The latest index shows that: – CEO of Yopa, Verona Frankish, commented:  “The UK property market has begun the year on the front foot and we’re now seeing the rate of house price growth start to accelerate, as more buyers push on with their plans to purchase following a brief respite over the Christmas period. A degree of this increased activity in recent months has, of course, been spurred by the impending stamp duty deadline at the end of March, with those making their move keen to reach completion and avoid any increased cost when buying. However, we’ve seen the vast majority of buyers take the potential stamp duty cost increase into consideration before submitting their offers, so whilst there may be a momentary market correction, we expect momentum to continue building beyond 1st April.” Director of Benham and Reeves, Marc von Grundherr, commented: “A consistently positive performance has been the theme for the UK property market over much of the last year and this theme has so far continued in 2025. House prices may not be climbing at the same rate as previous market peaks, but some may argue that this more measured rate of growth is far healthier for the market, particularly when you consider that first-time buyer activity is on the up, despite the fact that this market segment faces the toughest task with respect to affordability.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Selective Licensing is one way that cities can drive up standards in privately rented properties – a key priority for Manchester City Council.   Since 2017, more than 3,500 homes across the city have been fully licensed making sure that those homes are safer and better managed for the tenants living in the properties.   Now, from this week (week commencing 24 Feburary) the owners and managing agents of 1,863 more flats and houses will be required to be apply for a landlord licence that will make sure these homes meet the necessary safety requirements, have the correct gas and electrical safety certification, and that they can demonstrate good management standards.  Currently, private sector homes have fewer regulations protecting residents and Selective Licensing provides Councils to require landlords of all private rented properties to obtain a license in a particular area and is intended to address the impact of poor-quality housing.   Following public consultation, licensing can be introduced if an area is experiencing significant and persistent problems caused by antisocial behaviour (including environmental and waste management issues), poor property conditions, high levels of migration, high levels of deprivation, high levels of crime, low housing demand – or is likely to become such an area.  For the latest designated licensing areas, the Council has specifically targeted homes on the basis of property condition and antisocial behaviour linked to waste management problems.  The new licensing schemes across six Manchester wards, include:   Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said:   “We know that there are currently fewer regulations and therefore less protection against poor housing in the private sector than other forms of rental homes – such as social rent properties. This means that there a minority of landlords who we have found do not take the responsibility for their property, the safety of their tenants, nor the impact of their property on the wider community seriously enough.    “This is by no means every landlord and most work hard to make sure the properties they let are safe and of a good standard. But Selective Licensing is one of the ways we can hold landlords that don’t to account and drive up standards for our residents.    “We believe that everyone in Manchester deserves a safe and secure home. This is a basic right and through Selective Licensing we can work directly with landlords and their tenants to make sure this is their reality.  “And we are seeing the impact of our interventions, and more than 3,550 homes have already been licensed, removing 1,700 hazards from Manchester’s private sector homes that would otherwise still be a blight on tenants in the city.”  Impact of previous licensing schemes  Enforcement Action on non-compliant landlords    Enforcement action has been undertaken where necessary to target landlords who have failed to comply with the licensing scheme and notices to improve property conditions.    So far, these include:    Find out more about Selective Licensing  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Barratt London and Places for London have successfully secured planning approval for the next phase of the Bollo Lane development, following a unanimous vote by Ealing Borough Council’s planning committee. Located between Bollo Lane and the Piccadilly railway lines near Acton Town Station, the site is a key part of the West London Partnership, a major initiative aimed at delivering over 4,000 new homes in the area over the next decade. The Bollo Lane project, which will be developed in four phases, is set to deliver up to 900 new homes, with each phase including 50% affordable housing for rent or purchase. Construction is expected to begin this spring, with the first phase offering 195 one, two, and three-bedroom homes for both private and affordable rent. The second phase, unlocked by this planning approval, will provide 455 additional homes for both affordable and private sale over the next five years. Beyond residential housing, the development will transform the area with a new street frontage along Bollo Lane, creating over 20,000 square feet of commercial and retail spaces. The project will also introduce two new podium gardens for residents, as well as a new public square and community garden that were previously inaccessible. These green spaces will be available to both residents and the wider community, promoting biodiversity and sustainability. The development has been designed with a focus on healthy and active travel, including new pedestrian and cycle routes connecting Acton Town and Chiswick. The Phase 2 plans are expected to deliver a 126% biodiversity net gain, along with an urban greening factor of 0.47. In total, 250 new trees will be planted across the site, and the buildings will incorporate sustainable energy sources to reduce carbon emissions and lower energy bills for residents. As part of the development, Barratt London and Places for London have agreed to Section 106 contributions with Ealing Borough Council, amounting to over £3 million. These funds will support education, healthcare, transport, and other local improvements. Additionally, the project is expected to create up to 500 new jobs throughout its development and offer 20 new apprenticeships through the West London Partnership. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

