The private sector will be given a bigger role in welfare to work in Monday’s launch of the Freud report, says the Financial Times. Demand for private rented homes is rising at its fastest rate for nine years thanks to a buoyant economy and migration, according to theRead More →
The latest figures of those homeowners approaching the mortgage rescue scheme for help in paying mortgages have been released today. A further four households have been accepted, bringing the total to six which have benefited, but the number approaching the local authorities for help has remained steady. Read More →
The British housing market is improving at a faster rate than property prices across most of the rest of Europe, a report by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has found. House prices rose in only five European countries, including Britain, during 2016. But other countries continued toRead More →
And still on the Budget – the £100 million announced by Alistair Darling to help councils start building houses has been described as a ‘drop in the ocean’ after it emerged that as few as 900 homes will be created. Last year just 310 properties were built by councilsRead More →
The Audit Commission has published local authority comprehensive performance assessments: 71% of councils with responsibility for housing are performing in the top two categories, an increase of 8% from 2005. Among its housing inspections, Golden Gates Housing – the ALMO in Warrrington – got a top ranking. Read More →
Campaigners against the eco-town proposal of Weston Otmoor have won a protective costs order to take part in the High Court proceedings. This allows the campaign group to be considered an official ‘interested party’ that can participate in the proceedings taking place in January. The ruling judge granted theRead More →
Britain’s housing landscape could be set for one of its most profound changes in more than half a century after pension funds confirmed plans to build blocks of homes for private rental in areas of greatest need. Much of the building will be in the South East. Aviva saidRead More →
A million tenants living in private rented housing are living with the fear of eviction if they compain about poor conditions, according to a report today by Citizens Advice. The report calls for protection against retaliatory eviction. More details are in the next issue of LPW, published next week.Read More →
Guidance on renegotiating section 106 agreements is to be released by the Homes and Communities Agency later this month. The guidance for local authorities and developers is needed following a High Court ruling last year that quashed Blythe Valley borough council’s 30 per cent affordable housing policy and aRead More →
The prime minister has written to housing professionals to reiterate his commitment to housing as one of his top priorities. He said that it was the right time to commit an additional £1.5 billion to build an extra 20,000 affordable new homes in the next two years, and byRead More →