Solihull Council Seeks Greater Powers to Control HMO Growth
Solihull Council is pursuing an Article 4 directive to lower the HMO licensing threshold from six to three occupants, with cross-party support passed at the latest full council meeting.
Category : Housing Issues
Inside Crown Place: Birmingham's Tallest Student Tower (19.04.2026)
Crown Place, a £85 million, 33-storey student accommodation tower on Lancaster Street, offers 814 luxury beds with hotel-like amenities, including a retro arcade, karaoke room, and panoramic city views, transforming Birmingham's skyline.
Birmingham Mum's Two-Year Temporary Housing Nightmare
A mother of three details the distressing conditions in temporary accommodation in Balsall Heath, including claims of a sex offender neighbour and threats from drug dealers, as the family waits for council housing.
Quinton Leads Birmingham Council Housing Wait Times at 256 Weeks
New data reveals Birmingham's longest council housing wait times, with Quinton residents facing nearly five-year delays. Northfield and Small Heath also show significant waits, while Sutton Roughley offers the quickest route.
UK Households Warned About Hedge Trimming Law This Spring
Local authorities issue crucial guidance for gardeners trimming hedges and trees this spring, warning about permission requirements and legal responsibilities.
Druids Heath Residents Fear Displacement Over Demolition Plans
Residents in Druids Heath, Birmingham, express fear and uncertainty as council regeneration plans threaten home demolitions, with a 76-year-old man calling the treatment 'disgusting'.
Birmingham Households Hit by £146 Driveway Penalty
A new study reveals Birmingham households without driveways pay an average of £146 extra annually in higher insurance and parking costs, highlighting a growing urban financial burden.
Solihull HMO Crackdown Called 'Cynical Election Ploy'
Solihull Council unanimously backs plans to seek stronger powers to regulate Houses in Multiple Occupation by lowering the licensing threshold from six to three occupants, sparking political accusations of electioneering.
Rental Market Stagnates Nationally, Hotspots Surge 20%
Average asking rents outside London remained unchanged in early 2026, marking the first standstill since 2017. However, specific hotspots experienced dramatic increases up to 21.8%, highlighting regional disparities.
Solihull Council Seeks Stronger HMO Powers Amid Accusations
Solihull Council has united to pursue stronger powers to regulate HMOs, but critics accuse the move of being a cynical election ploy. The motion proposes lowering licensing thresholds and launching a public consultation.
BiGDUG Storage Solutions for Small Sheds and Garages
Discover how BiGDUG heavy-duty shelving and workbenches can transform compact shed spaces into efficient storage and workspace areas, with practical tips for maximising every square inch.
102 New Affordable Homes Approved Near Stalybridge Station
A major housing development of 102 affordable homes has been approved around Stalybridge train station, featuring townhouses and apartments as part of a wider £11.1m regeneration scheme for the town's western edge.
Birmingham Dad 'Frightened' Over Estate Demolition Plans
Druids Heath residents express fear and anger as Birmingham City Council's regeneration plans threaten homes. With local elections approaching, tensions rise over demolition concerns and affordable housing promises.
Octopus Energy Launches Hundreds of Zero-Bill Homes
Octopus Energy partners with Prosperity Group to build 300 homes with heat pumps, solar panels, and batteries, promising residents no energy bills starting in 2028.
East Bank Urban Village: Hull's Major Regeneration Plans Submitted
Detailed plans have been submitted for Phase 1 of Hull's East Bank Urban Village, a transformative regeneration project promising 850 new homes, shops, and green spaces along the River Hull.
Nationwide: 29 Is 'Embarrassing' Age for House Sharing
New Nationwide research reveals 29 is considered the 'embarrassing' age for house sharing, yet 11% of adults still share homes due to affordability issues, with many forming 'Rally Households'.
New Renters' Rights Act: £40k Fines from May 1
The Renters' Rights Act introduces major changes from May 1, banning bidding wars, abolishing no-fault evictions, and imposing fines up to £40,000 on landlords who breach the law.
Four-Week Water Crisis Hits Birmingham Families in Newtown
Residents on Stainsby Avenue faced dirty water or no supply for a month, disrupting daily life and prompting urgent complaints. Birmingham City Council has now completed repairs.
Wirral Council and Developer Clash Over Derelict Liscard Building
A major dispute has erupted in Wirral as Manchester developer Belgravia plans to convert the empty Dominick House into flats, while local councillors demand demolition for community-focused regeneration.
£1,000 Fines for Overgrown Hedges Over 2 Metres
Households across the UK are being alerted that overgrown hedges exceeding two metres in height can lead to formal complaints and fines up to £1,000 under government laws designed to protect neighbours' property enjoyment.
Preston Estate Approved: 443 Homes, No School Timeline
Preston City Council has approved a major 443-home development in Cottam, but the promised primary school for the site has no construction timeline. The estate is part of the North West Preston Masterplan, which includes land for two schools that have yet
Birmingham Council Faces Anger Over Druids Heath Delays
Birmingham City Council confirms further delays to the Druids Heath regeneration project, sparking criticism from local councillors over transparency and community engagement.
Car Wash Near Molineux to Be Replaced with New Flats
A planning application proposes demolishing a car wash, storage yard, and warehouses in Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton, to build 31 residential units, aiming to improve the area's visual and environmental quality.
Couple Stuck in Shed After River Pollution Halts Home Build
A Herefordshire couple has lived in a garden shed for four years after phosphate pollution in the River Lugg blocked their £370,000 eco-home plans, sparking the UK's largest environmental lawsuit.
Inside Crown Place: Birmingham's New Skyline Student Tower
Crown Place Birmingham, a 33-storey £85 million student accommodation tower on Lancaster Street, offers luxury amenities including a gym, yoga studio, retro arcade, karaoke room, cinema, and panoramic city views across its 814 beds.
Birmingham Council Housing Wait Times: Sutton Roughley Fastest
New data reveals the shortest and longest average wait times for council housing across Birmingham areas, with Sutton Roughley leading at 31 weeks and Quinton facing over five years.
Birmingham Council Housing: Quinton Has 5-Year Wait
Birmingham City Council reveals 16 areas with longest housing wait times, led by Quinton at 256 weeks. Over 75,000 bids were made in Quinton last year alone.
Birmingham Parking Dispute Over Seven Cars Divides Neighbours
A Birmingham street faces tension as neighbours clash over parking, with two families owning seven cars between them and others demanding a two-car limit.
10,000 Homes Plan Sparks Fury in Warwickshire Green Belt
Residents near Mary Arden's Farm in Wilmcote are outraged over proposals for 10,000 new homes across Warwickshire green belt, fearing destruction of countryside and overwhelmed local services.
UK Households Hit by £2,000 'Driveway Charge'
Households without driveways are paying up to £2,118 more annually for car insurance and parking permits, with London's planning policies exacerbating the issue nationwide.
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