Leading safety and building compliance authority, Bureau Veritas, has pledged its full support to the government’s recent introduction of a new 11m threshold for sprinklers – asserting it marks a vital step forward in the journey towards enhanced fire safety regulation. On 26 May 2020 the UK government released the
Commercial property lawyer Robert Sprake, based in Worcestershire, has rejoined national, new-model firm Excello Law bringing with him over 25 years’ experience of commercial law and major real estate transactions. Qualifying in 1992, Robert developed his legal career at Wragge and Co in Birmingham for eleven years, before heading up
One of the main questions when it comes to asbestos is if asbestos testing is required by law. In many cases, asbestos testing is a legal requirement. Occupying or working in a building that hasn’t had an asbestos survey might mean you’re breaking the law. The whole point of an
Since March, all tenants – whether in private or social accommodation – can now sue their landlords if their homes have health-damaging defects. This is thanks to the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Bill 2017-2019, which came into force for new tenancies from 20 March 2019 and, from now, applies
There will be a need to repurpose and redesign buildings, as well as increase space as a result of the current global pandemic, according to a growing number of industry insights. The healthcare, pharmaceutical and food industries, being on the front line during the Covid-19 crisis, have already experienced an
Unfortunately, no current conversation about timber is complete without comment on the government’s catch-all ban on combustible materials. At the end of 2018, as part of fire safety improvement measures intended to prevent another blaze like that seen at Grenfell Tower, the then Housing Secretary, James Brokenshire, introduced new legislation
Key influencers within the UK construction industry have called upon the government to take action against cowboy building contractors by consulting on an industry-wide licensing/certification scheme to give end-users a recognisable mark of quality and trust. Each year more than £8 billion of building work fails to meet appropriate quality standards
In recent years, New Jersey has seen a considerable increase in the number of cars on the roads. This increase has also seen a rise in the number of accidents. Many auto accidents live behind them grave effects on those affected. In some instances, people are left nursing serious injuries.
A recent study has found that males are more likely to be victims of household crime. Data uncovered shows that during the first quarter of 2019, males experienced more household crime, with over 20,000 reported cases, as opposed to females, who reported just over 13,000. The research, found by More4Doors,
So, we may have a general election to navigate in the coming months – and one group who will be watching the opinion polls closer than most will be Britain’s 2.6million landlords. Reason being that should the Labour Party emerge triumphant and Jeremy Corbyn walks into 10 Downing Street, it
Leading safety and building compliance authority, Bureau Veritas, has pledged its full support to the government’s recent introduction of a new 11m threshold for sprinklers – asserting it marks a vital step forward in the journey towards enhanced fire safety regulation. On 26 May 2020 the UK government released the inaugural phase of its Fire Safety Approved Document Work Plan; the important implementation plan based on Hackitt report recommendations designed to create a new regulatory framework for building safety. As part of this, the government announced updates to the Building Regulation in Approved Document B whereby the current trigger height for sprinklers in new residential flats will be replaced from 30 metres (typically 10 floors) to just 11 metres (typically four floors). This significant reform means that any new flat developments with a floor at the new threshold will be required to be fitted with a sprinkler or alternative fire suppression system. Importantly, the requirement, which comes into effect on 26th November 2020, will only apply to projects lodged before this time and that have not started ahead of the official cut-off date of 29 January 2021. Alongside this, the government also recently announced the new requirement for wayfinding signage in flat developments in stairs and lobbies to assist firefighting operations. Looking ahead, further regulatory reforms are expected to follow later in the year to include the consideration of Evacuation Alert Systems and potentially the introduction of a new 11 metres height requirement for firefighting shafts, as opposed to the current 18 metres. Andy Lowe, technical and training director for Bureau Veritas Building Control, comments: “Following an ongoing consultation period, we are in full support of the government’s decision to considerably lower the threshold height for the provision of sprinklers in new flat complexes, while also including the provision of storey identification signage in staircases to assist wayfinding for firefighters. “While these may seem relatively simple changes, they are incredibly important ones which will go a long way in helping ensure that residents are safer in their homes and that more adequate preventative measures are in place should an incident occur.” In response to the new Approved Document B Fire Safety, Bureau Veritas, a leading global compliance, testing and inspection expert in building compliance, is holding a specialist webinar specifically designed to support the industry in understanding the changes. To be held on 17 June 20 , the free webinar will see the business’ expert Construction Consultancy team cover a range of important fire updates covering the combustible cladding ban, assessments in lieu of testing, new cladding requirements, and more. Andy adds: “Inherently, amid the ongoing transition towards the creation of a much more holistic and robust future fire safety framework, there will be a lot of change for the building industry to get to grips with. As such, as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting customers operating in this sector, both existing and new, we have developed a new webinar designed to provide a quick and convenient overview of the latest changes and what they mean for them. We’d urge as many customers as possible to attend what promises to be an incredibly valuable session.” To register your interest in the upcoming ‘Approved Document B: Understanding Fire Safety Changes’ webinar please visit https://bureauveritas.zoom.us/webinar/register/1015907514985/WN_VbUnwR1PTFSE-UkgeGA6vQ. Alternatively, for more information on Bureau Veritas please visit www.bureauveritas.co.uk.
