Say hello to Barratt Homes' 'Brixton Square' on Coldharbour Lane (old Cooltan site)

[TonyH82]

Really?

Or it could be that developers sit on land banks and are part of the problem themselves. Not government. It is not in the interests of developers to start a mass building programme. And then see prices of properties diminish.

Building more houses will not solve the problem of affordability in London. There is a serious issue of unequal incomes in London. What is needed is rent controls for a start. Also secure long tenancies for private renters without the landlord being able to up the rent dramatically.

A good summary of the issue in London published in the Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/dav...ris-johnson-london-housing-crisis-andrew-boff

A complex issue, but the author notes the lack of supply and a rising population as being a core issue.

On a side note, I think schemes like this one in Brixton are good as they integrate social housing with private housing - this avoids the creation of ghettos as some of the large council estates seem to have become.

I'm actually purchasing a flat in Brixton Square with the aid of the "Newbuy" scheme which allows people with small deposits (around 5%) to obtain a mortgage. London housing costs are disgusting and I could not care less about the value of my new property appreciating.I like the area, the flat is decent size, with good storage and a nice fit-out. And the prices are comparable with much of the existing housing stock which a glace at rightmove shows...

I hope that more developments spring up as this is the only thing that will reduce house prices.

 

[ash]

A good summary of the issue in London published in the Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/dav...ris-johnson-london-housing-crisis-andrew-boff

A complex issue, but the author notes the lack of supply and a rising population as being a core issue.

On a side note, I think schemes like this one in Brixton are good as they integrate social housing with private housing - this avoids the creation of ghettos as some of the large council estates seem to have become.

I'm actually purchasing a flat in Brixton Square with the aid of the "Newbuy" scheme which allows people with small deposits (around 5%) to obtain a mortgage. London housing costs are disgusting and I could not care less about the value of my new property appreciating.I like the area, the flat is decent size, with good storage and a nice fit-out. And the prices are comparable with much of the existing housing stock which a glace at rightmove shows...

I hope that more developments spring up as this is the only thing that will reduce house prices.

Do you work for Foxtons ??

 

[colacubes]

A good summary of the issue in London published in the Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/dav...ris-johnson-london-housing-crisis-andrew-boff

A complex issue, but the author notes the lack of supply and a rising population as being a core issue.

On a side note, I think schemes like this one in Brixton are good as they integrate social housing with private housing - this avoids the creation of ghettos as some of the large council estates seem to have become.

I'm actually purchasing a flat in Brixton Square with the aid of the "Newbuy" scheme which allows people with small deposits (around 5%) to obtain a mortgage. London housing costs are disgusting and I could not care less about the value of my new property appreciating.I like the area, the flat is decent size, with good storage and a nice fit-out. And the prices are comparable with much of the existing housing stock which a glace at rightmove shows...

I hope that more developments spring up as this is the only thing that will reduce house prices.

I'm glad you feel that way. How do you feel about the fact the developers are trying to reduce that beyond the statutory minimum they have to apply? Will you be attending the planning meeting next week to lobby the council not to do so?

 

[TonyH82]

Do you work for Foxtons ??

No I don't.

 

[TonyH82]

I'm glad you feel that way. How do you feel about the fact the developers are trying to reduce that beyond the statutory minimum they have to apply? Will you be attending the planning meeting next week to lobby the council not to do so?

I don't agree with this as the development was clearly economically viable for them to start work under the requirements of the original s106.They are obviously trying to boost their profits.

Work permitting, I may attend.

 

[colacubes]

I don't agree with this as the development was clearly economically viable for them to start work under the requirements of the original s106.They are obviously trying to boost their profits.

Work permitting, I may attend.

Good

 

[Gramsci]

On a side note, I think schemes like this one in Brixton are good as they integrate social housing with private housing - this avoids the creation of ghettos as some of the large council estates seem to have become.

.

Many Council estates do integrate private and Council housing due to RTB over the years.

