News analysis
London calling for investors as asset repricing levels off
After a tough 2022 for the city, overseas buyers are being tempted by signs that asset values are stabilising.
CMA probe into housebuilders threatens to disrupt industry
Regulator may propose competition test for housing sites or forced sales to level playing field for small developers.
New focus on building safety as industry faces tough regime
Landlords required to provide wealth of building information, but will enforcement be adequately resourced?
Can the private sector get up to speed on EV charging demand?
BP and Shell are taking steps to expand their networks, but some believe more government support is needed.
London second staircase rule may hit viability of resi towers
Industry figures fear rule that new 30 metre-plus blocks must have second staircase will slow housing delivery.
Residential and development
Former Deliveroo growth expert Scott joins modular housebuilder ilke Homes
David Scott, who formerly held senior roles at Deliveroo and Tesco, has been appointed as chief operating officer at modular housebuilder ilke Homes.
‘Halo effect’ reversal creating city-centre BTR opportunities
Monitoring range of activity key to identifying hotspots of the future, says API Global CEO Michael Leighton.
Westbrooke and Eastwood JV embarks on £100m acquisition spree
Property investors Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management UK and Eastwood Investment Group have launched a joint venture (JV) with plans to spend between £50m and £100m developing private home sites, build-to-rent (BTR) schemes and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).
RVG launches Thrive Living brand with plans for 5,000 homes
Retirement Villages Group (RVG) has unveiled a new brand for its future retirement communities portfolio, Thrive Living, with plans to develop 5,000 homes by 2032.
Bellway suffers profit fall in first half
Housebuilder Bellway has reported a fall in half-year profits and revealed a £100m share buyback.
Data
UK commercial property returns outpace residential at 6.5%
Commercial property is providing stronger returns across the UK compared with the average return available via the residential sector, according to analysis by peer-to-peer real estate investment platform easyMoney, which targets private investors considering putting their money into property.
Post-Covid house price rises tipped to be wiped out in 2023
A nominal price decline of up to 7% is expected for residential property in 2023, wiping out most of post-Covid-19 rise in values, according to Fitch Ratings’ report ‘Credit Perspectives on the UK Housing Market: Solid Foundations or Cracks Emerging?’
European prime office rental growth strongest since 2008
European prime office rental growth increased 6.2% in Q4 2022 compared with Q4 2021 – its strongest annualised reading since mid-2008, and up on the 1.7% growth registered a year ago.
Office occupiers not ready for April energy standards deadline
Only a third of office occupiers polled for ’Redefining the Office – A report on office occupier trends in 2023 by Irwin Mitchell’ know how energy efficient their office buildings are, despite the fact that Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) will come into effect from 1 April 2023.
BNP Paribas highlights urgent need to upgrade stock as new EPC rules loom
Up to 8% of inner London commercial stock could be unlawful for new lettings and unlawful to let from April 2023 because it does not meet Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), according to BNP Paribas Real Estate analysis of government data.
