Ridge, the Built Environment Consultancy, announces the acquisition of Concert, to fast track its position in the data centre sector and strengthen its offering in the London market. Ridge has seen sustained growth over the last three years, with its headcount growing by 500 to 1100 and fee income increasing from £55m
Study Inn, the luxury hotel-style student accommodation owner, developer, and operator, celebrated another milestone in its journey to 10,000 rooms with the Topping Out ceremony of its latest Leeds development. The event marked a crucial point in the construction of its new 15 storey tower building. The ceremony was attended
AtkinsRéalis has won Learning Places Scotland’s prestigious ‘Consultancy of the Year’ award for the fourth time in five years. The global design, engineering and project management company picked up on the ‘Consultancy of the Year’ award and the ‘Project of the Year’ prize at the annual event hosted on Tuesday [14
Today, Dyson is launching the ‘Air Purity Pulse Check’ report, a detailed dive into UK attitudes towards the importance of indoor air quality. This in-depth study delves into the views of the public and business leaders, owners and managers on the problem of indoor air pollution. Poor air quality is
New scheme which has outline planning permission for 2.6m sq ft of development for build to suit industrial and warehouse units from 11,000 sq ft upto 1,068,00 sq ft in a single building is being developed by Verdant Regeneration Ltd and situated in Ilkeston at J25 of the M1. Glencar,
Housing developer Story Homes is delighted to announce that it has been recognised by the prestigious UK Property Awards, winning two 5-star accolades for its Brigsteer Rise development in Kendal as well as the award for ‘Best Developer Website’ for the second year running. Brigsteer Rise beat strong competition from
Casa by Moda, the single family homes division of developer and operator Moda Group, has reached completion on the first phase of its new rental homes in Springboig, Glasgow – its first residential neighbourhood to open in the UK. With 31 two-, three-, and four-bedroom houses available immediately with a
Yorkshire’s leading facilities management company HE Barnes Ltd is preparing the celebrations for its 100th year in business. Established in 1923 by the pioneering Horace Edward Barnes, HE Barnes is a renowned business in Mechanical, Electrical, and turnkey Facilities Management Services with a group turnover in excess of £35 million. Since
Propertymark’s Head of Policy and Campaigns has called on the UK Government to retain the option of fixed-term tenancies in the private rental sector where it is mutually beneficial for both parties. Propertymark was the only membership body for property agents represented at the first sitting of the Public Bill
Two-fifths (42%) of UK contractors are not part of an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) scheme despite the fact that it could become mandatory in 2024, reveals new research. Commissioned by Dispute Assist, the UK’s leading dispute resolution provider, the survey of 200 home improvement contractors found that many are not utilising dispute
Ridge, the Built Environment Consultancy, announces the acquisition of Concert, to fast track its position in the data centre sector and strengthen its offering in the London market. Ridge has seen sustained growth over the last three years, with its headcount growing by 500 to 1100 and fee income increasing from £55m in 2020 to a forecast of £110m in 2023. The acquisition of Concert aligns with Ridge’s overarching strategic vision of ‘Quality, Innovation and Growth’, reinforcing its commitment to be at the forefront of the industry by nurturing talent and expanding its expertise. Concert, a London based firm of project managers, cost management and CDM consultants brings considerable capability and credibility in the data centre and commercial markets which have been identified as key growth areas in Ridge’s strategy. Established in 1974*, their track record in the data centre sector has been built across a number of high-profile schemes, for clients including Ark Data Centres, CyrusOne, Colt DCS, Green Mountain and Form8tion. In the commercial sector, Concert has enjoyed long standing relationships with clients such as JPMorgan and Nuveen. Adrian O’Hickey, Senior Partner at Ridge, said: “This acquisition is the next stage in our vision of sustainably growing Ridge over the long term. Concert is well established in two of our target growth sectors: Data Centres and Commercial, and their talented team bring a depth and range of additional knowledge, skills, and relationships. This acquisition will also strengthen our offering in the competitive London market. Our values and vision are well aligned, focusing on delivering positive client and employee experiences through innovation, collaboration, proactivity, agility and doing the right thing.” Rennie Dalrymple, Managing Director at Concert, said: “It is a very exciting time in the data centre sector, joining Ridge will enable us to strengthen and broaden our services, supporting clients with their significant investment plans for delivering complex developments in the UK and Europe. We look forward to being part of Ridge and supporting the business expansion in London by combining our highly experienced teams to deliver market leading consultancy advice.” Ridge has purchased 100% of Concert and its subsidiaries. The sale was completed on 