Policy
Budget2014: Reactions
There's a definite sense of anti-climax around these parts, even though no-one was expecting much to start with. Here's what the prime resi community thinks of today's Budget announcements..
Here’s why Osborne needs to cut VAT on building repairs
Cutting VAT on housing renovations and repairs could generate a £15.
EU calls for UK tax on empty homes
The European Commission has given the UK government more than a friendly nudge to start tackling the country's housing shortage, by penalising the owners of empty homes and making better use of development l…
Power to the People: Boles lays out schemes for planning devolution
"Planning should not be the exclusive preserve of lawyers, developers or town hall officials," pronounces the Planning Minister Nick Boles in a statement of intent for the planning process.
RICS asks for property (and SDLT reform) to be at the heart of Osborne’s Budget
The RICS has helpfully offered to help the Chancellor out with the drafting of his Budget speech on 19th March, submitting a series of policy "asks" that its members would be happy to hear and that might…
Boris opens door to new top council tax band
Mayor Boris Johnson: "If you compared with a Russian oligarch is paying on his stuccoed schloss in Kensington in annual council tax compared to what such a gentleman might be asked to pay in Paris or New…
Celebrity stylist vows to take on council in “Battle of Britten”
You don't often hear "celebrity hairdresser" and "local government" in the same sentence, but one SW3-based coiffologist has made it happen by decided to take on the Conservative-heavy Kensington & Chelsea…
East & East Midlands top areas for recovery potential – Hamptons
Hamptons International has been checking levels of pent-up demand across the country, in a bid to find out which areas have the most potential to soar as the country's housing market continues its recovery
UK housing market “remains a long way from overheating” – JLL
Reacting to the Bank of England's February Inflation Report, released today, Jones Lang LaSalle has praised the Government for "sticking to a bold plan that appears to have worked," as signs of liquidity…
Should we restrict overseas investors buying up UK homes?
Last week, a leading think tank pitched the idea of setting up a “non-resident housing investment agency” to limit property purchases by wealthy foreign buyers and keep a lid on the capital’s house price…
Boles swipes at office-to-resi naysayers
Planning Minister Nick Boles has comes out swinging against local authorities that have "an irrational objection" to office-to-resi permitted development rights
Should we be applying punitive taxes to empty homes?
Rather than complaining and propagating the confiscation of empty homes, commentators should be applying their energies to making the planning process efficient, less political and more productive, says…