Policy
A history of estate agency regulation, 1979-2020
In advance of new ROPA legislation, the House of Commons has published a potted history of estate agency regulation since 1979's Estate Agents Act.
Property sector donating a quarter of Tory party funds
Nearly £18m has been donated by 154 individuals and companies with property interests since Johnson became PM, according to the analysis of Electoral Commission data by the FT
Building Safety Levy consultation opens
Around 200 high-rise residential schemes would be affected each year by this proposed new tax, estimates the Government.
Government scraps EWS1 forms for most buildings under 18 metres
EWS1 forms should not be a requirement on medium- and low-rise buildings, concludes Dame Judith Hackitt's review.
Jenrick outlines a ‘vision of planning policy that puts communities in the driving seat’
The new national model design code involves encouraging housebuilders to use traditional architectural styles, and planting trees on all newly-created streets.
Agency bosses praise ‘perfectly timed’ Stamp Duty holiday
"The stamp duty holiday was perfectly timed to enable more people to improve their set up by moving," says Marsh & Parsons.
Why the end of the stamp duty holiday is a good thing for the UK property market
Introducing a stamp duty holiday at the height of the pandemic was commendable but it has over-stayed its welcome, writes Tom Bill…
1.3 million buyers have benefitted from the the Stamp Duty holiday
"We haven’t yet seen any significant increase in properties falling through so it looks like most are going ahead regardless," says Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s Director of Property Data.
House of Lords opens wide-ranging inquiry into the housing market
The new House of Lords Built Environment Committee has launched its first inquiry, with a view to understanding "what shapes the type of housing needed in the UK as well as a range of challenges to meeting…
Government backs Unique Property Reference Numbers
"The government remains a strong champion of UPRNs," says Housing Minister Christopher Pincher.
More of England’s countryside to be protected under new plans
The government is looking into creating new AONBs for the first time in over a quarter of a century.