Tag Archives: management
UK govt announces review to cut red tape for home builders
House builders in the UK are to have their say on red tape in the industry and how ineffective rules are hampering them from building more homes. The government has announced a Cutting Red Tape review which aims to uncover the issues that have the biggest effect on house builders and also wants to gather the views of smaller firms to understand the unique pressures they face. Ministers said that the wide ranging review will capture the experiences of all those involved in building homes, including developers, planners and trade associations. ‘This review will give house builders and smaller construction businesses a powerful voice as part of our £10 billion deregulation drive. Where rules are too complicated, ineffective or poorly enforced, I want to hear about it and the government will take action. Together we can cut red tape and get Britain building,’ said Business Secretary Sajid Javid. He pointed out that previously the Housing and Construction Red Tape Challenge delivered significant reforms and led to a review of local housing standards by the Department for Communities and Local Government. Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said he is determined to remove barriers faced by house builders to ensure more homes can be built to help reach the recently announced new targets for home building. ‘We want to hear the views of firms big and small so we can remove unnecessary red tape and help house builders do what they do best, building the homes we need,’ he added. He explained that the key starting points for the review are based on the priorities raised by the Task Force which include roads and infrastructure rules for new housing developments and environmental requirements, particularly European Union rules such as the Habitats Directive and wider EU environmental permit requirements. It will also look at rules that affect utilities such as electricity, gas and water as well as broadband infrastructure, and the government is also keen to look at the changes made to the Construction, Design and Management Regulations, as well as any examples of EU rules that are being implemented too strictly. John Allan, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said that the government is right to listen to the needs of smaller businesses. ‘In the 1980s, smaller house builders delivered around two thirds of our new homes. Today, it is less than a third. If the government can encourage small firms back into house building, that would be a major step towards meeting this country’s housing needs,’ he explained. ‘The new Cutting Red Tape review will look at the way the law is enforced, as well as whether the rules themselves are proportionate and fit for purpose. The responses from house builders will lead to government taking concrete steps to remove burdens on business,’ he added. The announcement was also welcomed by Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the Home Builders Federation. ‘As the industry looks to drive further increases in housing supply we welcome moves to reduce… Continue reading
UK’s first compulsory registration scheme for private residential landlords launched
A new registration and licensing scheme aimed at preventing rogue landlords and agents from letting and managing properties has been launched in Wales but there is concern that not enough tenants know about it. According to Welsh Housing Minister Lesley Griffiths Rent Smart Wales will also raise awareness by landlords, agents and tenants of their respective rights and responsibilities and drive up standards in the private rented sector. Under the scheme all private landlords will be required to register with Rent Smart Wales. They will also have to register their properties if they want to manage the property themselves and must demonstrate they are ‘fit and proper’ to hold a licence, and then undertake, and pass, approved training. Alternatively, they will be able to appoint a licensed agent to manage the property on their behalf. Landlords and agents have one year to comply with their new legal obligations, without fear of legal action. ‘With around one in seven homes in Wales now privately rented, a strong sector with good working practices is absolutely vital. I am proud Wales is leading the way on improving professionalism across the private rented sector,’ said Griffiths. ‘Our new, landmark scheme will drive up standards by making Wales the first country in the UK where managing landlords and agents are required to undertake training to ensure they are clear on their responsibilities,’ she explained. ‘The changes will prevent rogue, and even criminal, landlords and agents from being involved in the management and letting of properties. This will help to protect tenants in the private rented sector, including students, lone parents and young families. Rent Smart Wales will also support good landlords and agents by helping them keep abreast of their responsibilities and legal obligations, and raising the reputation of the sector as a whole,’ she added. However, new research from the National Landlords Association suggests that many are unaware of the new laws. It found that 65% of tenants in Wales are unaware of the change but despite low awareness levels among tenants, the findings show that 69% believe they will feel more confident renting from private landlords and letting agents once they are all registered and more 56% believe that the scheme will help them to find appropriate housing. ‘The NLA will be working to help landlords and agents comply with this new law but we’ve always been concerned that a mandatory registration and licensing scheme will not provide the benefits the Welsh Assembly says it will,’ said Richard Lambert, chief executive officer of the NLA. ‘As the licensing authority, Cardiff City Council must start working with other local authorities from the outset in order to fine and prosecute those who fail to comply within the year’s grace period. Without proper enforcement the scheme will do nothing to stop criminals in the sector but as yet we’ve seen no detail about how Cardiff City Council plans… Continue reading
UK home owners should be aware of new building safety rules
New Construction Design and Management (CDM) regulations due to come into force in the UK next month could affect the sale of a property if any renovation or other work is carried out by a builder who does not comply with the rules. The CDM legislation which to reduce accidents during construction projects also specifies legal requirements on site safety standards that cover work including that carried out for home owners who live in the property after work has been completed. Louise Hosking, managing director of health and safety environmental specialists Hosking Associates, pointed out that the legislation recognises that large construction sites are no longer where most people are being badly injured or killed, and as a result focus is shifting to smaller projects including those within the domestic sector. ‘The way a building project is organised can reduce risks to workers significantly. It is imperative that everyone involved including architects, engineers, builders and the homeowner, work together to meet the new standards,’ she said. She also pointed out that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) commissioned a report last year that showed very few home owners consider safety when they choose their contractor and this may have to change. ‘For some projects a health and safety file, which outlines how the work was undertaken and what was installed, will be required at the end of the work and if this isn’t provided it could affect the future sale of the property,’ she added. Under the rules, from 06 April all builders, whatever their size, working in the domestic sector, will have to create a construction phase safety plan for all building projects and all domestic projects will have to meet the same basic standards for the provision of welfare facilities as commercial projects. Any domestic projects finishing after 06 April where there has been more than one contractor must have a health and safety file presented at the end which is in effect a handover pack that should include ‘as built’ drawings or specifications of components that have been installed. Conveyancing solicitors are likely to request this when property is bought and sold. For home owners, CDM duties are passed to the contractor where there is only one or the principal contractor for more than one. Where there is more than one contractor, a principal designer must also be appointed and they coordinate all matters relating to health and safety. Also, if the principal designer changes or is not engaged to the end, the responsibility for the file moves on and may rest finally with the principal contractor and the principal contractor is responsible for operational site safety and passing information to the principal designer for the health and safety file. ‘I would anticipate the HSE will start visiting home improvement sites more routinely and it will probably focus on the provision of welfare facilities and safe working practices… Continue reading
