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.
Construction sector administrations fell for a second consecutive month in August, but the monthly total remained elevated compared with the same month in 2023. The article highlights ongoing financial stress among contractors, including insolvencies at Ethical Power Renewables and Avtar Construction, despite some easing in cost pressures.
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.
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.
Tribunal activity over market rent disputes has risen sharply since the Renters’ Rights Act came into force, with tenants bringing a growing share of cases. Legal commentators say the change is shifting the balance of power towards tenants and increasing the importance of evidence-based rent setting and strict procedural compliance.
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%.
Mount Anvil reported higher annualised pre-tax profit despite setting aside a £14m provision for fire-safety and cladding remediation on legacy developments. The company said surveys and remedial work are ongoing, with most of the expected costs anticipated to be recovered from third parties, while its London new-build market remains subdued.
The article reports criticism of a proposed 300% property tax, with a leading estate agent warning that the annual charge could exceed £15,000 for some owners. The piece presents the proposal as highly contentious and potentially costly for property holders.
The article argues that appointing contractors late in the design process is associated with significantly higher cost growth on public sector projects. Drawing on a dataset of more than 400 projects, it reports that appointments at RIBA stages 3 and 4 were linked to average cost growth of nearly 9% and 17% respectively, compared with projects where contractors were involved earlier.
Devonshire Homes has entered administration, with administrators reporting that the collapsed housebuilder owes unsecured creditors £35 million. The article indicates the company’s financial failure occurred earlier in the summer.
Stockport Council is preparing to use compulsory purchase powers to secure a bus depot site at Daw Bank after negotiations with Stagecoach broke down over valuation. The land is needed for phase one of the £350m Stockport 8 regeneration scheme, which has planning approval and public funding but is now at risk of delay.
The government has allocated nearly £10 billion from its £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme to 33 strategic partners, including councils and housing associations, to support delivery of 73,600 homes over the next 10 years. The package also includes funding to strengthen local authority capacity and expand planning-related training, with RICS welcoming the emphasis on professional skills across surveying, valuation and development.