 

[TonyH82]

Many Council estates do integrate private and Council housing due to RTB over the years.

Right to buy was a terrible mistake. If so much social housing hadn't been sold off on the cheap, I'm sure the current housing crisis would be nowhere near as bad.

 

[Badgers]

London property investment article:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/.../London-property-the-ultimate-investment.html

Not 'new news' exactly but seems about right.

"At the same time, while the global workforce may be very mobile, those buying in the capital don't tend to sell their property if they move out as the strong rental yields make for an attractive investment. As a result there are now 30pc fewer "unsold" homes on the market than in the five years before 2007, when the market dipped. Elsewhere in the country this trend is reversed."

 

[leanderman]

Right to buy was a terrible mistake. If so much social housing hadn't been sold off on the cheap, I'm sure the current housing crisis would be nowhere near as bad.

And how ...

This is the most awful article I have read :http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/right-to-buy-housing-shame-third-ex-council-1743338

 

[Gramsci]

And how ...

This is the most awful article I have read :http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/right-to-buy-housing-shame-third-ex-council-1743338

estimate for Lambeth ex Council that is owned by Buy to let merchants is:

Lambeth Council – 26%
Response: “Lambeth Council’s current dwelling stock comprises 34,348 properties.
“16 leaseholders currently hold 5 or more leases on properties, namely: 6 companies that own 36 leases between them, 10 Individuals that own 98 leases between them.
“According to our most up to date records, based on 8863 leasehold accounts which had service charge estimates issued during the 2012-2013 financial year, 2331 leaseholders have registered a forwarding address which is different from the property address.”
Two housing associations were named with 12 leases between them.
There are 27,534 households on social housing waiting lists in Lambeth.

 

[Gramsci]

London property investment article:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/.../London-property-the-ultimate-investment.html

Not 'new news' exactly but seems about right.

"At the same time, while the global workforce may be very mobile, those buying in the capital don't tend to sell their property if they move out as the strong rental yields make for an attractive investment. As a result there are now 30pc fewer "unsold" homes on the market than in the five years before 2007, when the market dipped. Elsewhere in the country this trend is reversed."

I like this quote from the article:

Your typical Russian oligarch isn't in his local Halifax branch quibbling about the deposit needed.

There has been a lot of stuff in the news about opening borders to Romanians but the real problem is the way London welcomes the super rich.

 

[editor]

And how ...

This is the most awful article I have read :http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/right-to-buy-housing-shame-third-ex-council-1743338

Lambeth are still shoving leaflets through doors encouraging tenants to buy their council flat.

 

[leanderman]

I like this quote from the article:



There has been a lot of stuff in the news about opening borders to Romanians but the real problem is the way London welcomes the super rich.

The Romanian stuff is nonsense. And you are right about the super rich but you are wrong if you think London's surging population is not a factor in the housing crisis. That does not mean to say I would close our borders.

 

[quimcunx]

estimate for Lambeth ex Council that is owned by Buy to let merchants is:

That's quite depressing. Part of the problem being that it can be difficult to get a mortgage on ex council properties, for instance if the building is more than 4 storeys high. I guess buy to let landlords have cash or easier access to suitable loans.

 

[teuchter]

That's quite depressing. Part of the problem being that it can be difficult to get a mortgage on ex council properties, for instance if the building is more than 4 storeys high. I guess buy to let landlords have cash or easier access to suitable loans.

Yup, often see flats in tower blocks etc advertised for sale for pretty cheap compared to similar sized places in "conventional" buildings, but only people who can pay cash can get them because of the mortgage situation. And people who have that much cash knocking around probably don't want to live in an ex council flat in a tower block, so it's fairly inevitable that they'll be bought to let out.

Cheapest housing only available to the cash rich.

 

[Gramsci]

That's quite depressing. Part of the problem being that it can be difficult to get a mortgage on ex council properties, for instance if the building is more than 4 storeys high. I guess buy to let landlords have cash or easier access to suitable loans.

