The article reports concerns that the government’s ban on upwards-only rent reviews in new commercial leases could create a split market, with older leases and newer lease structures valued differently over time. It notes that the legislation has received Royal Assent, but implementation timing and detailed guidance remain outstanding.
The article reports on Propertymark’s response to the government consultation on the proposed High Value Council Tax Surcharge (HVCTS), often described as a mansion tax. Propertymark says key issues remain unresolved, particularly around valuation methodology, liability for rented homes, enforcement and local authority resourcing, ahead of a planned April 2028 introduction for properties in England valued at £2 million or more.
An inspector has dismissed an appeal by Great Mersey Street Developments over Liverpool City Council’s refusal of a 54-flat scheme, finding that the proposal could support a higher affordable housing contribution than the developer claimed. The decision turned on viability, with the inspector accepting the council’s higher assessment of gross development value and concluding the scheme conflicted with the development plan.
The Building Safety Regulator says its oversight is helping to restore confidence in London’s flat market by improving perceptions of safety, credibility and value in existing residential buildings. BSR leaders also argued that closer engagement with industry is reducing delays in the gateway process and improving the passage of schemes through regulation.
The article reports that some lenders are declining mortgage applications for flats where annual service charges exceed around 1% of the property’s value, citing concerns about resaleability and future affordability. It also highlights data showing service charges are rising for many leaseholders, with a significant proportion of flats now above this threshold.
The article describes a conveyancer’s experience acting for buyers who entered a modern method of auction purchase without fully understanding the implications. A dispute arose over a 56-day deadline and a threatened forfeiture of a reservation fee, alongside concerns that the title was not mortgageable due to missing documents relating to an unregistered leasehold interest.
EY-Parthenon reports that listed housebuilders issued eight profit warnings in the first half of 2026, matching the level last seen in the first half of 2008 and marking the highest first-half total since 2020. The article attributes pressure on the sector to higher costs, weaker consumer confidence, planning delays, regulatory complexity, environmental constraints and skills shortages, despite a longer-term demand outlook that remains positive.
The article reports reactions from the legal and property sectors to Andy Burnham’s accession as Labour leader and the formation of a new government. The Law Society is urging support for legal aid, court reform and regional legal growth, while property commentators are calling for continued reform of the home buying process and greater clarity on future property tax policy.
Propertymark has issued guidance for agents handling the sale of former rental properties and tenanted homes under the Renters Rights Act. It highlights the use of mandatory possession Ground 1A for genuine sales, the 12-month restriction on serving notice for new tenancies, and the need to avoid implying that vacant possession is guaranteed.
The article reports that former Bank of England Deputy Governor Sir John Gieve has backed the case for a Land Value Tax, arguing that existing property taxes such as Council Tax and Stamp Duty are outdated and distortive. It also notes that any reform would likely need to be phased in over three to five years, with potential implications for higher-value markets such as London and the South East.
Westmorland Farmshop & Co has secured funding from HSBC UK to support the £65m Tatton Services scheme on the M56 in Cheshire. The development, which includes a large amenity building, hotel and fuel station, was approved after a planning inquiry that considered Green Belt and grey belt issues.
The article examines how Andy Burnham’s housing approach, shaped by his record in Greater Manchester, may not translate well nationally. It argues that while planning reform, council housebuilding and devolved delivery could support supply, SME housebuilders are already under pressure from weak market conditions, viability constraints and planning delays.
