The government has announced plans to build thousands of new homes on underused and derelict land to regenerate local areas and help people on to the property ladder. Nearly £58 million from the £75 million Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF) has been allocated to 53 councils to fund the scheme. Ministers say the funding will
House prices across the UK increased by an average of 10.6% in the year to August 2021, according to the latest figures from the Land Registry. It means the average property in the UK is now valued at £264,244. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, house prices increased by 2.9% between July and August 2021, compared
A couple have been prevented from building a new home in their garden because of a covenant dating back 60 years. Covenants are promises or conditions often inserted into title deeds that affect or limit how a property can be used. They are legally binding on whoever later buys the property unless overturned by a
Leaseholders with Countryside Properties will no longer be subjected to ground rents that double every 10 or 15 years. The effect of these increases is that people often struggle to sell or mortgage their home and their property rights can be at risk, for example, if they fall behind on their rent. Countryside will also
Three homeowners have lost their appeal against a decision that sections of land they bought with their homes should be classed as ‘gardens or grounds’ and so be subject to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) at the full rate. The issue in each case was whether the land sold with each house was, or formed
The government has announced the next step in its plan to provide an extra 1,500 homes for first time buyers and key workers by 2023. Home builders across England have been invited to bid for a share of the £150 million being made available by offering plots for sale as First Homes, The contract award
The government has changed safety rules to make it easier for leaseholders to sell their homes in blocks of flats that have cladding on the exterior walls. Currently, there are regulations relating to the External Wall System (EWS) on these flats to make sure they meet safety standards. They require an EWS1 form to make
UK house prices rose by 10% in the year to May, according to the latest figures from the Land Registry. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, average house prices increased by 0.9% between April and May this year, compared with an increase of 0.5% during the same period in 2020. The UK Property Transactions Statistics showed
Aviva and Persimmon have agreed to end unfair leasehold practices, following an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). It means that Aviva has committed to remove certain terms from its leasehold contracts that cause ground rents to double, and Persimmon will now offer leasehold house owners the opportunity to buy the freehold of
First time buyers are being offered discounted homes as part of a new government housing scheme. The First Homes scheme will help local first-time buyers on to the property ladder by offering homes at a discount of at least 30% compared to the market price. That same percentage will then be passed on with the