How parents bend the rules if their home isn't in a school catchment area

What lengths would you go to, to get your child into a good school? Our latest research reveals a quarter of parents have bent the rules. Here's what they did.

With the primary school application deadline upon us (15 January), almost a quarter of parents (24%) admit to flouting school admissions criteria to get their child into their preferred local school, according to our latest research.

We surveyed parents of school age children to understand the lengths they go to in order to secure a place at the best schools.

And we found that parents pay on average £82,960 more for a property in the catchment area of a high-performing school.

In London, that figure rises to more than £200,000.

Nearly a fifth of parents lie to get their kids into a good or outstanding school

In total, 17% of parents of school aged children admit they lied, bent or broke school application rules to get their children into their preferred school.

 A further seven per cent say they ‘played the system’.

That means one in four (24%) parents are going to extreme lengths to secure preferred school places for their kids.

But bending the rules can take many forms.

Among the parents who have, 27% fessed up to exaggerating their religious beliefs to get into a faith school.

Property porkies are also prevalent.

Among those who broke the rules, over a fifth (21%) say they registered their child at a family member’s address that was closer to their preferred school.

One in ten confessed they simply lied about their address, and eight per cent admitted they temporarily rented a second home (that the child never lived in) within the catchment area.

One in six parents confessed to outright bribery of their preferred school

Money and school donations also play a key role.

One in six parents (16%) who admit they bent the rules say they made a ‘voluntary donation’ to a particular school ahead of applying, while eight per cent confessed to offering a bribe.

Others offered their time, with 20% saying they volunteered at or became involved with a school ahead of applying for their child’s place.

A further 14% said they became ‘friendly’ with senior figures at the school in order to curry favour.

What's the cost of a home in the right catchment area?

Of course, many parents do not bend the rules – some are simply able to move into the catchment area of the school they want their children to go to.

In total, 28% of parents who currently have school aged children say they did this.

However, the research found that there’s a huge premium attached to doing so - which might be prohibitive to some.

Among those who bought a home in a good catchment area, the average premium they paid was a huge £82,960 with the figure rising to £209,599 in London.

How do parents feel about bending the rules? 

The majority of parents in the UK are against bending or breaking rules to get children into a good or outstanding school.

Over half (55%) say they feel it is an ‘unfair practice which should be stopped’ and the 56% who have done so, admit they feel guilty about it.

A further 6% of parents admit they are so fed up with the practice that they have ‘grassed up’ another parent and reported them to the school.

However, more than one in ten (11%) believe it is acceptable and a further 19% admit it isn’t fair but ‘everyone does it’.

Key takeaways

• Parents are breaking school admissions criteria to avoid paying an average £82,960 premium on homes in a good or outstanding school catchment area
• 17% of parents say they lied, bent or broke admissions rules, while a further 7% say they ‘played the system’ in order to get their child into a good local school; this totals 24% flouting the rules
• Pretending to be religious or lying about home addresses are the most common mistruths told in order to secure in-demand school places
• 16% of those who admit to breaking rules say they made a ‘voluntary donation’ to the school while 8% admit they offered a bribe
• Despite the prevalence of rule breaking, over half of parents (56%) who’ve done so feel guilty about it

by Blackstones

7 things renters need to know in 2022

From new Covid-19 measures to rising demand, here’s what you need to be aware of if you’re renting this year.

Are you renting in 2022? Here’s all the news and information you’ll need to know your rights and make the right decisions.

1. New anti-Covid-19 measures

The government has released new guidance to help limit the spread of Covid-19 in rented homes.

It advises renters to make sure your homes are well ventilated if people from outside of your household visit.

This includes landlords, letting agents and workmen.

The guidance suggested keeping windows or doors on opposite sides of a room open during a visit.

Renters should also ensure small vents or grilles at the top of windows are open and unblocked.

You cannot have repairs or safety inspections carried out if someone in your household has Covid-19 symptoms.

The only exception is if the repairs are to fix something that is a direct safety risk to you or the public.

2. Six-month eviction notice rule extended in Wales

In Wales, laws meaning your landlord has to give you six months’ warning if they want to evict you have been extended.

The rule, which was introduced in July 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, had been due to expire on 31 December 2021.

But the Welsh Government has now extended it until 24 March 2022.

It applies to all types of evictions, except those involving domestic violence or anti-social behaviour.

3. New energy efficiency rules are on the cards

Renters in England and Wales can look forward to having more energy efficient homes.

The government is expected to press ahead with new energy efficiency rules this year.

The rules state that all rental properties must have an energy performance rating of C or above.

This might mean installing double-glazed windows, a more efficient boiler and additional insulation.

As a result of which, you’ll likely need to spend less on gas and electricity bills.