Commercial property lawyer Robert Sprake, based in Worcestershire, has rejoined national, new-model firm Excello Law bringing with him over 25 years’ experience of commercial law and major real estate transactions. Qualifying in 1992, Robert developed his legal career at Wragge and Co in Birmingham for eleven years, before heading up the commercial property teams at two firms in Worcester. After initially joining Excello Law in 2012, Robert left in 2018 to pursue opportunities elsewhere, but has rejoined full-time, acting for property investors, developers and landowners, landlords and tenants in all aspects of their portfolios. Robert is also qualified as a Notary Public to offer an additional service to his international clients. Robert has a particular interest in Church law as from 2005 to 2012 he was assistant to the registrar for the Diocese of Worcester, being appointed deputy registrar in 2009. In addition to being responsible for dealing with the Diocesan commercial and agricultural property portfolio, he was also involved in advising Bishops and Diocesan Officers generally on ecclesiastical law issues, charitable law aspects, trusts law and the application of new legislation to the work of the Diocese. On coming back to the firm, Robert commented: “I am so happy to be returning to Excello to work closely with my current and future clients as we navigate these strange times together. Thankfully, already we are starting to see new opportunities materialising in the real estate world and being on hand to provide partner-level timely and commercially sensible advice has never been more important.” Joanne Losty, director at Excello Law, said: “We’re delighted to welcome back an old friend of the firm. We’ve enjoyed a buoyant spring in terms of recruitment as our fully agile business model continues to offer partner-level lawyers the freedom and flexibility to develop their practice.”
One of the main questions when it comes to asbestos is if asbestos testing is required by law. In many cases, asbestos testing is a legal requirement. Occupying or working in a building that hasn’t had an asbestos survey might mean you’re breaking the law. The whole point of an asbestos survey is that you know if your building is safe to occupy, or that your renovation/demolition is safe to do. Having this information can not only save your life but save the lives of other people working or living in the building. Exposure to asbestos usually happens when the person responsible for the property didn’t have an asbestos test completed. There are legal requirements for asbestos surveys, but there are also instances that you are not required to have one completed. For clarity, here are the areas where you will need asbestos testing: Property built before 2000 and; A public area of a domestic building or, Construction work or, Non-domestic buildings. The age of the building will be one of the deciding factors. Any building that predates the year 2000 has a high chance of containing ACM (asbestos-containing materials). Asbestos was a popular material used for construction. It can often be found in insulation, sheeting, rainwater goods, partitions, doors, ceiling panels, vinyl tiles, and many more places within the home or commercial building. You are unlikely to be able to tell if something is asbestos just by looking at it. Which is why an asbestos test will become your first line of defense. Asbestos fibers are tiny, and when they are disturbed, they cause many asbestos-related illnesses. For asbestos testing, a sample of the material will be taken and tested in a lab. This will be able to tell you if the material contains asbestos and the amount and type. For non-domestic public buildings – schools, hospitals, and offices, here is the Control of Asbestos Regulations. 3. To manage the risk from asbestos in non-domestic premises, the duty holder must ensure that a suitable and sufficient assessment is carried out as to whether asbestos is or is liable to be present in the premises. 4. In making the assessment— such steps as are reasonable in the circumstances must be taken; and the condition of any asbestos which is, or has been assumed to be, present in the premises must be considered. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 Duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises For part, domestic buildings, with public/shared spaces: The ‘duty to manage asbestos’ requirements of regulation 4 of CAR 2012 do not normally apply to domestic premises. However, the requirements do apply to common parts of premises, including housing developments and blocks of flats […]. Examples of common parts would include foyers, corridors, lifts and lift shafts, staircases, boiler houses, vertical risers, gardens, yards, and outhouses. HSE Asbestos: The survey guide pg.9 For a domestic residence, the landlord or owner is responsible and should ensure that when there is a suspicion of asbestos or renovation work to be carried out, they provide that a risk assessment is carried out. Failing to do so can mean a landlord can be prosecuted.
