Daily News: 03/02/2026
The Housing Ombudsman’s ‘Learning from Severe Maladministration’ report and guidance, effective 1st April 2026, highlights landlords-including Basildon Council, Cornwall Council, Freebridge, Hexagon, and several London boroughs-misapplying policies or delaying compensation, with awards focused on restoring residents rather than penalising landlords. Housing Ombudsman Service
S&P Global Ratings has affirmed Bromford Flagship LiveWest Ltd’s long-term issuer credit rating at ‘A+’ with a stable outlook. S&P Global
Onward Homes has reported a pre-tax surplus of just under £16m for the period from April to September 2025, according to its latest interim trading update. Housing Today (register)
Manchester City Council is running a city-wide campaign against social housing tenancy fraud, starting with an amnesty until 27th February 2026, while Dumfries and Galloway Council launches its Empty Homes Plan 2026-2031 to bring long-term empty homes back into use. Manchester City Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council
WPS, the property services arm of Wates Group, has been appointed to retrofit more than 700 homes for Orbit, delivering energy efficiency upgrades across the Midlands and the South of England. Wates Group
Domis Construction has surpassed £250m turnover after rapid growth, though margins tightened due to an aborted scheme, while United Infrastructure has acquired Simkiss Group to boost its UK energy and utilities position. Meanwhile, Avant Homes is cutting more jobs at its Northeast office. Construction Enquirer, Construction News (register), and Construction Enquirer
In 2025, 115,350 new homes were registered, up 11% from 103,669 in 2024. Meanwhile, Deloitte’s regional crane survey found that, although there were more new construction starts in four major UK cities (53 vs 47 in 2024), overall units and floorspace remained flat due to smaller-scale, mainly residential, developments. National House Building Council, Deloitte
Demand for concrete has fallen to its lowest level in 75 years, with new MPA data warning that persistently weak demand for core construction materials is putting the UK supply chain at risk. The Construction Index
A High Court judge has described contractor Laing O’Rourke as “commercially amoral” in a ruling over a long-running dispute with One Hyde Park residents concerning £35m in repair costs for defects at the luxury London flats. Housing Today (register)
The Chartered Institute of Building has published its Scottish election manifesto, prioritising retrofitting and energy efficiency, skills development, and improving quality and safety across the built environment. Scottish Housing News
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority plans three new mayoral development corporations to speed up regeneration, while over £100m will be invested in Glasgow’s Clyde Gateway for affordable homes and commercial space. Meanwhile, major projects have cleared Building Safety Regulator gateway 2, with Viridis Living approved for University of Manchester campus blocks and Olympian Homes for Bristol’s tallest tower. Housing Today (register), Housing Executive, The Construction Index, and Construction Enquirer
Up to 700 homes on Brackley’s edge approved on appeal. Pigeon cleared for 320 homes in West Suffolk. A 350-home scheme near Clay Cross faces opposition. Over £1m invested in a stalled 119-home Derbyshire brownfield project. Taylor Wimpey proposes 110 homes in Shipston. 108 modular homes recommended at a former Northampton school and Sixfields’ Claret Car Park. Banbury Guardian, UK Property Forums, Derbyshire Times, Derbyshire Live, Cotswold Journal, and BBC