Highland to sell off a fifth of its homes

The borrowing bombshell

The era of self-financing has arrived but council celebrations could be cut short by an ominous threat to their borrowing limits. Should they take cover? Carl Brown investigates

Fair rent?

Round two

Housing minister Grant Shapps has proposed a second round of the affordable homes programme. So are landlords financially fit enough to get back into the ring or are they on the ropes already? Carl Brown investigates

Councils use new-found freedom to borrow £13bn

English councils took advantage of historically low interest rates to borrow almost £13 billion of public cash as the self-financing revolution went live this week.

Shout it from the rooftops

Housing has slipped down the agenda in Scottish politics - landlords must fight their corner now

Going spare

The government’s contentious ‘bedroom tax’ on under-occupying tenants is set to become law this month. Alex Turner looks at the disproportionate effect it’s likely to have in the north

Tenants on the move

A group of London housing associations has launched a scheme to help unemployed tenants relocate to get back into work. Alex Turner reports

Unlocking funds to build

Associations must work carefully to secure their development grant, says Gillian Bastow, partner at Lewis Silkin

Knocking down barriers

Finance Bill reforms aim to make it easier and cheaper to invest in the housing market. James Duncan, partner at Winckworth Sherwood, explains

Construct a greener future

Building regulations are being tightened in a bid to protect the environment, says Catherine Parker, solicitor at Trowers & Hamlins