The Home Builders Federation reports that nine in ten small and medium-sized housebuilders believe the proposed Building Safety Levy will make more development sites unviable. The group is urging government to pause the levy’s introduction, arguing it could further constrain delivery while intended to fund remediation of defective buildings.
The article reports speculation that the forthcoming Budget could increase the High Value Council Tax Surcharge, also referred to as the Mansion Tax, beyond the rates previously announced for properties worth £2 million or more in England. It also suggests possible changes to Capital Gains Tax that could affect landlords, while noting that a Stamp Duty cut appears unlikely.
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.
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.
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.
Environet’s latest analysis shows Bristol remains the UK’s highest-density hotspot for Japanese knotweed for a second consecutive year, with Merseyside and Greater London also ranking highly. The article highlights the plant’s widespread presence across the UK and its potential to reduce property values and create significant economic costs.
The article examines the Government’s planned cap on most existing residential ground rents in England and Wales, moving them to £250 a year before reducing them to a peppercorn after 40 years under the forthcoming Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill. It argues the reform may ease sales and mortgage issues linked to onerous ground rents, but could also reduce freeholder income, create fairness concerns between leaseholders, and affect valuation and financing assumptions.
Zoopla says flats are currently offering better relative value than houses, but demand remains weak because buyers are sensitive to price, running costs and leasehold-related uncertainty. The article also notes that government leasehold reforms are intended to improve transparency and strengthen leaseholder protections, although campaigners argue progress has been too slow.
LEASE has combined its lease length checker and lease extension calculator into a single online tool for leaseholders in England and Wales. The service is intended to help users assess remaining lease term, estimate extension costs and understand next steps, with LEASE highlighting that many owners only become aware of lease length issues when selling, remortgaging or extending.
LEASE has launched a free online tool for leaseholders in England and Wales to check remaining lease term and estimate lease extension costs, combining its previous lease length checker and calculator. The accompanying analysis suggests around 8% of residential leases have 80 to 90 years remaining, with the highest concentration in London, the South East and Eastern regions.
Zoopla says flat sales are taking longer, with around four in five flats not selling within six months, reflecting weaker demand and greater uncertainty in the sector. The article links this to leasehold complexity, service charges, ground rents, building safety concerns and lender caution, with the flat-house price gap now at a three-decade high.
Peel has launched a £582.9m cash offer to buy the remaining shares in Harworth Group, with the aim of taking the regeneration and strategic land business private. The bid would see Harworth delist from the London Stock Exchange if successful, and Peel says it would then review the business structure, costs and asset base over the following six months.
