UK Property News

Rents dropped across the residential lettings sector during Q3 as would-be-sellers flooded the rental market with unsellable properties, says the latest RICS Lettings Survey.

Smartlandlord.co.uk has launched a 25% discount offer for buy to let property landlords on Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).

Environmentally conscious Brits are opting to Go Green with their home improvements, with around one in 10 using reclaimed and green materials and nearly two thirds (64%) considering using them in the future, according to research by Halifax Home Insurance.

Miller Homes has made the top 3 companies in a new report that assesses how well housebuilders are addressing the urgent climate change challenges in the industry.

Last week's dramatic 1.5% interest rate cut by the Bank of England has been heralded as a great opportunity for housebuilders and people wanting to move or get on the property ladder, by Housebuilder of the Year Miller Homes.

Barratt is now offering part exchange and many new incentives on the older properties sold through Barratt OakLeaf Homes.

Barratt is playing Santa Claus with some fantastic festive deals for buyers who'd like to be in their new home in time for Christmas. If you're a first-time buyer or don't have a place to sell, you could buy a new 2-bedroom house for as little as £82,500, and move in for just £99.

Last week's dramatic 1.5% interest rate cut by the Bank of England has been heralded as a great opportunity for housebuilders and people wanting to move or get on the property ladder, by Housebuilder of the Year Miller Homes.

Award winning housebuilder Linden Homes has been recognised for its commitment to customer satisfaction at the latest Housebuilding Innovation Awards. The housebuilder scooped Highly Commended in the Best Customer Satisfaction Initiative category at the recent awards ceremony, which was hosted by BBC Radio 4 presenter John Humphrys.

SHIP (Safe Home Income Plans) - the trade body that represents 90% of regulated UK equity release providers - has today called on Trading Standards to take action against sale and rent back companies who are misleading consumers with their websites or advertising.

The average number of transactions per surveyor fell again in October as a lack of mortgage finance continued to stifle the ability of buyers to access the market, but expectations that sales will improve (over the next three months) increased, says latest RICS' UK housing market survey.

Two new triggers will help Land Registry to achieve its strategic objective to create a comprehensive land register when they come into force next year.

Accordingly to the Council of Mortgage Lenders repossessions have soared by 48 per cent to 18,900 in the first six months of 2008, so is now the time to get a great property deal at auction? Buying a property at auction is very different from the conventional buying process.

The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) has called on the Government to use its Pre Budget Report to help thousands of young people currently priced out of the housing market.

Miller Homes has made the top 3 companies in a new report that assesses how well housebuilders are addressing the urgent climate change challenges in the industry.

The Berkeley Group received two honours in this year’s Building for Life Awards. Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth and Royal Arsenal in South-East London have been recognised with the national honour, awarded by CABE and the Home Builders Federation.

Homebuyers looking to move to a luxurious new home in Desborough, but worried about selling their existing property, will find help on hand from Redrow. The award-winning housebuilder is offering part-exchange to buyers at Redrow @ The Grange, its superb new development on the edge of the market town, helping those customers who need to sell up before moving in.

The Chairman of Countryside Properties Plc, Alan Cherry CBE DL, has this week reasserted the company's commitment to large scale projects and called for a new realism in the planning negotiations which govern these long-term developments in light of the unprecedented decline in new housing supply.

Responding to figures released by the Office of National Statistics showing orders for new houses have slumped in recent months, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'It is clear that the construction sector has been among the hardest hit by the recession.

Two site managers from Miller Homes East Midlands have proved that not only do they have pride in their jobs, but are also worthy of the seal of excellence too.

Following the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee's decision to cut interest rates by 1.5 per cent today, Melfyn Williams, Past President of the National Association of Estate Agents, said: "It is good news for the housing market that the Bank of England has reduced interest rates - the ball is now in the court of the banks.

Commenting on the Bank of England's interest rate cut, Simon Rubinsohn, RICS chief economist said: "This is a bold move by the Bank of England and one which RICS welcomes. This recognises the severity of the downturn and the squeeze on credit.

Now that the credit crunch has well and truly bitten, several national homebuilders are offering generous incentives, including a number of shared equity schemes, to assist first time buyers onto the property ladder during this difficult economic time.

UK commercial property valuations are the most accurate of the four largest property investment markets in Europe, with the majority of valuations falling within 10 percent of sale prices, according to the RICS Valuation and Sale Price Report.

Berkeley Group announces it has won a 2008 BURA Award for Best Practice in Regeneration for the first phase of its 76-acre mixed use redevelopment at Royal Arsenal, south east London. The award will be presented at a ceremony on 25th November in Leeds.