London Borough of Islington to tackle ‘buy-to-leave’ with landmark proposals.

london_Islington Borough Council have proposed radical new measures in a bid to tackle ‘buy-to-leave’ and reduce the number of empty houses.
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The Property Market Monthly Fact File – January 2015

The property market fact file is a collection of data compiled each month by our Chartered Surveyors and the propertysurveying.co.uk team; collating survey data, statistics, trends and information from the property market. This aims to help many persons with an interest in property gain an accurate view of what is happening in the UK property market as a whole.
To read the monthly fact file, click here.

Thousands of new homes on the cards, as Government announces new measures

surveyed_buildingThe Government aims to deliver thousands of new homes over the coming years with the help of a raft of new construction related announcements. The idea is to build on recent successes and the current seven-year high in construction output, in order to deliver more affordable homes and more construction jobs around the country and to sustain our G7 leading growth figures…
 To read the whole article, click here.

Prominent Councillor faces prosecution for failing to disclose multiple pecuniary interests before taking office

November saw the Crown Prosecution Service give local police the go ahead to bring proceedings against Cllr Spencer Flower, 72, for three offences under Sections 31 and 34 of the Localism Act 2011. Namely, that he failed to disclose major pecuniary interests in two local companies…
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Council criteria creates homeless ex-soldier because he is “not a drunk or drug addict”

Bournemouth Council has rejected a request for help from exactly the sort of person who we think should be entitled to priority assistance from the state. Despite 9 years in the armed forces and over a decade of working as a kitchen fitter and paying his taxes, Matthew Dennis was refused by Bournemouth Council in his hour of need. Why? Because he wasn’t a ‘priority case’…
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Back by popular demand…

IMGP8254The Mundic Block Problem
All you need to know on mundic block, how it happens and where it is found…
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In case you missed it…..

Architect erects 6ft 5 inch fence around front garden to protect children, only to be told he must tear it down.
Architect erects 6ft 5 inch fence around front garden only to be told he must tear it down, even though he claims it is a vital defence to make his children feel safe…
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The Property Market Monthly Fact File – December 2014

The property market fact file is a collection of data compiled each month byLuton Bedfordshire our Chartered Surveyors and the propertysurveying.co.uk team; collating survey data, statistics, trends and information from the property market. This aims to help many persons with an interest in property gain an accurate view of what is happening in the UK property market as a whole.
To read the monthly fact file, click here.

Tenants liable for damages of £70,000 in case concerning onerous break clause because of poorly kept fence

Ref. Sirhowy Investments Limited v Henderson & Knight (2014)
In an interesting case for tenants and their advisors, a tenant has been found liable for substantial damages due to an ineffective break clause. The case stands as a reminder to all that onerous break clause conditions should be avoided at all costs…
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Substantial blow to Councils as Pickles removes S. 106 charges for small builders

Identifying the heavy burden of S. 106 negotiations and charges as a major stumbling block for the UK construction industry, Eric Pickles has moved to exempt sites of 10 or fewer properties from the Council’s grip. The result should be a boost to the numbers of small and medium sized construction firms, which have been hit hard by the recent recession and are yet to bounce back….
To read the whole article, click here.