Are fears about the UK commercial property market overblown? September 14, 2016 As Columbia Threadneedle Investments prepares to join Aberdeen Asset Management and Canada Life in re-opening its £1.4bn property fund, doubts persist over the future of the UK’s commercial property market. The Brexit vote brought three years of double-digit returns from UK property investments to a juddering halt. By early July, panicked investors clamouring to withdraw their [...]
The housing minister just suggested the government’s 200,000 starter homes pledge might include rental properties September 13, 2016 The remit of the government's promise to deliver 200,000 so-called starter homes by 2020 could be expanded so it includes purpose-built rental homes in the figure, the housing minister suggested today. During a question and answer session at the Resi 2016 conference in Wales, Gavin Barwell said there was "a little bit of tension between the overall [...]
HgCapital investment trust’s share price soars on rising revenue and earnings September 12, 2016 HgCapital Trust’s share price jumped five per cent today after reporting revenue and earnings growth. The figures The company, which gives investors exposure to private equity firm HgCapital's portfolio, reported revenue growth of 12 per cent in the first six months of the year. Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda), meanwhile, were up 22 [...]
Rent on the average UK one-bed flat has now surpassed £1,000 per month September 12, 2016 Have warnings over the government's attempts to reduce second home buying just come to pass? New figures have suggested the average UK one-bed flat now costs tenants more than £1,000 a month. Ouch. The figures, by Landbay, showed the average UK one-bed hit £1,010 a month in August, 67 per cent of the average disposable [...]
First time buyers still waiting for Brexit boost as banks demand higher deposits September 12, 2016 The Brexit vote has not been the boon for first-time buyers many forecasters expected it might be, new analysis of prices and mortgage data has revealed. In the aftermath of the referendum, many expected house prices across the country to dip, making it easier for hard-pressed savers to get a foot on the ladder. However, [...]
Berkeley Group just had a massive rant about London’s housing crisis, saying it “poses a risk to deficit reduction” September 6, 2016 Housebuilder Berkeley Group had made its feelings on London's housing crisis very clear this morning, slamming government housing policy and saying the problems "pose a risk to deficit reduction". Berkeley Group said this morning: "What is increasingly clear is that government policy, which has been helpful outside London, has had a negative effect on the [...]
Leave the buy to let market alone, Britain needs more landlords September 6, 2016 Twenty years since buy to let took off, landlords are now a crucial part of Britain’s housing ecosystem. The private rented sector, accounting for around one in five properties, provides much-needed homes for those people who are not ready to buy or do not want to purchase a property. However, the sector sometimes comes in for stick, [...]
One in three homeowners disappointed with their progress up the housing ladder September 3, 2016 A third of homeowners are disappointed with their progress up the housing ladder, new research has found. Some 33 per cent expected to have advanced further than they currently have, according to a Lloyds Bank survey of around 1,000 homeowners. The figure increases among first-time buyers, 43 per cent of whom said they are lagging [...]
New homes on sale in “mini-Manhattan” London City Island, marketed as the capital’s would-be culture hub September 1, 2016 London City Island, Leamouth Peninsula From £365,000 The final and tallest building in the London City Island development will go on sale on Saturday. The marketing suite on the Leamouth Peninsula site will throw a party with ice pops and a juice bar from 10am to 5pm to entice buyers to invest in studio to [...]
Here’s why government spending isn’t fixing the housing crisis, according to Shelter August 31, 2016 The government is pouring money into schemes that boost demand for properties – but is failing to put enough cash into house building, according to research from housing charity Shelter. The current parliament has spent two thirds of its housing money – £28.7bn – on programmes such as the Lifetime ISA and Help to Buy, which [...]