3 November. Concert will initially continue to operate under its current brand with a phased integration into the Ridge structure in 2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Study Inn, the luxury hotel-style student accommodation owner, developer, and operator, celebrated another milestone in its journey to 10,000 rooms with the Topping Out ceremony of its latest Leeds development. The event marked a crucial point in the construction of its new 15 storey tower building. The ceremony was attended by Study Inn Directors to acknowledge the project’s significance to the Leeds community. Phase 1 of the development, comprised regeneration of an existing landmark building and was opened by the group in September 22, delivering 163 rooms. This new second phase will add a further 222 rooms and is on track for opening as planned in September 2024. Safety and sustainability have been at the forefront of innovative design. Amenities already opened with the first phase of the development are to Study Inn’s brand standard and include a wellness spa, yoga studio, gym, entertainment area, and bowling lanes. The link block joining the two buildings will include a large reception area and study rooms with modern breakout spaces. “We are delighted to mark this significant milestone in our ongoing drive to redefine student living in the UK. It is a testament to our dedication to providing a dynamic, conducive environment for academic growth and personal development and we eagerly anticipate the positive impact this facility will bring to the Leeds community,” said Simon Liversage, MD of Developments at Study Inn Group. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
AtkinsRéalis has won Learning Places Scotland’s prestigious ‘Consultancy of the Year’ award for the fourth time in five years. The global design, engineering and project management company picked up on the ‘Consultancy of the Year’ award and the ‘Project of the Year’ prize at the annual event hosted on Tuesday [14 November] at the Hilton, Glasgow. The Consultancy of the Year award is valuable recognition that AtkinsRéalis has demonstrated outstanding work in the education sector across Scotland during 2022/23, which has also been a fantastic period of growth with 20% uplift in projects delivered in 18 months. More than 60 education projects have been delivered during this period, including new facilities for 917 early years children, and improvement to classroom facilities for more than 21,000 new inspiring student and staff spaces. Kirsty Whitfield, Regional Managing Director for Scotland & Ireland Project & Programme Services, said: “I’m proud our team has been awarded Consultancy of the Year for a fourth time. Winning the award is true testament to our Scottish team’s commitment to ensuring high quality, innovation and collaboration in all our projects. Our fantastic team put everything into the success of our projects, driving to improve the learning experience for thousands of young people across Scotland. My congratulations go out to all those involved, and I thank our entire team and our partners for all their hard work and dedication.” James Butler, Managing Director for Project & Programme Services adds: “It’s a remarkable achievement and I’m so proud of our team. Picking up this award for the fourth time in five years not only reflects on the excellence of our team in Scotland, but also the amazing portfolio of education projects we have to work on, which is a real privilege. Congratulations to the team once again for being recognised for their efforts to deliver success for our clients.” The team continues to provide outstanding multi-disciplinary services delivering 40% of Scotland’s LEIP funded schools across nine local authorities, continuing to work with 10 Scottish Universities delivering >£200M of projects at University of St Andrews, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen. AtkinsRéalis supports Scotland’s ambition to be net zero by 2045, increasing the number of Passivhaus schools delivered, whilst collaborating with the SFT, local authorities and Universities. The team has generated £25M in Salix funding for its education clients. As well as the Consultancy of the Year award, AtkinsRealis received further award recognition from Learning Places Scotland: – AtkinsRéalis was appointed by Heriot-Watt University as Project Manager and Employer’s Agent, reflecting our longstanding relationship with the university and our extensive experience of higher education and research buildings. The £22m facility creates world-class robotic solutions for homes, healthcare, manufacturing, construction, energy and agritech and is the UK’s largest and most advanced robotics and AI research and teaching centre. In 2023, AtkinsRéalis underwent significant growth in the national education sector, providing multi-disciplinary services to over 600 education clients. The firm also picked up Consultancy of the Year award at the Education Estates awards in Birmingham last month. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Today, Dyson is launching the ‘Air Purity Pulse Check’ report, a detailed dive into UK attitudes towards the importance of indoor air quality. This in-depth study delves into the views of the public and business leaders, owners and managers on the problem of indoor air pollution. Poor air quality is a worldwide issue and is recognised by the UK government as ‘the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK’. The Air Purity Pulse Check found that over half of people polled are concerned about poor air quality impacting health, yet only 59% of people polled believe their own homes have good air quality. A growing consumer concern The report finds that nearly half (48%) of people polled think indoor air quality is more important than outdoor. Younger, working age respondents are more likely to be more concerned about indoor air quality, with over half (54%) of people between the ages of 25 to 34 years old and 51% of people between the ages 35 to 44 years old saying it concerns them more than outside air quality. When it comes to poor air quality’s effects on health, the UK public is even more worried: 55% of those surveyed say that they are concerned about poor air quality impacting their health and, of that group, 80% of respondents say they have become more concerned about this in the past three years. A study by Imperial College London found that 97% of UK homes exceed at least one of the World Health Organisation’s limits on three key air pollutants. People are taking steps with their indoor air quality at home, with 70% of people polled saying they have taken steps such as investing in air purifiers to improve home air quality. Tim Jones CEng MIET, Lead Research Engineer at Dyson, commented: “Despite indoor air quality being much more prevalent in our lives, people are far more aware of the impacts of poor outdoor air quality. At Dyson, we believe that it’s time to make the invisible visible and the Air Purity Pulse Check report aims to do exactly this. “The past five years have changed our relationship with air quality, as we spend the majority of our time indoors. In particular, the public r has been made much more aware of the air circulating in their indoor spaces, whether in a shared or private space. Despite its importance, indoor air pollution is largely invisible so has flown under the radar. This in-depth study illustrates the current views and opinions of the public and business owners, creating a ‘pulse check’ on the nation when it comes to indoor air quality.” Workplace woes The majority (90%) of UK leaders, managers and owners believe that air quality in the workplace is important. This directly correlates with the public, with 90% saying that air quality in the workplace is important to them as well. However, there is clearly a mismatch between what is considered important by decision-makers and what actions they are taking: only 65% of managers say that air quality in the workplace is a business priority, and half of people polled say that the organisations they work for have invested in indoor air quality. The findings demonstrate that indoor air quality should be a business priority to aid staff wellbeing and retention. Two thirds (66%) of people polled said they would be uncomfortable working somewhere with poor air quality and nearly half (46%) said air quality would be a consideration when deciding to take a job. Hospitality Data The report showcases that air quality is hugely important to nearly two thirds of pub goers and more than half of consumers polled would consider air quality when choosing a venue (54%), which rises to three fifths (61%) in people aged between 25 to 34 years old. Indeed, the same amount (54%) of respondents say that an official rating from a specialist indoor air quality evaluator or air purifiers would improve their confidence in the air quality at pubs, clubs and restaurants. Despite this, hospitality managers do not place the same value on air quality as its patrons: 79% of hospitality managers say air quality is important to them, which is the lowest percentage of any sector measured. Only half (48%) of hospitality managers polled said their businesses have already invested in air quality at their establishments, with more than half of hospitality managers responding that their business plans to invest in air quality in the future. Gyms & Spas Data Air quality is important in all indoor environments and this is especially true in the health and wellness sector. The majority (84%) of health and wellness managers think that air quality is an important consideration for their businesses. In fact, poor air quality could make over half (55%) of respondents swap gyms. Despite this, only 55% of gym and spa managers say their venues have invested in air quality, pointing to a gap between attitudes and action. Air purifiers and official ratings from independent air quality evaluators are most likely to increase visitor confidence in air quality at gyms and spas, chosen by 25% and 31% of respondents respectively. Healthcare Sector It is of no surprise that of the UK managers asked whether air quality is important to them in the workplace, the health sector managers came out on top (97%). Almost all (94%) health sector managers polled responded that air quality is a growing concern for them. The importance placed on air quality is translated to the public as well: 89% of people polled say that air quality is important to them when it comes to hospitals and other health facilities. This correlates positively with age, scoring 76% with 16 to 24 year olds and 95% with those aged over 55 years old. Education Sector It is vital for air quality to be prioritised in educational environments to ensure they are providing the best learning environment for those within them. The majority of consumers of education (87%) and education leaders (98%)
