Build to Rent Fund Prospectus

Posted on: 2 January 2013
By: mackene
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In response to the recommendations of the Montague report, Review of the barriers to institutional investment in private rented homes, the Build to Rent Fund has been launched to stimulate new private rented housing supply and to provide opportunities for new institutional investment in the sector. The £200m Fund is a fully recoverable, commercial investment where the public sector will share risk or bridge finance to allow schemes to be built out, managed and let. The investment could be used to cover development costs such as land, construction or management costs. Once the scheme is fully let the developer will sell on its interest or re-finance and repay the loan/equity.

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The Committee’s response to Government’s consultation on permitted development rights for homeowners

Posted on: 2 January 2013
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The House of Commons Communities and Local Government Select Committee has published a response to the government’s plan to relax rules around extensions of properties for a period of three years. Under the proposed changes, fewer homeowners and businesses would need to apply for planning permission to extend houses or offices. In its response the Select Committee argues that the plans are based on an inadequate impact assessment that does not take into account social and environmental effects.

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The Building Act 1984, Building Amendment (Amendment) Regulations 2012

Posted on: 2 January 2013
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The purpose of this Circular (02/12) is to: draw attention to these amendments and explain the changes they make to the Building Regulations 2010, the Building (Approved Inspectors etc.) Regulations 2010, the Building (Local Authority Charges) Regulations 2010 and various Local Acts listed in Annex D to this Circular; explain the transitional provisions announce the approval and publication of new Approved Documents K, P and Regulation 7; announce the amendments to other Approved Documents; and announce the authorisation of new and extended competent person schemes.

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Further economic and analytical support for proposals to amend the Building Regulations in 2013

Posted on: 2 January 2013
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The purpose of this research project was to provide information to help inform impact assessments of potential changes to the building regulations in 2013. It also investigated the impact of other changes to the building regulations that are not currently being taken forward.

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Simplifying the provisions of Part B2 of the building regulations

Posted on: 2 January 2013
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This final impact assessment sets out the proposed changes to the provisions of requirement B2 of the building regulations relating to internal fire spread (linings).

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Consolidation and simplification of Parts M, K and N of the building regulations

Posted on: 2 January 2013
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This final impact assessment sets out proposed changes to Parts K (protection from collision falling and impact), Part M (access to and use of buildings) and Part N (glazing) of the building regulations and provides analysis of the associated costs and benefits.

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Building Regulations Part P: electrical safety in dwellings: Impact assessment

Posted on: 2 January 2013
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This final impact assessment sets out the proposed changes to Part P of the building regulations and provides an analysis of the associated costs and benefits.

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Overheating in new homes: a review of the evidence

Posted on: 2 January 2013
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This report reviews the information and evidence on overheating from the perspectives of housing and health issues. It looks at the parameters that might be used in the definition of overheating, including possible threshold temperature levels, and also features analysis of BRE investigations into overheating in homes.

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Sanctuary in the city? Urban displacement and vulnerability in the Gaza Strip

Posted on: 2 January 2013
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This report illuminates the consequences of upheaval generated by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for the citizens of Gaza. Based on hundreds of interviews with the enclave’s residents, and those tasked with assisting them, the research demonstrates that the military tactics deployed in ‘Operation Pillar of Defence’ are just one of many factors that generate the displacement, loss of shelter, livelihoods and life that are all too frequently the price paid by civilians caught up in conflict. The authors offer a series of recommendations to national entities; international governments and donors; international humanitarian and development organisations.

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Recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive

Posted on: 2 January 2013
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The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is an EU measure designed to tackle climate change by reducing the amount of carbon produced by buildings. The requirements of the Directive were implemented on a phased basis by the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007. Key requirements were: energy performance certificate to be produced on the sale, rent or construction of a building; display energy certificate to be produced and displayed in large public buildings; and air conditioning equipment above a certain size to be inspected regularly. Changes have been made to the regulations, to transpose the requirements of a recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive in England and Wales. The main requirements were introduced on 9 January 2013.

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