Rt Hon Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has confirmed that by 2030 all rental properties will be required to achieve at least Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) level C or equivalent. Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said: “Many
Harron Homes has introduced its enhanced Homemover schemes designed to simplify the homebuying and selling process for househunters searching across Yorkshire and the North Midlands. The two schemes, Assisted Move and Part Exchange, provide practical solutions for customers looking to move into a new Harron home while avoiding the common
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and the Supply Chain Sustainability School have today published a groundbreaking report aimed at addressing the housing crisis through Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). The report lays out key policy recommendations designed to accelerate the adoption of MMC and deliver high-quality, affordable homes at scale.
A project in the centre of Sunderland has reached another key milestone. Plans for the re-development of the former Sunderland Civic Centre building were revealed in March 2021, as part of the council’s move to new premises on the former Vaux site, just north of the city centre, in November
A brand-new play area in Oakham has been officially opened by Florence, one of the people who will be having fun in the new facilities most over the coming months and years. The new play area is located at the front of Oakham Pastures, Davidsons Homes’ collection of new homes
THE NATIONAL Home Decarbonisation Group (NHDG) has issued a ministerial briefing note to outline its 10 key recommendations that the new Labour government must make to successfully deliver on its manifesto commitments in energy efficiency and retrofit. The recommendations are: Derek Horrocks, chair of the National Home Decarbonisation Group, said: “There
As the country girds its loins for what Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has warned will be a ‘painful’ October Budget, trade press headlines and social media channels have been inundated with more doom and gloom for the Private Rented Sector (PRS). The prospect of rises in Capital Gains and Inheritance
London boroughs have welcomed the government introducing its Renters’ Rights Bill to the House of Commons, hoping that reforms will ease skyrocketing homelessness pressures in the capital. The cross-party London Councils group has emphasised its support for banning unfair evictions and for applying higher quality standards in the private rented
New research has revealed the London boroughs where buy-to-let landlords currently looking to invest can generate the best returns. Drawing on the latest house price and private rental data, property analysts at SBA Property Management have identified Tower Hamlets as the highest-yielding borough for rental returns. With average property values
The regeneration masterplan for the Grey Mare Lane estate has been met with broad approval from the east Manchester community a new report going to the Council executive committee (Weds 11 September) has concluded. The Council-built estate is more than 50years old and represents a key regeneration location as part
Rt Hon Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has confirmed that by 2030 all rental properties will be required to achieve at least Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) level C or equivalent. Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said: “Many landlords will find EPC C challenging to reach, particularly if they own older buildings. However, some of the reasons relate to the cost of energy which means a gas boiler achieves a better EPC rating than electric heating, such as heat pumps. It is therefore pleasing to see the Government propose a consultation to make EPC’s more accurate and reliable, plus use the words EPC C ‘or equivalent’, suggesting the introduction of an alternative assessment method.” The EPC C by 2030 target is less ambitious than the EPC C by 2025 for new tenancies and 2028 for existing ones that Rishi Sunak scrapped in September 2023, but more realistic. DESNZ also confirmed the continuation of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, as well as the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, which replaces the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. Rico Wojtulewicz, Head of Policy and Market Insight at the NFB, said: “EPC C or equivalent by 2030 is achievable and great news for SME builders who will be fundamental in retrofitting those 2.9 million homes. We hope to convince the Government to do even more and as part of our response to the NPPF consultation we again proposed a National Retrofit Planning Framework (NRPF) to ensure the planning process does not hinder works or make them prohibitive. Introducing a Digital Buildings Passport would also encourage all owners to better understand their buildings and plan a timeline for renovation and retrofitting. As works would be recorded, bad practitioners would also have nowhere to hide and better or best practice could be highlighted.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Harron Homes has introduced its enhanced Homemover schemes designed to simplify the homebuying and selling process for househunters searching across Yorkshire and the North Midlands. The two schemes, Assisted Move and Part Exchange, provide practical solutions for customers looking to move into a new Harron home while avoiding the common pitfalls of selling their current property. Assisted Move offers a tailored plan for homeowners who need to sell their current home before moving into their new one. First, Harron arranges valuations from three independent estate agents to provide a fair market value for the customer’s property. Then, they create a personalised marketing strategy to sell their property at the very best price. The customer’s property is kept on the market until it has sold, and Harron Homes’ knowledgeable sales experts remain on hand to assist with the sale through-out the entire process. Once the