Policy
La Vida Local: Neighbourhood Planning’s southern appeal
Localism - a cornerstone of the Government's planning reformation - is big in the affluent South, but lacks traction in the rest of the country according to research by Turley.
Required Reading: Budget2014 property tax implications
Mischon de Reya's learned tax team examines the real estate-related fallout from Osbo's Big Day...
It's fair to say George Osborne's penultimate Budget of the current term was much as expected.
March of the Oligarchs? The buying agent’s view
Yes there has been a boost in enquiries from Russia and Ukraine lately, but nothing like the increase in the number of British buyers, says Edo Mapelli Mozzi...
Savills' World in London Report 2013
Budget2014: Osborne & little change for prime property
Chancellor George has extended the 15% SDLT rate for residential property bought through a corporate envelope from £2m all the way to £500,000, in a move that looks to be aimed squarely at cutting the…
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…
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.