Policy
Empty homes premium slammed as ‘meaningless’ after RBKC investigation
Study finds just £85k of charges levied on £500m worth of long-term vacant homes in Kensington & Chelsea
New Zealand to ban foreign home-buyers in a bid to cool the market
NZ leader announces that "We have agreed on banning the purchase of existing homes by foreign buyers"
Greenfield land values grow as housebuilders look to the regions
A shift towards the regions is proving to be the big trend in the development land market, with greenfield values responding accordingly.
And Other Villains: Why stamp duty is only part of the problem for prime London
Non-Dom taxation, Brexit, tightened mortgage lending, blustering rhetoric...
How can we eliminate the scourge of gazumping and gazundering?
Both the USA and Scotland claim to have the perfect solution, but their systems are far from ideal, explains Trevor Abrahmsohn...
Javid pitches borrowing more to build 300,000 new homes each year
Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has been ramping up his department's rhetorical output on housing, as the Budget looms large.
Government targets gazumping in a new consultation on the home-buying process
Sajid Javid launches another industry consultation, calling for evidence on "making the home buying process cheaper, faster and less stressful for those involved"
UK real estate sector ‘not ready for GDPR’
Significant tightening of data protection regulation less than a year away, but survey finds 35% of real estate and construction firms have "no awareness at all"
Government calls for evidence to help improve the leasehold & property management system
The DCLG asks the industry if a new independent regulatory body is needed - and if separate bodies should be established for both leasehold and private rented management, and letting agents.
Chancellor mulls SDLT cut for first-time buyers
Hammond is considering "bold measures" to "restore intergenerational fairness" to the housing market
Minister pitches SDLT cuts for energy efficient homes
Property owners need "carrots and sticks" to incentivise energy efficiency improvements in homes
New tax evasion rules are the “most severe punitive measure yet”
HMRC takes tougher stance against offshore tax evaders