With the 2026 Rating List approaching, property professionals must prepare for significant shifts in business rates. From a 19.2% increase in total Rating List value to new multipliers for the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors, Chris Grose provides a comprehensive rundown of the upcoming implications for both public and private sector bodies.

Councils are facing a "crowded list of priorities" as they balance severe funding pressures with national mandates for housing and net zero. This summary of the 2026 "Unlocking the Public Estate" report explores practical steps for local authorities to transform their portfolios despite limited capacity and data gaps.

With residential housing delivery at its lowest point in years and a "crisis" declared in London, unlocking stalled schemes requires more than just meeting policy. Expert Anneka Lewis explores why early collaboration between developers, Registered Providers, and specialists is essential to bridge the viability gap and ensure schemes are both deliverable and manageable in a challenging 2026 market.

Due to take effect in October 2026, the Building Safety Levy (BSL) introduces new costs for residential developers across England. From local authority rates to the "triple challenge" facing high-rise schemes, Chris Hemmings examines how this levy—combined with second staircase requirements—impacts development viability and the government’s housing targets.

Drawing from 16 years of experience at Cornwall Council, Adam Birchall explores the complexities of asset transfer during Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). He challenges the idea of simply "speeding up" devolution, advocating instead for a mutual, two-way process of trust that aligns property assets with community needs.

The landscape of local government in England is undergoing its most ambitious reorganization in over 30 years. With the introduction of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, new Strategic Authorities are set to gain autonomy over planning, transport, and housing. Through case studies in Hartlepool and Stockport, we examine whether these new powers and funding structures can truly accelerate urban regeneration and solve regional disparities.

As the UK faces competing demands for housing, energy, and nature, land is becoming our most finite resource. Jeremy Moody, Secretary of the CAAV, explores the "extraordinary" policy shifts—from "Grey Belt" development to the 30x30 nature commitment—that are reshaping the British landscape and challenging traditional farming.

Explore the evolving landscape of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and natural capital from a local government perspective. This article outlines legal structures, the shift toward conservation covenants, and the unique opportunities for local authorities in habitat restoration and nutrient neutrality.

Council spending on temporary accommodation has soared to £2.8bn annually, leaving many local authorities under immense financial strain. Kim Grievson and Hannah Velani explore the human and economic costs of this crisis and highlight innovative modular and "eco pod" solutions being pioneered across the UK.

Fewer than 40% of local planning authorities have up-to-date plans. As the government pushes for faster plan-making alongside local government reorganisation, Nick Diment examines if these two objectives can be reconciled without compromising quality.

Choosing the right RICS APC pathway is critical for your success. Discover the differences between popular sectors like Commercial Real Estate and Building Surveying, and learn how to avoid common competency pitfalls that could lead to an invalid submission.