Welcome News of Bounce in Housing Market

Property Surveying

A recent study from Lloyds TSB revealed that almost two-thirds of towns in England and Wales have seen year-on-year increases in house sales.

Home sales rose in 324 of the 500 towns tracked in the first half of 2012, compared with the first six months of 2011.

That is more than double the 151 locations where sales increased in the first half of 2011.

The port town of Felixstowe in Suffolk enjoyed the biggest homes sales increase, at 60%. Closely followed by ­Brighouse, in West Yorkshire, with a 53 per cent rise.

The Great Debate – To Build or not to Build?

PropertySurveying

The issue of whether or not Britain should be attempting to build its way out of a recession is the crux of a significant debate in the British media and property industry. In this article, we look at some of the key arguments and give you the opportunity to voice your own opinions.

The response so far has been fantastic; join the debate by having your say at the bottom of the article.

Proceeds of Crime Act – Brent to Receive Over £500,000 for Illegal Landlord House Conversion

Property Surveying

Norwich Crown Court has this month reached a decision on a case concerning a landlord in Brent, London who converted a house into 12 flats without the appropriate planning consent. He faces well over £1.4m in fines.

£500,000 of this will be due to Brent Council and the total of £1.4m constitutes the largest damages order ever seen for an incident of this type – reflecting the earnings Mr Ali illegally made from renting out the properties.

Follow this link or the one above to find a surveyor in London if you are planning on purchasing property or converting property to flats. A Chartered Surveyor will be able to advise on planning implications and meeting Building Regulations.

In Case You Missed It…… String of deaths leaves Britain’s most expensive house up for sale

PropertySurveying.co.uk

In our monthly newsletter, we highlighted a story concerning Britain’s most expensive home. A vast mansion in London with 45 bedrooms, a £300m price tag and a macabre past…

Read the rest of the article by clicking here

Five ways to help sell your home in a difficult market

A number of well peddled clichés surround the selling of a home, but some points slip under the radar. We expose five things you should address before selling your home, maximising its attractiveness to choosy buyers in a difficult market…

To see the rest of the article, and read inside tips from UK Chartered Surveyors, click here.

Draft Waste Plan Remains Viable for Worthing

Worthing Surveyor  – The withdrawal of one of the six waste disposal sites from a draft waste plan for West Sussex has still left it “sound”, the county planning committee was told.

Members heard that land at Decoy Farm,Worthing, had been taken out of the document following an objection from the borough council, which owns the site.

Some objections raised included the negative affect on house prices. Your local surveyor will be able to advise if you are worried about a local development affecting the value of your home. He can be found on either of the links above.

First Day on Site Ends with Terrible Injuries

Nottingham Surveyors – A first day on site for a Nottinghamshire labourer near Worksop, ended with the employee hit by a falling excavator bucket. The result was the loss of one eye and part of his scalp, a punctured lung and a two week coma. The case has recently been brought before Mansfield Magistrate’s Court and resulted in 250 hours unpaid work and £300 towards legal costs for the excavator driver.

The case has been referred to the Crown Court for further sentencing of the construction company itself. It highlights the importance of Health and Safety and effective project management. To instruct a qualified professional to manage a project, click here.

Devon Empty Homes Partnership Brings 1,000 homes Back into Use

Exeter Surveyors – Since 1990, Exeter City Council, working with local registered social landlords and the Homes and Communities Agency, has now brought 1,000 homes back into use.

Integral to the policy has been the Private Sector Leasing Scheme which works with landlords to bring their empty buildings back up to the decent homes standard.

Find a Devon Chartered Surveyor to supervise and advise on home / property refurbishments and extensions here