Posted 02.01.13
Government moves to scrap the requirement for householders to get simple and low risk electrical works approved by their local council will save 'DIYers' £240 each, and in some cases even more.
Introduced just before Christmas, these changes will come into force in April 2013 and will avoid the need for householders to seek council approval for simple jobs such as:
Under current rules, obtaining council approval for such jobs costs around £240 each time, or more.
Riskier jobs, such as work near baths and showers, installing new circuits and house rewires will continue to require approval from councils' building control departments or be carried out by an electrician registered to approve their own work.
The changes to electrical safety were included in a package of deregulatory measures announced to Parliament on 18 December 2012.
Posted 04.01.13
A VAT cut for housing renovation and repair work is at the top of the New Year's wish-list for most small and medium-sized construction companies.
In a major survey of members of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), nearly three quarters said VAT was an issue they wanted the Government to address. Building regulations, planning and finance were also listed as priority issues by over half the businesses surveyed.
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said:
"It comes as no surprise that construction SMEs want this targeted reduction in VAT. Most are still struggling with falling workloads and competition from the informal economy. This is about creating a level playing field and reducing the number of individuals and businesses that rely on avoiding VAT.
"It is also about boosting growth in the economy by making it easier for homeowners and landlords to commission the work they need doing on their properties. Independent research has shown that the Government will quickly make up the initial loss of tax revenue owing to the growth in demand for housing repair and maintenance work.
"This is why the FMB has responded to an EU consultation on reduced VAT rates, urging European lawmakers to keep the option open for the UK Government to cut VAT on housing repair work. The EU must focus on helping Europe's economy to grow and not take away existing flexibilities in the tax system.
"Reduced VAT rates would also encourage more people to introduce measures in their homes to reduce household energy bills and cut CO2 emissions. Such measures already amount to a quarter of all work undertaken in the UK housing repair and improvement market.
"Many European states, including the UK, levy a reduced rate of VAT on the energy consumers use, so it would be perverse for the EU to forbid its member states to discount the rate of VAT on work to help save energy, such as installing energy efficient glazing, new boilers or insulation."
Posted 14.01.13
Circle Housing Group has signed the first contracts to deliver its new repairs and maintenance service.
After being named as preferred bidders in May 2012, Keepmoat and United House have been formally appointed to provide responsive and planned repairs respectively in the housing group's Southern Region. The contracts are initially for five years, with the potential to be extended for a further five.
United House will be delivering all of the planned maintenance work for Merton Priory Homes, Mole Valley Housing Association and Russet Homes. Keepmoat will be providing responsive repairs for Merton Priory Homes and Russet Homes. Circle's new in-house repairs team will deliver the responsive repairs for Mole Valley Housing Association.
The appointment follows one of the largest procurement processes in the sector, after Circle announced its decision to change the way it provides repairs by procuring contracts as a group, rather than as individual housing associations.
The responsive repairs for the Southern Region will go live before 1st April this year, and the timetable for the planned repairs is currently being agreed.
Circle is currently finalising the arrangements for its remaining repairs and maintenance contracts.
