Leaders Romans Group

Rightmove released this year's Greener Homes Report today, featured in The Times. Allison Thompson MARLA, National Lettings Managing Director at Leaders Romans Group is featured in the report, here's what she had to say about what lies ahead for #landlords and #renters: “The challenge lies in the uncertainty around the support available for landlords. With limited grants and unclear timelines, landlords are facing pressure without enough guidance on how to meet these new standards affordably. If we don’t get clarity soon— on costs, tax benefits, and potential subsidies—we could see more landlords choosing to exit the market. The sooner we have concrete information, the better-prepared landlords will be to make informed decisions about upgrading their properties.” To view the full report click below 👇 #rightmove #greenerhomes #lrg

In today’s Property Week, Nigel Booen, Director of Design at Boyer comments on the introduction of a pilot UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard – a ‘laudable and an impressive piece of work’, says Nigel, but one which ‘Is not client-friendly and comes across as intimidating’. Nigel goes on to say that the new Standard is a road map, but not a solution and raises a lot of questions. #CommercialProperty #Developer #Housebuilder #NetZero #Retrofit #UkNetZeroCarbonBuildingStandard 

Did someone say quiz?! That’s right, it’s that time of year again, and we couldn’t be more excited! 🎉 The highly anticipated LRG and Boyer Charity Quiz is back. This year promises to be bigger, better, and even more competitive! Get ready for a night of fun and fierce competition, with a fantastic set of raffle prizes up for grabs too! We’re not just coming together for bragging rights, though. We’re also here to make a real difference. And this year we’re aiming to raise more than ever before! We’re proud to support two fantastic charities that are making a huge impact. Trussell ABC Book Club From promoting literacy to fighting food insecurity, these organisations are doing incredible work, and we’re thrilled to help them continue their missions. Good luck to all those taking part and may the best team win 🙌

We're delighted to have been shortlisted in 4 categories at The Negotiator Awards 2024: ⭐ Lettings Agency of the Year (Large) ⭐ Property Management Department of the Year ⭐ Employer of the Year ⭐ Sustainable Agency of the Year This is fantastic recognition for all the hard work our staff across the business put in every day. Looking forward to the ceremony next month! #LRG #TheNegotiatorAwards #LettingsAgents #PropertyManagement #EmployerOfTheYear #Sustainability #Shortlist #Proud

Gemma Gibson Rejoins LRG as Shared Ownership Resales Manager for SOWN Gemma Gibson has recently re-joined Leaders Romans Group and taken up a position within SOWN as Shared Ownership Resales Manager, based in Maidenhead. Gemma works on behalf of housing providers and those who have bought shared ownership properties and who are looking to sell. Her role involves working across the whole of the country with the leaseholder looking to sell their share. This can be as part of the ‘Nomination Period’ of shared ownership or beyond. This role entails overseeing the entire sales process; from setting up marketing to updating the seller regularly, organising buyers to be financial assessed as eligible for shared ownership and arranging viewings until the property is sold. SOWN already works with a number of housing providers, helping reduce their workload and uplifting the number of sellers able to find a new, eligible shared ownership buyer. Previously, Gemma was a Sales Manager of Romans in Maidenhead from 2010-2019 and worked for Mortgage Required as a New Business Coordinator from May 2019 until April 2024. Commenting on Gemma’s appointment, Peter Hawley, Director of SOWN (part of Leaders Romans Group) said, “We are delighted to welcome Gemma back to Leaders Romans Group. Just as the shared ownership market is growing exponentially, so is our resales team. It’s an exciting time both for the shared ownership market generally and for our growing team. Gemma’s background provides her with the ideal skillset and she has already made a fantastic start in the role.” #HousingProviders #PropertySales #RLS #SharedOwnership 

In the final part of our wishlist for political change in the run up to the Labour Party Conference, Andy Jones, Group Director of Corporate & BTR at LRG discusses opportunities for policy changes needed in relation to fiscal and planning support for BTR. Read on to find out more.   #Labour #PropertyMarket #LabourParty #BTR #Renters’RightsBill #Budget #StampDuty #MultipleDwellingsRelief #VAT #GreenBelt #LaterLiving

