Latest articles by Joseph Mullane
Laura Hamilton explains why staying put and renovating could be your smartest move in 2026
Property expert and TV presenter Laura Hamilton shares her advice for homeowners who want to add value in 2026
New AI planning tool to launch this spring to speed up planning decisions
Government expands “Extract” after successful trials to cut hours of paperwork into minutes and help meet the 1.5 million homes target
Housing approvals drop 11% as planning delays place more pressure on Steve Reed
Latest housing data shows planning decisions are slowing dramatically, putting pressure on ministers to deliver 1.5 million new homes and fulfil planned reforms
Beckhams’ Cotswolds pond lighting plans face scrutiny over bat safety
Local authorities are reviewing David and Victoria Beckham’s latest plans for their Oxfordshire estate amid concerns that outdoor lighting could disrupt protected wildlife, particularly bats
Planning permission: when, where, how, and what do you need it for?
Planning permission requires careful preparation and attention to detail to make sure your project proceeds smoothly and avoids unnecessary delays or setbacks
One of Cornwall’s most secluded plots just got planning for three modern homes
Tucked away in a tiny rural hamlet near the south Cornish coast, this £450,000 development site comes with full planning permission for three contemporary homes, making it a rare find for self-builders
Why birds are running out of homes, and how you can help this February
As nesting sites disappear from modern developments, here’s how renovators and self-builders can design gardens that actively support Britain’s birdlife during National Nestbox Week
Council withdraws planning permission for couple's dream home in the middle of their build
A family granted planning permission to build their dream home has found their build unexpectedly halted by a council-issued stop notice, leaving them in limbo
Renovation costs drop 25% since 2023, bringing 'good news' for homeowners and tradespeople
After years of high prices and supply headaches, UK home improvements are now significantly cheaper as materials stabilise and labour inflation eases
What went wrong at King Charles-backed £1.2bn eco village that sits empty 13 years after the homes were built?
An eco village in South Wales remains largely empty, showing the challenges of creating sustainable communities at scale
Why pink mould in your shower might not be as harmless as you think
Ever noticed pink ‘mould’ or slime in your shower in the morning? We explain what it is, what causes it, how you can get rid of it, and how to prevent it coming back
Standing charges on energy bills set to fall by £40 a year from April, confirms Martin Lewis
Energy bills set to ease as standing charges fall, with all households set to benefit
'Mortgage prisoners' lose appeal against TSB in High Court ruling
Court of Appeal confirms that borrowers cannot force lenders to lower inherited mortgage rates, a ruling that could affect homeowners looking to refinance or fund home improvements
Major changes to how EPCs are assessed are coming soon, and it’s set to impact millions of homes
The UK government is introducing a new Home Energy Model that will change how Energy Performance Certificates are calculated for millions of homes
Heat pump boom gains pace, but only one in 20 homes set to switch by 2030
Record heat pump sales show momentum is building, but millions of UK homes are still unlikely to switch to low-carbon heating by the end of the decade
Planning to build your own home? Building near a train station could almost guarantee planning permission
Building your own home near a train station could soon make planning permission more likely and increase the number of plots available for self-builders
Bricks that birds can nest in become mandatory in Scottish homes
New law embeds wildlife protections into building standards, with direct consequences for homeowners, developers, and anyone planning to build
World’s first Passivhaus church conversion features in Guy Martin’s 'House Without Bills' TV show
Guy Martin explores innovative Passivhaus retrofits, including a historic church conversion and a suburban home, showing practical ways to cut energy bills and carbon emissions
Tougher flood-risk building rules on the way as government unveils £10.5bn plan to shield nearly 900k homes
The government sets out funding and policy updates aimed at improving flood resilience across England
Rochelle and Marvin Humes share first update on dream house build after a two-year wait
Rochelle & Marvin Humes share first glimpse of their “forever home”
Millions of historic homes 'risk falling into disuse' as calls grow for automatic planning consent
Warning that outdated heritage planning rules are stalling energy upgrades to listed buildings, putting historic homes at risk of becoming cold, costly and uninhabitable
IKEA’s new smart home range makes upgrading your home easier than ever
With 21 new Matter-compatible products, IKEA is expanding how homeowners can integrate smart lighting, sensors and controls into everyday living
Why your home extension could cost more under proposed architect rule
Labour is considering plans that would make hiring a qualified architect mandatory for home extensions – a move critics warn could increase costs and bureaucracy for homeowners
