Policy
El sueño de la razón produce monstruos: How the Mansion Tax will not lie down and die
We don’t know whether Labour Councillor Claire Reynolds is an aficionado of Goya’s etchings, but her latest proposals could have been inspired by one of his most famous epitaphs, says Anthony Hennessy...
Lift off for government property search engine
It's just got a whole lot easier to find underused and empty government land and property.
Ministers look into San Francisco-style ‘park tax’ proposals
A leading think tank has suggested a new levy for UK homeowners who live next to a park or green space.
French Lessons: Wealth tax woes continue in Paris
The punitive tax regime put in place by the French government has had a dramatic effect on the country’s housing market.
The Housing Standards Review: What can developers expect?
In a drive to simplify the myriad of standards, guidance and codes that apply to the construction of new homes in the UK, the government announced in March that current housing standards are to be reduced…
Which UK Government has overseen the biggest house price rises?
With May 2015 already looming large, one agency has been looking into how the country's house prices have historically fared under Labour and Tory reign.
Interest Wait: Why Carney should hold off the brakes
The Governor should resist pulling the lever until much further down the track, says Trevor Abrahmsohn...
When Mr.
Landlords and lettings agents left confused by immigration check guidance
Home Office guidance on immigration checks (which was issued, withdrawn, and re-issued without change in the space of 24 hours) will lead to yet more confusion for landlords, says Carter Jonas’ Head…
Tough love for Candy’s Sugar Quay S106 plea
Planners are "sticking to their guns" over a £15m affordable housing contribution requirement for Candy & Candy's Foster + Partners-designed Sugar Quay development next door to the Tower of London.
The ‘Poor Door’ Debate: Do separate entrances make practical sense?
There are clearly issues surrounding how affordable housing is delivered in the capital, but the tone of this 'poor door' debate risks throwing the baby out with the bathwater, says real estate lawyer Edward…
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.