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One of the UK’s largest housing and regeneration groups has called on the housing sector to be more innovative in helping millions of social housing tenants onto the property ladder. Places for People, which is responsible for around 60,000 properties, said that the sector needed to cast off its one size fits all approach to housing and offer people greater choice, following the launch of the Hills review into social housing. David Cowans, of Places for People said: “Large numbers of social housing tena

Although the Bank of England decided to hold interest rates in March, increases over recent months seem not to have deterred investors in the housing market. All UK house price indices are showing upward curves, with the average home in the UK now costing £188,623. This positive growth is continuing to drive investors into expanding their buy to let portfolios. The market is driven by strong rental demand, spurred on by household break ups, growing student populations and increased immigration. Rising de

Over 80% of home buyers attach little or no importance to the energy efficiency rating of a house being offered for sale, and even the Government’s own ‘Better Regulation Commission’ has described the introduction of energy performance certificates as “ill considered”. With the introduction of HIPS due on 1 June, it is clear that home buyers can’t see the importance of an Energy Efficiency Certificate which will provide houses with a fridge/freezer style A-G rating when they are offered for sale. A surv

Greene & Co., a successful North West London estate agencies, has been named one of the ‘100 Best Small Companies to Work For’. One of only two estate agencies nationwide to receive the accreditation, Greene & Co. is the only estate agency in the UK to receive the superior 2 star status. The annual ‘100 Best Small Companies to Work For’ list is published by The Sunday Times. This year’s research canvassed the views of more than 100,000 UK employees across 434 organisations. David Pollock, Managing Direc

The RICS Lettings Survey published in February showed that tenant demand rose at the fastest pace for nine years. This acceleration was down to a strong economy, buoyant employment conditions and sustained migration from EU accession countries. Demand rose for both flats and houses, with surveyors reporting a rise in demand for houses, up from 22% in October - the highest figure in the survey’s history. New landlord instructions (an indicator of buy-to-let activity) showed a modest upturn. Higher invest

Following the recent release of the Report for Social Housing commissioned by the Government, it has been reported that people on lower incomes are in a better situation in Council or housing association accommodation than if they were in private landlord accommodation. Landlords have a duty to supply adequate and decent accommodation, so how do you ensure that you are a good landlord? Firstly, before even buying a property check that repairs and fixes will be easy to access. Before your tenant moves

In February, Julian Sedgwick, Director for New Homes at Chesterton Global commented that his company had: “started 2007 with a bang with most developments across London and the UK achieving over the asking price and units being sold on the day of the launch. As less stock comes to the residential market, increasing numbers of people are purchasing new builds and paying market prices. Growth for the year to date is strong and we have seen some record price increases and prices per sq ft achieved over the c

BREAKING NEWS Only 9 days to go before new deposit protection laws… ARLA, the Association of Residential Letting Agents, is backing efforts to ensure landlords understand their new legal obligations over deposits and is taking steps to ensure that the Tenancy Deposit Scheme works efficiently for them. To support letting agents who are members of ARLA, the Association has produced its own leaflet in a bid to help them educate client landlords and tenants about their obligations and rights under the

Last summer, I was writing that it had never been easier to buy your freehold or extend your lease. There was only one cloud on the horizon. If the government brought in the regulations attached to the 2002 Act, which include the right of participants to dip in and out of the process, enfranchisement would become problematic again. But it was a small cloud – the regulations have been in administrative limbo for four years now, and the hope is the government has abandoned them. Generally leaseholders were

We read the newspapers to find the latest news, views and gossip about flats… It's a rich man’s world… flat prices reach unprecedented levels. Where will it end? The Times A recent piece in The Times reports on a new record price being reached when luxury apartments in Knightsbridge, developed by Candy & Candy, sold off-plan for a record £4,200 per square foot, turning the developments penthouses into Britain’s most expensive residential property. The apartments have the exclusive address of One Hyde

News on the Block and our experts at Brethertons Solicitors are here to help you this month with your questions, queries and concerns about the apartment sector. Have a question? Contact us at: editor@newsontheblock.com with question in the subject line, or by telephone at 08700 600 663, or by post at News on the Block, 8 Wyndham Place, London W1H 1PP. The question: The lease contains a provision against lessees having pets in their property. A lessee asked for permission to have a guide dog and under t

County Estate Management (CEM), a leading residential managing agent is developing a system to promote green practices and encourage energy conservation at their properties under management. It is part of a comprehensive range of carbon footprint assessments executed at property level and aimed to improve efficiency and make homes greener. Andreas Palikiras, marketing director at CEM told News on the Block: “The human impact on the environment is a largely debated issue and one that will not go away. We