Latest letters
Tech critical to back office success
Editor: It is no surprise that lockdown has seen a rise in the volume of ‘grey space’ in London’s office market, as 61% of desk-based workers reportedly want to work from home more following lockdown.
A better option for affordable homes
Editor: In her recent comment piece, Geeta Nanda writes: “The need to build more affordable homes has never been so urgent”. I profoundly disagree. It is the need to build more homes that has never been so urgent.
We can’t ignore negative equity risk
Editor: The prime minister’s announcement of 95% LTV mortgages for first-time buyers at the virtual Conservative conference last Tuesday will undoubtedly support first-time buyers in accessing the property market, while simultaneously inflating property prices.
The tech’s there to tackle laundering
Editor: The case of Mansoor Mahmood Hussain, known as ‘Manni’, (‘Leeds developer loses £10m of property due to money laundering charge’,) clearly demonstrates the huge gaps in protection against money laundering that exist in the property market, through which criminals are able to pour millions of pounds a year.
Hub-and-spoke model is the future
Editor: It is no surprise that the regional office market has remained robust throughout the coronavirus pandemic, with stable rents outside the UK’s primary cities a strong indication of future working norms.
Digital solutions can help CRE firms
Editor: Yardi’s Justin Harley noted recently in Property Week that “technology is more important than ever in the residential world”. This can also be said for the commercial world, yet many CRE businesses still have far to travel in digital transformation and data capabilities.
Hospitality faces a knockout punch
Editor: It really is turning into the fight of the century for the hospitality sector.
Tech will underpin PBSA flex appeal
Editor: It is encouraging to see PBSA adopting more flexible leasing arrangements in order to accommodate different course lengths and formats and address the increased uncertainty surrounding the pandemic.
Let’s repurpose underused car parks
Editor: In 1970, Joni Mitchell’s hit ‘Big Yellow Taxi’ proclaimed “they paved paradise and put up a parking lot”. Perhaps it is time to revisit this.
Expect more New Look-style CVAs
Editor: The New Look CVA rent deal is a watershed moment for both occupiers and landlords.
A tight timescale for affordable homes
Editor: The government’s commitment of £12bn to help deliver 180,000 new affordable homes over the next five years is welcome and significant – as is the pledge that 50% of these new homes will be affordable rental product (‘Jenrick releases details of £12bn affordable housing programme’)
Covid insurance ruling may save jobs
Editor: The High Court ruling that some insurers should have paid out for losses caused by lockdown is a major victory to policyholders and the thousands of businesses that had trading interrupted by Covid-19.