Since March, all tenants – whether in private or social accommodation – can now sue their landlords if their homes have health-damaging defects. This is thanks to the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Bill 2017-2019, which came into force for new tenancies from 20 March 2019 and, from now, applies to existing, historic tenancies too. “Landlords have had 12 months to consider the implications of the act”, says Hudson Lambert, managing director of Safeguard Europe – the UK’s leading specialist in damp and waterproofing, and masonry repair solutions – “and they’re running out of time to improve these properties before the law starts to bite. Our advice to any that haven’t done so is to assess properties as soon as possible and make the necessary repairs or modifications. No one should be living in homes that are damaging to health.” The Act sets out a raft of issues which, if defective, could cause harm to tenants, including proper ventilation and freedom from damp. The presence of damp and poor ventilation can both promote mould growth, and the relationship between ill health, damp and mould and the negative impact on respiratory health are well established. The English Housing Survey 2018-2019 found that 7% of private rented dwellings and 5% of social housing had some sort of damp problem. In certain sectors, that figure appears to be much higher. Research by the National Union of Students published in February 2019 found that 35% of students were living in rented accommodation with damp and mould. Previously tenants with damp and mould problems could attempt to legally address them by pursuing a statutory nuisance notice with local authority environmental health officers. However, the response to council intervention from landlords has often been to begin eviction proceedings against the tenants, which deterred tenants from complaining. Under the new regime, tenants can sue landlords, not only to force them to fix health-damaging defects, but also for compensation. The courts will decide on the timeframe for any required works, and what the level of compensation will be. For landlords and their advisors seeking expert advice on damp, Safeguard offers a CPD seminar programme on the major causes and effective treatments. The headline CPD, the RIBA-accredited Dealing with Dampness, is an overarching introduction to the problems of rising and penetrating damp that will give landlords, specifiers, builders and others enough information to help them tell the difference between the two and determine sources, while giving options on how to act to cure the problem. For details of Safeguard’s CPD programme, visithttps://www.safeguardeurope.com/training-courses/cpd-seminars
There will be a need to repurpose and redesign buildings, as well as increase space as a result of the current global pandemic, according to a growing number of industry insights. The healthcare, pharmaceutical and food industries, being on the front line during the Covid-19 crisis, have already experienced an immediate upsurge in emergency construction for more space. Belfast City Hospital is a good example, where an entire tower block has been repurposed; and in other cases, requirements have included isolation rooms, clean manufacturing and storage. These ways of immediately tackling a crisis tend to lead to changes that impact forever; things simply do not go back to how they were. So, as the situation plays out, there is likely to be a need for greater space, enabling individual workers to distance themselves safely from colleagues and site visitors. In the food industry, for example, people often work shoulder-to-shoulder, and Klipspringer’s blog, ‘Just How? Social Distancing in Food Factories’ suggests a number of measures to improve safety, including strong ‘Keep your Distance’ signage which demonstrates the need to keep two metres apart, and “Additional entrances and exits…to spread out the people flow, with additional doors available and a turnstile entrance and exit system. This doesn’t just mean in and out of the factory, but from area-to-area.” Klipspringer also suggests factory zoning and physical segregation barriers, all of which could suggest that more space would be an important part of the solution in many factories. Kerry Foods ‘Insights’ blog ‘6 Lessons from China’s Recovering Food & Beverage Sector after Covid19’ says there will be more “Demand for visibility on product sourcing and safety,” and that the industry will be “more keenly aware of strict hygiene and food safety.” Foodnavigator.com says the same in its ‘Market Trends’, “Food safety has attracted significant concern from consumers, who want to know whether the coronavirus can be transmitted by imported food…”, which surely will create the need for food producers to take, and promote, measures to allay these fears. This is highly likely to include the ongoing need to keep individual workers distanced from each other, an area that has not up until now been a necessary consideration in most manufacturing environments. In the UK over the last few decades, as a nation we have gradually lost a lot of our ability to produce goods in an effort to keep reducing costs. Many reports suggest that there is likely to be a strategic move to rebuild domestic manufacturing in order to improve our self-sustainability, flexibility, and our ability