UK housebuilder Countryside’s sales soar as property market booms May 13, 2021 UK housebuilder Countryside reported soaring sales and profit in the first half of the year as the housing market boomed following the lifting of Covid restrictions. The property developer said adjusted revenue was up 42 per cent in the six months ended 31 March, reaching £755m compared to £530.9m in the previous year. Adjusted operating [...]
UK house price growth accelerates as supply of new homes coming to market dwindles May 13, 2021 UK house price growth accelerated last month due to a slowdown in the supply of new homes coming to market, according to the latest research. A survey carried out by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) showed that 75 per cent of respondents reported an increase in UK house prices. The figure is up [...]
Exclusive: Demand for prime London office space jumps as return to workplace looms May 12, 2021 Businesses are seeking high quality office space as they prepare to bring staff back to the workplace, with prime property deals rocketing over the last six months. While many firms are contemplating a mix of office and home working after the pandemic, the race is on to offer employees top spec work space after Covid [...]
High Court gives Virgin Active CVA green light in further blow for landlords May 12, 2021 Landlords have lost their legal challenge against Virgin Active’s restructuring plan, in the second high profile defeat for commercial property owners this week. Today’s High Court judgement will come as a further blow to landlords hoping to challenge tenants over Company Voluntary Arrangements. It comes after the court gave New Look the green light to [...]
Redrow appoints property veteran as new chairman as ex-CEO steps down after 20 years May 12, 2021 Redrow has appointed property industry veteran Richard Akers as its new chairman as former chief executive John Tutte prepares to step down after 20 years on the housebuilder’s board. Akers, a former director at commercial landlord Landsec, will join Redrow’s board as chair-designate on 1 June before taking on the role permanently from 15 September. [...]
London rents fall to most affordable level in a decade May 12, 2021 London rents have fallen to their most affordable level in a decade due to a drop off in demand during the pandemic. While demand has ticked up since lockdown restrictions have lifted – by seven per cent in inner London – affordability is running at a ten-year high. Rental prices in London are down 9.4 [...]
Queen’s Speech planning reforms to make building new housing developments easier May 11, 2021 The government’s planning reforms are expected to be unveiled today when the Queen delivers a speech opening a new session of parliament this morning. The speech will reportedly include legislation on reform of the planning system to allow more new homes to be built on undeveloped land. It comes as the Conservatives aim to expand [...]
Landlords vs retailers: What the New Look legal case means for future of CVAs May 10, 2021 New Look today defeated a legal challenge to its restructuring plan by a group of its landlords in a landmark case that experts say will clear the way for other retailers to use Company Voluntary Arrangements to combat the impact of the pandemic. The ruling is likely to deepen tensions between tenants and landlords, as [...]
Safestore ups earnings guidance and outlines London expansion May 10, 2021 Storage firm Safestore is expanding its London presence and has upped its full-year earnings guidance after boosting revenue in the pandemic. The FTSE 250 company will open two new London sites and expand two existing storage warehouses, it said. The sites will be in Lea Bridge, Morden, Bermondsey and a location in north east London. [...]
UK house prices hit new record high after growing at fastest rate in five years May 10, 2021 UK house prices grew at the fastest pace in five years last month as the stamp duty holiday continued to buoy the market. Average house prices in April reached a new record high of £258,204, an annual increase of 8.2 per cent and a monthly rise of 1.4 per cent. Almost £20,000 has been added [...]