New scheme which has outline planning permission for 2.6m sq ft of development for build to suit industrial and warehouse units from 11,000 sq ft upto 1,068,00 sq ft in a single building is being developed by Verdant Regeneration Ltd and situated in Ilkeston at J25 of the M1. Glencar, a leading UK construction company that was recently ranked amongst Europe’s fastest growing businesses, yesterday announced that it has been appointed by new customer Verdant Regeneration to design and build a new 20,400 sq ft regional hub for DX (Group) plc, a leading provider of delivery solutions including parcel freight, secure courier, 2-Man and logistics services, at a new 200-acre development site in Ilkeston, Derbyshire. The DX regional hub project which will also include construction of offices and external works will be built to an exceptionally high standard with a raised dock and onsite car parking. The new hub and depot will provide significant additional regional capacity, improve efficiency by reducing stem mileage, delivering environmental and customer service benefits. Construction is due to start on site during October 2023 with the building expected to take 24 weeks to build, PC by early April 2024.. To celebrate the announcement and to mark the start of works onsite a ground breaking event was recently held attended by executives from DX, Glencar, officials from Erewash Borough Council, Mayor Councillor Frank Phillips, Leader of the Council Councillor James Dawson and local MP Maggie Throup. The development being formally marketed as New Stanton Park has outline planning permission for the construction of 2.6m sq ft of industrial/warehouse units from 11,000 sq ft upto 1,068,00 sq ft in a single building with the potential to deliver upto 4,000 new jobs once fully developed. The site has power connection of 31mva and can accommodate a high volume water connection. Speaking about the project Pete Goodman, Managing Director – UK Midlands, North and Ireland said: “We are very happy to have been appointed by new customer Verdant Regeneration on what will be the first development to come out of the ground at this brand new strategically located development site which has been a long time in the planning. This development has been designed with sustainability at the core which when combined with large amounts of amenity and green space at New Stanton Park will see fishing ponds, rural walkways and cycle tracks all enhanced to link the site and wider communities. Glencar are fully committed to sustainable construction and a sustainable future. Our ESG approach has been deliberately designed to help us to create a positive impact on the world in which we operate as well as a more innovative, resilient and successful business for the future. We are committed to being a responsible business and to supporting customers in achieving their own sustainability targets and look forward to working closely with Verdant Regeneration and the broader project team. Also in comment, David Grier of Verdant Regeneration said “Having acquired the site in 2020, we have worked hard across the team to quickly bring forward an outline planning application for a development of 2.6m sq ft on what is one of the largest regeneration projects within the region. We are delighted to have now successfully secured outline planning consent and thank Erewash Borough Council for the professional manner and efficiency in which they have dealt with the planning application. New Stanton Park offers an excellent strategic location, blending an active rail connection with strong private and public transport connectivity, plentiful labour, large power supply and high volume water connection. When combined, we are confident this will result in a highly successful development with the next chapter set to positively transform and improve the area, bringing forward large scale job creation in the process. Also commenting, Paul Ibbetson, Chief Executive Officer DX (Group) plc, said “DX is delighted to be announced as the first business taking space on New Stanton Park Industrial Estate, a redevelopment scheme near Nottingham. The purchase of this 25,000 sq ft site will enable us to create a major new regional hub and depot to service our Group’s parcel freight activities. The new hub and depot will provide significant additional regional capacity, improve efficiency by reducing stem mileage and is in line with our plans to make strategic property investments. We also look forward to creating further job opportunities in the area. Construction, which will benefit from a raised dock and mechanisation, is expected to be completed during Q2 2024.” New Stanton Park has outline planning permission for the construction of 2.6m sq ft of industrial/warehouse units from 11,000 sq ft upto 1,068,00 sq ft in a single building with the potential to deliver upto 4,000 new jobs once fully developed. The site has a very substantial power connection of 31mva and can accommodate high volume water connections. For further information please visit: https://newstantonpark.com/