to react to crises in the future. So, even though for some manufacturers, demand has ‘dropped off a cliff’, leaving them with the same operational costs without the sales in the short term, in the medium-to-long term it is likely that there will be a resurgence in the sector. Chris Griffin, Commercial Manager at Hemsec said, “Whilst automation is going to increasingly develop not all processes can be automated. Manufacturing still requires humans to be part of the process including being physically onsite to run, maintain and repair machines, as well for those processes that a person still needs to do. Commercial teams and contractors will still need to come onsite from time to time as well as. This means space management is going to become part of our business continuity planning, not just a nice to have. In all of those areas where businesses have critical functions where people need to be involved, including customers, the distances between those people will now need to be reconsidered to plan for a business being able to continue working safely through any similar public health crises in the future.” Increasingly, organisations may require business continuity facilities and, in some sectors, emergency health centre/isolation rooms, but more than that many manufacturers may need to expand their buildings to accommodate the increased distancing mentioned above. Our current factory was built using some of our products over 50 years ago, we have extended it over the years. The Hemsec composite panels, both steel and timber faced, are an excellent way to quickly create a dry, temperature stable extension on to a building with fewer civil engineering requirements. As a manufacturer ourselves, we understand the need to have high quality supply readily available, and we are committed to ensuring our customers get what they need. If you foresee a high level of demand, let’s start a conversation now, with a view to developing a supportive supply partnership to meet your needs when the time comes. Please email us at contact@hemsec.com or call +44 (0)151 426 7171
Unfortunately, no current conversation about timber is complete without comment on the government’s catch-all ban on combustible materials. At the end of 2018, as part of fire safety improvement measures intended to prevent another blaze like that seen at Grenfell Tower, the then Housing Secretary, James Brokenshire, introduced new legislation banning combustible materials on new high-rise homes above 18m. In late 2019, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick called for the height threshold for combustible materials to be lowered to “at least 11m” (or typically anything less than three storeys in height). The second reading for the Fire Safety Bill – with the lowered threshold included – took place on 29 April. A date for the committee stage is yet to be announced and the consultation deadline has been pushed back to 25 May 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis. Architects, builders, suppliers of structural timber and many others passionate about the good that wood can do for this country, are now rightly concerned about what the future holds for multi-storey timber buildings. All while many other countries are passing legislation to promote the use of more timber products in construction. While there’s no question that the Fire Safety Bill is intended to enhance occupant safety, we mustn’t lose sight of timber’s inherent qualities as a building material; benefits that have made it an increasingly popular choice for structural components. It’s easy to transport and modify, it minimises noise pollution on site and it’s highly cost-efficient to produce and use. We as an industry are calling for an objective investigation; one led by facts and science rather than emotion. To quash the use of wood in structures over 11m would be to fly in the face of the sustainable evolution that the construction industry and, more importantly, the nation so desperately needs. Indeed, in its November 2019 report, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the timber industries said: “Without using safe structural timber we cannot meet these targets [the government’s net zero carbon commitment] and we will fail to address the construction industry’s contribution to climate change.” A more sustainable, decarbonised economy can allow the planet to repair itself. The building materials we choose can be a key contributor to this. To choose timber is to choose a building material that would not adversely impact or inconvenience the way we live our lives; a material that can help build a more sustainable future. Responsibly managed forests have always been the earth’s air cleaners and will continue to be so forever. And a by-product of responsibly managed forests? High-quality, sustainable timber; timber that has already taken from the air and locked away decades’ worth of harmful CO2. Andrew Waugh of Waugh Thistleton Architects – one of the UK’s leading proponents of timber construction – summed it up brilliantly earlier this year: “The reality is the evidence says we’ve got 12 years left to sort out climate change – we’ve got to start changing the way we do things. And we’ve got to keep pushing the message about the safety of CLT. It’s not only quicker to put up; it’s safer, healthier, lighter and locks away carbon.”