The only snag is, you might not see much change fast.

The government is expected to give landlords an extra year until 2026 for new rental agreements, and until 2028 for existing ones.

4. It’s easier to have a pet in your home

The government has changed its model tenancy agreement so that landlords can no longer issue blanket bans on pets.

This is good news for all pet-lovers in rental homes.

The change means landlords can only refuse to let you have well-behaved pets if there is a valid reason, such as a lack of space.

The model tenancy agreement is widely used by landlords in England.

It’s important to note that you still need to ask your landlord if you can have a pet.

5. Carbon monoxide safety rules are getting stricter

The government has introduced new carbon monoxide safety rules for rented homes with gas boilers or gas fires.

Landlords must install carbon monoxide detectors. This applies to existing appliances and when new ones are installed.

The detectors must also be fixed or replaced if they are faulty.

The aim is to end accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. Hopefully it will also renters to feel safer in your homes.

6. Renters are getting older

The proportion of people aged between 55 and 64 years old who are renting in the private sector has doubled during the past decade.

There has also been a significant increase in the number of renters aged between 45 and 54, according to the latest English Housing Survey.

The rise in older renters is likely to be due to high property prices making it harder to buy homes, and people divorcing later in life.

7. Increased competition for rental homes in cities

The number of people looking for rental homes in cities is increasing.

But there has been a fall in new properties coming on to the market.

Our latest research found demand is currently 43% higher than the five-year average, but the number of homes available is 43% lower.

The mismatch has led to rent increases hitting a 13-year high.

The typical cost of renting a home across the UK, excluding London, now stands at £809 per month.

Rents outside of London are expected to continue to rise during 2022, to end the year 4.5% higher than they started it.

Key takeaways

• The government has issued new guidance to help stop the spread of Covid-19 in rented homes, as well as new rules making it easier to keep pets in rental homes
• Other laws coming into force this year include changes to energy efficiency standards and tighter carbon monoxide safety rules
• Renters are getting older with the proportion in their mid-50s to 60s having doubled, while high demand and dwindling supply means rents have hit a 13-year high.

by Blackstones

Number of first-time buyers hits 20-year high

Record year for first-time buyers stepping onto the ladder, as more than 400,000 buy their first home. The highest number in 20 years.

The number of people taking their first step on the property ladder soared to a 20-year high in 2021.

An estimated 408,379 people bought their first home during the year, 35% more than in 2020, according to Yorkshire Building Society.

It was the first time that first-time buyer numbers have broken through the 400,000 threshold since 2006, while the figure was also more than double the 200,000 people who purchased their first home each year between 2008 and 2012.

First-time buyers accounted for 50% of all people purchasing a property with a mortgage in 2021, up from a low of 36% in 2007 during the global financial crisis.

But numbers still have some way to recover to reach the previous first-time buyer peak seen in 2002, when 531,800 people bought their first home.

Why is this happening?

A combination of high levels of employment and low interest rates have helped to drive the increase in first-time buyer numbers.

There has also been a significant rise in the number of mortgages available for people with only small deposits, after lenders began offering 95% mortgages again.

Many banks and building society pulled the deals in 2020 during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. But the government-backed mortgage guarantee scheme has increased confidence once more.

There are now more than 350 mortgages available to buyers borrowing 95% of their home’s value, while interest rates on these products have fallen to a record low.

At the same time, people purchasing their first home have also benefitted from a raft of government schemes.

Anecdotal evidence also suggests many first-time buyers were able to save more towards a deposit during the pandemic due to decreased expenditure during successive lockdowns.

Who does it affect?

The figures are great news for aspiring first-time buyers as they show mortgage lenders are once again happy to lend to this sector of the market.

They are also good news for people who want to trade up the property ladder.

First-time buyers play a vital role in the market through buying entry-level properties, enabling the owners of these homes to trade up to bigger properties.

What help is available to first-time buyers?

The government’s flagship scheme to help first-time buyers is the Help to Buy equity loan scheme.

It enables people to purchase a new-build property with a 5% deposit, which the government tops up with a 20% equity loan that's interest-free for five years.

Other initiatives include First Homes, under which first-time buyers, key workers and local people, can purchase a home at a 30% discount to its market price, while the 95% mortgage guarantee scheme helps buyers get a mortgage with just a 5% deposit.

There is also help for people saving for a deposit. First-time buyers can take out a Lifetime ISA, into which they can save £4,000 a year, which the government tops up with a 25% bonus, up to a maximum of £1,000 annually.

The money must be used to either purchase a first home or for retirement.

Meanwhile, first-time buyers continue to be exempt from stamp duty on the on the first £300,000 of a purchase on homes costing up to £500,000.

by Blackstones