Author Archives: Kimberley Musson

The top reasons renters don’t get their deposits back

Wednesday, 8th November 2017

Tenancy deposits are there to protect landlords in the event of unpaid rent or damage to their property. Most tenants will get their full deposits back, but there are instances where the landlord may need to keep part – or... View Article

The top 10 things all renters need to know

Friday, 13th October 2017

ARLA Propertymark offers its top 10 tips that all renters should be aware of Whether it’s your first time renting or you are an experienced tenant, renting a property can present challenges for anyone if you’re unprepared. From losing your... View Article

RICS responds to the council house building announcement

Thursday, 5th October 2017

Lewis Johnston, RICS Parliamentary Affairs Manager: “It is over 65 years since a Conservative Conference committed the party to delivering 300,000 homes a year. With today’s housing challenge no less urgent, the Prime Minister’s plan to unleash the first major... View Article

Response to the Labour Party’s announcement of a social housing policy review

Wednesday, 27th September 2017

David Orr, Chief Executive at the National Housing Federation, comments on the social housing policy review: “We welcome Labour’s announcement of a comprehensive review into social housing policy and share the ambition to ensure everyone has a great quality home that... View Article

Getting the most from extensions

Tuesday, 29th August 2017

The increasing costs of moving due to stamp duty and mortgages, combined with the unrelenting hassle of dealing with broadband and utility companies, mean more of us are realising that extensions are the best solution to our housing conundrums. The... View Article

A quality double act; roof windows and blinds

Tuesday, 29th August 2017

Daylight is one of the holy grails of modern living. Bright, well-lit spaces have clear health and well-being benefits. In short they make us feel good and unsurprisingly this is something we want from our homes. In this quest for... View Article

ARLA and NAEA comment on the appointment of Alok Sharma as Housing and Planning Minister

Monday, 19th June 2017

David Cox, Chief Executive, ARLA Propertymark (Association of Residential Letting Agents) and Mark Hayward, Chief Executive, NAEA Propertymark (National Association of Estate Agents) comment: “We would like to congratulate Alok Sharma on his appointment to Minister of State for Housing... View Article

John Goodall, CEO and co-founder of Landbay comments on mortgage lending activity

Wednesday, 31st May 2017

John Goodall, CEO and co-founder of buy-to-let specialist Landbay comments: “Mortgage lending activity faced a rocky period in April, despite a number of record low mortgage rates and loan-to-value deals. However, with cheap finance helping many first-time buyers to step... View Article

ARLA Propertymark comments on the housing policies out-lined in the Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem Manifestos

Monday, 22nd May 2017

Mark Hayward, Chief Executive, NAEA Propertymark and David Cox, Chief Executive, ARLA Propertymark comment on the housing policies out-lined in the Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem Manifestos: “The housing market is in crisis. We are simply not building enough homes to... View Article

CDM 2015: how to comply

Tuesday, 31st January 2017

In April 2015, the main set of regulations for managing the health, safety and welfare of construction projects was replaced. The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) were last updated in 2007, so the most recent update has put several... View Article

Construction skills shortage gets worse, warns FMB

Tuesday, 31st January 2017

The skills shortage in the construction industry has got worse and has now spread beyond bricklayers and carpenters to other key trades, according to the latest research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). The FMB’s State of Trade Survey... View Article

Five tips for tackling a listed property renovation in 2017

Tuesday, 31st January 2017

If you have been thinking of getting your listed property spruced up, whether it’s an extension or re-structuring the foundations, there are fundamental things that you will need to consider before. Sarah Khan, a member of the Society for the... View Article

Autumn Statement comment: Policy must drive change

Friday, 25th November 2016

Statements from the Chancellor of the Exchequer aren’t always cause for celebration, but this one has left us feeling cautiously optimistic. Chris Coxon, Head of Marketing at Eurocell, takes a view. Wrapped up as the National Productivity Investment Fund –... View Article

CML responds to FCA competition and responsible lending statement

Monday, 16th May 2016

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) is pleased to note today that the FCA’s assessment is that firms have positively applied the responsible lending requirements that came in under the Mortgage Market Review. The CML also notes the FCA’s assessment... View Article

New construction figures published – leading construction and property consultants comment

Monday, 16th May 2016

Commenting on the new construction output figures published by the ONS today which show a decrease in output, Michael Thirkettle, Chief Executive of leading interdisciplinary international construction and property consultancy McBains Cooper, said: “There is unlikely to be any respite in the weak construction figures in... View Article

Richard Threllfall of KPMG comments on ONS construction figures

Friday, 13th May 2016

Richard Threllfall, Partner and Head of Infrastructure Building & Construction at KPMG comments on this morning’s ONS construction figures: “Apologies ONS, but I just don’t believe today’s output figures. They don’t ring true with what the industry is experiencing on the... View Article

Comment on ONS Output in the Construction Industry, March & Q1 2016

Friday, 13th May 2016

Charles Holland, Head of Residential Development and Investment at Marsh & Parsons, comments: “Behind the grey headlines, housebuilding is the one bright spot in the current construction landscape. Public and private sector housing are the only sectors to have witnessed... View Article

Mark Robinson, Scape Group Chief Executive, comments on today’s ONS Construction Output data

Friday, 13th May 2016

“With the EU referendum just around the corner, it comes as no surprise that we are seeing the brakes come on in the construction industry, amidst a cloud of uncertainty. This has resulted in construction output declining 1.1 per cent... View Article

Leading construction and property consultants comment on new published construction figures

Friday, 13th May 2016

BPF warns that government risks missing starter homes target, as Housing & Planning Bill gains Royal Assent

Thursday, 12th May 2016

The British Property Federation has commented on the Housing and Planning Bill gaining Royal Assent, and on speculation that there may be more primary legislation aimed at bringing forward new development after the State Opening of Parliament next week. Melanie Leech, chief... View Article