Key influencers within the UK construction industry have called upon the government to take action against cowboy building contractors by consulting on an industry-wide licensing/certification scheme to give end-users a recognisable mark of quality and trust. Each year more than £8 billion of building work fails to meet appropriate quality standards and has to be repeated or repaired. Anyone can set up as a builder and there is no requirement to register with recognised trade bodies or quality assurance schemes. It is this situation which the British Board of Agrément (BBA), working with Westminster Sustainable Building Forum (WSBF) wants addressed, with the organisations convening a ‘Stop the Cowboys: Certification in Construction’ roundtable at the House of Commons. Ken O’Sullivan, Head of Audit and Inspection at the BBA, outlined some of the issues at stake: “The Grenfell Tower tragedy highlighted the urgent requirement to improve standards. The Hackitt Review drew attention to the lack of skills and experience of those involved in the construction and maintenance of Higher Risk Residential Buildings. A licensing and/or certification scheme for all contractors would allow for a level playing field to avoid competent contractors being undercut by competitors that are not registered with a recognised scheme.” The BBA is the UK’s leading product certification, testing and inspection organisation and operates Approved Installer schemes across certain sectors of the construction industry, allowing companies to demonstrate compliance with industry standards. It is already working with the Federation of Masters Builders (FMB) – the largest UK trade body representing the interests of small and medium-sized construction firms – to vet new federation members. More than 75% of FMB members have given their backing to a licensing scheme to professionalise the industry, protect consumers and sideline unprofessional and incompetent building companies. The federation is also part of the ‘Construction Licensing Task Force’ which is examining how a scheme would work. “The proposed model is for a scheme governed by a single body but integrated within existing structures to minimize administrative burden,” said FMB Chief Executive Brian Berry. The roundtable, chaired by Helen Hayes, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, made three recommendations: * Government should consult on an industry-wide licensing or certification scheme backed by a single body (such as Trustmark) or via existing Notified Bodies or UKAS-accredited organisations. * The scheme should adopt a ‘quality mark’ that consumers can look for. * Industry should work with lending/conveyancing sectors to back the scheme, with sales and home improvement loans tied to the use of a licensed contractor. In addition, attendees agreed that the Homes, Communities and Local Government committee should review proposals for a mandatory licensing or certification scheme and the government consult via a Green Paper. A roundtable spokesman said: “Consumers find the variety of competency frameworks currently on offer confusing. As a result around one third will enter the black market when commissioning home improvement projects. There should be a single, recognisable brand to demonstrate quality, with different trades covered beneath this. Trustmark is already working with key stakeholders such as the BBA, FMB and Homes England to put together a framework that supports this but consumer buy-in will be instrumental to making this viable. “The current system is layered and allows for passing of responsibility between developer, contractor and manufacturer. Consumers find it difficult to determine which party has responsibility and often have very little redress when things go wrong. Costs for joining a mandatory licensing/certification scheme could be as low as £150 for small companies and there has been little opposition from FMB members. However, there has been some reluctance from larger contractors as they wait for clarity on how the scheme would be executed.”
