A major report published by Anglia Research reveals a considerable amount of uncertainty, inconsistency and questionable practice amongst local authorities using probate researchers (or 'tracing agents'). For empty homes practitioners seeking to use tracing agents to locate missing owners, the report highlights some of the risks involved and the need for due diligence and robust procedures to control those risks. It warrants close reading.
The raw evidence on which the report is based consists of responses to a series of Freedom of Information requests sent to local authorities by solicitor Carolyn Lord, Commercial and Compliance Director at Anglia, . These...
Kent's No Use Empty (NUE) initiative scooped the award for ‘Outstanding approach to regeneration’ at the UK Housing Awards event ...
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The 23rd report from the Intergenerational Commission, entitled A New Generational Contract, includes surcharges on second and empty homes as part of its 10 main policy recommendations.
Recommendation number 6 reads:
Replace council tax with a progressive property tax with surcharges on second and empty properties; halve stamp duty rates to encourage moving; and offer a time-limited capital gains tax cut to incentivise o of additional properties to sell to rst-time buyers.
The surcharge model is spelt out in more detail in a separate publication, Home Improvements, that discusses the issues around council tax and stamp duty and foreign ownership...
Empty Homes, the national campaigning charity, has a project to spread community-based regeneration in areas with high levels of empty...
In the wake of Amber Rudd's resignation as Home Secretary, Sajid Javid been appointed in her place and has in...
EDITORIAL
The Information Commissioner has shown where her sympathies lie by slapping a massive £120,000 money penalty on the Royal...
Having led the way with Empty Homes Premium, Scotland may well be en route to develop a new device for...
Following written Parliamentary questions from Labour's Shadow Housing Minister, John Healey, about the housing situation of Grenfell survivors, Dominic Raab...
Farmers are being given enhanced options for converting agricultural buildings to homes through an extension of Permitted Development Rights. These allow owners to effect a change of use without needing full planning permission.
The amended development right for the change of use of agricultural buildings to provide up to 5 new homes will allow for:
up to 3 larger homes within a maximum of 465 square metres or
up to 5 smaller homes each no larger than 100 square metres or
a mix of both, within a total of no more than 5 homes, of which no more than 3...
The charity Empty Homes is now recruiting a replacement for current director, Helen Williams, who is leaving after four years....
The charity Empty Homes has issued a press release calling for more to be done about empty homes as the...
Major changes are underway in the support arrangements that keep the Empty Homes Network running, with Darryl Lawrence's Rochdale Housing...
