Comment Articles

The British Property Federation (BPF) has voiced its concern over Labour proposals to tackle problems in the private rented sector, over what will be seen as rent controls and a lack of detail in its policy making. Outlined today by... View Article

The Labour party’s programme to help the estimated nine million people living in rented accommodation is ‘a progressive move in the right direction’, Unite, the country’s largest union, said today (Thursday 1 May). Unite said that the housing market has... View Article

Brian Murphy, Head of Lending at Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB), comments: “Despite falling slightly since last month, house prices have continued to improve since 2013 as a result of improved confidence among consumers and lenders. Homeowners across the UK will... View Article

A new BRE Trust study has found that 15% of households in London can be classified as living in ‘poor housing’ and that reducing the worst health and safety hazards in these properties could save the NHS around £56m per... View Article

The government’s new £525 million Builders Finance Fund will improve access to finance for some small house builders but the minimum threshold of 15 units will exclude many small and micro-house builders, warns the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Brian... View Article

The economic recovery in the SME construction sector is under threat from rising building costs and material shortages warns the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Commenting on the results of the FMB’s State of Trade Survey for the first three... View Article

The former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has called Gentoo’s Genie Home Purchase Plan a ‘brilliant idea’ that could ‘make a huge national impact’. Lord Prescott gave his backing to Genie in his latest Sunday Mirror column titled, ‘Government should... View Article

Brian Murphy, Head of Lending at Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB), comments: “Activity remained strong during March despite many lenders engaging heavily in the final preparations for tomorrow’s Mortgage Market Review (MMR) deadline. Looking at the seasonally adjusted figures, purchase and... View Article

Some 5% of UK households plan to buy a property in the next year, according to a survey conducted by Markit and Ipsos MORI for Knight Frank. A further 20% of households say they plan to purchase a property within... View Article

The Construction Products Association’s latest Forecasts highlight that the industry recovery is becoming stronger and broader. Rapid increases in private house building, together with growth in the infrastructure and commercial sectors, will drive activity. Key highlights include: Construction output is... View Article