Daily News: 17/07/2025
A new Focus Report from the Regulator of Social Housing (July 2025) highlights the importance of social landlords having a clear understanding of tenants’ home conditions to ensure safety and support long-term investment planning. GOV.UK
The latest English Housing Survey 2023-24 highlights key differences in housing conditions and tenure. Vacant homes were more likely to be non-decent (26%) than occupied ones (14%), though both had similar damp levels (5%). Additionally, 77% of leaseholders paid ground rent, while 23% did not. Tenure is strongly linked to poor housing, with private renters more likely to live in non-decent homes than social renters. Meanwhile, 71% of low-income private renters spent over 30% of their income on rent, compared to 33% of mortgagors and 42% of social renters. GOV.UK, GOV.UK, GOV.UK, and GOV.UK
Lambeth Council has outlined new long-term strategic housing priorities aimed at securing the future of council housing in the borough, focusing on investment, sustainability, and meeting local needs. Love Lambeth
Sheffield City Council has awarded an £11.6m fire safety contract to Harmony Fire for residential upgrades. In Cambridgeshire, the council is exploring a partnership with Inspired Solutions to address growing housing demand, with nearly 3,000 people on the housing register. Elsewhere, New Gorbals Housing Association has launched a £40m tender for a residential development on Caledonian Road, Glasgow. The Construction Index, The Hunts Post, and Construction News (register)
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and energy minister Miatta Fahnbulleh have announced a £70m investment to improve energy efficiency in thousands of social homes, aiming to lower bills and reduce carbon emissions. Housing Digital
Civil engineering project costs are expected to rise 16% by early 2030, mainly due to higher labour costs, according to BCIS. Separately, the FMB reports rogue builders have cost UK consumers £14.3bn over five years, with 37% hiring them unknowingly. Construction News (register), PBC Today
A new report highlights the urgent need for social housing in rural areas, calling for the new government to embed rural housing delivery as a core objective within national and local planning policy frameworks. Campaign to Protect Rural England
Barnet Council has approved a 130-home Build to Rent scheme in Mill Hill, with half classed as affordable. Plans have also been submitted to redevelop Camden’s West Kentish Town Estate with up to 885 homes. In Leeds, over 350 homes at the former Red Hall Nursery are set for approval, along with 109 homes near Ipswich station. Barnet London Borough, Housing Today (register), Yorkshire Evening Post, and Ipswich Star