Top 3 West Midlands retirement spots revealed
Sunday Times research reveals bustling towns like Solihull, Wolverhampton, and Walsall are among the best places to retire in the West Midlands.
Category : Housing Issues
Homeless Dad and Baby Get £1,300 After Council Failures
A homeless dad and his newborn baby were left sofa surfing for over six months due to Birmingham City Council failings. The council has paid £1,300 compensation.
Man, 92, Held on Murder Suspicion After Woman, 87, Dies
A 92-year-old man is in custody on suspicion of murder after an 87-year-old woman was found dead at a supported living unit in Exeter. Police are not seeking anyone else.
British Gas Warns of Paying for Others' Energy
British Gas warns customers moving into a new home could be charged for the previous owner's energy usage if they don't take meter readings immediately.
New 63-Day Council Tax Rule for England Households
England introduces a 63-day rule for council tax arrears, giving households more time and council support to repay debts, aiming to reduce aggressive enforcement.
Two Children Die in Wolverhampton House Fire
Two young children have tragically died in a house fire on Mason Street in Wolverhampton. Firefighters rescued them, but they were pronounced dead at the scene.
DIY Blunders Ruined Conservation Chances in Birmingham
DIY renovations like PVC windows and driveways have ruined chances for some Birmingham neighbourhoods to become Conservation Areas, an expert says.
Lad in the Lane Pub to Become Offices and Women's Shelter
Birmingham's oldest pub, the Grade II-listed Lad in the Lane in Erdington, could be transformed into offices and supported accommodation for vulnerable women under new plans.
Woman's assisted suicide kept from dementia-stricken mother
Wendy Duffy, 56, ended her life at the Pegasos Clinic in Switzerland without telling her 87-year-old mother, who has dementia. Her family says nothing could stop her.
Tree That Killed Girl, 12, Needed Work, Inquest Hears
An inquest heard that a beech tree branch which crushed 12-year-old Brooke Wiggins to death had a crack concealed by ivy, and recommended work was not carried out.
95-Year-Old Driver Kills Woman While Looking for Parking
Joan Barwick, 95, was sentenced for causing death by dangerous driving after hitting Linda Wareham, 77, at a petrol station. She was looking for a disabled parking space.
Rapist Released from Mental Unit Days Before Attacking Sikh Woman
John Ashby raped a Sikh woman in Walsall after being discharged from a mental health unit without follow-up care. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 14 years.
Walsall Rooftop Food Court Refused Over Safety Issues
Walsall Council unanimously refused planning permission for a rooftop food court on an Asda car park, citing fire safety risks, illegal drainage, and comparisons to the Grenfell tragedy.
Birmingham husband jailed 26 years for hot oil attack
Raju Mollah, 50, poured boiling oil over his wife's head and branded her face with a hot skillet in a brutal attempted murder at their Small Heath home. He was sentenced to 26 years.
New Rule for Pension Credit Claimants from May 1: Illegal Discrimination
From May 1, Pension Credit claimants will be protected under new Renters' Rights Bill, making it illegal for landlords to discriminate against benefit recipients.
Martin Lewis: Get Power of Attorney or Risk Costly Nightmare
Martin Lewis urges Brits to set up a lasting power of attorney to avoid costly, stressful Court of Protection proceedings. He warns that losing capacity is more common than assumed.
FCDO Warns Tourists: Don't Carry Cash or Jewelry
The FCDO issues new travel advice for St Vincent and the Grenadines, warning of increased crime. Tourists are advised to avoid carrying cash or jewelry and to secure valuables in hotel safes.
Midlands Residents Told They Are Trespassing on Own Gardens
Residents in Long Eaton face losing their gardens if they don't pay rent or buy the land from Erewash Borough Council, which owns it.
Birmingham Islamic Girls School Faces Closure Over £93k Deficit
Jami'ah Khadijatul Kubra, an all-girls Islamic school in Small Heath, Birmingham, faces closure due to a £93,261 deficit. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to save it.
94 affordable homes for former RAC site in Stretford
Plans for 94 affordable homes on the former RAC call centre site in Stretford have been revealed. The development includes houses and flats, with green spaces and parking.
Dudley Labour leader: housing mindset 'stuck in 1950s'
Dudley's Labour leader Cllr Adam Aston says the UK's housing mindset is 'stuck in the 1950s' and calls for modern methods like factory-built homes and brownfield development to solve the crisis.
No Future DWP Increase for 450,000 State Pensioners
Nearly 450,000 British pensioners overseas face frozen state pensions with no future increases, potentially losing over £77,000 in 20 years.
Blakenhall Residents Say Area Is 'Going Downhill' Amid Road Closure
Business owners and residents in Wolverhampton's Blakenhall suburb express deep concerns over a prolonged road closure following a factory fire, citing economic struggles, litter problems, and community changes, while local leaders highlight the area's di
UK House Prices Rise 1.2%; Rents Up 3.4%
UK house prices increased by 1.2% to £268,000 in February 2026, while average monthly private rents rose 3.4% to £1,377 in March 2026, with regional variations.
Farage Calls Black Country 'HMO Capital of Britain'
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage visited Sedgley, branding the Black Country the 'HMO capital of Britain' while campaigning for Dudley Council elections and criticizing local immigration policies.
3% of New Birmingham Homes on Open Market, Data Shows
New data shows just 3% of newly built homes in Birmingham enter the open sales market, with most diverted to rentals and affordable schemes, fueling a shift towards a European-style renting model.
Just 10% of New Homes Available for Open Market Purchase
New data shows that only one in ten newly built homes in England enter the open sales market, with most diverted to build-to-rent, developer sales, or affordable schemes, limiting access for prospective buyers.
Tamworth Hotel Converted to Supported Living Apartments
Plans to convert the 18th-century Brewery House in Tamworth into 10 self-contained apartments for adults with severe learning difficulties and brain injuries have been unanimously approved by the planning committee.
Council Pays £500 to Homeless Family in Hotel Rooms
Birmingham City Council has been ordered to pay £500 compensation to a homeless family left living in two B&B rooms without cooking facilities for weeks, following a housing ombudsman report.
CB Homes Hails Tarporley Housing Approval as Landmark
Cheshire West and Chester Council has approved a 44-home development by CB Homes in Tarporley, featuring private and affordable housing with green spaces.
Page 34 of 58