home has been sold, Harron pay the estate agent fees, and the customer can reserve their brand new and energy-efficient Harron home. The second Homemover scheme is Part Exchange, which is available only on selected properties. This process provides a guaranteed cash buyer for the current home, eliminating property chain delays and streamlining the transition into a new Harron home. “We are excited to offer these comprehensive Homemover schemes,” says Natalie Griffiths, Sales and Marketing Director for Harron Homes North Midlands. “Both the Assisted Move and Part Exchange schemes are designed to make the homebuying journey as seamless and stress-free as possible for our customers. One of the most daunting parts of buying a house is the struggle of having to sell your current property while meeting timelines and battling with property chains. With our Homemover schemes, the customer has expert support to ensure they sell their old house and move into their new Harron home at a pace that suits them.” For more information on Harron Homes’ Homemover schemes, please visit: https://www.harronhomes.com/purchasing-assistance/homemover-schemes/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and the Supply Chain Sustainability School have today published a groundbreaking report aimed at addressing the housing crisis through Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). The report lays out key policy recommendations designed to accelerate the adoption of MMC and deliver high-quality, affordable homes at scale. The report’s development was led by the CLC Housing Working Group’s Smart Construction Sub-Group, which includes representatives from: The report proposes a series of long-term policy goals for the Labour Government to consider, including the creation of a dedicated MMC Taskforce. This taskforce, once convened, would be responsible for developing a comprehensive MMC strategy within six months. The strategy would focus on: Addressing the Housing and Skills Crisis The report identifies MMC as a key solution to the UK’s housing shortage, proposing that the adoption of MMC could counter the current 225,000-person skills gap in construction. With the ability to rapidly scale up housing delivery to meet demand for 300,000 – 500,000 homes annually, MMC offers a pathway to reversing decades of stagnation in the sector, which has seen construction productivity lag behind most other UK industries. Global Lessons and High-Level Targets Drawing on international case studies from countries including Australia, China and Japan, the report emphasises the need for high-level, published MMC targets that link both quantity and quality outcomes. It calls on the UK Government to implement clear, achievable goals that provide the construction industry with the certainty it needs to invest in MMC innovation and growth. The report also supports the National Housing Federation’s call for new towns and settlements to include a mix of housing tenures, with MMC prioritised for its ability to rapidly deliver high-quality, sustainable homes. A Clear Call to Action The CLC is urging the Government to adopt their recommendations, particularly the creation of the MMC Taskforce, as a matter of urgency. By doing so, the UK can tackle its housing shortage, address the construction skills crisis, and deliver environmentally sustainable housing at scale. Rory Bergin, Partner at Sustainable Futures said: “To meet the Government’s target of delivering 1.5 million new homes by 2029, we need to double housing output and remove barriers that limit productivity. MMC is a key part of this strategy, and the sector has invested heavily in it. Now is the time to build on that progress, modernise housing delivery, and release the benefits of increased productivity, sustainability, and quality.” Access the full report here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A project in the centre of Sunderland has reached another key milestone. Plans for the re-development of the former Sunderland Civic Centre building were revealed in March 2021, as part of the council’s move to new premises on the former Vaux site, just north of the city centre, in November that year. Permission was granted to Vistry North East, part of the Vistry Group, to replace the old 1960’s buildings with a vibrant city centre community of 265 homes in April 2022. Demolition started in October and was completed in February of this year, with the construction of the new West Park Quarter moving forward at pace. Now, the first of the high-quality new properties have been released for sale under the Linden Homes brand. They include a selection of three and four bedroom homes offering choice for both first time buyers or those looking for a larger, family home close to the city centre and with access to scenic and accessible open green spaces. Sean Egan, Managing Director with Vistry North East, said: “This is a flagship project for our business and we are delighted to now be in a position to release the first properties for sale. We expect the first customers will be moving in later this year and at the start of 2025. “A complex scheme, working in close partnership with Sunderland City Council, we’ve been able to support the move to Riverside Sunderland’s City Hall and unlock the potential of the old civic site in a way that will re-energise this part of the city centre. “West Park Quarter is delivering homes for sale, private rent and affordable rent and our mixed tenure approach has enabled us to deliver the new homes at pace. The properties will be set around public, open green spaces and will offer excellent links to both the high street and to local transport infrastructure. By improving the choice and standard of new homes in the centre of Sunderland, we aim to create a vibrant community for people to live in and enjoy.” Part of the project will see works to recreate Saint George’s Square – bomb damaged during the Second World War and lost to redevelopment in the 60s – with the Grade II listed Saint George’s House as the focal point. The architecture and streetscapes being constructed have been planned to be sensitive to existing structures, the park side location and the Ashbrooke Conservation Area. The development is also incorporating plenty of cycling and pedestrian links, improving public access to and from the city centre. