Housing Market Confidence Falling In the UK

The number of people in the UK who think that now is a good time to buy a home is at its lowest level since June 2008, new research shows. Just 29% believe that now is a good time to buy, down from 40% three months ago, according to the latest property tracker report from the Building Societies Association. At a time when there is a lot of talk about limiting house price growth, the report also indicates that new mortgage lending regulations, affordability constraints and media scrutiny may be beginning to have a limiting effect, suggesting that the intervention that is being discussed by the Bank of England and politicians may not be necessary. Read more on the Property Wire website.

Social Landlord Appointed As Help to Buy Agent

Social landlord Orbit Group has been awarded contracts to deliver the government's help to buy scheme in the West and East Midlands. The contracts, which were awarded by the Homes and Communities Agency, are for two years, with an option to extend. This contract win means Orbit, which provides more than 38,000 homes across England, continues to be one of the largest help to buy agents in the country. The social landlord has been delivering HomeBuy and help to buy contracts for the last five years. Read more on 24dash.

Shapps in Cash Pledge for Councils Adapting Homes for Wounded Soldiers

Cash payments for councils who have adapted the homes of wounded soldiers injured in the line of duty have been announced by Housing Minister Grant Shapps.  16 councils will receive a share of more than £200,000 funding for helping injured military personnel return to a home that meets their needs and adapt to their new life.  These councils serve areas that include armed forces bases, and together have helped 26 injured servicemen and women by making adaptations to their homes.  As well as funding vital adjustments to the homes of injured personnel, serving and recently retired members of the armed forces are being put at the front of the queue for social housing and for assistance to buy their first home through the Government's FirstBuy and HomeBuy schemes.  Read more on the CLG website.

Rent-to-Buy Tenants Face Eviction

One Housing Group is evicting tenants who expected to rent their homes for up to three years, to sell their properties on the open market. In a landmark move, the 12,000-home landlord has served 43 notices under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 on tenants of its rent-to-homebuy scheme. Tenants claim the move breaks the spirit of the initiative. The £300 million rent-to-homebuy scheme was launched by the previous government to help people buy a home. Labour ministers boasted it would do so by allowing tenants to ‘rent a new build property at less than market rent for a pre-specified period’ to help them save enough to buy. OHG is serving notices before the maximum three-year rental period advertised has elapsed. Read more on Inside Housing.