The Market
Commercial Break: What to consider when converting excess office space to resi
Permitted development rights are in hot debate as the Government attempts to reform the planning system, deliver more housing and build the UK out of the Coronavirus crisis, with questions remaining over…
The view from inside north London’s Russian quarter
In a piece originally published in 2018, veteran agent Trevor Abrahmsohn explains why oligarchs first started buying in Hampstead & Highgate, and the impact of tensions, sanctions and currency fluctuations…
Details of next year’s non-resident SDLT surcharge published
The 2% foreign buyer levy "may help to control house price inflation, by leading to a reduction in residential property purchases by non-UK residents," suggests HM Treasury.
Development land values could be in for a ‘sharp rebound’
PCL, greenfield and urban brownfield development land values all fell in Q2, reports Knight Frank, but indicators point to a pick-up post-lockdown...
153 $10m+ sales worth $3.2bn: How the world’s super-prime markets fared under lockdowns
Activity may have plunged, but global super-prime property markets "outperformed expectations" under lockdown, reports Knight Frank, with 153 sales going through above $10m since March.
Wired: Russia blazed a trail for Chinese oligarchs to nab London property
"Most of the capital’s prime property is now bought by wealthy Chinese," writes journalist Chris Stokel-Walker for Wired magazine, and "you can't move in London for Russian oligarchs."
Significant leasehold reform proposals promise ‘to transform the future of home ownership in England & Wales’
Commonhold should be the "preferred alternative" to leasehold, says the Law Commission in a series of three important reports that outline how to create "a better deal for leaseholders and make our homes…
Place in Society: On loneliness & the role of real estate
The industry can learn many things from the last few months, writes Sara Bailey, including how buildings can help alleviate the problem of loneliness in our communities.
‘Unexpected mini-boom’ pushes asking prices to a record high
"Current activity levels clearly show that Britain is getting moving again," says Rightmove, with the Stamp Duty holiday serving to “amplify the buyer surge”.
Summer lull cancelled as activity surge continues
There will be an unusual pattern of activity for buyers and sellers to navigate this year, warns Knight Frank
Rents have risen across most of the country, but have fallen sharply in London
A rise in the number of properties available to rent combined with a drop in international demand have driven a 7.4% year-on-year decline in average rents in Inner London, says Hamptons.
14 key principles for licensed estate agents: Future RoPA Code of Practice opens for consultation
“The new code of practice will look to set standards at a higher level than currently legally set," says steering committee leader Baroness Hayter.