In recent years, New Jersey has seen a considerable increase in the number of cars on the roads. This increase has also seen a rise in the number of accidents. Many auto accidents live behind them grave effects on those affected. In some instances, people are left nursing serious injuries. In some other cases, your car may be written off entirely. After the occurrence of such accidents, it is crucial to look for a lawyer to help you in with legal issues. Rosengard Law Group specializes in offering legal services to victims of auto accidents. In case you did not incur any medical expenses or the damage from the crash was minimal, you may not need a lawyer. However, there are instances when it will be advisable that you get a lawyer. This article discusses some of those instances when you should contact a lawyer. Seeking Compensation for Serious Injuries or Damages If you have been involved in an accident and gotten severe injuries or your auto got serious damages, you may want to claim for compensation. Without legal experience, it would be challenging to determine what compensation is right for you. A professional person will be of great help in such a situation. A lawyer is the best person to is the best person to negotiate on your behalf instead of doing it by yourself. They will also handle all the paperwork and communication with insurance companies on your behalf. With the help of an experienced Accident Attorney, you can rest assured that your rights and interests are being properly represented. When the One on the Fault is not Known Sometimes after an auto accident, the police report may not accurately establish who is on the wrong. In such instances, you can mistakenly be termed as the guilty. As such, it is highly recommendable to look for a New Jersey attorney who is well-versed with auto accident matters to represent your case. Usually, the actual fault in an accident is what determines who is responsible for the damages caused. Therefore, always ensure you are clear on who is liable after an accident. Knowing the person responsible gives the case a better flow as well as quicken the results. When Your Vehicle is Severely Damaged Usually, the party at fault or their insurance company is responsible for compensating any harm done to your vehicle. However, following up on the compensation on your own may be very overwhelming, and you may end up losing it. Therefore, it is advisable to get an auto accident attorney who can help you recover the entire amount worth the damage to your vehicle. When the Compensation Being Offered for Damages is Insufficient Sometimes, the insurance company may offer compensation that is too low to cover the entire damages fully. In such a case, you need an attorney who will help you get full compensation through the right legal procedures. When the Insurance Company is Unwilling to Release Compensation One challenge that you may face in your attempt to claim for your rightful compensation has to do with the insurance company. At times, insurance companies try to look for excuses to avoid paying the full recovery amount. If you decide to pursue the claim on your own, you may end up not getting what you deserve. To avoid being lied to or denied your rightful compensation by the insurance, employ the services of a lawyer. In conclusion, if you are in New Jersey, you can get legal services from Rosengard Law Group. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A recent study has found that males are more likely to be victims of household crime. Data uncovered shows that during the first quarter of 2019, males experienced more household crime, with over 20,000 reported cases, as opposed to females, who reported just over 13,000. The research, found by More4Doors, also discovered the areas which saw the most crime in Q1 of 2019. The South East of England was the worst, with over 4,400 reported crimes, while the North East only had 2,008 reported household crimes during the same period. When studying victims of household crime, those who were employed experienced the most, with over 21,000 cases reported by those in full or part-time work, while students were the least likely to be burgled, with just 368 reports during the first quarter of the year. When looking at age ranges, those who were aged between 45 to 54 experienced the most crime, with those aged between 16 and 24 experiencing the least. The study has also revealed that those who live in a semi-detached house are the most likely to experience household crime. It was found that over 10,000 semi-detached homes were victims of crime, compared to flats which saw just 5,000 reported crimes in the first three months of 2019. Terraced houses also saw a high number of household crimes, as did detached residential properties. The study also looked at homeowners versus renters and found that those who own their property experienced the most household crime (over 21,000 reports) while renting tenants experienced just over 11,000 cases. These alarming statistics come just weeks before Christmas, the time of year when both homeowners and renters should be a lot more vigilant when it comes to crime. Ensuring your home is properly secure during