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There was no windfall for the housing sector in Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement. And his pre-Budget comment that he had some ‘eye-wateringly tough’ decisions to make proved to be true as taxes went up and public spending was squeezed in an effort to repair the nation’s fractured finances. But he did outline the measures he believed necessary to bring down inflation and keep mortgage rates stable while raising the revenue needed to maintain public services. And sector bosses have welcomed those m

FirstPort, the UK’s leading residential property services provider, is launching an industry-leading partnership with Net Zero International, as it works towards the Government’s net zero targets, and joins the United Nations’ Race to Zero initiative. FirstPort will be partnering with Net Zero International to deliver a net zero strategy across the FirstPort group, working towards mitigating a minimum of 90% of its baseline emissions, in line with science-based targets. This partnership will allow FirstPo

Are you ready for net zero? That's the question asked in a webinar broadcast on 28 November by repairs and maintenance software provider Fixflo.  The webinar will feature Nigel Glen, Executive Chair of The Property Institute and Martin Perry, Director of West of England Estate Management Ltd. The two industry leaders will assess the steps block managers can take to prepare for the Government's 2050 zero emissions targets, including: The importance of a whole building approach Heat networks and heat pum

A large property with a fascinating history as a former maternity home in one of Birmingham’s most sought-after suburbs is appearing in Bond Wolfe’s next auction on Wednesday 14 December. The Grange at 42 Park Hill in Moseley, which has a guide price* of £750,000+, is a Victorian-style building that has long since been converted into ten self-contained flats. But the freehold property was once a centre for unmarried mothers, known as the Lahai-Roi Rescue Maternity Home and The Grange Rescue Home at differ

New snap research from UK relationship bank Handelsbanken, carried out following the recent economic upheaval, finds that landlords are making significant adjustments to their portfolios to cater for the fast-changing macroeconomic environment. Almost three in five (60%) landlords say they are preparing to increase rents to compensate for higher costs, with a fifth saying they are planning to sell some of their portfolio to directly combat the cost of living crisis. Around a third say they are looking for

There’s something very special about a nine-year-old thinking of other young people being homeless or in fear of being homeless and wanting to help. St Basils homelessness charity are very fortunate to have that special 9-year-old supporting them this year.  Jessica Field from Redditch really wanted to make a difference and asked her mum Claire how she could help.  Jess said: “I wanted to raise money for homeless people this year as I see them sleeping outside when I go to my evening clubs. I feel sad for

Fears over controversial Government proposals for the Private Rental Sector would be eased for letting agents and landlords by the adoption of a rigorous, professional inventory policy, according to one industry boss. No Letting Go CEO, Nick Lyons said :”These proposals are wide ranging and they do benefit tenants but, in the end, we all want decent homes in the PRS and we want a level playing field for both letting agents on the one hand, and tenants on the other. “This is best achieved through transpare

Leading accountancy firm Whitley Stimpson is continuing its investment in fresh talent by welcoming 14 new starters to join their offices in Banbury, Bicester, High Wycombe, and Witney, while also celebrating exam success. Director Jonathan Walton said: “As with many companies, recruitment continues to be a challenge, so we are thrilled to have attracted 14 new starters to the business and are still on the lookout for more candidates. “We have a strong history of supporting professional development which

Amstone Ventures is delighted to have secured planning permission for a new £115m residential development on the site of the former Sainsbury’s supermarket in Stockport town centre.  Following planning submission in December 2021, Amstone’s proposals were unanimously approved by councillors at last night’s (10th November) Planning & Highways Regulation Committee. The project, to be known as No.1 Knightsbridge, will see the demolition of the former supermarket and the construction of three residential bloc

A premium collection of 146 homes located on an unusual river island setting in a Cambridgeshire town is to be looked after by Principle Estate Management. The development is a private estate of leasehold and freehold properties based within a protection zone at Skipper Way on The Island, sitting on the Great River Ouse that runs through St Neots. St Neots is on the East Coast Main Line about 50 miles north of London and 18 miles west of Cambridge, and is one of the largest settlements in Cambridgeshire a

The recent news that a bird flu outbreak can spread between humans on rare occasions and the possibility of a flu-covid "twin-demic" has raised awareness of the spread of viral infections in the UK. The best way to reduce the spread of air-borne viruses may be as simple as turning on a stereotypical summer appliance.  On the week ending 26th September, around one in 50 people in England had Covid - an increase of a quarter - and more than 9,500 patients were hospitalized. As such, the term "twin-demic" re

In March 2021 I wrote an article proffering the view that the sub-18 metre challenge would be the most difficult and widespread cladding related issue to resolve in the UK and that the then recently announced government loan scheme seemed both inequitable and unworkable.   Fast forward eighteen months and boy there has been a lot that has happened.  We have had the double return of Gove to DLUHC (once wasn’t enough), we are currently now on the cusp of new Building Regulations and British Standards that w