Policy
Why 2015 could make or break the UK’s property market
For homeowners - especially those in the South East and London - it has never been more important who wins the next general election, says Trevor Abrahmsohn...
Office-to-resi rights to get permanent footing
Brandon Lewis, the new housing and planning minister, has unveiled a set of "radical reforms" for the planning system.
Fight the Slab: Why our stamp duty system needs an urgent overhaul
A revamp of the UK's archaic SDLT structure must be prioritised ahead of next year's general election says Edo Mapelli Mozzi...
Institutional property investors get CGT exemption
The Government's consultation into the "significant reform" of the Capital Gains Tax system, which looked out at how far non-resident property buyers will be hit, concluded last week.
Listed Property Owners go lobbying
The Listed Property Owners’ Club (LPOC) is upping the ante in its bid for better terms - mainly cut-price VAT on building repairs - for owners of listed homes.
Hollande rent caps blamed for construction ‘meltdown’ in France
Francois Hollande's government is again under fire for meddling in the housing market, after figures released yesterday revealed that the French construction market is at its lowest ebb for 15 years.
South Ken basement developers rapped over traffic jams
Three separate basement digs in South Kensington have been threatened with shutdown by RBKC planners over traffic disruption.
Ale House Stock: When public houses become private mansions
The £27m sale of the Black Lion pub in Kensington has once again turned the spotlight onto change of use, but converting a pub into prime resi is no easy task, says Rachel Lee...
Property industry ‘right to be worried’ about short let proposals
In a couple of months, the Government will consider plans to withdraw the need to apply for planning permission currently required to let out a residential property for a period of less than ninety days.
12 policy amendments that could ‘realise the power of heritage’
The Heritage Alliance has called for a series of specific policy measures to "realise the power of heritage" in its 2014/15 Manifesto.
Relationship Building: How LPAs and developers (should) work togethor
Fair society think tank The Smith Institute has been looking at the interplay between local planning authorities (LPAs) and property developers with the aim of finding out what can be done to boost housing…
Rights to Light: Landscape improves for developers
Developers "should be less fearful of going to court" over rights to light - as long as they have acted in a reasonable and responsible way - concludes a panel of experts assembled by Mishcon de Reya to…