property

Ian Williams, one of the UK’s largest privately-owned property services companies; is delighted to report significant growth in the last financial year, increasing its sales from £92m to £122m with an improved net profit margin of 3.0%. This financial performance further demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to growth in a difficult market. The order book has also seen improvement thanks to the long-term nature of contracts secured, and now exceeds £500m. Importantly, future growth will be achieved, sustainably, through a strategic commitment to People, Planet and the Community.

Introduced on 4th May, the new Debt Respite Scheme, also known as ‘Breathing Space’, could have a significant impact on residential landlords considering possession proceedings to recoup rent arrears. So, what do registered providers (RPs) need to be aware of and what steps must they now take when considering bringing legal proceedings against tenants?
 
Implemented to give those facing debt problems protection from their creditors, the Debt Respite Scheme includes two types of Breathing Spaces; Standard Breathing Space and Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space. Standard Breathing Space is available to anyone with problem debt and provides an individual with legal protection from creditor action for up to 60 days. This includes most enforcement action being paused, the prevention of contact from creditors and the freezing of most interest charges on the debt.
 
The Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space is only available to a person receiving mental health crisis treatment, with protection lasting as long as the individual’s treatment lasts, plus 30 days after their treatment ends.

While Housing Associations have long been shifting towards a more digital way of working, the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified this further, with more housing managers embracing remote working technologies and embedding digital infrastructures and data standards into their everyday processes. But are these systems being used to their full potential? As well as providing the option to log in to a central database from any location, remote management systems can also help streamline operations and crucially, open up mutually beneficial dialogues with tenants.

Wates Residential has extended its partnership with the housing association Orbit after being appointed to help deliver a £9.4 million project for new homes in the London Borough of Bexley. The national developer is working with Orbit to build the West Street redevelopment in Erith, south east London. 

The proposed scheme will see vacant buildings including a former car parts warehouse replaced with a contemporary low-rise design including seven homes for London Affordable Rent, 14 homes for London Living Rent and 21 homes for Shared Ownership sale. The plans also include a car park with electric charging points and large community garden. 

A collaboration between a national trade body and academia has developed a working formula which could transform damp management in homes.

The Property Care Association (PCA) and the University College London Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering (UCL IEDE) are carrying out a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) to look into the issue of moisture in buildings.

A thriving residential and community development, including at least 40% affordable housing, is to be built in Warwick after council bosses signed off on plans submitted by L&Q.

The scheme on land south of Gallows Hill will be known as Beauchamp Park. It will see 450 quality homes brought to the 20.9-hectare site south of Gallows Hill and west of Europa Way (A452). L&Q, one of the UK’s leading housing associations, has a proven track record of creating thoughtful and considerate neighbourhoods. The local community and future residents will also benefit from new public open space, footpaths and cycleways, and children’s play areas.