Policy
Former Countrywide sales chief named as new TPO Chairman
The Property Ombudsman has named Gerry Fitzjohn as its new Board Chairman. The current Vice Chair will take over from Bill McClintock, who's standing down after a solid twelve-year stint at the top.
Interest rates to stay low for longer – BoE
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has voted by a majority of 8-1 to keep the Bank Rate at a deeply low 0.
‘This is a tax raid’: High earners should check pension plans before this month’s Spending Review
Britain’s higher earners should consider reviewing their pension tax relief strategy “sooner rather than later”, warns deVere Group's CEO Nigel Green, as Chancellor George prepares to wield a sharp…
Local councils forced to spend £450m ‘topping up’ planning fees
Stretched planning departments have had to be "topped up" to the tune of £450m over the last three years to cover the cost of processing planning applications, a new study has found.
Steady five years ahead for the UK market; ‘uneasy’ PCL to rebound in 2018 – JLL
A strong and stable domestic economy will underpin the UK housing market over the next five years, says JLL in its latest batch of forecasts, while London looks set to come under increasing pressure.
RBKC serves record number of stop notices
The Royal Borough's planning enforcement team is one of the most active in the UK, according to new figures released by the Department of Communities and Local Government.
Resi conversions up 40% in Q2
Q2 saw a 40% leap in the number of properties converted from office, retail, and agricultural use and into resi across England.
Heavy Duty: How the new SDLT system stuffed both ends of the market
The new SDLT regime is creating a boom and a bust at one end of the scale whilst raising less money for the government at the other; not such a clever move, says Trevor Abrahmsohn...
Cooling measures drive Singapore developers into UK & Australian markets
Seven rounds of cooling measures brought in by the Singaporean government between 2010 and 2013 have triggered a giant wave of investment overseas, according to new research.
Boris launches ‘City in the East’ masterplan to deliver 200,000 new homes
The Mayor of London has come up with a plan to "transform East London" and deliver more than 200,000 homes and 250,000 jobs.
Office-to-Resi Rights: Boom or bust for developers?
In the wake of last week's big announcement by David Cameron, James Lawrence talks us through the real implications of office-to-resi permitted development rights becoming permanent...
Ombudsman calls for Property Agents Act
Outgoing Property Ombudsman Christopher Hamer has called for the 1979 Estate Agents Act to be replaced by a new Property Agents Act to reflect changes in the sales market and "bring lettings into a precise…