Fear of fines for failing to comply with the government's Display Energy Certificates (DEC) has created an influx of enquiries to energy service providers.

A sustainable buildings task group is to be formed to help new developments achieve a zero carbon rating by 2019, propertyweek.com reports.

Changes imposed by the government in recent years which have affected the way contractors operate have dampened the sector's support for the Labour party.

Landlords of commercial property who are concerned about rate rises are starting to employ security services to man properties and avoid them paying empty rates tax.