Policy
Companies’ Houses: Challenging times for buy-to-let landlords
The whole tax regime in relation to resi properties is in a state of flux; all the more reason why landlords should be wary of rushing into things, says Scott Leonard...
Encourage estate owners to release land for affordable homes – RICS
The owners of England's 5,000 biggest country estates should be giving up some of their land to make way for more affordable housing, the RICS has suggested.
Buy-to-let SDLT surcharge consultation: Now open
The government cheekily chose a Bank Holiday Monday in the middle of the holiday season to launch a consultation into its scheme to charge an extra 3% stamp duty levy on second homes and buy-to-let properties.
Why has Osborne got a bee in his bonnet about Buy-to-Let?
Rather than choking off the demand for BTL investments, why not instead deal with the root cause of the housing shortage, asks Trevor Abrahmsohn...
Osborne ‘in for a shock’ when 2015’s stamp duty receipts are counted up – Chestertons
George Osborne is "burying his head in the sand" by ignoring industry calls to review last year’s changes to Stamp Duty and will "likely be in for a shock" when 2015's final receipts are added up, Chestertons…
Scotland hikes LBTT for second homes in line with SDLT
John Swinney has followed George Osborne's lead, announcing a 3% increase in the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax rate for additional properties in Scotland, such as buy-to-let and second homes.
‘Drastic changes’ needed ‘to fix Britain’s broken housing market’ – NAEA & ARLA
"The news is bleak" says the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) and National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) as it forecasts that home ownership will fall by 7% in the coming decade…
Agency reports surge in landlords looking to incorporate
Benham & Reeves has reported a wave of landlords approaching the firm about putting their property portfolio into a limited company in the wake of double whammy changes to mortgage relief and stamp duty.
Has this man just come up with a way to ease the housing crisis?
Despite sitting on a giant war chest of institutional investment, the Build to Rent sector is finding it practically impossible to acquire suitable sites at the moment.
Developer hit with record £700k planning fine
The biggest planning fine in history has reportedly been handed down to a private developer after a six-storey block of flats went up in Hoxton without permission.
‘Shocking’ lack of knowledge about leases is a ‘ticking time bomb’
A law firm has warned of a "shocking" lack of knowledge about how leases work and the consequences of failing to extend, after carrying out a major survey of UK property owners.
Councils rally against Bishopsgate Goodsyard proposals
Tower Hamlets and Hackney have dealt Hammerson and Ballymore's controversial Bishopsgate Goodsyard scheme a hefty one-two by simultaneously rejecting the latest proposals.