Last week The National Housing Federation (NHF) revealed its five point plan for economic growth through housing. The NHF is always striving to do more for housing within the UK, and it plans to lobby ministers to back the plan.
Very soon (December 5th), The Chancellor of the Exchequer will deliver his Autumn Statement. The statement will outline how the government aims to stimulate much needed growth within the UK in the coming years.
The NHF has been making the case for housing to serve as a driving factor in economic growth, and in doing so has shaped the Government’s housing stimulus package. We thought we’d share with our readers the NHF’s 5 point plan for growth through housing:
1. Rapid release of small sites for development
2. Provide certainty on its long-term plans for supporting social housing by extending the current formula for social rent until 2020
3. Reduce the VAT rate to 5% for services provided to housing associations for the renovation of social housing
4. Supporting local investment for the development of new homes by raising the local authority debt cap
5. Welfare reform that supports new development
Here at Bristol Property Centre we will be sure to keep you up to date with the latest housing developments emerging from the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement. Don’t forget to check back every week for our latest post!
At the recent CIH Eastern Region conference in Stansted three expert speakers highlighted the importance of social media in the modern housing sector. The speakers described how the organisations they represent had embraced such social media platforms as Twitter and Facebook for communication.
Nick Atkin of Halton Housing Trust describe how those who are frequenters of social media sites are now becoming an ever growing base of customers. Engaging with them on their terms will allow for a much more effective, two-way channel of communication.
Here at Bristol Property Centre we have already began to embrace the potential that social media can offer. At the turn of the year there were near 30 million unique users of Facebook in the UK and 26 million Twitter users. With those numbers the potential of social media cannot be underestimated. We have active Facebook, Twitter and Youtube profiles that are instantly accessible to our clients, landlords and the general public. Have a look at our social media platforms and feel free to get in contact with us on them or on our site: http://bristolpropertycentre.co.uk/contact_us.asp
The first Green Deal service for private sector landlords was agreed last week. The service was created when the Residential Landlords Association and Cornish energy company Enact Energy agreed to join forces in a deal which could be worth up to £100m. Seeking to target 1.4 million private landlords who may be in control of some of Britain’s least energy efficient buildings the deal aims to upgrade thousands of the UK’s draughtiest properties over the next five years.
As part of the scheme landlords will be offered a complete energy efficiency upgrade of their properties. This will be financially backed by access to grant funding and Green Deal finance when it becomes available in April or May of next year. Because of the length of time it may take to secure Green Deal funding Enact are encouraging landlords to take advantage of free and grant-funded insulation and heating measures which will be available through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO).
“Green Deal and ECO offer landlords a significant opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of their properties but the legislation and processes are complicated,” says Alan Ward, chair of the RLA.
At Bristol Property Centre we understand that the various legislation processes involved may be complicated. If you would like any help or advice regarding either the Green Deal or the ECO then please get in contact with us here: http://bristolpropertycentre.co.uk/contact_us.asp
A recent study shows that those in the housing profession are happy with their careers.
Excellent news for us here at Bristol Property Centre as it’s always good to hear that those in our industry are happy with their careers. This news comes in stark contrast to a recent report by the Office of National statistics. The report found that wellbeing in Britain is down 13% on ‘pre-crisis’ level which is not such good news.
According to a specialist recruitment agency housing staff are happier because “people like working in housing”. A vague claim but one that may have some truth behind it. The Survey of Earnings by Hays Social Housing Recruitment noted that nearly two-thirds of the 200 people surveyed said they were satisfied with their jobs.
We are very satisfied to hear the news and we are determined to ensuring both our landlords and tenants are as satisfied as those in the survey. If you have any questions or if you just want to let us know if anything has brightened up your day, contact us at info@bristolpropertycentre.co.uk.
