News

In a notable crackdown on housing standards, two landlords in Sittingbourne, Kent, faced hefty fines exceeding £25,000 for their mismanagement of a house in multiple occupation (HMO) that was deemed overcrowded and unsafe. The Swale Borough Council's housing enforcement team uncovered serious violations during their investigation, revealing that the property housed more individuals than permitted under...

The scrutiny surrounding UK property holdings linked to associates of Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has intensified in light of serious corruption allegations. These accusations pertain to the misappropriation of state funds and financial misconduct during Hasina's tenure, with current Bangladeshi authorities seeking to recover approximately £13 billion in allegedly corrupt...

In the context of rising living costs and shifting consumer attitudes, the long-standing tradition of the 'two-month salary rule' for engagement ring purchases is being challenged. With over 100,000 engagements taking place each year in the UK, a growing number of couples are re-evaluating their budgets amid financial uncertainties exacerbated by high inflation rates. The roots of this guideline trace back...

In a significant but contentious decision, Somerset Council has approved a new 30-bed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) on Friarn Street in Bridgwater. This development, despite local opposition related to flooding and parking concerns, underscores the ongoing struggle to balance urgent housing needs with the existing infrastructure capabilities of the town. The approval has ignited a debate among local...

Westminster City Council is embarking on a significant initiative by conducting a public consultation for a new selective licensing scheme aimed at regulating private rented housing within select areas of the city. The proposal is designed to solicit feedback from various stakeholders, including tenants, landlords, property agents, and the general public who have an interest in the private rental sector....

In a perplexing turn of events, residents on Howard Road in Southampton are grappling with the appearance of unofficial double yellow lines across the driveway of a local House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). These markings have sparked confusion and concern among the community, who are eager for clarity on their legitimacy and purpose. As these lines seem to connect with existing official double yellow...

In a significant move aimed at addressing housing availability issues, the English government has announced that starting in April 2025, local authorities will have the power to increase council tax rates for second homeowners. This regulation allows councils to charge up to double the standard council tax for properties that are not being used as primary residences. The change, which mirrors similar...

In an ambitious move set to reshape the residential landscape of Stretford, Aamer Shah has put forward a planning application to Trafford Council to convert a modest two-bedroom semi-detached property into a 10-bedroom house of multiple occupation (HMO). Shah, hailing from Blackburn, Lancashire, aims to create a living space designed to accommodate multiple tenants while addressing potential concerns from...

In a move aimed at curbing the rise of second home ownership that has been squeezing local property markets for years, a substantial rise in council tax rates for second homes is set to come into effect across various councils in England by April2025. The new legislation, inspired by similar measures already enacted in Scotland and Wales, allows local authorities to impose up to a 100% increase on council...

Westminster City Council is seeking community feedback on a new Selective Property Licensing Scheme aimed at raising the quality and safety standards of private rented housing. This initiative targets 15 wards within the borough, constituting a vital measure in addressing the ongoing housing crisis that has increasingly affected Londoners. With Westminster housing the largest private rented sector in...