Daily News: 04/11/2025
The Tenant Satisfaction Measures 2024/25 report shows that 70% of low-cost rental tenants are satisfied with their landlord, with the highest satisfaction in repairs (74%), home safety (78%), and fair treatment (78%). However, only 36% are satisfied with complaint handling, and shared owners remain less satisfied overall at 48%. GOV.UK
West Northamptonshire Council may take back 11,500 social homes, supported by 60% of survey respondents, reviewing management currently run by Northamptonshire Partnership Homes. Meanwhile, North Yorkshire Council revealed that almost half of its empty council homes needing repairs are in Selby, and in Northern Ireland, the Housing Executive’s Chief Executive warned that social housing demand continues to far exceed supply across the region. Northampton Chronicle, The Press, and The Irish News
Manchester-based PRS housing group PRS REIT has confirmed its sale in a £628.86m cash deal, marking a major UK build-to-rent transaction. TheBusinessDesk.com
Efficiency East Midlands (EEM) has launched early market engagement for a £310m fire safety framework that will cover public sector buildings across England and Wales. Construction News (register)
Reading Borough Council has finalised a development agreement with preferred bidder McLaren Living to deliver the £250m regeneration of the town’s Minster Quarter, paving the way for over 600 new homes, including 30% affordable. Construction Enquirer
John Sisk & Son has completed the acquisition of Northern Ireland’s Farrans Construction, strengthening its regional presence. Administrators report that less than 10% of debts owed by collapsed Ardmore Construction are likely to be repaid, highlighting ongoing financial pressures in the sector. Meanwhile, building control firm Assent has ceased trading, and Canary Wharf Group’s finance arm faces a £5m loss as the developer posts overall nine-figure deficits. Construction Wave, Construction News (register), Construction Enquirer, and Construction Wave
Research by QBE shows UK fire services attended solar panel-related fires nearly every two days in 2024, a 60% rise over two years, highlighting growing fire risks. Meanwhile, London’s ready-mixed concrete sales fell 32% due to the housing slump and planning delays from the Building Safety Regulator, reducing construction demand. The Construction Index, Construction Enquirer
The new State of Play Report reveals that 97% of SME homebuilders view taxation and regulatory burdens as major growth barriers, while 64% face cumulative viability pressures and 58% struggle to secure Section 106 affordable home offers. Home Builders Federation
Recent housing developments include Berkeley’s St William redesign of a 643-home east London gasworks site, adding 20% more homes, and approval for 134 homes on a former school in Mansfield. In Scotland, Taylor Wimpey West Scotland seeks consent for 315 homes in Bishopton, the final Dargavel Village phase. Proposals also include 200 homes at Horncastle, 157 homes near Carlisle by Genesis Homes, and 145 flats in Manchester’s Downtown Victoria North scheme by McGoff Group. Housing Today (register), BBC, Project Scotland, Lincolnshire World, News & Star, and Place North West