Amendment achieved as Localism Bill voted through

Presumption for sustainable development needs better definition say experts

The government’s ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’ needs to be more tightly defined, experts have said.

Lords call for reduction of Localism Bill

Peers have called on ministers to reduce the Localism Bill to make it easier for communities to take on more planning powers.

Votes for homes

Whose bonus is it anyway?

Councils in England received £200 million in new homes bonuses last year but an Inside Housing survey reveals less than a quarter will plough the money back into housing. So where is the cash being spent and are communities having their say? Rhiannon Bury investigates.

Livingstone plans pension fund investment for London homes

Ken Livingstone has pledged to use pension funds to build more social housing in London if he wins his bid to be elected as mayor of London.

Acting with conviction

Squatting could soon be criminalised but awareness of current laws is crucial, says Sarah Lines, social housing lawyer at Cobbetts

Colour charts

As voters across England, Scotland and Wales prepare to go to the polls, we assess the key battlegrounds for housing

A charitable case for relief

Exemptions from CIL are available but it’s advisable to check the details, says Mark Burrows, associate at Penningtons Solicitors

Branch out via Europe

Social landlords creating companies to run extra services must still note EU procurement rules, says Rebecca Rees, partner at Trowers & Hamlins

Get your Act together

With a host of legal acts coming into effect this year and next, Caroline Thorpe helps you to learn your lines so you can take to the housing stage with confidence