Book 52

This book explores the origins, extent and implications of this revival in the fortunes of private landlordism. It presents an in-depth, scholarly analysis of private landlords, the rationales for and ways in which governments have sought to revitalise investment in residential lettings, and their success in doing so. It also assesses the extent to which landlordism has been transformed in recent years and the lessons for policy that can be learned from this experience. The book draws on the extensive research into private landlords conducted by the authors over the past two decades. This includes projects funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the predecessor departments to the Department for Communities and Local Government, Scottish Homes, and the Economic and Social Research Council. It fills a major gap in the literature about an important actor in housing provision and the built environment. Most of the recent work on private landlords has been published as research reports and there is a lack of book length scholarly study aimed at an academic rather than a policy audience.

Winner of the Royal Town Planning Institute award for research excellence

This critical examination of the development and implementation of planning gain is timely given recent changes to the economic and policy environment.

The book looks both at the British context as well as experience in other developed economies and takes stock of how the policy has evolved. It examines the rationale for planning gain, how it has delivered substantial funds for infrastructure and affordable housing and, in the light of this, how it might continue to play a role in the funding of these.  It also draws on overseas experience, for example on impact fees and public sector land assembly.  It looks at lessons from the past for future policy, both for Britain and for countries overseas.

Mechanisms to tap development value are also a global phenomenon in developed market economies - whether through formal taxation or negotiated contributions.  As fiscal austerity becomes an increasingly challenging issue, ‘planning gain’ has grown in importance as a potential source of funding for infrastructure and new affordable housing, with many countries keen to examine, learn from, and adapt the experience of others.

  • a critical commentary of planning gain as a policy
  • timely post credit crunch analysis
  • addresses recent planning policy changes