Daily News: 25/02/2025
The report, Learning from Severe Maladministration, aims to help landlords prepare for Awaab’s Law. It highlights issues with damp and mould complaints, including delayed or poor inspections, conflicting assessments, and poor communication. The report identifies 16 landlords and provides insights to improve their processes. Housing Ombudsman Service
Harrogate Housing Association has secured £15m in loan funding from Triodos Bank UK, allowing it to develop 200 new affordable homes, expanding its current portfolio of just over 300 homes in and around Harrogate. Meanwhile, Manchester-based supported housing landlord Golden Lane Housing (GLH) has secured £10m in financial backing from Lloyds Bank to support its growth plans. Harrogate Advertiser, TheBusinessDesk.com
Lambeth Council may be forced to sell off some of its housing stock to repay a £4m government bailout, despite having 40,000 families on its housing waiting list. South London Press
Hampshire County Council has confirmed the renewal of its £250m maintenance contract for the next 10 years, ensuring continued infrastructure upkeep. In Cambridgeshire, Fortem has secured a four-year repairs and maintenance contract with CHS Group to maintain its housing stock. Additionally, Clark Contracts has been appointed to Glasgow City Council’s £12m Statutory Private Property Housing Repairs Framework, which will run until 2028. In Edinburgh, Firethorn Trust has selected Ogilvie Construction to deliver a £30m purpose-built student accommodation scheme. Hampshire Chronicle, Housing Digital, Scottish Housing News, and The Construction Index
A Peterborough city councillor has expressed disappointment over the council’s joint housing venture with Cross Keys Homes, which has delivered only 94 homes in nine years, falling short of expectations. In contrast, Unite Students has reported a sales boom, with double-digit growth driven by high demand for student accommodation far exceeding supply. Cambridgeshire Live, City A.M.
The Plumbing and Heating Federation warns Scotland’s heat pump rollout is lagging, citing slow installation data. At the same time, the National Fire Chiefs Council has released a white paper expressing concerns over the capacity of fire services to inspect and fix unsafe mid-rise buildings, estimating it could take 12-24 years and cost up to £609m to review all buildings between 11-18 meters. Scottish Housing News, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC)
Planning approval has been granted for the final phase of Bridgewater Village in Queensferry, adding 217 homes, with 25% designated as affordable. In Nailsea, North Somerset, a 150-home development has been approved despite flooding concerns. Additionally, plans for 800 homes on farmland in south Essex aim to provide “high quality” housing, while Bruntwood has proposed 300 homes at Booths Park in Knutsford, supporting Cheshire East’s housing targets. Scottish Housing News, North Somerset Times, Essex Live, and Place North West