Policy
Goldsmith v Khan: London’s leading mayoral candidates’ housing policies head-to-head
With one month to go until polling day, there's still clear water between the leading pair of candidates – Conservative Zac Goldsmith and Labour's Sadiq Khan – and the rest of the Mayoral hopeful pack…
Flood Re opens for business with £2.1bn cover
The scheme, which aims to spread the cost of flood damage by imposing a £180m levy on the insurance industry, is now accepting policies from insurers.
What are political parties promising on housing in Scotland?
Scotland goes to the polling stations on the 5th May for its Parliamentary Election, and no electioneering would be complete without heated wrangles over housing and the property market.
Government plans to ‘lift the veil’ on foreign companies buying UK real estate
In June, the UK will become the first G20 country to set up a publicly accessible central registry showing who really owns and controls companies.
Lords call for ‘a presumption against subterranean development’
Labour's Lord Dubs has made an impassioned plea to insert an anti-mega-basement clause into the new Housing Bill, citing "horrific" disruption to neighbours caused by construction works and arguing that…
Empty Threats: Unlocking London’s ‘long-term vacant’ homes
Some troubling stats on the number of "long-term vacant" properties in London have come to light recently and councils, spearheaded by Islington, are getting seriously tough on absent owners.
Basement Wars: Feelings run deep in London’s quest for space
As two of London's most prosperous hedge fund managers lock horns over a 3,500 square foot basement extension in Holland Park, Belinda Walkinshaw surveys the current planning landscape and has some sage…
Details published on UK properties owned by overseas companies
Detailed information went public today on 100,000 property titles in England and Wales registered to foreign owned companies.
Budget Briefing: Stamp Duty & Additional Residential Properties
The government made a surprise annoucement in 2015’s Autumn Statement, proposing a 3% levy on additional properties.
Required Reading: The Budget 2016
Here's top law firm Mishcon de Reya's handy rundown of the key measures announced in the 2016 Budget. Not all of it is property-related of course, but all of it is good to know.
North Ken Crossrail station ‘back on the agenda’
After going underground for a couple of years, the idea of adding a Lizzie Line stop in North Kensington has resurfaced.
Boris restricts office-to-resi to ‘protect London’s commercial heartland’
The Mayor of London has published a new batch of planning rules for the capital's "Central Activities Zone", which runs from Kensington Gardens and Paddington in the west, to Aldgate in the east, and…