Latest News

The latest news, features, comment and analysis of the UK housebuilding market covering policy, regulation, planning, technology, new developments and products

Government brings measures to improve HIPS

May 9, 2008

The government has announced a package of measures to help improve home information packs (HIPS) on the back of yesterday’s decision to delay the roll-out to t…

Credit crunch hits builders’ merchants sales

May 9, 2008

Sales of building materials at builders’ merchants across the UK fell by 3.1% during the first quarter of 2008, the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has rep…

Industry disappointed at rate hold decision

May 8, 2008

Industry stakeholders have expressed disappointment at the Bank of England monetary policy committee’s (MPC) decision to hold the base rate at 5%, resisting in…

HIPs roll-out to be delayed – again

May 8, 2008

The planned roll-out of home information packs (HIPs), which was scheduled for the beginning of June, has been put back to the end of the year as the level of …

HBF urges interest rate cut

May 7, 2008

The Home Builders Federation is urging the monetary policy committee (MPC) to vote in favour of a cut in the base rate of at least 0.5% at tomorrow’s meeting, …

Consumer sentiment falling – Nationwide

May 7, 2008

Nationwide\'s latest monthly survey of consumer confidence concludes that sentiment is at its lowest level since May 2004.

RICS urges mortgage lenders to clarify terms

May 7, 2008

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is calling for mortgage lenders to issue accurate guidance on lending terms and minimum loan-to-value ratio…

Bovis’ outlook gloomy following 30% drop in reservations

May 7, 2008

The Bovis board has spoken of “sharply deteriorating conditions” in the housing market, in its May 6 trading update. The plc has blamed negative consumer senti…

Bellway and Redrow deny merger talks

May 7, 2008

Bellway and Redrow have denied rumours that they are discussing a possible merger – a deal which would make the new company the industry’s third largest develo…

Rumours fly over Barratt rights issue

May 7, 2008

Rumours are flying of a rights issue by Barratt, which has debts of £1.7 billion. The Financial Times (May 7) has also reported on talk of a £400 million cash…