Policy
Industry agrees new process for valuing tall buildings
Surveyors, builders and lenders agree a new industry-wide process for the valuation of homes in 18+ metre buildings.
Talking Heads: Prime resi industry reactions to the Conservative Party’s General Election win
The biggest Tory majority since 1987 is "a hugely comforting outcome for the wealthy", says a top buying agent, while a super-prime estate agent thinks that Boris Johnson's new government "will inevitably…
Tory majority gives Johnson a ‘powerful mandate’
Boris Johnson's Conservative Party has won the General Election; here's a summary of the key property and tax policies that have been promised by the new government...
Refurbishing old buildings reduces emissions – but outdated tax rates make it expensive
Existing buildings already embody significant CO₂ emissions, which makes it all the more important to upgrade and refurbish – rather than demolish and rebuild – wherever possible.
Housing will be a ‘key factor’ for nearly a quarter of voters on 12th December
23% of voters see housing policies as a "key factor" in determining their decision in this General Election, according to a new Ipsos MORI poll - which also reveals overwhelming public support for rent…
One month to go: Government yet to publish new AML regs
New EU anti-money-laundering rules are due to be implemented exactly one month from today, but lenders, brokers, estate agents and introducers are still waiting on the final details...
Ben Sloane of Aston Chase on London’s super-prime rental trends
INTERVIEW: The lettings director at one of PCL's most successful boutique agencies discusses how recent policy changes have affected the market, the skills required to make it as a top fee-earner, and…
Time present, past & future: What the next Parliament could mean for housing
Ben Arrowsmith summarises the Conservatives’ and Labour’s key commitments, with a little help from T.S. Eliot & Sir Edward Coke...
Election 2019 head-to-head: Comparing manifesto pledges on housing & tax
From Stamp Duty levies to income tax thresholds; planning reforms to green homes...
Conservative manifesto holds few surprises for the property sector
Tory election pledges on housing include a 3% Stamp Duty surcharge for foreign buyers, lifetime mortgages, and some planning tweaks - but no wider SDLT reform.
Reactions: On the Tories’ planned Stamp Duty hike for foreign buyers
Rounding up thoughts on the Conservatives' idea to ramp-up Theresa May’s 1% SDLT surcharge for foreign buyers to 3%
Tories plot Stamp Duty hike for non-residents
The Conservatives want to ramp-up Theresa May's 1% SDLT surcharge for foreign buyer to 3%