Housing developer Story Homes is delighted to announce that it has been recognised by the prestigious UK Property Awards, winning two 5-star accolades for its Brigsteer Rise development in Kendal as well as the award for ‘Best Developer Website’ for the second year running. Brigsteer Rise beat strong competition from national housebuilders to win the award for the ‘Best Residential Development’ in the Cumbria region as well as the award for ‘Best Residential Interior for a Show Home.’ Now in its 30th year, the UK Property Awards are the most demanding and rigorous in the property sector. The awards are judged by an independent panel of over 80 industry experts, focussing on design, quality, service, innovation, originality and commitment to sustainability. Story Homes was presented with the three awards at a ceremony on 10 November at The London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square. As winners of two 5-star awards, the builder will be entered into the European Property Awards, which ultimately determine Europe’s finest property companies. Hayley Blair, Sales & Marketing Director at Story Homes said: “We are so proud to be recognised once again at the UK Property Awards, which is a very prestigious accolade within the housebuilding industry. “To walk away with two 5-star awards for our Brigsteer Rise development, plus a further award for our website for the second year running, was a fantastic achievement and further demonstrates the quality and design of the new homes we hand over to our customers.” Brigsteer Rise is a desirable development of high quality homes located in Kendal. This exclusive development offers Story Homes’ ‘Story Collection’ of two to five-bedroom homes, carefully designed throughout, with a high specification as standard. Since its official launch in August 2022, the development has been extremely popular with customers and Story Homes recently handed over the keys to its 10,000th new home, and the milestone event took place at Brigsteer Rise with new homeowners Tina and Colin, who purchased a 5-bedroom Cranford home. For more information, please contact Katie Brown, Communications Manager on 01228 891528 or email katie.brown@storyhomes.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Casa by Moda, the single family homes division of developer and operator Moda Group, has reached completion on the first phase of its new rental homes in Springboig, Glasgow – its first residential neighbourhood to open in the UK. With 31 two-, three-, and four-bedroom houses available immediately with a further 85 additional homes due to arrive over the next 12 months, Casa, Vista Park, signals a significant change to the rental market in Glasgow, as it marks the first time that the single family housing (SFH) model has been offered in the city. Casa, Vista Park will eventually comprise of 156 state-of-the-art homes located close to the east end of the city at Edinburgh Road. Construction is being delivered across six phases by Glasgow-based contractor CCG (Scotland), with the neighbourhood planned to reach final completion in Spring 2025. With the show home now open, the new properties couldn’t be more timely with studies showing that Glasgow has the second highest rental demand in the UK, and for every 100 rental units there are nearly 1,000 prospective renters.* Since reservations went live, Casa by Moda has already had over 1,700 rental enquiries, with applications now being considered for the further phases of development. The new neighbourhood offers residents deposit-free, pet-friendly living as part of an industry-leading inclusive offer which places service, technology, wellbeing, and sustainability at the forefront of the rental community. Casa, Vista Park residents will also benefit from smart environmental sensors from Moda’s technology partner Utopi – giving residents the ability to monitor everything from room temperature to air quality and light pollution in real time. The homes also feature solar PV panels as part of Casa’s commitment to sustainable development and Moda’s journey to operational net zero by 2030. A bespoke MyCasa app has also been designed to make residents’ lives as easy as possible, by providing them with 24/7 access to speak to customer service and report maintenance requests at the click of a button. The MyCasa app also provides the opportunity for residents to take advantage of regional and national brand partnerships such as FiiT, Neom Organics, The Ivy and Sky, as well as the option to conveniently book local recommended at-home services, such as dog walking, window cleaning and gardening services. The MyCasa app will allow residents to share their own news and events via the community forum, helping them to truly get to know their neighbours. As a long-term operator, Casa will also organise community events, from arranging for local food vendors to run pop-up stalls on site, to organising outdoor fitness workshops for residents. The 6.5-hectare neighbourhood was developed in collaboration with CCG, one of the largest privately-owned construction and manufacturing groups in Scotland. The company is based just four miles from Casa, Vista Park in Cambuslang and it is this localised expertise that will be of benefit to residents moving in this winter with a high-quality finish as well as market-leading energy performance standards contributing to the modern and comfortable living environment. Matthew Townson, Director of Development and Projects at Casa by Moda commented: “With Casa, Vista Park, we are aiming to pioneer change within the Glasgow rental market and improve how people live for the long term.” “With there being a significant undersupply of quality rental homes in Scotland, these new homes will make for a standout offering, as they provide long-term security and focus on the wellbeing of residents.” “This first phase is only the beginning for Casa, Vista Park. We look forward to welcoming even more residents to the