Efficient evacuations – never leave a person behind

We’re all familiar with the fire safety drill, from regular practice runs at school all the way through to adult working life. An alarm is sounded, signalling the urgent evacuation of every person in the building – in an orderly fashion... View Article

Legionella control for housing

Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure the health and safety of their tenants by keeping property safe and free from health hazards. What is a landlord? Anyone who rents out a property (or even just a room) they own... View Article

Social housing fund must support areas in most need

A Government injection of £2 billion into the provision of social housing must support areas in most need of funds, rather than focusing on what generates the best return in the shortest time. Richard Cook, a specialist in economic development... View Article

L&G Response: Government funding for affordable housing

“‘We are pleased that the Government has announced increased funding towards affordable housing today. This will help to deliver more homes at levels that residents can afford in areas which need it most. This additional funding will be allocated over... View Article
Managing & maintaining water safety: seven top tips for landlords

Managing & maintaining water safety: seven top tips for landlords

Dealing with plumbing problems can be time-consuming and costly. However, many call-outs can be prevented if landlords are familiar with the key regulations regarding water safety management and follow best practice, explains Julie Spinks, director of WaterSafe, the national accreditation... View Article

Are longer tenancies the answer to our housing problems?

The majority of private sector tenants are happy with their accommodation it seems, but a group of experts are warning that the sector’s continuing growth is harming family life and the welfare of children in particular. These contradictory statements pose... View Article

Planners respond to Government’s garden towns announcement

In response to the Government announcement today of a new garden communities programme to increase the number of in garden towns in England, Victoria Hills MRTPI, Chief Executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute, says: “The Government’s garden towns programme is... View Article

NFB: Social housing green paper does not go far enough

The National Federation of Builders (NFB) welcomes the papers approach to solving existing social housing problems but warns that proposed changes do not go far enough. The Government has published its social housing green paper, A new deal for social... View Article

Rates rise will have knock-on effect for renters

Nick Marr, Co-founder of rental marketplace TheHouseShop.com, comments on the impact of the interest rates rise for tenants and landlords: “We were all expecting the announcement of the interest rates rise today, but that won’t make it any easier for mortgage... View Article

Whistleblowers

The BBA is a well-known and respected certification body which, through its testing, inspection and approval activity, has been supporting innovation in the construction products industry for more than 50 years. Where anyone has concern about a BBA-certificated product or... View Article

Local housing need remains ‘uncertain’ under revised NPPF

Uncertainty surrounds a major plank of the Government’s reform of planning policy and guidance following the publication yesterday of the revised NPPF, says the MD of a leading development consultancy. Tony Bateman, Managing Director of Pegasus Group, said: “The assessment... View Article