Landlords must not let accounting changes push them into derivatives decisions
Implications of IFRS for hedge accounting risk pushing landlords to rush into re-structuring swaps into vanilla embedded deals read more
Landlords involved in care home provision must watch out for new performance rules
Care home operators warned of compulsory registration with regulator, followed by potential closure if performance is judged to be poor read more
Fixed versus floating? Banks' arguments are unconvincing in interest rate debate
Banks' trading floor representatives argue in favour of fixing, but floating rates benefit from strong historic link to inflation read more
HRA reform proposals signal new era of massive local authority borrowings
Self-financing settlement would result in largest single use of councils' borrowing powers for years due to re-distribution of historic HRA debt read more
Housing benefit reforms vital, but changes must not affect lending environment
Politicians should be cautious and undertake extensive consultation over proposed housing benefit eligibility and payment changes read more
'Golden brick' test on development VAT expands to more generous 'golden slab'
Pragmatic approach by HMRC shifts VAT boundaries slightly in landlords' favour, but reform only likely through tribunal action read more
Muddled role of regulator highlighted in debate over status of HCA grant and equity
If regulation is confused with equity then the regulator is compromised by its stake in the organisations it regulates read more
ALMOs' achievements present persuasive case for councils to reject abolition
Key issues: tenant engagement, Decent Homes delivery, procurement efficiencies, HRA reform agenda and post-election political timetable read more
Forthcoming emergency Budget provides chance for housing sector to set out its stall
What role is the housing and benefits budget likely to play in forthcoming government spending plans? read more
Pension costs can prove complicated when negotiating service-outsourcing contracts
Failure adequately to consider LGPS pension liabilities can mean make-or-break for outsourced contracts, long-term profitability read more
Social landlords should pay heed to major opportunities in 'in-between' market
Intermediate housing products present substantial area of new business for any landlord that can identify and secure suitable funding read more
Private rented sector could be cross-subsidy answer to future social housing funding gap
Buy-to-let intrinsically profitable and future demand strong; institutional landlords' failure to enter sector presents opportunity for non-profit RPs read more
Caution needed over landlords' participation in group framework agreements · 02-11-2011 · Bill Bullivant, Clarke WillmottSale & leaseback offers new funding route, but involves index-linked pricing risk · 02-11-2011 · Jonathan Cox, Anthony Collins solicitorsStrong financial year could trigger political pressure to document community benefits · 02-11-2011 · Kate Allen, Social Housing magazineAffordable rent hit to housing benefit bill threatens tension between Shapps and DWP · 06-10-2011 · Kate Allen, Social Housing magazineCouncils' asset management consultation offers scope to liberate capital receipts · 06-10-2011 · Catherine Hand, Trowers & HamlinsREIT reform consultation could offer new funding route for housing association RPs · 06-10-2011 · Andrew Crawford, Devonshires solicitorsRevolving credit facilities compare well with cost of funding through bond issuance · 06-10-2011 · Barry Greyling, Evolution SecuritiesHistory of affordable housing development shows that public funding is essential · 06-10-2011 · Andrew Heywood, independent consultantLand shortage and its inflated cost act as fundamental constraint on housing supply · 01-09-2011 · Kate Allen, Social Housing magazineHousing association insolvency: legal options in the absence of bail-out or rescue · 01-09-2011 · Natalie Elphicke, Addleshaw Goddard solicitors