Latest Land Registry analysis cited in the article shows leasehold flats and maisonettes are the only property type in Britain recording negative annual price growth, while freehold houses continue to rise in value. The piece links the weaker flat market to delayed leasehold reform, Building Safety Act compliance issues, ground rent and lease terms, mortgagee protection clauses, service charges and cladding liabilities.
The outgoing interim chief construction adviser has called on clients and funders to take primary responsibility for competence and safety across the built environment. Her final report argues that while stronger standards and smarter regulation are important, lasting improvement depends on behaviours, accountability and avoiding cost or programme pressures that undermine building safety.
A seven-block residential-led scheme at Vauxhall Square has received approval, with the development including a 69-storey tower. The article notes that the project will create the UK's second-tallest residential building.
A refurbishment project involving a grade II-listed Temple building has been classed as high-risk by the Building Safety Regulator after the building was found to have only just met fire safety requirements. The article indicates the historic legal chambers block is largely vacant, highlighting the sensitivity of works to older, protected buildings where fire safety compliance is closely scrutinised.
Glenigan’s September 2026 Construction Index shows residential construction starts fell sharply in the three months to the end of August, with private housing and social housing both down significantly year on year. The article says developers are reassessing site viability amid weak sales, higher build costs and the impending building safety levy, while non-residential activity is performing better.
The article highlights growing concern over punching shear in reinforced concrete flat and transfer slabs, particularly in high-rise and mixed-use buildings. It notes that recent guidance and urgent practice alerts from professional bodies and the Building Safety Regulator are prompting structural reviews, with potential implications for litigation, insurance claims and intrusive investigations.
The Regulator of Social Housing has issued new regulatory judgements, including a finding that small for-profit landlord Keystage CIC failed to meet the Governance and Financial Viability Standard. The article also notes an upgraded consumer grade for Melton Borough Council and a first set of grades for Look Ahead Care and Support Limited, with concerns raised about health and safety compliance oversight and governance arrangements.
The Regulator of Social Housing chief executive said the sector must strengthen strategic decision-making, governance and accountability to deliver more and better social homes amid financial pressure and uncertainty. He noted that investment in existing homes remains important, with higher fire safety remediation costs affecting some areas, particularly London and other large cities.
Administrators for collapsed FK Group Ltd have reported an £8.3m cross-guarantee liability linked to its subsidiaries FK Facades Ltd and FK Construction Ltd. They also said a sale of FK Resolv is being lined up, with any proceeds expected to support a dividend to secured creditor HSBC, while unsecured creditors are unlikely to receive a payout.
Propertymark is urging the Burnham government to speed up leasehold reform and provide immediate protections for existing leaseholders, arguing that a future move to commonhold will not address current market problems. Its report says high service charges, slow access to leasehold information and unresolved building safety defects are continuing to hinder sales, mortgageability and consumer confidence.
Grosvenor has appointed Martin Property Group to refurbish and later operate The Chester Grosvenor, following the planned closure of the hotel due to the cost and complexity of remediating potentially unstable RAAC above function rooms. The project is described as a major, multi-million-pound investment, with refurbishment plans now being developed and the works expected to take around two years once they start, subject to planning.
A cross-border plant safety campaign has been launched in Ireland to reduce the risk of workers being struck or run over by moving machinery. The initiative follows 25 fatalities recorded between 2016 and 2025 in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and will involve site inspections focused on traffic management, exclusion zones, operator competence and communication.
