State Pensioners Feel 'Hoodwinked' as Leasehold Fees Surge Nearly £400 Monday, February 16, 2026 pensioners leasehold groundrent fees government reform housing leaseholders legislation property Serena Laidlaw, a 72-year-old pensioner from near Brighton, feels “hoodwinked” as her leasehold fees have skyrocketed from £80 a month in 2014 to nearly £400 today. Having purchased her one-bedroom flat for … Read More
Birmingham’s Most Expensive Postcodes Revealed as House Prices Surge 18% Sunday, February 15, 2026 birmingham property realestate housing postcodes prices market homeownership affordability sales For many Brits, getting on the property ladder remains a key ambition, but the soaring costs of homeownership are making it increasingly difficult to achieve. While some parts of Birmingham have seen slight decreases in … Read More
Birmingham Council Faces Over 50,000 Complaints Over Damp and Mould in Homes Sunday, February 15, 2026 birmingham damp mould health housing council tenants publichealth awaabslaw condensation Over the last five years, Birmingham City Council has received more than 50,000 complaints from tenants living in damp, mouldy, and condensation-affected homes. This equates to approximately 866 complaints for every 1,000 … Read More
‘Cramped’ HMO Conversion Rejected Over Crime Concerns in Wolverhampton Neighborhood Monday, February 9, 2026 hmo wolverhampton planning crime community housing spacestandards noise council heathtown The City of Wolverhampton Council has refused an application to convert a home on Woden Road into a six-bedroom house of multiple occupation (HMO), citing concerns that the change would exacerbate crime and community disorder … Read More
Council Rejects Proposal to Convert Home into Nursery Over Safety and Community Concerns Friday, February 6, 2026 nursery planning sandwell extensions parking residential safety noise housing traffic Sandwell Council has refused an application to convert a detached three-bedroom house in Bell End, Rowley Regis, into a nursery for up to ten children. The applicant, Omar Kazimi, had proposed significant alterations, … Read More
Campaigners Celebrate Community Victory as Six-Bed HMO Proposal Rejected Friday, February 6, 2026 handsworth hmo community campaign housing planning development objections residents victory A proposal to convert a family home on Onibury Road in Handsworth into a six-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) has been decisively rejected following widespread community opposition. The plan faced nearly 80 formal … Read More