With a revised NPPF and the promise of a Planning and Infrastructure Bill in the making, the new Labour government has been quick to address the housing crisis. But will its proposals succeed? LRG’s planning consultancy Boyer addresses the changes so far.   Click through on the link below to read the views of Nigel Booen, Director of Design and Lawrence Turner, Director, Boyer on: ·        local plans and ministerial intervention ·        national policy guidance public transport and parking ·        the Duty to Cooperate changes in the NPPF ·        the provision of 50% affordable housing in new developments ·        the removal of 'beauty' from the NPPF ·        the use of compulsory purchase to bring forward affordable housing ·        water supply / water stress   --- and more! #AffordableHousing #CompulsoryPurchase #DutyToCooperate #HousingCrisis #Labour #LabourParty #LocalPlan #NPPF #PlanningAndInfrastructureBill #PropertyMarket #PublicTransport #WaterSupply

As the Labour Party prepares for its first conference as the party in power since 2009, it is absolutely imperative that that it addresses the policy void in relation to first time buyers, says Peter Hawley, Director, SOWN   “In all its housing and planning policy announcements recently – the Labour Party manifesto, the outline of the future Planning and Infrastructure Bill, Angela Rayner’s Statement to the House of Commons, and the revised NPPF – shared ownership has not been mentioned once.   “Shared ownership is one of the most effective means of first time buyers getting onto the housing ladder. Since its inception four decades ago it has become an established fixture in the housing landscape. Today approximately 202,000 households in England live in shared ownership homes. In 2021-22 alone 19,386 new shared ownership properties were delivered, according to the English Housing Survey. This is the highest number since records began in 2014-15 and a 14% increase on the previous year.   “There is an urgent need for more support for first time buyers and the omission of both from any major Labour housing announcements suggests that it is in danger of being overlooked, especially as considerable emphasis is being placed on social rent in relation to S106 agreements.   “Helping first time buyers and others to get on to the property ladder is vital not only for the individuals involved but, as government has been quick to point out, central to the country’s social and financial prospects. Shared ownership is a great product and there is great demand for it – but more needs to be done at a government level to fully realise this potential.” #AffordableHousing #FirstTimeBuyers #Labour #LabourParty #PropertyMarket #SharedOwnership

Since being elected in July, the new Labour government has hit the ground running in terms of pushing out its legislative agenda. But what are the issues that matter most to the property world and where do tweaks need to be made to ensure that changes are delivered effectively? Tim Foreman, Managing Director of Land and New Homes at LRG addresses new homes sales: “Within a month of being elected, the new government put in place a revised NPPF for consultation and laid out plans for a Planning and Infrastructure Bill. That’s a good start for a government committed to building 1.5 million homes in its first term in office but it can’t stop there.   “The government’s housing targets, at 370,000 homes per annum, are very ambitious – particularly concerning that private housing starts plummeted by 32% on 2023 levels.   “So will Labour’s planning reforms deliver new homes - or just new planning permissions?   “It is encouraging that the new government appreciates the important role that housebuilding plays in the wider economy. But it is adding to existing pressures by making demands such as 50% affordable housing and showing little interest in in providing incentives to kick-start the market – such as a new form of Help to Buy.   “In the context of increased construction, financing and labour costs, some form of fiscal support is necessary and so I hope decisions are made at the conference on how October’s Budget can provide this. #Housing #Labour #LabourParty #NewHomes #PropertyMarket

It was under Gordon Brown’s premiership in 2009 that the Labour Party last held a conference as the party in government.   So what should be on the agenda 15 years on?   Here’s the view of Kevin Shaw, National Sales Managing Director on boosting the residential sales market:   “Voters from across the demographic spectrum voted Labour in July because they trusted Labour on the economy.   “So my request to the new Labour government is, don’t disappoint those floating voters who put their faith in you this time.   “From LRG’s perspective, the property market is strong enough to withstand some change. And our landlords and homeowners have had some time to prepare for changes to Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax and new leasehold legislation.   “But a curveball which put up taxes further, especially Stamp Duty which is higher than in most comparable countries, would be bad news for the market’s recovery. Top of my wish list for future policy is a reduction in the punitive level of Stamp Duty – particularly over £500k which is holding back mobility in the housing market and affecting downsizers.   “The Labour government has said repeatedly that it is committed to economic revival, and the health of the property market is vital to the success of the UK economy. This is partly because the domino effect from a house sale is greater than that of any other purchase: from professional fees to redecoration and the purchase of new furniture the total spend by new home owners – and therefore the benefit to the economy - far exceeds the house price.   “Under the previous administration, it felt that the government, in its constant stalling of new home development and disincentivising of the private rented sector, had failed to understand the seismic impact of the property market on the economy.   “It’s not typical for the property industry to welcome a more left-wing administration, but Keir Starmer’s team went to considerable lengths to win business support. Long may this continue.” #CapitalGainsTax #Labour #LabourPartyConference2024 #PropertyMarket #StampDuty