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A group of 50 Conservative MPs are calling on the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak to extend the stamp duty cut for properties worth less than £500,000 a further 12 months in a major boost alongside The Telegraph’s ‘Stamp Out the Duty’ campaign.
The Welsh Government’s Building Safety White Paper covers all multi-occupied residential buildings, from houses converted into flats through to high rise apartment blocks. It sets out major reforms to how properties are designed, built, managed, and lived in whilst proposing clear lines of accountability and a stronger regulatory system.
In November, the House of Lords passed an amendment to the UK Government’s Fire Safety Bill making changes to the current legislation to protect leaseholders from having to pay for historical fire safety remedial work, including the removal of dangerous cladding.
First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has announced today, 13 January, six new changes to COVID-19 restrictions in Scotland to come into force on Saturday, 16 January, subject to Parliament approval. Among these changes are statutory guidance on working from home and a limitation on working within other people's homes by law.
Propertymark, along with other leading residential property bodies across the UK, have published an open letter to Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and Thalia Baldwin, Director of the Geospatial Commission highlighting the potential benefits from implementing a widely adopted Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN).
Changes to off-payroll working rules (IR35) are coming into effect in April 2021. Agents must understand and prepare for the changes and new rules, be mindful of potential additional costs when entering new arrangements with suppliers, and carefully consider renewals of existing contracts with workers for future engagements.
The Welsh Government has today, 8 January, issued a statement confirming they have reviewed the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) Regulations 2020 and confirm that Wales will remain at alert level 4 with a further review on 29 January 2021.
The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 came into operation at midnight on 7 January 2021 which provides the legal authority for home moves to continue during this period of lockdown.
Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick has announced that millions of leaseholders will be given the right to extend their lease by a maximum term of 990 years at zero ground rent as part of the biggest reforms to English property law for forty years, fundamentally making home ownership fairer and more secure.
The Land Registry is extending the period of time to respond to requests for information for most applications, which will come into effect from 11 January, where property professionals will have 40 days to reply to a request.
Following the national lockdown announcements for both England and Scotland, the Northern Ireland Executive has confirmed that although new measures are forthcoming, the current position on the housing market will remain the same.
The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced a one-off top-up grant of up to £9,000 per business for those that have been made to close during the latest lockdown.
Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, today, 4 January, announced England will move to a new national lockdown that requires, under UK Coronavirus Alert Level 5, people must stay at home, except for limited exceptions.
Following the statement made on 4 January by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 10) Regulations 2021, will come into force on 5 January, allowing persons to only leave home for a reasonable excuse.
Moving home and associated activities will still be able to continue following the UK Government announcement yesterday, 23 December, that outlined further areas throughout the UK to enter tier 4 from Boxing Day.
The housing sector plays a ‘unique role’ in the UK’s economy and has been crucially kept open during this unprecedented time.
To help end the excessive waking watch costs and support thousands of residents, the Government fund will pay for the installation of fire alarm systems in high-rise buildings with cladding, removing or reducing the need for the costly interim measures.
In the draft budget, today, 21 December 2020, the Welsh Government has announced changes to the higher residential rates, non-residential rates and bands, plus the temporary increase to the nil rate band will end on 31 March 2021.
Estate and lettings agents and removal firms can continue to work during the tier 4 restrictions in England.
Today, 21 December, the Welsh Government has updated its advice on home moves in light of First Minister, Mark Drakeford’s announcement on Wales moving into tier 4.
The UK Government announced on 14 December their ambitious plan to clean up the UK's energy system which will unleash a green economic recovery and support up to 220,000 jobs over the next decade across the whole of the UK.
The National Risk Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing 2020 report was published yesterday, 17 December, increasing estate agents from low to medium risk as well as introducing letting agents as medium risk.
Today, 17 December, the Chancellor announced that the furlough will be extended until the end of April 2021. For the moment, the furlough scheme will remain at the full rate, with the Government continuing to contribute 80 per cent towards wages, however, Rishi Sunak suggested he would review employer contributions in January.
Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick has today, 16 December, announced the UK Government’s plans to introduce new measures to ‘level up England’s cities, recover from the pandemic and help provide much-needed new homes.’
NAEA Propertymark’s November Housing Market Report confirmed back-to-back record-breaking months as November 2020 becomes the busiest November on record for housing demand and sales.
Propertymark highlights the importance of regulation within the property sector and divergence in rules across the UK in response to the Department for Business, Energy, & Industrial Strategies consultation which called for evidence on the UK’s approach to the recognition of professional qualifications and the regulation of professions.
On Tuesday 15 December, Propertymark Qualifications hosted an online event to celebrate the fantastic achievement of four students, who, over the course of 2019/2020, achieved Distinction in their Level 4 Certificate in Residential Letting and Property Management, one of the highest-level qualifications awarded by Propertymark Qualifications.
NAEA Propertymark has been continuing its campaign to keep leasehold reform high on the Government’s agenda, receiving positive feedback from a senior minister, despite competition with other pressing issues like COVID-19 and Brexit.
At the end of November, the Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP, Minister of State for Housing, responded to a letter which Propertymark wrote campaigning for action on empty homes, asking what measures the UK Government is taking to improve the situation and get more empty homes back into use.
Propertymark has written to Kate Forbes MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance in the Scottish Government to argue the case for extending the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) holiday.