Manchester City Council has opened consultation on its draft local plan for 2022 to 2039 ahead of submission for examination. The plan sets out growth locations, expanded city centre boundaries, affordable housing targets, purpose-built student accommodation policy, and strategic flood risk considerations.
The article argues that the new government’s likely reliance on wealth and property taxes could weigh on higher-value homes, particularly in prime London, even as the wider UK market remains subdued. It also notes that mortgage costs, Budget speculation and recent rental legislation are continuing to shape buyer, seller and landlord behaviour.
The Property Care Association has warned that more than 50 companies have been found using its logo without permission, prompting advice for landlords and other property owners to verify contractor credentials before commissioning work. The PCA says false claims of membership are being used to create a misleading impression of professionalism and to win work.
The article reports warnings from Knight Frank’s Tom Bill that possible tax changes, including aligning Capital Gains Tax with Income Tax, could increase pressure on landlords and potentially push more owners to sell. It also argues that the Renters Rights Act has already contributed to some landlords exiting the sector and to higher asking rents, with possible knock-on effects for tenants and the wider rental market.
New figures show a sharp fall in planning approvals for private housing sites in England, with both site numbers and approved homes remaining well below levels implied by the Government’s housing ambitions. The article argues that rising build costs, weaker demand and reduced viability are constraining new supply, particularly on larger schemes.
The Environment Agency has published a 2025 update to its storm overflow assessment framework for water companies in England. The guidance replaces the 2018 version and clarifies how spill data, valid year averages, water quality impact assessments and cost-benefit considerations should be applied under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations.
Revised proposals for the Stocktons build-to-rent scheme in Ancoats reduce the height of the taller tower to 45 storeys, bringing the scheme closer to the area’s strategic regeneration framework and addressing planning committee concerns. The redesign also includes a modest increase in affordable provision, with 50 homes proposed at Manchester Living Rent level, and a slight reduction in total unit numbers to 723.
Research cited in the article suggests that sales of UK residential property by overseas private individuals have slowed, with fewer transactions recorded in the year to April 2026 than in the previous year. The piece links this to a combination of tax changes, lower rental yields, and increased landlord regulation, including the Renters Rights Act.
The article reports that lettings professionals are seeing a rise in more detailed complaints generated with the help of AI, but some contain inaccurate or misleading information. Industry figures say firms should adapt complaints handling processes, using AI for internal analysis while keeping human review and response at the centre.
The article examines financial fragility among private building control firms registered as registered building control approvers (RBCAs), highlighting recent collapses and signs of wider sector stress. It reports that liabilities are rising faster than assets across the group, despite Building Safety Regulator requirements for financial viability, and suggests the current system is under pressure when firms fail.
The Building Safety Regulator has said it is not confident that data submitted by external building control bodies is accurate or complete enough to publish in full. The article also reports that the regulator is undertaking data reconciliation work, while releasing figures showing 4,661 registered building inspectors currently working in England.
The article reports that Angela Rayner has confirmed a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that will favour housing development near train stations by default. It also notes that the updated planning rules include protections for pubs and music venues.
