The Property Market Monthly Fact File - July 2011
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 and related trends and information from the building and property market. This will help many persons with an interest in property to gain an accurate view of what is happening in the property market as a whole in the UK.
To read the monthly fact file, click here.

British Government says “NO” to European Matrimonial Property Proposals
In a statement written by Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly and given to the House of Commons on 30 June 2011, the UK government expressed its decision not to sign up to new laws governing the resolution of matrimonial property disputes.
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Legal obligations for Property Owners, Occupiers and Agents - A Concise Guide to Fire Safety in the Workplace
The blaze at the Old Marconi House in the Strand, London, has reminded employers, solicitors, property managers and owners to establish what they could, should and must be doing in their workplace, or a building for which they are responsible, to keep the occupiers safe.
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Bright Young Things Setting London Alight – Fire Safety in the Home
Young, well-educated, professionals are causing more than a quarter of all accidental house fires in the capital, according to new figures released on the 30th June by the London Fire Brigade.
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BEKO Fridge-Freezers DANGER FIRE WARNING – Emergency recall

Inheritance Tax Enquiries from the HMRC targets inaccurate Property Valuations
Nearly 9500 investigations have been carried out by HMRC into property inheritance tax valuations in the last year, leading to additional tax revenue of £70m and an average cost to each estate of £24,600.
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New Legal Bill to help Homeless Persons as the Recession Hits Home
A new legal bill has been tabled to help homeless persons with opportune timing as 23% more people forced to approach their local councils for housing help in the first three months of 2011.
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First Time Buyers often still need to scrape together £50,000 deposits
The difficulty for first time buyers goes on as deposits of over £50,000 on average are still being demanding to get on the property ladder. Worrying news for first time buyers, but is anything being done and should the rest of us be concerned?
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Liverpool University unveils £600m development continuing the drive to improve Britain’s Universities.
A £600m development for Liverpool University is just the latest in a long line of development plans bringing Britain’s universities up to scratch. Is it enough to combat the purported ‘brain drain’?
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Greg Clark signals a Boost for ‘meanwhile’ Changes of Use of Empty Buildings
Planning Minister Greg Clark has said that the Government could scrap red tape in order to encourage 'meanwhile uses' of empty buildings, transforming them into new shops, business start-ups, and community projects.
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First English Heritage Angel Awards Launched
In order to show popular appreciation for the huge amounts of time, effort and money donated by groups of restorers up and down the country, the Daily Telegraph has helped to launch a new scheme “The English Heritage Angel Awards” for the very best in restoration projects up and down the country.
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10 Questions on…… Carrying out Repairs, Replacements and Building Work to your Home or Office.
A few of our surveyors have been asked by a number of clients recently as to when they need to legally apply for building regulation approval in relation to upgrades and improvements to their properties. At some point in our lives most of us get round to changing, extending or renovating our homes in order to make them our own. This month’s 10 questions are designed to increase your understanding in this regard and help you through this process.
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In case you missed it…..
Bus Shelter built across Private Driveway.....Again
Street furniture design company Clear Channel Adshel was recently involved in a roadside mix up, leaving a Gloucester man stunned as he returned home only to find his private driveway blocked by a shining new bus shelter.
To read the whole article, click here.

If you have any suggestions for articles to be written, send an email to the editor via the office email below.