neighbourhood throughout the next two years, as we plan for overall completion in 2025.” CCG Director, Calum Murray, said: “By partnering with Casa by Moda, we’re pleased to offer a real first for the rental market in Glasgow. The new homes don’t compromise on quality and will have everything residents would expect from the CCG and Casa by Moda partnership with advanced construction methods and an excellent standard of specification combining to create truly desirable homes. “The contribution of the development to Springboig and the wider east end community will be significant and we look forward to welcoming the first residents over the coming weeks.” Prospective renters can take a virtual tour of these new homes on the Casa website. To find out more visit: www.casa.moda Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Yorkshire’s leading facilities management company HE Barnes Ltd is preparing the celebrations for its 100th year in business. Established in 1923 by the pioneering Horace Edward Barnes, HE Barnes is a renowned business in Mechanical, Electrical, and turnkey Facilities Management Services with a group turnover in excess of £35 million. Since its inception, the business has grown over 10 decades to become the force it is today. Innovation has played an important role in the organisation’s development and is integral to its success. New products and services have opened opportunities and introductions to fresh markets. Embracing new processes and emerging technology has also dramatically changed the organisation, setting the stage to continue being a future-looking business. To mark the centennial year, HE Barnes will be hosting a charity ball on Friday 17 November at the Crowne Plaza Royal Victoria Hotel. As well as celebrating the achievement of 100 years in business, the event also aims to raise funds for local charity Sheffield Futures which supports young people getting into training, education, or work. Nigel Pollard Managing Director of HE Barnes said “It’s an incredibly exciting time to be working within HE Barnes, as we celebrate 100th year of trading. Expansion of our hard and soft facilities management division means that our customers can now receive a complete turnkey solution with support every step of the way. The combination of this means that buildings can be managed effectively ensuring our customers are able to maximise business productivity. “The entire business prides itself on keeping the same ethos that Horace had when he first started the business all those years ago. Seeking opportunities, adapting to change, growing, and evolving with integrity. “We have our own unique story derived from our actions and our people over time, and we have never strayed away from Horace’s vision. This centennial year reminds us what we have always stood for and what makes us and that is our great is our people. “As we celebrate our accomplishments, we also recognise our valued colleagues, customers, and supply chain partnerships as we strive to maintain our position as a leader in the industry. We recognise that our achievements are the result of your hard work. Your unwavering support in our day-to-day operations has helped to fuel growth and expansion, and we are excited to continue building on these successes together.” For more information about HE Barnes Ltd services please visit www.hebarnes.com, call 0114 275 1210 or email enquiries@hebarnes.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Propertymark’s Head of Policy and Campaigns has called on the UK Government to retain the option of fixed-term tenancies in the private rental sector where it is mutually beneficial for both parties. Propertymark was the only membership body for property agents represented at the first sitting of the Public Bill Committee on Tuesday 14 November 2023 regarding the Renters Reform Bill. Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, presented evidence to MPs where he talked about Propertymark’s concerns as a sector, and he emphasised what Propertymark needs to see from the Bill. Mr Douglas stressed the need for tenants to have more choice and ‘have the option to rent on a fixed-term or periodic tenancy’ and said there needs to be more ‘flexibility’ in the system, especially when it comes to student letting. He also drew attention to how ‘the existing redress schemes for lettings agents need to be improved alongside requirements for landlords to have redress.’ This includes ensuring the schemes adjudicate in the same way, work to statutory code of practices and they ‘have more power to take action and issue fines.’ The Head of Policy said the UK Government must be care not to meddle with a system that already exists and works for all property agents. Working with the existing scheme providers should be explored as part of plans to extend redress to landlords. Regarding plans from the UK Government to reform the court system the legislation must stipulate that ‘guidance for the courts is vital’ when decisions on anti-social behaviour are made and these cases are ‘prioritised by the courts.’ To help improve the current system, the UK Government need to ‘focus on bailiff capacity’ and ‘to speed up the possession process provide landlords with an automatic right for a High Court Enforcement Officer to enforce the Court Possession.’ Mr Douglas also quoted Propertymark’s membership data during the committee meeting, which shows that there has been a 32 per cent increase in demand for properties, pointing to a housing ‘demand crisis’ and supply is linked to a range of factors. He also urged the UK Government to develop a wider housing strategy that deals with taxes, welfare, social housing, and energy efficiency. Mr Douglas discussed student lettings in depth as he said there needs to be ‘more detail’ when it comes to the new possession ground for student landlords, especially because there is a ‘myriad of student semesters.’ Propertymark’s Head of Policy added houses of multiple occupancy are easily defined as student lets but other properties less so. Allowing the option of a fixed term tenancy for any property with a student in would help solve this issue. As well as the two initial days of evidence, the committee is currently slated to meet each Tuesday and Thursday up to and including 5th December for the usual line-by-line consideration. One of the main intentions behind the Renters Reform Bill is to make it easier for landlords to repossess their property or properties if they intend to move closer to their family, or if they must evict disruptive tenants. Furthermore, tenants will be able to appeal against landlords intending to increase their rent above market value, and an independent tribunal can decide if landlords are justified to do so or not. Finally, tenants will be able to request a pet in a property, which the landlord cannot unreasonably refuse. The Renters Reform Bill had its Second Reading last month. Following the committee stage in the House of Commons, which is the lower chamber of Parliament, the Bill will then move on to the report stage before its third reading in the House. It will then pass on to the House of Lords, the upper chamber that scrutinises government legislation, where it will receive first, second and third readings, and then go through the committee and report stages too. The Bill should receive Royal Assent before the next general election. The UK Government introduced the Bill on 17 May 2023, where it passed its First Reading in the House of Commons. It is in line with the Conservative Party’s commitment from its 2019 manifesto to overhaul private renting. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Two-fifths (42%) of UK contractors are not part of an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) scheme despite the fact that it could become mandatory in 2024, reveals new research. Commissioned by Dispute Assist, the UK’s leading dispute resolution provider, the survey of 200 home improvement contractors found that many are not utilising dispute resolution services even though more than a third (36%) have previously had an unhappy customer make a court claim against them. This is partly due to the fact that almost three in ten (28%) of contractors do not know what ADR is. A concerning finding considering that since 2015, it’s been a legal requirement for traders to signpost consumers to an approved ADR provider when they are unable to resolve a complaint. ADR is an effective route to resolving disputes in the home improvement sector. It includes methods such as mediation, conciliation and expert determination which help to avoid lengthy and expensive legal proceedings, enabling both parties to move on in a mutually beneficial manner. Encouragingly, 38% of those not currently part of a scheme said that they would be interested in signing up, suggesting that with a greater level of education on ADR, there is an appetite amongst contractors to get on board. Of the tradespeople who were aware of ADR, 80% are part of a scheme, indicating a high level of awareness within this group of the benefits it can bring. Nearly half (46%) of contractors who are part of a scheme are in one via a trade body or association meaning that these organisations can play a key role in raising awareness of dispute resolution amongst members and providing access to these services. For those who are not currently part of a scheme, the most widely cited reasons for this were that they are too expensive (40%) and that contractors are unsure of how to choose a scheme (33%). Despite 43% spending between two and five hours a month dealing with complaints, a third felt that there isn’t enough of a need to be part of a scheme. Commenting on the findings, Ciarán Harkin, managing director of Dispute Assist, said: “With consumer disputes becoming more frequent as the number of home improvement projects increases, contractors who are not part of an ADR scheme are leaving themselves vulnerable to legal action and reputational damage, even if they’re not at fault. “It’s clear that there is a need for greater education and awareness around the ADR process to provide contractors with the means to make an informed decision about whether to join a scheme. With mandatory ADR on the horizon, home improvement contractors must be clued up on what ADR is, how it works and the benefits that it brings. “When it comes to the reasons why contractors are not part of a scheme, it’s interesting to note that a third feel there isn’t a need when a high proportion of home improvement tradespeople are facing customer disputes each year. “Where cost is a barrier, contractors should investigate different providers and look for a scheme which suits their individual budget. Beyond this, for those struggling to choose a scheme, other factors such as the range of services offered, the speed of resolution and the independence and reputation of the scheme should be considered.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals