The Property Market Monthly Fact File - June 2014
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 provide a single place where anyone with an interest in UK property can find the information they need.
To read the monthly fact file, click here.

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Solicitors liable for half of Surveyor's Court damages liability on 'Bowerman' Principle
Ref. E.Surv Limited v Goldsmith Williams Solicitors [10 April 2014]
In this case, a practice of Solicitors acting for a bank lender were found to be equally to blame for a substantial over-valuation by a surveying firm, despite playing no part in the valuation process. The result? A £100,000 bill simply for not checking the Land Registry for a previous sale figure…
To read the whole article, click here.

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Caveat Emptor to disappear as sellers face imprisonment for not disclosing information that may affect the decision of any potential buyers.
Sellers and estate agents are now required to inform any prospective purchasers of any information that may affect the value of the house. This can include any structural defects and / or information about previous sales that fell through...
To read the whole article, click here.

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Going In Blind – Nasty Surprises For New Home Owners A survey produced by the insurance firm LV (formerly Liverpool Victoria) found that almost half of people (49%) of those who has bought a new home since the beginning of the year discovered unexpected damage after moving in. Almost a third of people (some 29%) of those who had bought a property already so far this year believe the seller deliberately concealed problems at the property during the sale. To read the whole article, click here.

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House builders fail in High Court claim over restrictive Neighbourhood Development Plan
Ref. R (BDW Trading Limited, t/a Barratt Homes and others) v Cheshire West and Chester Council and others [2014] EWHC 1470
In this case, two major house builders - Barratt Homes and Wainhomes - challenged, by way of Judicial Review, the decision by Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council to progress a Neighbourhood Development Plan in the village of Tattenhall, Cheshire. The Plan curtailed substantial development plans for the area and whilst the independent examiner saw no fault with the plans, the developers felt that the process had been defective and unreasonable. We look at the judgement and its potential impact on Neighbourhood Plans around the country…
To read the whole article, click here.

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A Tale of Two Countries
There has been much publicity over the last month regarding the state of the booming housing market. When closely analysed, however, the housing market itself has seen remarkable internal differences; with mild to modest increases in the vast majority of the country and the affluent South East surging ahead. The differences are sufficiently pronounced almost to suggest a tale of two different countries, rather than different areas within the same economy. What then can be done to rebalance this differential and bring the two halves of a broken country back into a single whole?
To read the whole article, click here.

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£23m released for Enterprise Zones to aid burgeoning recovery
Local Growth Minister Kris Hopkins MP announced on 28th May 2014 that £23 million of essential infrastructure investment will bring more jobs to Bristol, Manchester, Great Yarmouth and Leicestershire as part of the government’s long-term economic plan...
To read the whole article, click here.

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Interesting new Report attempts to debunk land bank myth – are developers really hoarding land?
In this article, we look at the popular belief that large housing developers are ‘hoarding’ land which would be better used to contribute towards the UK’s substantial housing undersupply. We look at a recent report which argues the opposite point of view and we attempt to explain why a large developer might want to keep a store of land…
To read the whole article, click here.

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Rejuvenating Britain’s High Streets – What is the secret? The state of Britain’s High Streets and their recent trend towards decline has been a topic of concern for many British stakeholders over the last few years. Whilst economic fortunes are improving, the success of the internet and out of town shopping centres are still major threats. We look at a report which has recently identified the secret to rejuvenating a British high street and the views of expert Mary Portas following her recent study into the area… To read the whole article, click here.

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Wind Turbine Increases It has been reported over the last month that the number of wind turbines in Britain has dramatically risen to around 30,000 after increasing by some 13% last year. Regardless, a number of indicators are indicating a decline in the popularity of such schemes and questions are being asked about what might replace wind in the coming years as the country's go-to 'green energy' type… To read the whole article, click here.

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Toothbrushes at the ready as The Colosseum has its first clean. The state of Britain’s High Streets and their recent trend towards decline has been a topic of concern for many British stakeholders over the last few years. Whilst economic fortunes are improving, the success of the internet and out of town shopping centres are still major threats. We look at a report which has recently identified the secret to rejuvenating a British high street and the views of expert Mary Portas following her recent study into the area… To read the whole article, click here.

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Whole idyllic village in South Devon put up for sale for £11.5m
After a year of speculation, the idyllic village of Bantham, South Devon has been put on the market for offers in excess of £11.5 million, causing many residents to fear for its future. With a price tag that high, it seems unlikely that too many British buyers will be interested…
To read the whole article, click here.

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And Finally....

In case you missed it…..

In case you missed it: Two Stars anger neighbours by carrying out works that are often regarded as needing no planning permission.
Planning permission is often misconstrued as only being associated with buildings and houses, but as an ex-Bond girl and current England footballer found out it can include the felling of trees and play areas for kids...
To read the whole article, click here.

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