Council Looks At Novel Way of Tackling the Housing Shortage

Rochdale Borough Council is looking at a novel way of tackling the housing shortage and helping first-time buyers on the ladder by selling a private residential property on a unique shared ownership basis. The empty properties team have bought a two-bedroom terraced house and are now looking to sell it on a part-ownership deal in a bold move designed it help first-time buyers get on the housing ladder. The council bought the property, which had been empty, for £75,000 and is now looking to sell the house for the same price on a 50 percent shared ownership basis. Read more on the buildingconstructiondesign website.

Right to Rent Immigration Checks ‘Unworkable’

Landlords and letting agents lack the necessary know-how and training to enforce right to rent immigration checks, a leading London property firm has warned, as it condemned proposed sanctions as ‘disproportionate’. Right to rent checks were introduced towards the end of the Coalition government, to help combat concerns landlords were harbouring illegal immigrants in their properties. Those who fail to verify the immigration status of their tenants face fines of up to £5,000. The scheme has been piloted in the Midlands, where it has led to additional fees for tenants according to the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants. Read more on the buildingconstructiondesign website.