Shelter’s response to the Help to Buy announcement and Sajid Javid’s speech
October 3, 2017
Shelter’s response to the Help to Buy announcement and Sajid Javid’s speech.
Polly Neate, CEO of Shelter said: “Extending Help to Buy is the wrong priority at a time when over a million renters are struggling with crippling housing costs. Help to Buy has barely helped the first-time buyers it is targeted at and has done nothing to help those worst affected by our broken housing market and those at risk of homelessness. Moreover it has increased house prices and propped up a speculative development model in need of reform.
While we welcome the fact that Sajid Javid has recognised the problem of instability for families who rent privately, we’re sorely disappointed that he is talking about encouraging 12 month tenancies when half of all tenancies are already a year or more. For the millions of families moved from pillar to post at the whim of a landlord, 5 year contracts are the only way to ensure a stable future for those who need it most.”
You May Also Enjoy
What tenants really want from a HMO in 2026
By Allison Thompson, Chief Lettings Officer, Leaders part of LRG Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), also referred to as multi-lets or room rentals, have come a long way in the past couple of decades. Once thought of as very much at the bottom of the accommodation pile, with a reputation for being sub-standard, many…
Read More 
Rethinking Property Transactions Starts with Communication
By Cara Stanbridge, Head of Relationship Management at Nova Legal Across the UK property market, transactions are in turmoil. Ongoing economic pressures are impacting house prices, mortgage deals, and overall demand, reflecting the uncertainty nationwide. In fact, a recent study found that for those who are taking the plunge to buy or sell this year,…
Read More 
B2L mortgage costs climb 64% in a decade
The latest research from London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has revealed that the average monthly cost of a buy-to-let mortgage has climbed by as much as 64% over the last decade, as landlords continue to face mounting financial pressure alongside sweeping reforms introduced via the Renters’ Rights Act. Benham and Reeves…
Read More 
Breaking Property News 13/5/26
Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X. Renters’ Rights Act: What Estate Agents Need to Understand About the Tenant Impact Author Andrew Stanton Editor EAN The Renters’ Rights Act represents the biggest structural shift to the private rented sector in decades, and while much of the conversation has focused…
Read More 
First-time buyers bear the brunt of mortgage mayhem
Moneyfacts UK Mortgage Trends Treasury Report data reveals that despite mortgage turmoil easing in April, first-time buyers remain under pressure from reduced choice and stretched affordability. Mortgage product choice has contracted by around 10% since the start of March, with higher loan-to-value deals (10% or less deposit or equity) falling by 14%, a blow to…
Read More
Breaking Property News 12/5/26
Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X. Commercial real estate is entering a new era powered by artificial intelligence CRE is now powered by artificial intelligence, automation, smart data, and digital-first workflows. For decades, the industry relied heavily on spreadsheets, disconnected systems, and manual administration. Today, technology is becoming central to…
Read More