Royal Institute of British Architects
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Latest property news
New property sales instruction rise for first time in 27 months, surveyors say
The number of new property sales instructions increased last month for the first time in more than two years, surveyors have reported, helped in part by rising buy-to-let activity. This promising news for estate agents is contained within the latest market survey from RICS, which says there a “few signs of life as houses start to come back on to the market”. Agents shouldn’t crack open the bubbly quite yet. RICS also says average stock levels per branch remain not far above recent historic lows at an average of 42.5 properties. “It therefore remains to be seen whether the increase in May truly marks the beginning of supply pressures easing,” it says. Also, nearly a fifth of member surveyors canvassed by RICS said the number of valuations they completed last month was lower than the same period last year. The institute also says that recent declines in buyer interest are beginning to ease off, and that the number of agreed sales has held steady as more surveyors report positive results, the best RICS has recorded for over a year. “Although agents are suggesting that a little more supply may have come onto the market in May, some of it from…
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Housing Market
RIBA calls for more new homes…
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has welcomed the Government’s recent commitments to increasing the numbers of new build houses, including the announcement on funding for Housing Zones across England. But the RIBA has also warned that the whole exercise could prove futile if the Government fails to put quality at the heart of this investment. RIBA went on to call on MPs from all political parties to vote for the amendment to the Housing and Planning Bill calling for the adoption of a minimum space standard into national building regulations. This will ensure new build homes are large enough for families and built to last. RIBA President Jane Duncan (left) said, “Whilst this new focus on quantity is to be applauded, the Government can no longer ignore the poor quality of some of our new housing stock, especially as it ploughs public money into housebuilding. Our latest report, ‘HomeWise: Space Standards for Homes’ concluded that some new homes being built in England are still too small and that a minimum space standards for new dwellings must be adopted into building regulations. “These aren’t outlandish demands; they simply ensure that all new build homes are of an adequate size.”…
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