Extra support for upgrading homes
The government has announced plans for a new scheme to help householders reduce their energy bills through loft and cavity wall insulation, as well as smart heating controls. The move is part of wider action this across energy policy to help the UK meet its ambition of becoming energy independent. The new ECO+ scheme will […]
Build-to-rent homes can be a good option for some tenants
The largest ever analysis of build-to-rent (BTR) homes in England shows the sector has a broad and evolving customer base similar to the wider private rented sector (PRS). In its third year, the Who Lives in Build-to-Rent? report from the British Property Federation (BPF), Dataloft, BusinessLDN, and the UK Apartment Association (UKAA) analysed 122 schemes in England totalling over […]
How to save energy when you use household appliances
Households can reduce their utility bills by over £500 a year by making small changes to the way they use their household appliances, according to the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA) Its Know Watt’s What campaign highlights that by simply always using the eco-cycle on washing machines and dishwashers, consumers can save an […]
Active Building Centre calls for built environment to exceed net zero requirements to become climate positive
As Cop27 continues and countries debate global climate goals, the Active Building Centre (ABC) is calling for the built environment to step up and play its part. According to the organisation, buildings in the UK account for around a quarter of total carbon emissions and if the country is to reach net zero by 2050, […]
Slowdown in annual UK house price growth
House prices in Britain have fallen for the first time in 15 months. The average price of a property dropped to £268,282 in October, down 0.9 per cent compared to October, according to the Nationwide’s House Price Index. Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s chief economist, said: “October saw a sharp slowdown in annual house price growth, to […]
UK build-to-rent homes to increase five-fold in the next decade
Build to Rent (BTR) homes could increase five-fold, with the sector worth £170 billion, according to recent research. A study by the British Property Federation (BPF) and Savills projects the number of BTR homes completed could reach 380,000 by 2032. The projection, undertaken in partnership with Get Living, one of the UK pioneers of BTR, […]
Local high streets are still important when choosing where to live
The quality of local high streets is still an important factor in many people’s decisions about where to live, despite the pandemic having impacted many, according to new research. Market Financial Solutions (MFS) commissioned an independent, nationally representative survey of 2,000 UK adults and found that having a vibrant local high street was important to […]
Bring a little warmth to the home this autumn – top tips
The weather has certainly turned and many of us are playing the “should we” or “shouldn’t we” game of whether or not to put the central heating on. And with energy costs soaring, we are all certainly keen to hold off as long as possible. So what steps can we take to keep our homes […]
New home completions bounce back to pre-pandemic levels
New home completions have returned to pre-pandemic levels, according to the NHBC, an independent provider of warranty and insurance for new homes. The organisation says its research highlights that overall a total of 40,289 were completed in the second quarter of 2022, an increase of 16 per cent compared to the same time last year. […]
More older people are now renting
The number of middle-age and later life tenants living in privately rented homes has accelerated faster than those under the age of 35 over the past decade. Analysis carried out by Paragon Bank analysis suggests between 2011 and 2021, there was a 110 per cent increase in the number of households privately renting in England […]