Policy
Government cuts security deposit cap for rentals under £50k pa
Rental properties charging less than £50,000 per year can now only claim five weeks' rent as a security deposit
Government proposes new rules on biodiversity net gain
Consultation launched on mandating biodiversity net gain in resi development 'to ensure habitats are protected and enhanced for the future'
Government bans combustible materials on high-rise homes – giving councils powers to strip private buildings
Local authorities to carry out "emergency remediation work" on residential buildings over 18 metres.
Raynsford Review: A 24-point plan to fix the ‘chaotic patchwork’ planning system
"Planning in England is less effective than at any time in the post-war era", declares Nick Raynsford's team in the first comprehensive review of the planning system for a generation
Stamp duty receipts up on Q2 but down on last year as Hammond ‘misses a trick’
Latest statistics from HMRC show overall SDLT receipts in Q3 were up by 14% on Q2, but down 9% on the same period last year...
Talking Heads: Could Westminster’s latest policy shift reshape the PCL landscape forever?
As Westminster Council moves to limit the size of new homes to 150 square metres - the latest in a series of policy changes designed to temper the super-prime sector - we asked some of the most experienced…
Government rejects call to cut VAT on listed building repairs
HM Treasury makes "deeply disappointing" arguments for keeping full-rate VAT on listed building repairs and alterations, says the Listed Property Owners' Club
Super-Home Squeeze: Why Westminster is making a super-sized mistake
The council's latest policy change suffers from a serious case of rotten attitude, built on a foundation of class warfare, argues Trevor Abrahmsohn...
Government lays out plans for a new specialist ‘Housing Court’
Call for Evidence opens on proposals to give landlords and tenants "faster and more effective justice in the event of property disputes"
Westminster’s Super-Home Squeeze: PCL council moves to limit the size of new homes
Westminster lays out tough new affordable housing regime and reacts to 'global demand for super-size properties' by proposing a 150 square metre cap as part of its ambitious 20-year strategy
Ministers step up to review tax ‘loophole’ for second homes
Many holiday lets are not "genuine businesses", says the Government, and so should not be able to claim Business Rates Relief
‘Voluntary mansion tax’ raises £400k from Westminster’s wealthiest homeowners
'What started out as an experiment is turning into a solid way of helping Westminster’s wider community', says Cllr Nickie Aiken