Flint in U-turn over secure tenancies

Miliband reveals thoughts on housing and localism

Labour leader Ed Miliband has slammed government plans to introduce fixed-term tenancies, in an exclusive interview about his housing plans.

Sustainable spin?

Rent control

The government must reduce the emphasis on homeownership and make renting a more attractive option, says Jon Cruddas

Communities shadow calls for planning debate

Caroline Flint has called for further debate on the provision for affordable homes in the national planning policy framework.

Shape shifters

Contractor Willmott Dixon and property advisor Savills are joining forces in an industry first to transform themselves into a new hybrid which takes on development risk. Chloë Stothart finds out how they plan to make it work.

Open-door policy

Allowing private landlords to validate local housing allowance claims can help councils simplify their procedures and cut their housing waiting lists. Neil Merrick heads to Derbyshire to find out how

Casting the net for a home

A website aimed solely at local housing allowance claimants is helping people find homes. Lydia Stockdale logs on

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

Acting with conviction

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

What’s in the post?

Landlords’ administrative errors can lead to time-consuming court cases, says Jane Plant, associate at Weightmans