Moving home and associated activities will still be able to continue following the UK Government announcement yesterday, 23 December, that outlined further areas throughout the UK to enter tier 4 from Boxing Day.
To help end the excessive waking watch costs and support thousands of residents, the Government fund will pay for the installation of fire alarm systems in high-rise buildings with cladding, removing or reducing the need for the costly interim measures.
Propertymark responded to the Local Government and Communities Committee consultation on the Fair Rents Bill, which aims to cap rent rises on private residential properties in Scotland, stressing disapproval of the policies propositions.
In the draft budget, today, 21 December 2020, the Welsh Government has announced changes to the higher residential rates, non-residential rates and bands, plus the temporary increase to the nil rate band will end on 31 March 2021.
Estate and lettings agents and removal firms can continue to work during the tier 4 restrictions in England.
Today, 21 December, the Welsh Government has updated its advice on home moves in light of First Minister, Mark Drakeford’s announcement on Wales moving into tier 4.
The Scottish Parliament’s Local Government Committee has agreed to postpone the new regulations for fire and smoke alarm regulations which require all homes in Scotland to have interlinked smoke and carbon monoxide alarms for 12 months, following criticism of the timing of implementation due to the impact of Coronavirus.
The UK Government announced on 14 December their ambitious plan to clean up the UK's energy system which will unleash a green economic recovery and support up to 220,000 jobs over the next decade across the whole of the UK.
The National Risk Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing 2020 report was published yesterday, 17 December, increasing estate agents from low to medium risk as well as introducing letting agents as medium risk.
Today, 17 December, the Chancellor announced that the furlough will be extended until the end of April 2021. For the moment, the furlough scheme will remain at the full rate, with the Government continuing to contribute 80 per cent towards wages, however, Rishi Sunak suggested he would review employer contributions in January.
For the third consecutive month, ARLA Propertymark’s Private Rented Sector (PRS) report has confirmed that the number of landlords not increasing rent and respecting the financial positions of tenants during COVID-19 has again fallen.
Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick has today, 16 December, announced the UK Government’s plans to introduce new measures to ‘level up England’s cities, recover from the pandemic and help provide much-needed new homes.’
Propertymark highlights the importance of regulation within the property sector and divergence in rules across the UK in response to the Department for Business, Energy, & Industrial Strategies consultation which called for evidence on the UK’s approach to the recognition of professional qualifications and the regulation of professions.
On Tuesday 15 December, Propertymark Qualifications hosted an online event to celebrate the fantastic achievement of four students, who, over the course of 2019/2020, achieved Distinction in their Level 4 Certificate in Residential Letting and Property Management, one of the highest-level qualifications awarded by Propertymark Qualifications.
Propertymark has written to Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP, Minister of Housing, stressing concerns about anticipated and widespread failure in compliance with the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 and the need to extend the requirements for 12 months for all existing tenancies to comply.
The Welsh Government has today, 14 December agreed measures to suspend evictions from social and private rented accommodation between 11 December until 11 January as part of its response to protect renters during COVID-19.
At the end of November, the Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP, Minister of State for Housing, responded to a letter which Propertymark wrote campaigning for action on empty homes, asking what measures the UK Government is taking to improve the situation and get more empty homes back into use.
Following the announcement on 3 December in Parliament by First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, that there will be a temporary ban on the enforcement of eviction orders in the private and social rented sectors, the Regulations have been laid before parliament and will be effective from 11 December 2020 through to Friday 22 January 2021.
As we near the end of 2020, Propertymark has analysed its sales and lettings data to reveal trends from the year, which has been an unprecedented one due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Secretary of State for Housing, Robert Jenrick MP, announced today, 9 December, that business owners affected by the pandemic will be protected from eviction until the end of March 2021.
Edinburgh Council has approved the Scottish Government’s draft licensing proposals, with regulations to be laid in the Scottish Parliament in December 2020. ARLA Propertymark has been campaigning for greater regulation of short-term lets, monitoring the situation and expect the new rules to come in by April 2021.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) will be releasing an updated How to Rent guide – the checklist for renting in England tomorrow, 10 December.
TDS looks at The Dispute Service, latest Statistical Briefing for 2019-2020, which includes information about the growth of the private rented sector (PRS) and data on tenancy deposit disputes in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Enforcement of evictions from rented properties will be halted in Scotland for a six-week period from 11 December, with the exception of serious anti-social and criminal behaviour and domestic violence.
Propertymark Industry Supplier, Moneypenny, highlight that property agents continue to work hard to deliver quality client communications and maintain an increasing digital presence in the face of ever-changing COVID-19 restrictions – but offer some tips on how a live chat function could further these effort and boost online leads.
Propertymark has responded to the UK Government’s fundamental review of business rates to include the continuation of rates relief for retail premises and the introduction of an online sales tax.
Yesterday, 1 December, the UK Government approved a new tougher tier system of Coronavirus restrictions for England which will begin today, 2 December, and has also updated the guidance on the possession process in order to reflect these changes in addition to the new advice on bailiffs.
Responding to the Housing Communities and Local Government Committee (HCLG) inquiry on the impact of COVID-19 on homelessness and the private rented sector, Propertymark highlights the urgent need for financial support and the difficulty the sector faces in complying with new and existing legislation.
The Scottish Government’s £10 million tenant hardship loan fund is due to open for applications on 7 December 2020 and its online portal, which provides details of the fund, is now live.