Straight to work

A vote for housing

Housing finally ignited as a major political issue in the run-up to the London mayoral elections this week. Carl Brown investigates how some of the main contenders plan to tackle the issue

Seeing things clearly

Simon Hughes is not one to shy away from fiery debate. Here, the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats reveals his take on last month’s riots to Lydia Stockdale.

Alive and kicking

Build for victory

Brian Paddick, the Liberal Democrat candidate for London mayor, explains his approach to housing in the capital

Writing wrongs

Colour charts

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

Acting with conviction

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

Dealing with disputes

The standard process for resolving construction disagreements isn’t always the most appropriate, explains Tom Wrzesien, a dispute resolution specialist at law firm TLT

Q&A: The Ecological Sequestration Trust

Eco-cities guru Peter Head has just left contractor Arup, where he headed an 800-strong global urban planning team, to set up a charity with the ambition to transform planning. Here he explains the thinking behind his latest project

The home MOT test

A Dutch landlord is reducing maintenance costs by giving its homes regular check-ups. Chloë Stothart finds out how it works