The article reports that former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has cautioned Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey against increasing property taxes in the upcoming Budget, arguing that property is already taxed heavily. It also notes discussion of possible reform to existing taxes such as Stamp Duty and Council Tax, alongside speculation about a proportional property tax and the Mansion Tax.
Castle Green Homes has appealed Flintshire County Council’s refusal of a 315-home scheme in Ewloe, arguing the committee’s reasons for rejection were unsupported and amounted to unreasonable behaviour. The developer is also seeking full costs and has submitted a revised application for 276 homes while the appeal is considered.
The Building Safety Regulator has approved Gateway 2 for the first phase of the £286m Cambridge Halls student accommodation redevelopment in Manchester. The scheme, led by Unite Students and Manchester Metropolitan University, will deliver 2,300 bedspaces in two phases, with construction now moving ahead following demolition and groundworks.
New research from LRG suggests more landlords are asking for guarantors where prospective tenants do not meet standard affordability checks, as rent-in-advance safeguards are reduced under the Renters’ Rights Act. The article also highlights low tenant awareness of professional guarantor services and the potential impact on rental demand and tenant choice.
Propertymark has criticised the Scottish Government’s latest Programme for Government for not doing enough to address Scotland’s housing emergency. The concerns raised focus on rising rents, affordability, property taxation, tribunal resourcing and proposed tenant purchase rights, with particular attention to potential valuation and administration issues linked to the Council Tax (Scotland) Bill.
The housing minister has said the final list of new towns will be announced by the end of the year, after a delay to allow further review of consultation responses and strategic environmental assessments. The programme is intended to support large-scale new settlements and urban extensions, with an emphasis on high-quality design, placemaking and environmental mitigation.
The article argues that Andy Burnham’s regeneration approach in Greater Manchester could become a national model if extended through his new role as Prime Minister. It highlights the role of private investment, brownfield redevelopment, and local decision-making in supporting housing delivery, town-centre renewal and wider economic growth.
The Regulator of Social Housing has published its Q1 2026 quarterly survey of private registered providers, showing continued sector investment and strong spending on repairs, maintenance and development. The report also notes slower-than-forecast recovery in margins and interest cover, with RSH continuing to monitor liquidity, covenant risk and exposure through non-registered entities.
The Building Safety Regulator has approved the first phase of a 2,300-bed student accommodation scheme involving Unite and Manchester Metropolitan University. The scheme, designed by Cartwright Pickard, is expected to complete in time for the 2029/30 academic year.
Centre for Cities has argued that English cities have significantly lower residential density around rail stations than comparable French and Japanese cities, and that this represents a major opportunity to increase housing supply. It recommends faster transfer of Network Rail land to mayoral city regions, alongside greater use of Mayoral Development Corporations and Mayoral Development Orders to accelerate station-area development.
Alto has launched a set of AI features designed to automate routine estate and letting agency tasks such as appraisals, listings, sales chasing and email drafting. The company says the tools were developed with external testing because of regulatory risk, and that agents will retain final sign-off before anything is sent.
Edinburgh has approved a 300% Council Tax premium on second homes, ending a period of uncertainty after the measure was previously paused on legal advice. The article suggests other parts of Britain could consider similar charges, while noting that England already allows a 100% premium and Wales permits premiums of up to 300%.
