In last year’s Autumn Budget statement, the Government announced changes to the Right to Buy (RTB) scheme:
- Discounts for purchases will revert to pre-2012 levels and will reflect local housing markets.
- Neither local authorities nor housing associations will be required to return a proportion of the capital receipt generated by the sale to the Government.
- Discounts will be subject to an ad hoc review instead of being automatically increased annually by consumer price index.
- The cost floor period will increase from 15 to 30 years.
The Government launched the Right to Buy consultation on 20 November 2024 seeking views on:
- Tenants’ eligibility
- Discounts
- Exemptions
- Restrictions after sale
- Requirements around the replacement of homes sold under the RTB
- Receipts regime’s simplification
The Council feels that social housing should meet the future housing needs of residents and to be available and affordable for as long as possible. The Council responded to the consultation stating:
- An RTB applicant should be a tenant for at least 10 years
- Maximum discounts of 5% should apply
- Newly built social housing should be protected from the RTB for a minimum of 30 years.
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The UK government's Renters' Rights Bill has advanced in Parliament, aiming to enhance protections for approximately 11 million private renters. Key provisions include the abolition of Section 21 'no-fault' evictions, preventing landlords from evicting tenants without a valid reason.
The bill also seeks to cap advance rent payments at one month's rent, addressing concerns over landlords demanding excessive upfront payments that can exclude low-income renters. Additionally, measures are proposed to end rental bidding wars and control unreasonable rent increases.
These reforms are part of the government's broader Plan for Change, focusing on improving living standards and ensuring safe, affordable housing for all.
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Nottingham City Council has commissioned an assessment to evaluate the social impact of its Private Rented Sector Licensing schemes, which cover over 35,000 homes. The project aims to identify and measure the long-term impact of Licensing on individuals, communities, and the environment, with the goal of maximizing future social impact.
The council seeks input from those affected by or involved in these schemes to understand schemes’ value to the community. The research will conclude in the summer of 2025, with a report published shortly after. For more information, please email Sophia Beswick at [email protected].
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The government is proposing new energy efficiency standards for private rented homes, aiming to lift up to 500,000 households out of fuel poverty by 2030. All private landlords will need to ensure that their properties meet at least an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C, up from the current EPC E rating. Additional reforms include support schemes such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the Warm Homes: Local Grant, as well as a revised fuel poverty strategy.
The government is seeking an input from landlords and tenants on how to meet the new standard. Consultations are open until 2nd May 2025.
 The English Housing Survey 2023-2024 reports that owner-occupied households under occupation now constitute 55.7% of all households in England, a significant rise from 39.4% in 1995. This increase is largely attributed to the aging population, as many older individuals have become homeowners. This indicates the future housing issue, especially with demographic shifts - increased life expectancy and declining birth rates.
The Survey also reports the damp problems increase since 2019. The highest percentage is due to condensation - 3.0%. The increase in damp-related issues highlights the need for improved housing maintenance and effective moisture control measures to ensure healthier living conditions.
 In the last quarter of 2024, Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) lodged in England and Wales increased by 2% compared to 2023, with England seeing a 3% rise in domestic EPCs. However, EPCs for new dwellings in England fell by 7%, while existing properties rose by 5%.
Overall, 2024 had 6% fewer EPCs for new dwellings than the previous year. Despite this, energy efficiency remained high, with 87% of new dwellings achieving an A or B rating, an increase from 86% in the same quarter of 2023.
Latest figures for Nottingham show that 1,510 dwellings have been completed in 2023/24, including 1,260 by the private sector, 130 by registered providers and 120 by the local authority.
 The Whole House Retrofit (WHR) project, led by Nottingham City Council Housing Services, aimed to improve energy efficiency in residential properties. It included two workstreams: Destination Zero 1, focusing on retrofitting 96 properties, and ES Clifton, which was meant for deep retrofit for 72 properties but was discontinued due to budget and timeline issues. Destination Zero 1 continued, facing challenges in meeting the PAS 2035:2019 standards, which among other things required appointing a Retrofit Coordinator and creating a Retrofit Improvement Plan.
The Whole House Retrofit Project Report also highlights lessons learned throughout the process.
The Warm Home Discount (WHD) Scheme provides a one-time discount of £150 on energy bills for eligible households. For the last two winters, recipients received notification letters and the discounts were applied automatically to their bills.
If you believe you qualify for the discount but have not received it, you can contest this by contacting the national WHD helpline (0800 030 9322) before 28th February 2025. Last winter, 252,000 households successfully challenged WHD’s omission, securing a total of £37.8 million in support.
In Nottingham, 16.7% of households received the Warm Home Discount last winter. Those expecting the payment should check their eligibility and contact the helpline if necessary.
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 In October, the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) conducted an inspection of Housing Services as part of its regulatory framework. The RSH evaluated performance against the Consumer Standards and assigned Housing Services a grade of C3. The conclusion was that "there are serious failings in Nottingham City Council's ability to deliver the expected outcomes of the consumer standards, and significant improvement is necessary."
Recognizing the need for improvement in housing services, Nottingham City Council has taken action by establishing the Housing Assurance Board and the Executive Housing Oversight Board to facilitate enhancements in this area.
