Labour Rules Out Giving Mayors Power to Impose Rent Controls
The Labour Party has decisively ruled out granting regional mayors, including London’s Sadiq Khan, the power to impose rent controls. This comes amidst ongoing debates over how to address the UK’s housing crisis, particularly the skyrocketing rents in cities like London. Lisa Nandy, the Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, clarified […]
New Announcement: EPC Rating of C will be required by 2030
In the on going saga around energy efficiency in the freshly minted Labour government has announced its intention to mandate that all rental properties achieve a minimum EPC rating of C by 2030. This policy, confirmed by Ed Miliband, the Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary, on August 5, reflects a strong commitment to reducing […]
Birmingham City Council Licensing: Do you know what a section 257 HMO is?
We’re always at the forefront in making sure our properties and clients are compliant which is why we’ve been in contact with Birmingham City Council recently about Section 257 HMOs, which were included in the Additional Licensing scheme, but until today (12 Sept 23), there was no information about how to obtain a licence for […]
Michael Gove on Minimum Energy Performance Standards: “My strong view is that we’re asking too much too quickly.
In a recent interview with Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities expressed his desire to ease the proposed regulations that would require rental properties to have a minimum EPC rating of C by 2028. We’ve previously published details of this proposed legislation here. Gove conveyed his perspective to the […]
Renters Reform Bill Delayed
The Renters (Reform) Bill is, yet again, caught in the legislative waiting room. With the House of Commons entering its summer recess period, the bill won’t be considered until at least September. This delay presents a silver lining: it gives the landlords and agents ample time to influence future decisions. The Legislative Hold-Up MPs have […]
Consultation on extending Additional Licensing Scheme in Nottingham
Nottingham City Council have launched a consultation about extending their Additional HMO licensing scheme for a further five years. The current scheme is due to end in January 2024. The consultation is open between 1st March 2023 and 24th May 2023. The Additional Licensing Scheme was introduced by the council in 2018 to improve the quality […]
Renters Reform Bill – Implication for Student Accommodation
On May 17th, the much-anticipated Renters Reform Bill was released by the government, included within it are the potential implications for landlords within the student accommodation sector. You can read the full government guidance here, and the legislation here. Amongst many other reforms, the Bill introduces pivotal changes, including the elimination of fixed-term tenancies and […]
Industry Leader Anticipates EPC Rule Exceptions as Challenges Mount
Maxine Fothergill, ex-ARLA Propertymark President, forecasts government concessions on minimum EPC ratings must be made. Notable property expert and previous ARLA Propertymark President, Maxine Fothergill, anticipates that the UK Government will need to introduce exemptions for landlords when it comes to meeting the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) requirement of a minimum C rating. Fothergill believes […]
Department for Levelling Up Housing & Communities responds
Back in September, we wrote a response to the governments Renters’ Reform white paper, to which we have now received a generic reply. The full response is below, however, this is the highlight concerning student accommodation: “We understand that you are concerned about the impact these reforms will have on the student accommodation market. However, […]