Housing Solicitors

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) have announced that the biggest development of homes built specifically for private rent in the UK is set to receive a £65 million boost from the government.

The deal will help to unlock more than 7,600 new, high-quality homes at the Wembley Park development in Brent, northwest London – one of the largest strategic regeneration projects in the country – with at least 6,800 of the homes for rent.

Housing and Planning Minister Alok Sharma said it would offer more choice for Londoners – and the announcement coincides with the government confirming widespread support for its proposals to open up the choice of rental properties on the market, to help those currently priced out.

The measures include changing planning rules so councils proactively plan for more Build to Rent homes where there is need – and making it easier for Build to Rent developers to offer affordable private rent in place of other types of affordable home.

Longer tenancies which are more family friendly to provide better security for renters will be introduced – government action in this area has already seen the offer of three-year or longer tenancies being made available to 35,000 tenants across the country, according to British Property Federation estimates.

Build to Rent homes are built at scale for the primary purpose of being rented long term – and they can boost choice and quality in the private rented sector. Across England, the sector is expanding, with 80,855 homes either completed or planned.

The industry estimates investment in the private rented sector could grow to £70 billion by 2022 – this could provide a further 15,000 homes each year, with the potential to reach at least 240,000 homes built specifically for private rent by 2030.

Housing and Planning Minister Alok Sharma said:

“Whether renting or owning, all families should have the security they need to be able to plan for the future.

“That’s why as part of our plan to fix the broken housing market, we’ve been taking action to create a bigger and better private rental market, supporting new Build to Rent developments so that tenants can have greater choice.

“Developments like Wembley Park are a great example of doing just that – boosting the choice and quality of homes on the market, meeting the needs of renters in cities and towns across England.”

The Wembley Park development is backed by a loan from the government’s £3 billion Home Building Fund.

Delivered in phases over the next seven years, the flats will include a mix of studios, one-, two- or 3-bedroom properties, all located closely to the underground station. The site next to the National Stadium will also include up to 2,350 affordable homes.

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors can advise on a wide range of housing law, including advising developers and self builders on planning permissions and planning appeals.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales and our housing team is also able to advise on: