Bringing empty properties back into use as affordable housing: Bidding guidance

Posted on: 12 December 2012
By: mackene
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On 26 November 2012 the Government announced a further round of funding aimed at bringing empty properties back into use. As well as tackling empty homes this new bid round has an additional emphasis on the refurbishment of empty commercial and non-residential properties as affordable housing. Bidding for this funding is now open and bids must be submitted through the Homes and Communities Agency’s Investment Management System by noon 25 March 2013. Full details on how to bid for this funding are in this guidance document.

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21st Century High Streets: What next for Britain’s town centres

Posted on: 12 December 2012
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The latest update of British Retail Consortium’s 21st Century High Streets report has been published. The report is broken down into six key elements identified in the 2009 report as critical to high street success: a unique sense of place; an attractive public realm; planning for success; accessibility; safety and security; and supportive regulatory and fiscal regimes. Each section identifies examples of initiatives that are successfully addressing some of  the most pressing problems.

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Let’s get building: The case for local authority investment in rented homes to help drive economic growth

Posted on: 11 December 2012
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This report argues that councils should be allowed to take advantage of low levels of debt to raise loans to build homes. The report making this case has been jointly produced by a partnership of the Chartered Institute of Housing, the Local Government Association and the Association of Retained Council Housing, supported by the Councils with ALMOs Group and led by the National Federation of ALMOs. The report makes use of two new pieces of work. The first one assesses in detail the capacity of the local authority sector and its readiness to build new homes. The second, assesses the market’s reaction to the extra borrowing that would be required if the proposals made here were to be adopted.

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Unimplemented residential planning approvals

Posted on: 4 December 2012
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The residential development pipeline has expanded during the first nine months of 2012 as housebuilders and social housing providers have brought forward more projects for planning approval. With that in mind, the Glenigan economics team have analysed their comprehensive project database to produce their latest report investigation the future of the social and private housing sectors.

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A tale of two buildings: Are EPCs a true indicator of energy efficiency?

Posted on: 29 November 2012
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A joint report from Better Building Partnership (BBP) and Jones Lang LaSalle highlights the importance of measuring and achieving reductions in actual energy consumption. Using data gathered from over 200 buildings over the past four years, the study measured the actual energy performance of BBP members’ managed properties in London with surprising results. The report considers whether Energy Performance Certificates alone are sufficient to deliver the Government’s targets to ‘de-carbonise’ the UK’s built environment, and how successful the property industry is in tackling the issue of reducing actual energy consumption. It also contains recommendations and guidance for both owners and occupiers.

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Empty Property Rates: RICS Briefing

Posted on: 28 November 2012
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The RICS has published the results of research from its expert members into the effect of business rates on empty property, more commonly known as Empty Property Rates (EPR). The research found empty property rates are having a negative impact on the growth and development of retail, office and industrial space across the country.

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National House-Building Council: Technical Extra

Posted on: 28 November 2012
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NHBC’s Technical Extra 8 includes a detailed summary of the key changes in NHBC Standards 2013. It also covers the requirements for providing reasonable access and facilities for the fire and rescue service, the introduction of Fee for Intervention and the latest on The Flood and Water Management Act. The edition also includes guidance on testing criteria for subsoil and topsoil and provides an update on the latest reports issued by NHBC Foundation.

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London West End Office-to-Residential Conversion Research Study 2011

Posted on: 26 November 2012
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The property consultancy H2SO has been charting the long-term trend for office-to-residential conversion in London’s West End. The survey found that planning applications for converting offices to residential in London’s West End increased by 53% in 2011. The trend for conversions has been gaining pace during the last decade, but now, owing to the rocketing values of prime London residential, is also encompassing relatively modern office blocks.

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Occupier Satisfaction Survey 2012

Posted on: 22 November 2012
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This is the sixth annual survey measuring UK commercial occupiers’ satisfaction with their landlords. This year’s survey (and the last two years) is based on the Code for Leasing Business Premises in England & Wales, 2007. Register on the RICS website to view document.

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Landlords reject Government’s welfare reforms

Posted on: 22 November 2012
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Landlords in the private rented sector have rejected the Government’s welfare reform plans for housing benefit, and highlight a lack of housing in the sector to cope with the Government’s changes, according to the results of a survey by the Residential Landlords Association.

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