Policy
Tenants’ Charter offers longer lets, but is it needed?
Eric Pickles, the Communities Secretary, has set about revolutionising the lettings industry by making longer tenancies the norm, although Savills has come out to argue that there's just no need for more…
London homes should be exempt from stamp duty – BoJo
Boris Johnson used his speech at the Tory Party Conference to ask the Chancellor to exempt London homes from the "baleful effects" of stamp duty.
Mansion Tax: An assault on heritage
It’s that time of year again and once again the rumble of a mansion tax echoes around the conference halls, says leading historic building consultant Ben Furnival, as he calls for exemptions at least…
Stamp Duty Lose-Lose: Why more means less for the Exchequer’s coffers
Following the recent SDLT changes, the number of property transactions above £2m has fallen and the Revenue receives less tax from industries associated with the property sector.
Help to Buy: The skinny
It's not really in our remit, but it's causing such a kerfuffle in the mainstream industry... So here's the need-to-know on Help to Buy.
OK to build in National Parks; just offset the nature somewhere – Paterson
This sounds like a really bad idea: The Environment Secretary, Owen Paterson, is scheduled to announce that developers can build in National Parks, just so long as they do some "biodiversity offsetting"…
Hoard It All Before: New landbanking tax proposed for London
London Councils, the cross-party organisation representing all 33 of the capital's local authorities, has demanded an immediate crackdown on alleged landbanking by developers.
Treasury targets holiday let tax dodgers
The Treasury is launching a new campaign to chase up landlords - including those with holiday lets - who don't pay every penny of tax due on rents they receive.
HMRC estimates that up to 1.
Reactions: RICS’ proposed cap on house prices
Finally we have some visible growth. Don't panic, says Glentree International's Trevor Abrahmsohn...
Lib Dems moot a progressive mansion tax
The Liberal Democrat's party president has come out swinging with yet another angle on the mansion tax.
House price inflation should be capped at 5% p.a. – RICS
Annual house price growth should be limited to 5%, argues the RICS today.
Mansion Tax: A nightmare on Great George Street
Rather than benefit the working majority, a mansion tax could, in fact, do the opposite, says Tony Hennessey...
Imagine for a moment that it is June 2015.