Undercover Check Finds Discrimination Against Tenants On Benefits

An undercover investigation by housing charity Shelter has found routine discrimination by letting agents against tenants on housing benefit, with national chain Haart named as the “worst offender”. Working with the National Housing Federation, Shelter researchers called 149 letting branches around the UK, and found that one in 10 had a blanket ban rejecting any applicants on housing benefit. While “no DSS” bans – a reference to the now defunct government department responsible for benefits – are not illegal, Shelter is planning a court challenge arguing they breach the 2010 Equality Act, as they disproportionately affect women and disabled people who are more likely to need a housing benefit top-up. Read more on the Guardian website.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/aug/22/undercover-check-finds-discrimination-against-tenants-on-benefits

Government Urged To Cut Stamp Duty For Downsizers

The Treasury is being urged to extend its stamp duty cuts to those downsizing, in a bid to boost supply in the housing market. This call comes as the latest housing index shows demand from buyers has risen significantly over the past 12 months.  Haart’s housing market monitor found that the number of buyers registering with estate agents in May had risen by 44.3 per cent over the past year – and was at its highest level for two years. Over the past month the number of new buyers had risen by 3.1 per cent. Read more on the Mortgage Strategy website.

https://www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk/government-urged-to-cut-stamp-duty-for-downsizers-to-boost-housing-supply/

Buyer Demand Hits Pre-Brexit Levels

The latest data and analysis from estate agent, haart, has revealed that during February, house prices across England and Wales rose by 0.4% on the month and fell by 2% on the year. The average house price now sits at £228,395. New buyer demand for homes rose by 20% on the month and by 14% annually. The number of properties coming onto the market has risen by 15.3% on the month, however is down by 3% on the year. This month there are 15 buyers chasing every property across England and Wales. The market has become less efficient this month, as the number of transactions has decreased as the number of viewings has increased. Meaning that buyers are choosing to look at more properties before they buy. Read more on the Property Reporter website.

http://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/property/buyer-demand-hits-pre-brexit-levels.html

Buy-To-Let Transactions Crash

Estate agent haart said it has seen the number of buy-to-let investors purchasing properties crash amid what it calls the government's "war on landlords". Using data from over 100 of its branches across England and Wales, haart said buy-to-let transactions fell 40% over the year to November. There was also a 47.7% drop in the number of new landlords registering to buy. In London, where house prices are most expensive, the falls are even more pronounced, with buy-to-let transactions down 67.7% and new landlord registrations falling by 59.2%. Read more on the IBT website.