There are special Buy to Let mortgages. I was surprised by this but a friend re-mortgaged her old flat with one when she moved.

There is a whole financial industry behind the Buy to Let merchants.

 

[editor]

Fucking Tories.

And these are the fuckers making a killing:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/right-to-buy-housing-shame-third-ex-council-1743338

 

[quimcunx]

We could have been in a very different place now if money from selling council homes had been spent on building more council homes and if policy had made buying ex council easier for 1st time buyers and more difficult for commercial landlords.

 

[TonyH82]

I would vote for any politician who promised to do the following:

• ban buy-to-let investing fro properties valued under £1m
• regulate letting agents to restrict excessive fees
• end right-to-buy
• encourage longer tenancy agreements with rent reviews linked to inflation

Can't see any of them having the guts to do this though...

 

[Gramsci]

The Romanian stuff is nonsense. And you are right about the super rich but you are wrong if you think London's surging population is not a factor in the housing crisis. That does not mean to say I would close our borders.

I have East European friends. Also meet people from outside the EU.

Its get increasingly difficult for people from outside EU to come here as students or to work. Whatever Cameron says.

Romanians have got a lot of stick over the past year in tabloids.

This does not apply to the super rich. The assorted bunch of Russian Oligarchs, Nigerian "politicians" etc etc. Unlike other countries they can buy houses / flats here with front companies. One Hyde Park is an example. The super rich can come and live in London no questions asked.

Borders are being partially closed to ordinary people but not to super rich.

Both the Labour and Tory party have done this. They are both parties who like to pick on the little people because its easy and populist but abase themselves at the feet of the rich and powerful.

 

[TonyH82]

Fucking Tories.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/right-to-buy-housing-shame-third-ex-council-1743338

Disgraceful that Labour did nothing to correct this situation during their time in power.

 

[Gramsci]

Fucking Tories.

And these are the fuckers making a killing:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/right-to-buy-housing-shame-third-ex-council-1743338

How is it that just after WW2 when the country was basically broke it managed to build so much Council Housing?

 

[leanderman]

I can agree with that. But I find it unlikely that, for example, 500,000 Poles settling in the UK is not a factor in the housing crisis. And I apologise for using this example again, because the Poles have every right to live here. it is national census fact and we have to build the homes to deal with it.

 

[quimcunx]

I can agree with that. But I find it unlikely that, for example, 500,000 Poles settling in the UK is not a factor in the housing crisis. And I apologise for using this example again, because the Poles have every right to live here. it is national census fact and we have to build the homes to deal with it.

How many units of housing is that? What does settling mean? Is that a total or how many come year each year? How many stay? How many leave again? I haven't read anything about migration of Poles or any other immigrant/emigrant info.

 

[leanderman]

Good questions. I doubt anyone knows. It just shows that, on the night of the 2011 census, 545,000 people living in England and Wales gave Polish as their first language. In 2001, it was 61,000.

In 2011, there were 562,000 Welsh speakers.

 

[Gramsci]

How many units of housing is that? What does settling mean? Is that a total or how many come year each year? How many stay? How many leave again? I haven't read anything about migration of Poles or any other immigrant/emigrant info.

Leanderman is right. The last census put Polish as UK second language.

Data from 2011 census reveals 546,000 people in England and Wales speak Polish

 

[Gramsci]

I can agree with that. But I find it unlikely that, for example, 500,000 Poles settling in the UK is not a factor in the housing crisis. And I apologise for using this example again, because the Poles have every right to live here. it is national census fact and we have to build the homes to deal with it.

Heard someone from Labour party apologizing for not doing anything about this when they were in power. It happened under there watch.

 

[quimcunx]

I think how many housing units that translates to matters and if they are settling. A constant round of flatsharing youth has different housing needs to families coming to stay for ever for instance.

 

[Belushi]

My shared ownership block is full of young Polish and Lithuanian couples.