help promote affordability, accessibility, and sustainability of UK homes.

The Building Safety Bill, published on 5 July and due to enter the Committee Stage on 9 September 2021, is to be supported by an independent and industry-led not-for-profit organisation, the Building Safety Alliance.

The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced, in February 2021, a levy on developers seeking permission to construct certain high-rise buildings as part of a five-point plan to bring an end to unsafe cladding, provide reassurance to homeowners, and support confidence in the housing market.

Estate agents, letting agents and auctioneers are among those being called upon to help improve the overall effectiveness of the UK’s anti-money laundering (AML) regulatory and supervisory regime.

Propertymark has collaborated with the Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA) and produced a downloadable leaflet to support agents in providing potential home buyers with the details regarding Land Transaction Tax (LTT).

The New Homes Quality Board has produced a new code compliance starter kit for agents and home builders, in partnership with Propertymark which is now available to download.

HOUSING REPORT: 40 per cent of properties sold more than the original asking price during June, which is a jump from May’s 33 per cent and the highest ever figure recorded.

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.

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.

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.

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.