NLbigben

Government plans housing boost with billions of private money

Under plans currently being considered by the government, social housing could be a big winner, attracting billions of pounds worth of private investment in an effort to stave off a double-dip recession. As the Eurozone crisis continues, unemployment increases and the UK's economic growth forecasts are revised downward, concerns that the British economy needs a boost are rife. That's why the... Read more

Posted by Dan @ Upad on November 18th, 2011 in Property Market, Upad

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Iain Duncan Smith

BBC: LHA caps “may change”

The BBC's running a story this morning saying that the new, capped levels of Local Housing Allowance announced in June's Budget may change. Work and Pensions Secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, is said to be listening to the concerns of Conservative MPs, particularly those from London who have already spoken to mayor Boris Johnson. The BBC's political correspondent Vicki Young said that her source... Read more

Posted by Sue @ Upad on October 27th, 2010 in Housing Benefit, Social Housing

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Right-to-buy under review?

Housing Minister Grant Shapps is reconsidering the rights of council house tenants to buy their homes, says The Guardian. The paper reports that Mr Shapps is expected to tell the LibDem conference that the automatic right-to-buy may be ended in some areas as a way to boost council housing availability and cut waiting lists. Well, not according to the Housing Minister: on Twitter last night,... Read more

Posted by Sue @ Upad on September 17th, 2010 in Social Housing

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HMO chaos is bad for landlords and tenants

We’re dismayed by the chaos and uncertainty that currently surrounds the licensing of HMOs by local authorities. Currently, planning approval is required to change the use of a property where 3 – 6 unrelated people share basic amenities. The government has indicated that they may change this, allowing individual authorities to decide their own rules. The government is currently consulting on... Read more

Posted by Dan @ Upad on August 27th, 2010 in HMOs, Property Rental

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rough sleeper

Housing Benefits changes put 1 million at risk of homelessness

We’ve been reading a report from the National Housing Federation and we’re particularly alarmed by some of the findings they’ve made. We totally agree with them that there is a case for reform and simplification of the “unwieldy” benefits system but the Federation suggests that the proposed changes “will leave around 936,000 people at risk of being driven into debt, falling into... Read more

Posted by Dan @ Upad on August 12th, 2010 in Housing Benefit, Property Rental

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