New watchdog set up to ban dangerous building materials

Over three and half years after the shocking loss of life in the Grenfell Tower fire, the Government is finally to set up a regulatory body charged with banning dangerous building materials and prosecuting the companies making them. Housing Secretary... View Article

Dangerous cladding removal from tower blocks drags on

Privately owned residential tower blocks are lagging behind the social sector in the race to remove dangerous ACM cladding from the nation’s homes, some three and a half years after the fatal Grenfell Tower fire. The latest Government data release... View Article

Nottingham landlord sentenced over dangerous property

A Nottingham private landlord, who failed to improve his rental property, leaving his tenants in dangerous conditions has found it cost him over £1,000. Haroon Karim, from Bramcote in Nottingham, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Housing Act 2004,... View Article

Decrease in number of social lettings

The number of lettings to social rent homes fell again last year and is now almost 25 per cent below its peak of six years ago, as more use was made of the higher ‘affordable rents’ regime which charities and... View Article

England’s housing stock in numbers

The most recent annual report from the English Housing Survey tells us there are 24.4 million dwellings in England, including both occupied and vacant homes. Of these, 15.6 million (64 per cent) are owner occupied, 4.7 million (19 per cent)... View Article

Energy efficiency of housing continues to improve

The energy efficiency of England’s housing stock continues to improve as the Government strives to meet its international obligations to reduce energy consumption. In 2019, the average SAP rating of English dwellings was 65 points, up from 45 points in... View Article

Council house Right to Buy sales stall

Right to Buy sales of council homes have fallen by 43 per cent in the latest figures released by the Government, falling to their lowest level since 2013. English councils sold 1,548 homes to tenants exercising their Right to Buy... View Article

Government gives councils extra rough sleeper support

The Government is giving an extra £10 million to councils to find accommodation for rough sleepers throughout the lockdown period and ensure they are registered with a GP. The Government has said this will ensure more people can be protected... View Article

No increase in regulator’s fees from April

Social landlords in England have been informed that they will not be facing an increase in their fees payable to the regulator in the next financial year. The Regulator of Social Housing has written to all registered providers saying the... View Article