News

In November 2024, planning officers from Caerphilly County Borough Council have faced significant challenges regarding the management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). Reports indicate a concerning level of uncertainty regarding the actual number of HMOs in the region, prompting discussions on the implications of insufficient data for effective housing management and regulatory enforcement. Accurate...

As of April 2025, homeowners across England with second properties will be preparing for a substantial increase in their financial obligations, due to new legislation concerning council tax. This directive allows local councils to double the council tax on non-primary residences, provided homeowners receive adequate notice, aimed primarily at alleviating housing shortages in sought-after locales. Areas...

Residents of Hackney Road in Maidstone are grappling with yet another closure, which has emerged just four months after they dealt with a significant infrastructure failure. Initially, a 10-foot deep sinkhole appeared on July 11, 2023, due to a collapsed sewer, leading to extensive repairs by Southern Water that took nearly a month to complete. Now, the road is facing renewed disruptions due to ongoing...

Westminster City Council has unveiled a significant proposal aimed at reforming the regulation of private rented homes across the city. This new initiative, part of an ongoing effort to enhance housing standards, involves the introduction of a selective licensing scheme. This scheme seeks to expand the scope of existing regulations beyond houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), which were previously...

The recent approval of a controversial 30-bed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) on Friarn Street in Bridgwater by Somerset Council's planning committee has ignited significant debate within the community. Local leaders and residents have expressed strong concerns regarding the implications this development poses in terms of flooding risks and parking difficulties, reflecting an ongoing struggle between...

In a significant move to regulate the development of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), Hyndburn Council is set to introduce an Article 4 Direction across nine borough wards. This decision arises from growing concerns regarding the proliferation of HMOs, which the council believes are placing undue stress on already deprived communities. The affected wards—Barnfield, Central, Church, Clayton-le-Moors,...

In her recent budget speech, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a series of pivotal measures impacting the UK property and mortgage markets. Notably, the budget introduces an increase in the Stamp Duty surcharge on second homes from 2% to 5%, a change that has prompted significant discussion among industry experts regarding its implications for prospective buyers and current homeowners. Many view this move...

Residents of East Durham are uniting their voices in a petition aimed at Durham County Council to tighten controls on houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), aiming to combat the conversion of family homes into rentals that cater primarily to large groups of tenants. This initiative, which has already garnered 153 signatures, seeks to raise public awareness on new HMO applications that are currently lacking...

As the UK approaches 2025, the property development sector finds itself at a pivotal juncture, shaped by ongoing policy changes and an increasing push towards sustainable practices. During a recent roundtable organized by Martin's Properties and CoStar News, a panel of industry experts converged to discuss the implications of these factors for the future of UK real estate. The panel explored how new...

As the UK prepares to enter 2024, the real estate market is poised for a significant turnaround, fueled by an array of economic factors suggesting a revitalization in investment activity. Industry experts predict that anticipated interest rate cuts and decreasing inflation will create a more favorable environment for both investors and consumers, resulting in increased demand within the commercial property...