this time is essential. Burglars are well aware that while you are out enjoying the season’s festivities, there are plenty of expensive Christmas presents nestled under your tree. Leaving doors or windows unlocked are prime opportunities for those who prey on homeowners or renters leaving their home security to chance. More4Doors, a door handle and door locks retailer, has a number of tips on ensuring the security of your home this festive season. Keep doors locked at all times, even when you are in the house. If you are upstairs, burglars can easily sneak in unnoticed, so make sure you keep exterior doors locked at all times. This should also apply to large windows which can be climbed through, especially any which are just above extensions or conservatories. Make sure all your household locks are working properly. Any fault on a door lock can be an opportunity for a burglar. Even if it just needs a small fix, it’s worth sorting. If possible, add more than one lock to your exterior doors for added security. Check all windows are locked shut before leaving the house. It can be easy to miss an open window and leave it open. Don’t leave mail or flyers hanging out the letterbox. This can be a signal to burglars that you aren’t home. Don’t forget to check the locks on your garage are working properly. These are prime targets for burglars as many homeowners generally don’t have good working locks on garage doors or side doors. Try not to leave boxes out near your bins. An empty TV box or games console packaging is a clear indication to burglars that you have items in the home worth stealing, so make sure you dispose of these a little more discreetly.
So, we may have a general election to navigate in the coming months – and one group who will be watching the opinion polls closer than most will be Britain’s 2.6million landlords. Reason being that should the Labour Party emerge triumphant and Jeremy Corbyn walks into 10 Downing Street, it plans to introduce the most radical right to buy property scheme this country has seen in generations. At its heart, this policy proposal seeks to do the right thing – tackle the issue of problem landlords who don’t maintain their properties and address the buy to let market that is making it harder for many people to get on the property ladder in certain districts – but it’s also fatally flawed. The point in the proposal that is causing so many landlords sleepless nights is that the price tenants will pay for their properties will not be set by the owner or by the market at large, but by the government. This means tens of thousands of landlords – many of them small business owners who have between five and 50 properties – will lose their livelihoods overnight. It’s a classic case of punishing the many for the sins of the few. Of the 2.6million landlords in the UK, the numbers who could be considered ‘rogue’ are tiny. The overwhelming majority are honest, treat their tenants well and maintain a high standard of property. They bought their properties at market rate and the prospect of a few politicians deciding how much these houses and flats are to be sold for is unthinkable. This is why the National Landlords Association has called the policy ‘ludicrous’. In the Eighties, the Conservatives under Margaret Thatcher were the last government to shake up the housing sector in such a major way when council tenants were given the right to buy their properties. This would be of a similar scale – only in reverse as it’s private property that is being ‘sold off’. I know lots of landlords and many are saying ‘why bother to stay in the business?’ They are assessing whether it might actually be better to get out of the sector before an election rather than wait for all the upheaval that may follow. Expect that to be copied all over the country and for large numbers of landlords to sell up and exit – before they are forced to. At Landwood, we’re waiting to see if there is a glut of buy-to-let properties coming on to the market in the next few months. If that happens, prices will come down for sure and the knock on effect may be that the numbers of rental properties could actually fall. At present, landlords provide one in five homes in the UK, it’s a prosperous and popular part of the property sector. However, if politicians of any leaning are serious about fixing the housing crisis, then this ridiculous ‘rogue landlord’ policy is not the way to go about it. No, the solution is to build more social housing, more starter homes and get more people on the property ladder and reduce the number of renters that way. The slowdown in new house building is down to several factors – economic, Brexit, the complication of planning regulations in parts of the country – but it’s crystal clear to those of us in the industry that it’s the best way out of the mess the UK finds itself in. Forcing many thousands of honest businesspeople to take a huge hit on their assets – to the point of being forced out of business – is not just absurd, it’s harmful to the wider economy. Watch this space to see how the argument develops as a general election looms closer and the parties on all sides line up to present their manifestos to the nation.