UK government stands firm on 1.5 million homes pledge as student housing market adapts

by peter littlewood | Sep 12, 2025 | Open News

The UK government is “absolutely committed” to delivering 1.5 million new homes in England by 2029, Housing Secretary Steve Reed has told the BBC. The target, originally part of Labour’s pre-election manifesto, is central to the government’s housing strategy. “It’s...

Landlords face surge in pet ownership under Renters’ Rights Bill

by peter littlewood | Sep 12, 2025 | Open News

Landlords could soon be housing a wave of new cats and dogs, with up to one million private rented households expected to welcome pets if the Renters’ Rights Bill becomes law. An analysis by comparison site Go.Compare suggests there is significant pent-up demand among...

Student housing providers report strong lettings as demand continues to climb

by peter littlewood | Sep 12, 2025 | Open News

Two of the UK’s largest purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) operators have reported strong lettings for the upcoming academic year, buoyed by rising domestic acceptances and continued international demand. Unite Students said that as of 7 September 2025, 94% of...

Housing secretary promises to bring sector together to ‘build, baby, build’

by peter littlewood | Sep 12, 2025 | Open News

Steve Reed, the new housing secretary, has promised to leave no stone unturned in his quest to get the sector to “build, baby, build”. Alongside housing minister Matthew Pennycook, Mr Reed has reiterated the government’s commitment to working in partnership with...

Landlords could be ‘set up to fail’ by new energy requirements under reformed Decent Homes Standard

by peter littlewood | Sep 12, 2025 | Open News

Social landlords could be “set up to fail” if the government’s preferred minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) for housing are introduced, a senior director has warned. The reformed Decent Homes Standard (DHS) is expected to include stricter energy performance...