A merger between Longhurst Group and Grand Union Housing Group has resulted in the creation of a new housing organization called Amplius. This new entity now owns and manages over 37,000 homes across the Midlands, East, and Southeast of England, making it one of the largest housing associations in the region.
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On 31 January 2025, Johnnie Johnson Housing was transferred to Sanctuary Housing Association, which operates as the retirement living brand. This transfer included all housing assets, properties, and employees. Additionally, as Nottingham has a small number of independent living properties owned by Johnnie Johnson Housing, these will also be transferred under the new arrangements.
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Platform Housing has been shortlisted in the Artificial Intelligence category for the 2025 Housing Technology Awards, organized by Housing Technology magazine. This award aims to recognize the achievements of the housing sector’s most innovative teams and organizations, sharing their successes with the entire social housing sector so that everyone can benefit. Platform Housing focus was on Robotic Process Automation and its role in ensuring that sensitive customer information is handled efficiently and accurately.
The winners will be announced at the Housing Technology Conference in Nottingham on March 12, 2025.
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Stonewater’s innovative Carecoins pilot, for improving customers’ mental wellbeing, was available to all Stonewater residents. The initiative is believed to be the first of its kind launched by a housing provider. With £15,000 in initial funding, Stonewater purchased 500 Carecoins to support 40 customers struggling to access services. Each coin can be redeemed for an initial assessment or a half-hour therapy session. While typical waiting times are about a year, participants in this pilot can expect contact from registered therapists within 24 hours. All 40 referrals have been made, resulting in significant improvements in mental well-being.
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In an effort to address rough sleeping in the city, the Framework Housing Association has received approval to construct a 20-flat complex for homeless men on Alpine Street in Old Basford. This new development will replace the now-vacant Lee House, a former lace factory, which is set to be demolished. The new building will feature 20 studio units, each equipped with a separate shower room, kitchenette, and a shared living space. Additionally, it will provide 24/7 on-site staff support and CCTV monitoring to ensure the well-being of residents and the safety of the surrounding community.
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Beam has been providing employment support for rough sleepers in Nottingham City since June 2023. They offer one-to-one caseworker support to individuals who are currently experiencing or at risk of rough sleeping. To date, Beam has assisted over 100 individuals, with 12 securing employment and 15 engaging in meaningful activities.
Before referring clients, please ensure they meet these criteria:
- Experiencing or at risk of rough sleeping
- Resident of Nottingham City
- Responsive and willing to join Beam
- Aged 18+
- Communicates independently in English
- No severe issues with drugs or alcohol
- Mental and physical health managed
- No recent severe offences
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GEDA Construction is nearing completion on two three-storey apartment blocks at the former World Wood Furniture store on Sherwin Road, featuring 34 affordable apartments. One block will have 19 one-bedroom and 4 two-bedroom apartments, while the other will consist of 11 one-bedroom units.
Managed by Jigsaw Homes Midlands, these homes will be available for affordable rent and the Rent to Buy scheme. The development includes 15 car parking spaces, bicycle storage, a bin store, and landscaping. With excellent transport links to Nottingham, this £4.8m project, partly funded by Homes England, is set to finish in summer 2025.
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The first residents have collected their keys at the nearly completed Farnborough Court development, located off Farnborough Road in Clifton, Nottingham. This new scheme features six one-bedroom bungalows and 50 one and two-bedroom flats, all designed to provide high-quality, energy-efficient, and accessible housing for older residents who wish to live independently. The development also includes communal spaces designed to promote interaction among residents.
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Nottingham-based housebuilder Avant Homes East Midlands has officially launched the first homes for sale at its £77.5 million Foxgrove Village development in Clifton. The 265-home project, located off Hawksley Gardens, offers a variety of one to five-bedroom properties, designed with energy efficiency and modern living in mind.
Home prices start at £242,000 for a two-bedroom semi-detached Fernlee, while the four-bedroom detached Horbury is priced at £410,000.
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For the first time in 5 years no annual growth in rental prices was recorded for Nottingham.
Hometrack have been publishing rental market reports each quarter comparing UK cities’ prices and growth since 2020. During the first two years Nottingham often recorded the strongest annual growth, which reached double figures throughout most of 2022 & 2023. Since this time, growth in the city reduced steadily and in December the average monthly rental price stagnated at £948.
Nottingham was the only UK city not to record positive growth.
Average house prices have begun to increase in Nottingham according to the latest UK House Price Index data. The average cost of a home in November was £199,521 - 1.6% more than in November 2023. Prices increased across all house types in the city, except for detached which stabilised.
This follows negative growth in the city recorded in April 2024 and stagnation in August 2024.
Price growth fared even better in the county, region and country revealing Nottingham’s recovery as comparatively minor.
'Into the Mainstream’ is a health project operated by the Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum. It aims to assist refugees and asylum seekers in accessing health, dental, mental health, and wellbeing services in the area. On Friday, 28th February, from 10 AM to 1 PM, Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum are organising an event which will focus on the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees, the challenges they face in accessing health and mental health services, the barriers encountered in using these services, and the support they need.
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
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