Latest letters
Many factors affect wellbeing of office employees
Editor: In his article, Simon Creasey correctly noted the importance of air quality in offices to the wellbeing of staff.
Purpose of valuation has been lost
Editor: As a retired chartered valuation surveyor with more than 40 years’ experience, I fear that the current debate about valuation models suggests that the profession has lost sight of the fundamental nature and purpose of valuation.
Industry has yet to grasp the benefits of proptech
The recent Oxford Future of Real Estate Initiative report showing that the UK is leading proptech investment into Europe was encouraging news.
Budget measures must help everyone
Editor: Extra business rates relief measures announced by the chancellor this week, added to those in the Budget, should go far in helping the retail and leisure sector through the worst of the current coronavirus crisis.
More action is required on business rates relief
Editor: Some businesses can breathe a little easier following last week’s Budget. As Property Week reported, the chancellor announced that any eligible retail, leisure or hospitality business with a rateable value of less than £51,000 will pay no business rates this year.
Creative thinking needed to fund low-cost housing
Editor: In a recent article, Graham Lanktree reported that 34% of local authorities missed their housebuilding targets in 2019.
Valuers need clear guidance from RICS
Editor: As a chartered surveyor, I am encouraged to see RICS’ plan to evaluate its practices to ensure public trust in surveyors.
Firesales: alternative lenders should step in
Editor: There were claims last week that Hammerson could be forced into a firesale after it reported slashing £800m from the value of its portfolio. Rival intu is also reported to be at risk if it fails to raise fresh equity to pay down its £4.7bn debt pile.
RICS must update its valuation methods if it wants to remain relevant
RICS’ move to regain any lost public trust in the chartered surveying profession is of course to be warmly welcomed. However, in focusing only on public trust, RICS is at risk of ignoring (and losing) the trust of the wider property industry.
Can we expect more ‘hobbit homes’?
Editor: With changes to planning mooted in order to hit government housebuilding targets, the drive for quantity may have a negative effect on the quality of space in UK homes (‘What does the election result mean for the planning system?’).
Infrastructure plan is needed to drive EV take-up
Editor: The government’s decision to bring forward the ban on the sale of petrol, diesel and hybrid cars to 2035 is clearly welcome and extremely important for the environment. But it is not particularly helpful, as the electric vehicle market is still in its infancy (PropertyWeek.com).
Airspace development: involve stakeholders early
Editor: The prospect of creating new homes in the ‘air rights’ on top of existing buildings offers the opportunity to significantly increase the number of homes being built, which could help ease the housing crisis in London.
