Councillors have raised concerns about the ethics and procurement implications of a new modular construction company formed by former directors of collapsed firm Merit, which left an NHS hospital project incomplete. The article also reports alleged defects on the Berwick-upon-Tweed hospital scheme, legal action by the trust, and questions over whether the new business should be eligible for further NHS work.
Ardmore’s remaining group companies have had CVAs approved after the construction arm entered administration earlier this year, following remediation claims and Building Liability Orders linked to legacy residential developments. The company says the restructuring offers creditors a better outcome than liquidation, but it also marks Ardmore’s exit from operating as a main contractor.
A survey of lettings professionals found that the Renters’ Rights Act has increased administrative workload for most firms, with compliance and record keeping identified as the main pressure point. The report also highlights fragmented technology use, manual data handling and concerns about maintaining profitability while meeting new requirements.
Rightmove has added a rent review function to its Tenancy Manager platform to help lettings agents create and serve Section 13 rent increase notices from existing tenancy records. The update is positioned as a response to changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act and is intended to streamline administration and support compliance.
nHabit has launched a rental pricing tool that uses tenant rejection data from its consumer app to help landlords and letting agents set asking rents more accurately. The product is positioned as a response to new rules under the Renters’ Rights Act that prevent landlords and agents from accepting offers above the advertised rent, increasing the importance of getting the initial price right.
Ardmore’s creditors have voted to approve seven company voluntary arrangements (CVAs), creating a route for the construction group to appeal a High Court ruling that it says led to its administration. The decision indicates an ongoing restructuring process with potential implications for the firm’s contractual and financial position.
HMRC has received £500,000 from the administration of Readie Construction, far less than the more than £8m originally owed. The report also indicates that unsecured creditors, including a large subcontractor debt, are still expected to receive nothing, with administration costs and failed intercompany recoveries further reducing returns.
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.
Landlords with rented properties in the designated Selective Licensing area of Grimsby are being warned to apply for licences by 8 October 2026 or face a £200 late fee. The article also notes that operating without a licence may trigger enforcement action and significant financial penalties.
Reform UK has set out proposals to significantly deregulate the planning system, including scrapping biodiversity net gain requirements, landfill tax, Section 106 payments and most building standards for brownfield housing schemes. The plans would materially reduce planning and development obligations if adopted.
Siderise has launched a new inspection app to verify the installation of its passive fire protection and acoustic products, with the aim of creating evidence that can feed into a building’s golden thread of information. The system supports installer feedback, corrective actions and data capture for compliance, and is positioned to align with gateway requirements for high-risk buildings and emerging construction product reforms.
A survey by The Letting Partnership suggests letting agents expect the Renters Rights Act to increase their compliance and administrative workload. Despite this, seven in 10 respondents believe the added complexity will make professional agents more important to landlords.
