Policy
Solving the Airbnb conundrum: Why more regulation is not the answer
As the Government weighs up new planning rules for short-term rentals, Charles Mieville and Victoria Du Croz look at the practicalities and outline the likely effects on the property market…
Most home-owners want higher SDLT surcharges targeted at overseas buyers & landlords
The majority of home-owners and buyers in England and Northern Ireland agree that Stamp Duty is "outdated" and in need of major reform, according to a survey by mortgage lender Butterfield.
Leasehold reform in motion: On the government’s plans to make home ownership fairer & more secure
As the first major piece of leasehold reform in a generation finally becomes legislation, buying agent Nina Harrison reflects on the long-requested need to transform leasehold agreements - and what impact…
Government outlines 12-point ‘levelling up’ plan, including PRS reforms
Johnson & Gove set out "the most comprehensive, ambitious plan of its kind that this country has ever seen."
Second home tax loophole closed
New rules mean holiday lets must be rented out for a minimum of 70 days a year to qualify for lower local tax rates.
Holiday lets boom ‘crippling’ local rental markets
Countryside charity CPRE estimates there has been a 1,000% increase in homes listed for short-term let across the UK over the last five years
Watch: Hollinrake proposes a new wealth tax on non-resident property owners
MP and former estate agency boss Kevin Hollinrake has outlined a series of proposals to make Britain's housing market more fair and equitable - including a new wealth tax on overseas buyers of UK property.
Government launches new biodiversity net gain consultation
Latest proposals are designed to ensure developments are ‘nature positive’, with biodiversity gain ‘at the heart of all decision-making and design’
Government opens important leasehold reform consultation
"The current leasehold system is outdated, unbalanced and broken and we are determined to fix it," says Leasehold Minister, Lord Stephen Greenhalgh.
‘Remove the barriers for housebuilders’ to fix the housing crisis, argues Lords Committee
House of Lords Committee suggests smaller property developers "should be supported by reducing planning risk, making more small sites available, and increasing access to finance."
Replacing Leasehold: Can the government persuade the market?
It is often said that more books have been written about commonhold than actual commonholds have been created;
December’s rate hike makes January a unique opportunity for borrowers
Lenders get hit with new targets at the beginning of the year and CEOs will want to make hay while the going is good, writes Alex Ogario