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.
As we near the end of 2020, Propertymark has analysed its sales and lettings data to reveal trends from the year, which has been an unprecedented one due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Secretary of State for Housing, Robert Jenrick MP, announced today, 9 December, that business owners affected by the pandemic will be protected from eviction until the end of March 2021.
The review of the HS2 land and property acquisition programme has been published concluding it needs to improve its focus on communication, how long it can take to settle compensation claims and relocation support to businesses.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has reported a rise in cases involving fraudulent property conveyancing work and are alerting agents carrying out property conveyancing work on behalf of sellers or buyers that they could be at risk.
Propertymark Industry Supplier, Moneypenny, highlight that property agents continue to work hard to deliver quality client communications and maintain an increasing digital presence in the face of ever-changing COVID-19 restrictions – but offer some tips on how a live chat function could further these effort and boost online leads.
Propertymark has written to Rebecca Evans MS, Minister for Finance in the Welsh Government, to argue the case for extending Land Transaction Tax (LTT) holiday.
Following an attempted appeal by an action group, Rights: Community: Action (RCA), commercial agents should act with caution in relation to the new Use Classes rules.
Propertymark has responded to the UK Government’s fundamental review of business rates to include the continuation of rates relief for retail premises and the introduction of an online sales tax.