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A brand-new play area in Oakham has been officially opened by Florence, one of the people who will be having fun in the new facilities most over the coming months and years. The new play area is located at the front of Oakham Pastures, Davidsons Homes’ collection of new homes off Uppingham Road, surrounded by lush trees and pretty greenery. Florence was invited to cut the ribbon the brand-new play area, declaring it officially open for children and families to enjoy from now on. Rachel Harris, mother to Florence, said: “We were so touched that Florence was invited to open the play area at Oakham. Not only was it a lovely surprise for her, Davidsons Homes also bought her a little rucksack and necklace which she is now wearing with pride! “We have been staying at Oakham Pastures with my parents, so have had a front-row seat watching the play area be created, and Florence was so excited to be able to go out there and enjoy playing on the equipment. “The outlook from my parents’ house is truly special, and we have absolutely loved living with the open-plan spaces and the void which joins the bottom floor with the top one. It’s not overlooked and has a large garden – in fact we’d like to stay here forever! “The homes have got real character, they feel like a great blend of Georgian design and elements of local style too. There are a lot of swallows here, which is evidently a sign of a happy place – and Oakham Pastures certainly feels it.” Simon Tyler, Sales Director for Davidsons Homes, said: “The most important people we have to impress with our play areas and sections of open spaces are the children and families who will actually use them – which is why we were delighted to welcome Florence to officially launch our play area at Oakham Pastures. “We hope her and her friends enjoy playing here for many years to come!” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
THE NATIONAL Home Decarbonisation Group (NHDG) has issued a ministerial briefing note to outline its 10 key recommendations that the new Labour government must make to successfully deliver on its manifesto commitments in energy efficiency and retrofit. The recommendations are: Derek Horrocks, chair of the National Home Decarbonisation Group, said: “There is an opportunity for the Labour government to bring further scale and ambition to foundations that are already working, while bringing fresh ideas and impetus to parts of the retrofit market that are not. “A great deal of thought has gone into the manifesto and priorities of this new Labour government with commitments to invest an extra £6.6 billion to upgrade 5 million homes for increased energy efficiency and lower bills, alongside the mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower. It is critical that these plans on which the new government has been elected are now put into action. “We hope that the briefing we have issued helps to highlight the number of areas that need to be addressed, but also that the National Home Decarbonisation Group members are ready to work with the new government on achieving high-quality, large-scale retrofit delivery across the UK.” The ministerial briefing includes further explanation on why each of the recommendations have been made and potential ways to adopt them, as well as including references to various different research studies into energy efficiency in the UK. The NHDG was established in 2023 and represents Tier 1 contractors and energy suppliers that specialise in retrofit residential decarbonisation at scale. The group aims to coordinate businesses providing residential decarbonisation at scale across all tenures of UK housing and focuses on three core areas; skills, innovation, and policy. To learn more about NHDG, its aims and its members, please visit the website at: https://www.nhdg.org/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As the country girds its loins for what Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has warned will be a ‘painful’ October Budget, trade press headlines and social media channels have been inundated with more doom and gloom for the Private Rented Sector (PRS). The prospect of rises in Capital Gains and Inheritance Tax would appear to have sparked a flurry of selling activity among some landlords. Latest figures released by Rightmove revealed that the proportion of former rental homes moving into the sales market is the highest on record – at 18% of the total. But Rightmove insists this does not point to a mass exodus of PRS landlords, although it does say the situation will have to be monitored for any long-term impact. And I read the comment from Benham and Reeves’ Marc Grundherr with interest. He said that if the Labour government imposed a significant tax increase on landlords, this would be another blow to those who provide vital housing stock. He added: “Despite this, we’re simply not seeing the exodus of landlords that is so often reported…buy to let remains a strong investment – it’s certainly one that most take with a very long-term view and they expect ups and downs, but generally speaking, the returns are consistently good.” Luxury apartments This is the point – fundamentally, rental properties in the PRS are in short supply, demand remains strong and yields remain healthy. Added to which the property market is changing. From the latest figures available from Uswitch, a third of first time buyers are aged over 35, 20% are aged 35-44 and 13% are over 45. So renters are staying in the PRS much longer and individual tenancy lengths are increasing, too. This is just one of the reasons that Build to Rent has taken off so dramatically in the UK in recent years. Only last week, Legal and General announced that its Slate Yard development in Manchester was being offered as an investment opportunity with a guide price of £110 million. It comprises 424 luxury apartments across three buildings and provides a gym, a residents’ lounge, co-working spaces and 24/7 concierge service. Legal and General have deployed over £3bn of institutional capital into the sector in 24 schemes across 13 UK cities. Clearly, they believe there is a future in the rental market. ‘It’s all very well for the big boys, but what about the small private landlord?’ I hear you say, ‘The bureaucracy is becoming overwhelming.’ It’s true that there are political moves to introduce higher standards, warmer homes and to regulate the sector more thoroughly. But, in the long run, this can only be good for business. Build to Rent is predominantly focused on city centres, but who is catering for the suburbs and the hundreds of small towns and villages all over the UK? Don’t they deserve a thriving rental sector, too? And as for the bureaucracy, this is where technology comes in – it saves time and money and provides evidence of compliance. Reduce move-in costs Using ourselves as just one example, through integrations, flatfair Deposits utilises open banking technology and partners with the major UK deposit schemes to automatically register traditional deposits into the agent’s preferred scheme. Deposit administration can carry the risk of hefty fines, reputational damage and sometimes worse. flatfair Deposits removes the potential of missed deadlines and human errors while saving agents and landlords around an hour of admin time per tenancy. It also provides tenants with the important choice of a deposit alternative, to reduce their move-in costs by an average of £1000, while landlords double the protection on their property for potential damages or unpaid rent. flatfair Deposits integrates with leading referencing providers, HomeLet and Homeppl, and cross-references these results against our own criteria to ensure the highest quality tenants are occupying the property. Technology like flatfair Deposits is the solution and the way forward for the PRS. Increased regulation doesn’t have to mean an increased workload. We’re all going to have to work smarter, not harder. If that’s the brave new world for the PRS, we’re looking forward to it. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
London boroughs have welcomed the government introducing its Renters’ Rights Bill to the House of Commons, hoping that reforms will ease skyrocketing homelessness pressures in the capital. The cross-party London Councils group has emphasised its support for banning unfair evictions and for applying higher quality standards in the private rented sector – including the extension of Awaab’s Law to private landlords. With local authorities playing a key role in the regulation of the private rented sector, London boroughs also highlight the need for sufficient resources to implement these new measures effectively. Cllr Grace Williams, London Councils’ Executive Member for Housing & Regeneration, said: “Three million Londoners live in private rented sector homes and undoubtedly deserve stronger protection. “Boroughs support a ban on no-fault evictions. Too often we’ve seen Londoners turfed out of their homes for no good reason and made homeless, turning their lives upside down. With London’s homelessness pressures at record levels, banning these evictions is a crucial step forward. “Boroughs will work both with the government and with landlords to ensure these reforms are as successful as possible. Part of that means ensuring boroughs are provided with the powers and resources we need to enforce the new rules. We will also work alongside minsters in tackling the other deep-seated issues driving London’s housing pressures and rapidly escalating homelessness crisis – especially the chronic shortage of affordable housing.” Research published last year by London Councils revealed a 41% reduction in private rental listings in the capital following the Covid-19 pandemic – a key factor in exacerbating housing and homelessness pressures. With the reduced availability of private rented sector properties in London, boroughs believe it is vital the government’s reforms support landlords and positively encourage them to increase standards. London Councils estimates that 175,000 Londoners are homeless and living in temporary accommodation arranged by their local borough. This is equivalent to one in 50 Londoners overall. London Councils’ latest borough survey shows a 10% increase in homeless London households living in temporary accommodation between April 2023 and April 2024. London accounts for 56% of England’s total number of homeless households. London Councils additionally points to a report last year from a cross-party parliamentary committee warning that councils may lack adequate resources for enforcing new rules in the private rented sector. The committee highlighted the precarious state of local government finances, the shortage of qualified enforcement staff, and a lack of reliable data. The report also stressed the need for more affordable housing to tackle the rocketing rental costs many tenants face. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New research has revealed the London boroughs where buy-to-let landlords currently looking to invest can generate the best returns. Drawing on the latest house price and private rental data, property analysts at SBA Property Management have identified Tower Hamlets as the highest-yielding borough for rental returns. With average property values of £456,375 and monthly rental costs of £2,244, the inner London borough offers buy-to-let investors yields of 5.9% — significantly higher than the London average at 4.81%. Another area for investors to target is Southwark, which has average house prices of £476,177 and private rents of £2,219, yielding returns of 5.59%. Other opportunity areas identified by SBA Property Management are Newham, Barking & Dagenham and Greenwich, offering average rental yields of 5.23%, 5.06% and 4.96% respectively. The news comes shortly after interest rates were cut by the Bank of England for the first time since March 2020, setting the stage for mortgage costs to fall over the coming