Brandon Lewis
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Latest property news
Scrap Stamp Duty on residential home purchases urges think-tank
Policy Exchange says the £14 billion Stamp Duty tax is stalling the property market by punishing retirees looking to sell large homes.
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Features
Ultimate Estate Agents’ Guide: Housing ministers
The Negotiator runs a critical eye over the ever revolving door of politicians who have taken on the housing brief, most of whom have not lasted long.
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Crime
Ministers mull forcing agents to hand over dirty money client details
Brandon Lewis says he may use US-style 'targeted orders' to force agents to provide key details about vendors and buyers suspected of money laundering.
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Latest property news
One in five MPs are landlords, register reveals
One in five MPs are landlords, it is has been revealed following the release of MPs’ financial interests for the first time since this year’s General Election. MPs are required to give information on buy-to-let properties if they are worth more than £100,000 and/or generate an income of more than £10,000 a year. High profile MPs with rental properties include Hunters chairman Kevin Hollinrake (pictured, left), MP for Thirsk and Malton, who owns a third share in six residential properties in York as well as former housing ministers Brandon Lewis and Mark Prisk (pictured, right). Other notable MPs who are landlords include Hilary Benn, speaker John Bercow, Dr Liam Fox, Zac Goldsmith, Chancellor Phillip Hammond, Jeremy Hunt, Oliver Letwin, John Redwood, Keir Starmer, Emily Thornberry and Keith Vaz. These are just some of the 123 MPs who have registered buy-to-let interests. Properties include houses, flats, farm and holiday cottages, says Channel 4’s FactCheck. Labour MP Laura Pidcock (pictured, left), who recently revealed she couldn’t afford to bet on the property ladder despite her £76,000 MPs salary, told Channel 4 that she thought “anyone who is a landlord should not be able to vote on legislation affecting landlords, it is a complete…
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Latest property news
New Housing & Planning Act
As the new Act became law on 16th May, Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis said, “Our landmark Housing and Planning Act will help anyone who aspires to own their own home achieve their dream.
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Latest property news
Fresh cash boost to tackle rogue landlords
The Government’s approach towards private landlords risks hurting tenants, a major property consultancy has warned, after the Housing Minister Brandon Lewis last week announced a £5 million cash boost for local authorities to tackle rogue landlords in their area. Forty-eight councils will share the funding so they can take on the irresponsible landlords that force tenants to live in squalid and dangerous properties. It is hoped that the cash will also allow councils to root out more ‘beds in sheds’. Since 2011 almost 40,000 inspections have taken place in properties with over 3,000 landlords facing further enforcement action or prosecution. The funding will allow local authorities to carry out more raids, increase inspections of property, issue more statutory notices, survey more streets and to demolish sheds and prohibited buildings. The Housing Minister said last week that the funding is part of a package of measures that will ensure millions of tenants get a better deal when they rent a home. Mr Lewis (left) said, “Many private rental tenants are happy with their home and the service they receive, but there are still rogue landlords that exploit vulnerable people and force their tenants to live in overcrowded and squalid accommodation. “We…
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Our Events
The Negotiator Conference & Expo 15
Opening the event was Brandon Lewis, Minister for Housing and Planning, who said he was delighted to return to talk to us for the second year running, having survived the General Election in between and managed to stay in post as Minister for Housing and Planning. “Housing featured more prominently in the last election campaign than in any other within living memory. We made it clear that increasing supply and home ownership would be a top priority… a fully functioning and efficient housing market is vital for meeting the aspirations of working people and raising the productivity of our country,” he said. The Minister went on to comment on the new Government schemes that have been launched since the election – the Build to Rent Fund; the £10billion Housing Guarantee Scheme; Help to Buy and the Help to Buy ISA. All popular moves with delegates. He emphasised the Government’s intention to support all tenures, saying, “So whoever you are and wherever you live, you can benefit from a home of your own, whether you buy or rent. “While the right to buy and starter homes may have secured the lion’s share of attention since the election, I can assure you…
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Latest property news
£30k fines for rogue landlords… says Brandon Lewis, Minister for Housing
Good news for good letting agents and landlords! Brandon Lewis, Minister for Housing and Planning, took to facebook and Twitter on Sunday 20th December, to say, “We are determined to crack down on rogue landlords and to ensure a high quality, private rented sector. Good for tenants and good for the majority of excellent landlords.” Oddly, though, the launchpad for this latest package of measures was The Sun newspaper. The Sun reported: “Landlords who let out filthy or unsafe homes will face fines of up to £30,000 under new laws to be unveiled this week. Housing Minister Brandon Lewis will announce the biggest package of measures to drive out rogue property owners and agents Council chiefs will be able to slap a new civil penalty notice on offenders to provide an instant deterrent for criminal operators. Fines will be upped for failing to take action on overcrowding, hazardous conditions, poor sanitation, electrical faults, damp and vermin infestation. Measures to be introduced in the Housing and Planning Bill will go further to ensure landlords and agents who repeatedly break the rules will be banned for at least 12 months. A database of rogue landlords and letting agents will also be available…
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Housing Market
Britain is building again
The volume of new homes in England increased by 25 per cent in 2014-15, the biggest rise in 28 years, according to latest Government figures. Alterations to planning laws helped boost the number of residential properties developed through a change of use, but the main factor was a hike in the number of new-build homes completed during the year. Data from the Department for Communities and Local Government shows that a total of 170,690 homes were added to the country’s housing stock, which Communities Secretary Greg Clark said was further proof of the Government’s commitment to get more homes developed. More than 700,000 additional homes have now been delivered since 2010, supported in part by a rise in the number of commercial buildings converted into residential properties. Clark (left) said, “As a one nation government we’re determined to make sure everyone has the opportunity and security of owning a home of their own. “Today’s figures show a 25 per cent increase in the number of new homes over the past year – showing our reforms are building new homes across Britain. “We are going further and will do everything we can to help families buy a place of their own.…
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Latest property news
New measures to clamp down on rogue landlords
Fresh proposals designed to crackdown on rogue landlords who force susceptible tenants to reside in substandard, overcrowded properties, have been announced by the Housing Minister Brandon Lewis. The suggestions made by the DCLG and the Housing Minister intend to make it easier for local authorities to raise standards in houses used as shared homes by extending mandatory licensing to smaller and medium sized properties, in order to bring an end to callous landlords who exploit their tenants and charge them extortionate rents to live in cramped conditions. The existing rules apply to homes of three storeys, but it has now been suggested that the rules also apply to more shared homes, including those that are one-two storeys, as well as poorly converted blocks of flats and flats above and below shops, while Mr Lewis also wants to set a minimum size of rooms in line with existing overcrowding standards. Additionally, the Government is reviewing the information requirements when applying for a licence in order to simplify and speed up the process. The discussion paper is available to view at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/extending-mandatory-licensing-of-houses-in-multiple-occupation-and-related-reforms. Responses are due on 18th December 2015. The Housing Minister (left), who was a keynote speaker at The Negotiator Conference…
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