Political

The Government has published a document to bring together all circulars related to the building regulations. It can be seen here

Michael Gove confirmed to Sky News earlier this week (May 3) that the renters’ reform bill will be published next week. The bill, which was included in the Conservative Party’s 2019 manifesto, will give greater rights and protections to tenants while also providing...

Labour has pledged to create a national register of landlords to replace the current Register of Rogue Landlords which only lists those who have been handed a banning order by local councils. However, this is also in the White Paper, so would appear to be on the books...

The Government has announced a consultation on the potential to introduce a new planning class C5, with a permitted development right to swap between standard residential use C3 and the new C5.This will give planning authorities control by using article 4 directions...

Home Secretary Suella Braverman is planning a crackdown on odious landlords who ask for sexual favours in exchange for rent and is examining how bad the ‘sex for rent’ situation is and whether enough is being done to protect victims. A new law would put the squeeze on...

On 29 March 2023 the Domestic Abuse Commissioner and domestic abuse support organisations expressed disappointment at the content of the long-awaited Victims and Prisoners Bill which was presented to Parliament on that day. The bill has received its first reading and...

The House of Commons Library has published a report on the use of DFG's. It can be seen here, and says: What are DFGs? Mandatory DFGs are available from local authorities in England and Wales and the Housing Executive in Northern Ireland. They are issued subject to a...

A community union has demanded councillors take action to improve the private rental sector in the city. In its “people’s manifesto”, Acorn lists five demands it wants to see candidates running for election in Brighton and Hove commit to. They include introducing a...

A mortgage chief has accused local authorities of treating private landlords like cash machines.Justin May, chief executive of EHF Mortgages, makes the claim in comments about the government consultation on council tax applied to HMOs. The consultation closes at...

The Government has announced a raft of changes around Ant-Social Behaviour (ASB), including that landlords face unlimited fines if their properties fall into disrepair. Currently, fines attached to so-called “Section 215” orders are capped at £1,000. But the housing...