On Friday 14th February the IPPR has released a new report that has found 1.4m houses have been left unbuilt by developers since 2007. Cllr Adam Hug, Housing spokesperson for the LGA, said: “This report puts a spotlight on one of the key issues the LGA has long-called for Government action on – the need to tackle slow build-out rates from some developers. “In order to deliver the homes we need, Government must work with councils and the housebuilding industry to ensure there is a suitable pipeline of sustainable sites, which once allocated in a Local Plan and / or given planning permission, are indeed built out. Councils approve 9 in 10 planning applications, but people cannot and do not live in planning permissions. Councils must be given greater powers to ensure prompt build out of sites with planning permission,  also should be given the support to ensure they have an up-to-date local plan so they can give certainty to residents and housebuilders’ “Planning is about creating communities linked with the right economic activity and public services, whilst conserving and enhancing the natural and local environment generating a sense of place, culture and local identity. Developments require more than just houses to create thriving, attractive and desirable places and communities in which to live, and often it is the accompanying local and national infrastructure, to be delivered alongside new homes, which is of primary concern for residents.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The report from the National Retrofit Hub, developed in partnership with Impact on Urban Health, exposes the urgent need to improve energy efficiency in the private rental sector (PRS). With 4.5 million households renting privately in England[1] and a shocking 1 in 4 renters living in fuel poverty[2], the report underscores the stark realities of a housing market failing its tenants and the environment. The report delivers a clear message: without immediate action, the PRS risks falling further behind other housing sectors, leaving millions of renters in cold, inefficient homes. This report explores these challenges and proposes a supported pathway to improved housing that considers the needs of both landlords and tenants Addressing poor living standards and fuel poverty Millions of renters in the private rental sector are living in substandard conditions, with poorly insulated homes leaving tenants exposed to the harsh realities of fuel poverty and inequality. Currently, 1 in 4 renters[3] in England struggle to afford their energy bills, a crisis exacerbated by rising costs and the inefficiency of older properties. Many tenants face daily challenges to keep their homes warm and healthy, while landlords often lack the necessary support to make significant improvements. “This situation highlights a systemic issue” commented Cara Holmes, National Retrofit Hub Technical Programme Manager. “The private rental sector risks falling behind other housing tenures, leaving renters trapped in a cycle of inadequate housing and energy insecurity. Tackling this problem requires a coordinated effort to raise standards, improve living conditions, and ensure fair outcomes for both tenants and landlords.” Supporting Landlords to Drive Energy Efficiency Improvements[CH1]  The report highlights the practical challenges landlords face in balancing their financial goals with the need to improve their properties’ energy efficiency. Many landlords view their properties as long-term investments. As one landlord explained, “I got the property because it was the best investment compared to putting my money into a savings account.” While many are committed to maintaining their properties and complying with regulations, the report reveals that landlords often see regulations as a target to meet rather than an opportunity to exceed. “If I’ve had an EPC assessment on my property and it’s below the requirements, I’d want absolute clarity on what my options are to bridge the gap between where I am and where I need to be,” said another landlord. Financial barriers remain a significant hurdle for many. “I don’t have a mortgage, so extending it isn’t an option. The issue would be interest rates and over how many years,” one landlord noted. The findings underline the importance of providing landlords with practical, accessible solutions to retrofit their properties effectively, ensuring they can balance their investment goals with the urgent need for energy efficiency improvements. A call for bold action The report calls for immediate updates to Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), setting ambitious yet achievable targets to: However, raising standards alone is not enough. Landlords need a robust package of support to enable meaningful change, including: To ensure tenants are not left behind, the report also calls for stronger compliance and enforcement measures, including: Join the conversation and take action The National Retrofit Hub and Impact for Urban Health invite policymakers, landlords, and industry professionals view the report and take part in conversations about the future of energy efficiency in the private rental sector. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals