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CIPHE: Government “playing catch-up” with apprenticeships as skills shortage looms

Wednesday, 3rd February 2016

The Employer Skills Survey 2015, published on the 28 January 2016 by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) found that vacancies for skilled workers had grown significantly in the last two years with a shortage of 43 per... View Article

GGF defends members and confirms industry position

Wednesday, 3rd February 2016

The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has released a statement in defence against recent allegations made by Anthony Jones, Chairman of National Federation of Glaziers. Jones claimed GGF members had brought “consumer biased laws” upon the industry and also accused theFederation of being “afraid to... View Article

Mortgage Advice Bureau comments on the Bank of England’s Money and Credit Report (December)

Monday, 1st February 2016

Brian Murphy, Head of Lending at Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB) announced 2015 a successful year for borrowers as the number of mortgage approvals grew to nearly reach a two-year high in December. He said: “Existing homeowners were the frontrunners in this... View Article

Nacro: Government’s pause on rent reduction for supported housing a welcome step

Thursday, 28th January 2016

Commenting on Government’s decision to pause a rent reduction cut for supported housing, Jacob Tas, Chief Executive of social justice charity, Nacro said: “We welcome Government’s decision to exempt supportive housing from a one per cent rent reduction in 2016-17.... View Article

UK landlords must check ‘right to rent’ from February, warns law firm

Wednesday, 27th January 2016

All residential landlords in the UK must conduct detailed ‘right to rent’ checks from 1 February 2016 when granting new tenancy agreements. Law firm Howard Kennedy warned the checks could be time-consuming and may require landlords to report tenants without the right paperwork to... View Article

Daniel Watney: Attacking landlords won’t fix private rented sector

Monday, 25th January 2016

The government’s approach towards private landlords risks hurting tenants, a leading London property consultancy is warning, after the government announced an extra £5m towards tackling ‘rogue’ landlords. Julian Goddard, head of residential at Daniel Watney LLP, has warned the government’s... View Article

Nacro housing director full of praise for government investment plan

Monday, 11th January 2016

Commenting on the Prime Minister’s plans to invest in developing deprived housing estates, Joanne Drew, Director of Housing at Nacro, said: “We welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement to invest in developing deprived housing estates. Nacro led national thinking on ‘secured... View Article

Improving indoor air quality – a breath of fresh air

Wednesday, 11th November 2015

There’s increasing awareness that as we design our homes to be more airtight and energy and heat efficient, we are risking the air quality indoors and the health of people who live inside them. Ventilation is taking on a new... View Article

Modern and stylish adaptive bathrooms

Wednesday, 11th November 2015

When it comes to refurbishing housing stock with fully adaptive bathrooms, many landlords, housing associations and local authorities think high-end aesthetics are simply not cost-effective. An evolving market is now challenging that view more than ever. Peter Melia, UK business... View Article

New rules for smoke alarms

Wednesday, 11th November 2015

New government regulations demanding smoke alarms and, in some instances, carbon monoxide alarms in privately rented homes add to a confusing mix of requirements, leading alarm manufacturer Kidde explains. With occupants at least four times more likely to die in... View Article

Buying into biomass

Wednesday, 11th November 2015

As a sustainable low-carbon technology, biomass has become an increasingly popular option for housing associations. What’s more, registered landlords who have installed biomass have seen a reduction in fuel bills for their tenants, making it even more attractive – particularly... View Article

Selecting the right flooring for your housing

Monday, 9th November 2015

Designer Contracts MD, Peter Kelsey, offers his expert opinion on how to select the right contractor and the right flooring products for any social or private rented property The nature of social and private rental properties should be researched and... View Article

Landlords and Legionella – complying with the law

Monday, 9th November 2015

In April 2014 the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines for prevention of Legionella were brought into law, requiring every landlord to undertake regular risk assessments for each of their tenanted properties, whether managed by themselves or an agent. Failure... View Article

Builders and local authorities can work together to double the number of new homes available

Wednesday, 27th May 2015

Kim Vernau, Chief Executive Officer, BLP Insurance, comments on the Government’s housing initiatives announced today in the Queen’s speech and how builders and local authorities can work together to double the number of new homes available in the affordable housing... View Article

Abode – urban living in a rural setting

Tuesday, 2nd December 2014

Joint winner of the Sunday Times British Homes Awards’ Development of the Year (with more than 100 homes) Countryside’s Abode community proves that volume housing does not have to look and feel like a faceless executive estate This exemplary development,... View Article

More than just child’s play

Tuesday, 2nd December 2014

For homebuilders targeting family property purchasers with young children, the addition of a play area to a new housing development can be a contentious issue. Make the right decision and a developer can create a high quality, attractive and stimulating... View Article

Labour’s Lyons Housing Review produces 200,000 homes a year road map

Tuesday, 2nd December 2014

The Lyons Housing Review, commissioned by the Labour party, has set out a comprehensive housing plan designed to meet Labour’s commitment of building 200,000 homes a year by 2020 and set a course for doubling the number of first-time buyers... View Article

Crest do the double

Tuesday, 2nd December 2014

Crest Nicholson has been crowned as large Housebuilder of the Year at the 2014 Housebuilder Awards and scooped the Sustainable Housebuilder of the Year title and Best regeneration scheme for its Park Central community in Birmingham. This impressive award haul... View Article