Daily News: 02/02/2026
The Regulator of Social Housing has published the Rent Standard 2026, setting out social housing rent policy from 1st April 2026 in line with the government’s 10-year rent settlement. GOV.UK
Landlords may buy more Section 106 homes if they count towards customer satisfaction ratings, after acquisitions fell 69% in three years, while Orbit’s customer survey shows affordable housing must be backed by services like employment support, mental health help, and digital inclusion, amid the UK’s £39bn plan to deliver 1.5m homes. JV North, Orbit Group Ltd.
A review has found that half of temporary accommodation homes show signs of damp and mould, following audits carried out after Awaab’s Law came into force for the social rented sector in October 2025. Property Wire
Eleven Scottish firms have been appointed to an £80m roofing framework, part of a group of 20 roofing and construction businesses set to deliver major public sector projects over the next four years. Scottish Housing News
Honey is set to report turnover of more than £70m in its first full year of trading and is on track to build 1,000 homes in 2026, while JRL Group says it is back on course to return to profitability after a £49m loss, supported by a record £2bn order book. McLaren Construction has meanwhile broken the £1bn turnover barrier, signalling further growth ahead. Separately, a Peabody maintenance subsidiary has been fined £400,000 after an employee died from inhaling toxic vapours from flooring adhesive during works in Hertfordshire. Housing Today (register), Construction Enquirer, Construction Enquirer, and Construction News (register)
Scotland has become the first UK nation to mandate the installation of swift nesting bricks in all new buildings, following the passage of the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill. Scottish Housing News
The housebuilding sector shows early signs of recovery, with firms investing in productivity and innovation, and 83% of businesses in housebuilding and supply chains remain confident despite affordability pressures and regulatory challenges, while the number of construction firms in “critical” financial distress rose by almost 50% in Q4 2025, with 9,981 businesses classified in this category, according to Begbies Traynor. Specification Online, Construction News (register)
Cheshire East has approved up to 180 homes at Sandbach, including 30% affordable, despite highway concerns, while Cresswell, Staffordshire, has approved 159 homes, tripling the hamlet’s size. Plans for 1,250 homes at Crowlands Heath Golf Course face strong objections, a 330-home Winsford estate is under further scrutiny, and applications have been submitted for 195 homes near Wallingford and 140 near the Cricklade conservation area. Cheshire Live, StokeonTrentLive, Echo, The Standard, Oxford Mail, and Gazette & Herald