months. With further cuts forecast in 2025, property investors will be in an even stronger position to buy. Habib Mogul, Director at SBA Property Management, commented: “After several years of uncertainty, London’s property market is again shaping up to be one of the UK’s most attractive investment opportunities. Falling mortgage costs and stable property prices combined with high demand for rental accommodation means buy-to-let property in particular offers great potential for returns. “Historically, large deposits and borrowing costs have been a barrier for buy-to-let landlords looking to invest in the capital. However, our research shows that many of the highest-yielding areas are those with the lowest property prices, reducing the initial investment needed to secure a piece of London’s lucrative property market.” Average house prices in the five boroughs identified by SBA Property Management are below the London average, with Barking & Dagenham and Newham being two of the three most affordable boroughs for property investors. In Barking & Dagenham – the London borough with the cheapest house prices – buy-to-let landlords would only need £51,060 for a typical 15% deposit to start earning above-average returns on their investment. Tim Darwall-Smith, Director at SBA Property Management, said: “In recent years, we’ve seen London’s property market buck the trend of rising house prices seen across the rest of the country. At the same time, rental costs in the capital have surged, putting buy-to-let landlords in an advantageous position. “The easing of mortgage costs brings more relief to buy-to-let landlords, freeing up resources to make value-boosting renovations and deliver a better tenant experience. Ultimately, the investors with well-managed properties will be best placed to benefit from London’s highly profitable rental market.” To find out more about SBA Property Management’s services, visit: https://sbaproperty.com/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The regeneration masterplan for the Grey Mare Lane estate has been met with broad approval from the east Manchester community a new report going to the Council executive committee (Weds 11 September) has concluded. The Council-built estate is more than 50years old and represents a key regeneration location as part of the ongoing transformation of east Manchester. (See notes to editors) An 8-week consultation started in May this year and gathered feedback from local people via both online submissions and an in-person engagement event held in the estate. A community steering group made up of residents, elected members and Council officers also meet regularly to discuss and input into the planning process for the estate investment. The masterplan is a high-level overview of the regeneration opportunities within the estate, which envisages a highly sustainable investment programme that will deliver at least 1,000 new homes – including a significant number of affordable homes and new green spaces. Feedback from local residents included: This feedback will be included in the final masterplan document for the estate, which will help guide investment in the area in the years to come. Future investment in the Grey Mare Lane estate will include: Architect BDP have delivered the masterplan on behalf of the Grey Mare Lane partnership. First Development sites – update Concurrently with the masterplan consultation, Great Places Housing Group undertook targeted engagement around their development site at the corner of Grey Mare Lane and Ashton New Road. The proposed scheme will deliver a block of 69 apartments for social rent providing a landmark gateway development into the Masterplan area. A planning application for this site is expected to be submitted in the Autumn. At the same time, One Manchester is continuing to prepare their development sites and demolitions are ongoing to enable future development. Any affected residents have been part of this conversation for some time and we have made a commitment that anyone who has had to move to allow the regeneration of the estate will have the right to return to the estate if they want to. Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said: “The feedback we receive directly from local people – both through the consultation and the community steering group – is quite often the most impactful. Knowing what a neighbourhood needs is best explained by the very people who live and use the area every day. “Through this investment we will see at least 1,000 new homes – including lots of affordable homes – a new heart and focal point of the estate with new shops and community facilities, and lots more green and play spaces. “Thank you to everyone who took part – your feedback will help guide future development proposals for the Grey Mare Lane estate, and we’re looking forward to the first planning applications being submitted late this year.” Helen Spencer, Executive Director of Growth at Great Places, said: “We’re delighted to see the community’s positive response to the Grey Mare Lane estate regeneration plans. The project is a great opportunity to provide much-needed affordable housing in the area and vibrant green spaces, enhancing residents’ quality of life. “The feedback will provide invaluable input to ensure our planned developments meet the community’s needs, and we look forward to continuing to work with Manchester City Council, One Manchester, and This City to bring this vision to life.” Barry Wears, Chief Financial Officer, One Manchester, said: “It’s great to see things moving forward for the community. As we prepare our development sites and carry out necessary demolitions to make improvements for the community, we’re committed to making sure any affected residents are part of the conversation. We’ve pledged that those who’ve had to move due to the works will have the right to return to the estate if they want to. Our ongoing collaboration with partners and keeping the community involved will make sure that the development will boost the area and support the needs of local residents.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
