LRG chief executive Michael Cook has set out a housing policy wishlist for Andy Burnham, arguing that housing should be central to any future economic programme. His comments support measures such as government-backed mortgages, shared ownership and planning reform, while warning against further regulation that could reduce supply or create unintended consequences.
An Upper Tribunal has upheld the cancellation of a civil financial penalty imposed by Waltham Forest Council for an unlicensed HMO, finding the authority missed the statutory deadline for serving the notice of intent. The case arose after a property was re-let to sharers without an HMO licence application being submitted, but the enforcement action was ultimately defeated on procedural grounds.
The government has launched a consultation on replacing the Lifetime ISA with a new First Time Buyer ISA, designed to support first-time purchasers through a government bonus paid at the point of home purchase. The proposal removes the LISA withdrawal penalty model and shifts compliance responsibilities onto conveyancers, although key details such as subscription limits, price caps and bonus levels are still to be set.
The Regulator of Social Housing has published new regulatory judgements showing four landlords receiving C1 consumer grades and four receiving C2 grades, alongside governance and viability updates for several providers. Nottingham City Council was upgraded from C3 to C2 after improving its understanding of home condition and repairs oversight, while East End Homes and Ravenscroft also saw regulatory changes following improvement work.
The Conveyancing Task Force has warned that homebuying reform should not be driven by digitalisation and AI at the expense of legal safeguards and professional judgment. It argues that government reform efforts need stronger engagement with frontline conveyancing expertise, citing the Building Safety Act 2022 as an example where operational consequences were not fully considered.
The article reports on Place North West’s Cumbria Development Update 2026, focusing on devolution, regeneration priorities and the forthcoming election of Cumbria’s first mayor. Speakers highlighted the scale of government funding available, the need to accelerate housing delivery, and the barriers posed by planning, skills shortages and utility delays, with Barrow and the Jennings Brewery redevelopment singled out as major projects.
Landlords have sold at least 2,000 student HMO beds in Britain over the past year, with YieldMe linking the trend to the Renters’ Rights Act and wider regulatory pressure. The article also notes continued strong demand in university cities and growing institutional investor interest in the HMO and student accommodation sector.
Fylde Council is preparing to consult on its draft Local Plan to 2042 following executive sign-off, with the plan intended to guide development and planning decisions over the next 15 years. It proposes provision for 6,656 new homes, concentrates most growth in four strategic locations, and includes a small Green Belt amendment linked to strategic growth at the BAE Systems site in Warton.
Taylor Wimpey has appealed Knowsley Council’s refusal of access consent for a 350-home scheme in Widnes, despite Halton Council having already granted permission for the wider redevelopment. The dispute centres on highway safety and the proposed T-junction access on the Knowsley side of the boundary, with the Planning Inspectorate now set to consider whether the access arrangement is acceptable.
The Planning Inspectorate has published a procedure guide for local plan examinations under the new local plan system, which came into force in March 2026. The guide explains the gateway assessments and examination process, and sits alongside wider plan-making guidance and digital services being developed by the Planning Inspectorate and MHCLG.
The Environment Agency is advertising an environmental permit application for 3 and 4 Cuttmill Cottages, Cuxham, Watlington, OX49 5BA, submitted by Andrew Watson. The consultation relates to water discharge and groundwater activities, as well as medium combustion plant and specified generators.
The article reports that the government is proposing to end insured tenancy deposit schemes in England and Wales and require all deposits to be protected through custodial arrangements. It notes that insured schemes currently hold over £3 billion of tenant funds and that a transition would likely be gradual, with agents potentially needing to operate both systems during the changeover.
