Property industry news

A product of our ongoing and successful partnership, the extensive fact sheet helps property agents in Wales understand new rules and how they impact freeholders, leaseholders, renters, home buyers and sellers. Whilst a number of provisions under the Building Safety Act 2022 apply to Wales, the Welsh Government is establishing its own Building Safety Regime that reflects its plans to ensure the safety of residents in Wales.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Welsh Government seek agents’ views on proposals to limit the building insurance charges that freeholders, property managing agents and landlords can ask leaseholders to pay. There are long-standing concerns about unjustified and unfair fees which leaseholders are unable to properly scrutinise and challenge.

Mandatory housing targets, more funding for planning officers and a definition of ‘grey belt’ land feature in the new rules published on 12 December 2024. The revised framework underpins the Labour Party’s manifesto commitment to build 1.5 million homes over five years.

The Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee has announced a new inquiry focused on the conditions faced by children and families living in temporary accommodation in England. This initiative is part of an effort to address concerns about the quality of such housing and its effects on children’s development, health, and overall well-being.

In a working paper published on 9 December 2024, the Secretary of State for Housing sets out options for revolution in the national planning system, which will be introduced through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. Proposals focus on modernising, up-skilling, and empowering local planning officers and committees to operate as effectively as possible and deliver the homes and infrastructure which are desperately needed across the country.

The English Private Landlord Survey 2024, published by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), provides a detailed picture of the private rented sector (PRS) in England, capturing the state of play for landlords and tenants alike. This vital report sheds light on the evolving dynamics of a sector that houses nearly one in five households across England with new costs squeezing landlords and increases in diversity noted across age, gender and ethnicity since 2021.

Damp and mould are more than an unsightly nuisance; they pose serious health risks, especially for children, older adults, and people with respiratory issues. The tragic story of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who suffered prolonged exposure to mould, highlighted the need for immediate action and lasting change. This resulted in the introduction of Awaab’s Law for the social housing sector, which will soon be mirrored in the private rented sector through the Renters’ Rights Bill.

The UK Government has unveiled plans to reform the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPB) framework in England and Wales, with sweeping changes to the way Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are structured, used, and valued. Both commercial and residential agents, landlords, and property owners will need to renew their EPCs more often, and some exemptions, for example for heritage properties, may no longer apply.

As we head into the New Year, the sales market is set to see a trend unlike those historically seen across the winter months, with buyers and sellers, especially across England and Northern Ireland, pushing their sales and purchases through to save potentially thousands of pounds before the changes to Stamp Duty thresholds take effect from April 2025.

Under Part 2 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, most business tenants in England and Wales have the right to renew their tenancy when the current lease ends, with limited grounds for landlords to refuse. With 55% of UK commercial property rented, the Law Commission is consulting on whether this system remains effective for today’s commercial lease market.

The Rt Hon. Sir Kier Starmer, MP, announced his Plan for Change: Milestones for mission-led government in a high-profile, tone-setting speech on 5 December 2024. Drawing attention to the fact that housing starts and permissions are at their lowest for a decade, the Prime Minister insisted that the housing crisis will not be solved without approving controversial developments. However, with no new detail about how the targets will be achieved, the housing sector is left guessing.

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison, MSP, announced a Budget which, she said would deliver on the priorities of the people of Scotland despite persistent financial pressures. However, her measures do little to address the ongoing housing crisis, and a decision to increase the Additional Dwelling Supplement will discourage new landlords from entering the sector.